by Sheila Rae Watson

Created on: September 21, 2008   Last Updated: January 24, 2009

It is easy to make vegetarian based dog kibble at home. This homemade "Herby" kibble is packed full of protein, calcium, and organic goodness. Fresh Rosemary and other herbs tucked inside the mix offer savory preservative characteristics as well as breath freshening power! Dogs thrive on a vegetarian diet, with supplementation; this we do to assure they receive important nutrients and protein to suit their canine needs.

Here you will find a dog food recipe with which you can supplement your dogs' regular diet. Your precious pooch will love the taste of this very slightly sweet food, and he will benefit from its plaque removing chew-ability!

-Herby Dog Kibble*

Ingredients:

2 cups organic whole-wheat flour

1 cup organic graham flour

1/2 cup organic soy flour

1 1/2 cups organic powdered whole milk

3 cups water or vegetable broth

2 organic eggs, shells included

1 tsp. baking powder

2 tbsp. molasses

1/4 cup fresh parsley

1/4 cup dried organic mint leaves

4 tbsp. dried organic rosemary

1/4 cup olive oil

Instructions:

Combine dry ingredients in a bowl and stir. Reserve.

Add water, eggs, molasses, and oil in a large bowl. Whisk to combine.

Pulverize eggs shells in a mini-food processor. Add to water mixture.

Pour into the large bowl of electric mixer, set on medium speed, begin adding dry ingredients. Using dough hook, knead dough until it is smooth, around 5 minutes. Remove to floured counter top.

Roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut dough into 2 inch pieces using a long sharp knife; cut horizontally, and then cut vertically. You may want to cut on the diagonal into diamond shapes. Alternately, it is fun to cut dough using a floured, bone shaped cookie cutter, rolling and cutting using all dough. Toss gently to break up all connected pieces.

No matter how you choose to cut the kibble, allow it to air dry thirty minutes.

Preheat oven to 300oF.

Place cut kibble on ungreased cookie sheets and bake 20 minutes. Turn oven off, leave dog bones in oven until very hard. Approximately. 2-4 hours. (Depending on thickness)

Remove from oven. These should be rock hard, just like packaged dog kibble.

Package in vacuum-sealed bags; kibble will last indefinitely this way. Alternatively, seal in zip-locked bags and stow in your freezer. Allow to thaw at room temperature before serving.

Recipe makes approximately 2 lbs. Kibble or 60 dog treats, according to bone cutter size.

Serve these treats with a bowl of fresh water.

If giving to older or small dogs, break into bite sized pieces.

Made from human quality foods these treats will help your dog have good strong teeth, a healthy shiny coat, and sweeter breath.

*Recipe used with permission from Western Pet Pastries. A pet treat business that offered a line of organic/natural dog and cat treats and kibbles.

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