Recipe- Dehydrated Sweet Potatoes

I've been getting a lot of hits from people searching for a way to make their own sweet potato dog chews, so here you go. I've never done this myself, but it's simple enough.

Sweet Potato Chews

Thoroughly wash sweet potatoes. Cut down the middle lengthwise. Cut long lengthwise slices about 1/3 of an inch wide and place them in a single layer on a cookie sheet.

Bake in the oven at 250 degrees for about 3 hours. This will leave them with a chewy texture. For crunchier treats, bake longer until they are the desired consistency.

Vegetarian Dog Videos

It's Only Natural-Vegetarian Dogs?
A short video promoting V-Dog food, but interesting for the fact that they interview veterinarians who are comfortable recommending veg diets for dogs.

VegTv-Organic Vegan Dog Food
An interview with a representative from PetGuard foods discussing their vegetarian and vegan dog foods, and how dogs do well on these diets.

These next two videos feel a bit like you've accidentally wandered into a strange church, and they are subtitled in about 15 different languages (which can be distracting or useful, depending on your situation). Very soothing though.

Vegan Food for Animal Companions
An interview with the founder of downBOUND.com (which sells vegan dog and cat food) on the topic of vegan diets for pets. Part 1 of 2.

Vegan Food for Animal Companions Pt. 2
An interview with the founder of downBOUND.com (which sells vegan dog and cat food) on the topic of vegan diets for pets. Part 2 of 2.

A Collection of Recipes

If you haven't checked out the Yummy for Dogs site, you should do so right now! They are providing vegan recipes for dogs free of charge. They even encourage you to sell their treats, as long as you give all the profits to animal rescue. This would be a great fundraiser for your local animal shelter, or you could even bring some of the cookies to the shelter to treat the homeless pups.

Their recipes are organised into the following categories: Biscuits, Entrees, Desserts and, for our non-doggie friends, Wildlife Food, Bird Food, and Rat and Mouse Food. There are also a couple of recipes for Grooming Products! It is recommended on the site that you use a supplement, such as Vegedog, with the entree recipes, as they are not formulated to be "complete and balanced".

You can also purchase the Yummy for Dogs cookbook through Lulu.com. All proceeds are donated to animal charities! (I'm not sure if the cookbook has the same recipes as the website, but Sable and I are definitely purchasing it. The money goes to help doggies, so I recommend you purchase it too.)

P.S. Sorry for the lack of updates lately, I've been a bit too busy!

UPDATE: I got my Yummy for Dogs cookbook in the mail today. It has lots more recipes than the website, even recipes for holidays and other special occasions. All recipes are vegan, with the exception of honey in a few recipes. If you avoid honey, it would be fairly easy to replace with other natural sweeteners, most dogs aren't picky! There is also a section in the back of the book on starting your own Yummy for Dogs program to raise money for animal shelters. Two paws up!

Cruelty-Free Grooming Products

People who are vegan for ethical reasons know that it's about more than just diet. Just as you check to make sure your shampoo isn't tested on animals, you should be checking your dog's too. Obviously as a collie, Sable requires quite a bit of grooming. I have been able to discover many cruelty free shampoos, conditioners, grooming sprays and more! This list is far from comprehensive, check around, there are new products and companies arriving on the scene all the time!

J.R Liggett's, My Dog Fergie's Shampoo- I just used this shampoo to bathe Sable, as well as my dad's two German Shepherds, Basko and Lobo. All three dogs came out incredibly soft and shiny. And poor old Lobo (who has such sensitive skin that other shampoos have caused him to break out in hives) looks fantastic, and is not itchy at all!

Cloud Star, Buddy Wash- A large selection of shampoos, conditioners, and grooming sprays. I have linked to the entire product line, please check the ingredients of products before purchase.

Earthbath Pet Products- Environmentally friendly shampoos, conditioners, grooming spray and pet wipes- the wipes are extremely useful for "spot cleaning". Some products, such as their bath bar, contain honey, so please check ingredients before buying.

Tropiclean, SPA- Not much info up on their site yet, but the local pet supply store carries their shampoo, and it says 100% cruelty-free on the labels. Interesting products, such as doggie bubble bath and facial scrub.They do not seem to be listing ingredients on their website, so contact them if you are interested.

The Well Adjusted Dog Co., Dog Nose Balm- For dry, cracked noses. Also works on paw pads! Natural, 100% vegan ingredients.

Mullein Ear Cleaner- Natural, vegan, cruelty-free ear cleanser for dogs.

Sable says "It's not easy being this beautiful."

Coupon for Vegan Biscuits!

Good until March 31st, by using the code VDAY8SQ986 at Boston Baked Bonz, you can save 10% on your purchase! The code can only be used 25 times, so I suggest you move quickly! Boston Baked Bonz is a 100% vegan dog bakery, they sell a variety of fresh-baked dog biscuits, along with hand painted collars, and gift boxes for special occasions. Sable loves their ginger cookies! (As a disclaimer: I do earn store credits when the code is used.)