by A. South

Created on: September 16, 2008

Dog owners will choose to make vegetarian dog food and dog treats for multiple reasons. Vegetarian dog food is an ethical option that allows your pet to enjoy delicious, nutritious food without requiring the ill-treatment of other animals.

Also, many dogs are allergic to meats and other ingredients. When you make your own dog food, you can control what your dog is eating and be sure that they are getting the best nutrition possible.

When feeding your dog a vegetarian diet, it's important to make sure these natural carnivores are getting enough protein. All of the recipes below have the essential protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and nutrition that a dog needs to be healthy and happy.

Below are easy recipes for dog food and treats that are all vegetarian.

*Vegetarian Dog Food
Ingredients:
- 8 cups oats
- 2 cups brown rice
- 6 cups barley
- 2 lbs. carrots finely grated
- 3-4 bunches broccoli - grate stems, chop flowerets
- 6 zucchini grated or 1 lb. green beans chopped
- 1/2 bunch parsley, chopped
- 4-5 cloves garlic, minced

Directions:
Use 8 quart stock pots. Cook oats. In another pot, cook brown rice and barley. Cool (to save time, cook in evening and cool overnight). Next day: Cut vegetables - use food processor. Using rubber gloves, combine all ingredients in a 25 quart stock pot. Shape into balls about 1/4 lb. each. Wrap and freeze. This recipe can be easily scaled down for smaller batches.

*Peanut butter treats
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1/2 cup oil
- 2 eggs
- 3 tbsp. peanut butter
- 2 tsp. vanilla
- 2 cups flour
- 1/2 cup cornmeal
- 1/2 cup oats

Directions:
Blend first five ingredients together. Whisk remaining ingredients together and mix into wet mixture to form a ball of dough. Roll out and shape. Put onto a non-stick cookie tray or lightly greased one. Cook 20 minutes at 400 F. Turn off oven and allow the biscuits to cool in oven until crisp and hard. Store in air-tight container.

*Nutty Buddy Dog Food
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. shell pasta, cooked according to package directions
- 16 oz. vegetarian spaghetti sauce
- 2 (12 oz.) cans chickpeas
- 6 eggs
- 1 (16 oz.) bag peas and carrots, thawed
- 8 oz. cheese, cut into cubes (optional)

Directions:
Cook the pasta and let it cool. Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl. Divide the mixture and put 2-cup portions into zip-lock bags. One zip-lock bag is a meal for a very large dog. Recipe freezes well.

*Vegetarian Dog Biscuits
Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups flour
- 3/4 cup dry milk powder
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp. brown sugar
- 2 vegetable bouillon cubes; dissolved in
- 3/4 cup boiling water
- 1/2 cup carrots (optional)
- 1 egg

Directions:
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Mix all ingredients into a ball and roll out to about 1/4" thick. Cut with bone-shaped cookie cutter, or strips, or a cutter shape of your own choice. Place on un-greased cookie sheet and bake 30 minutes.

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