Homemade Vegan (Whole Foods Plant-Based) Dog Food
***Updated on 4-11-2024***In April of 2023, we were devastated when one of our pugs (Aubrey) went to Heaven. Unbeknowst to us, she apparently had a back injury (we believe) from jumping off the sofa that ended up deteriorating her spinal cord. She eventually had to be put to rest after she developed a condition called Myelomalacia, and eventually, she could no longer breathe. We loved her SO much!!! She had bloodwork done not long before she passed away, and everything internally was still in excellent working order. She ate this incredibly nutrient-rich dog food and other whole plant foods for years! She was in such good health until this travesty happened. We still have her sister Ana with us, who is in very good health. We hope she will live a long time!!!NOTE: You do not have to feed your dog a commercial dog food if you feed our homemade food. Just make sure your dogs are a healthy weight and you are feeding them enough calories. Supplement their meals with some raw fruits, veggies, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, homemade dog biscuits, etc.) And ALWAYS consult with your vet to make sure they understand what kind of diet you plan to feed your dog(s).Here's what we feed our 17 lb, 13 year-old pug daily:6:00 AM: Heaping 1/3 cup of our homemade food (see recipe below) plus 1/6 cup of V-Dog kibble12:00 PM: One small serving of fruit (about 1 T) and some low-cal veggies (like a few pieces of red bell pepper, cucumber, carrots, sugar snap peas, steamed cauliflower, beets, etc.), plus 1 T of homemade unsweetened plain soy yogurt or tofu, as well. 6:00 PM: Heaping 1/3 cup of our homemade food (see recipe below) plus 1/6 cup of V-Dog kibbleRight after dinner: One homemade Peanut Butter Pumpkin Oat Biscuit ***UPDATED ON 4-11-2024***Homemade Vegan Dog Food – Made in an electric pressure cooker. We use our 8-qt Instant Pot, but it can be made in the 6-qt one, as well.THIS RECIPE MAKES about 18-22 cups (depending on whether or not you add the pumpkin and sweet potatoes to the mix.
Servings 18 cups
Equipment
- Pressure Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 cup dry organic brown rice
- ½ cup dry green/brown lentils rinsed well
- 1 cup dry, soaked garbanzo beans Measure after being soaked in water for several hours OR use 1 1/2 cups cooked beans (can be canned)
- 1 cup dry, soaked great northern or navy beans Measure after being soaked in water for several hours OR use 1 1/2 cups cooked beans (can be canned) NOTE: If your dog is over 7 years old, replace these beans with 1 cup of old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1- lb bag organic frozen spinach NOT thawed
- 1- lb bag organic frozen peas thawed
- 1- lb bag organic frozen green beans thawed
- 1- lb bag of frozen broccoli or cauliflower optional but healthy and will extend the food
- 1 lb organic carrots shredded in food processor or chopped small (you can also buy them pre-shredded)
- 1/2 cup chia seeds
- 1/2 cup ground flaxseed
- 7 cups hot tap water
- 15-oz can of organic pumpkin optional
- 1 1/2 cups cooked sweet potatoes optional (you can add more if you need to increase calories)
Instructions
- Shred carrots in food processor or chop into tiny dice by hand. Transfer to pressure cooker. This will be at the bottom of the pressure cooker to prevent burning.
- Then, change to an S-blade and process cooked or soaked beans to a medium coarseness.
- Add the ingredients to pressure cooker in order: beans, rice, lentils, oats (for dogs over 7 years old, if using) peas, green beans, broccoli, and spinach plus water.
- Cook for 12 minutes with natural release. It can take almost 45 minutes for the pressure to come down and release. Remove the pressure cooker lid and stir in chia seeds and ground flaxseed. If adding, stir in 1 can of organic pumpkin and 2 or 3 cooked sweet potatoes. Cool and put into individual containers with tight lids and freeze for future use.
Notes
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