An Informative Guide to Vegetarian Dog Treats

3 Of The Best Brands

The three best brands of vegetarian dog treats based on ingredients, price, and consumer opinion include:

Pet Naturals of Vermont Garden Treats

These vegetarian dog treats contain powdered apples, broccoli, carrots, and zucchini and cost around $7 for a 4.2 ounce pouch.

PetGuard Mr. Barky's Vegetarian Dog Biscuits

These treats contain no meat and no yeast and are full of whole grains like oats and brown rice. A 21 ounce box costs around $5.

Cloud Star Buddy Biscuit Peanut Butter Dog Treats

This formula contains only unbleached white flour, peanut butter, vegetable oil, lecithin, and tocopherols, which are natural preservatives. A 16 ounce box costs around $6.

Making Your Own Vegetarian Dog Treats

Besides having complete control over all of the ingredients and their amounts, making your own vegetarian dog treats can save quite a bit of money as well. For dogs that have allergies to certain ingredients or for those that may be in need more of one vitamin or type of food than another, recipes for treats can easily be altered accordingly.

Always keep in mind that some fruits and vegetables are actually harmful, even fatal for dogs, such as the dreaded grape or raisin, which should never be given to a canine. Ask your veterinarian for their recommendations who can also give you a list of foods to strictly avoid if you aren't quite sure.

Here's a simple recipe for vegetarian dog biscuits that are easy to make and healthy for your pooch:

Carrot Surprise Snacks

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups of whole wheat flour
• 2 vegetable bouillon cubes, reduced or low salt
• 2 tablespoons of sugar
• 1 whole egg, beaten lightly
• 3/4 cup boiling water
• 3/4 cup powdered skim milk
• 1/2 cup - 3/4 cup carrots, shredded
• 1/2 cup of vegetable oil

Directions:

Preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit while dissolving the bouillon cubes in boiling water. Stir in the sugar and powdered milk, then add the oil and egg. Beat the mixture together until well combined before adding the carrots. Next, blend in the flour to form a dough and roll the mixture out with approximately a 1/4" thickness and cut into shapes using cookie cutters. Finally, place the biscuits on a lightly greased cookie sheet baking for about 30 minutes or until golden brown. For even crispier biscuits, turn the heat off in the oven and allow them to sit inside for a while longer. Be sure to let the treats cool completely before giving to your dog.