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I add vegetables to my dogs' raw food diet for fiber, additional nutrients, antioxidants, and food for gut bacteria. This is my easy veggie mix recipe for dogs.

I began adding a vegetable mix to my dogs' diet to help one of our dogs lose weight. I continue making a veggie mix to add fiber, antioxidants, food for the gut bacteria, and additional nutrients to my dogs' diet. Although dogs are carnivores, they benefit from adding vegetation to their diet.

The following is a recipe I made in 2023 for my dogs.

  • Cost: $50
  • Prep/Mix Time: 45-60 minutes
  • Makes twelve 32-ounce jars of veggie mix

Benefits of Vegetables for Dogs

Vegetables are a great source of nutrients for dogs and have many potential benefits for their health. It's a fallacy that dogs can't digest vegetables. Dogs produce a small amount of amylase, an enzyme that aids in the digestion of carbohydrates, through their pancreas. We break the cellular wall by pureeing, freezing, or blanching vegetables, making the nutrients more bioavailable.

Here are some of the benefits of vegetables for dogs:

  • Nutrient-rich: Vegetables are packed with essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants that can help support a dog's overall health and well-being.
  • Improves digestion: Vegetables are a good source of fiber, which can help improve digestion and keep a dog's stools regular.
  • Low in calories: Vegetables are typically low in calories, making them a great option for dogs on a low-calorie diet or trying to maintain a healthy weight.
  • Anti-inflammatory properties: Some vegetables, like leafy greens, contain anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation and lower the risk of certain chronic diseases.
  • Supports immune system: Vegetables contain compounds that can help boost the immune system, reducing the risk of infections and diseases in dogs.

DIY Vegetable Mix for Dogs (ingredients optional):

Each batch of my veggie mix contains slightly different ingredients. The following is the batch I made in the above video. The greens were purchased in bunches,

  • 3 – collard greens
  • 1 – kale
  • 2 – zucchinis
  • 2 – yellow squash
  • 1 – bag of carrots (regular size)
  • 1 – red cabbage
  • 1 – bag of okra (I filled a produce bag)
  • 4 – baby bok choy
  • 1 – garlic
  • 10 oz – shiitake mushrooms (click for benefits)
  • 32 oz – turmeric bone broth (click for recipe)

I also added wild stinging nettles and dandelions. I filled my harvesting basket with both, but I don't know how much. I dried the nettles and dandelions for several days prior to making the veggie mix.

Note: You don't have to follow the above recipe. You can make any blend of vegetables that you like as long as they're safe for your dog.

What You'll Need to Create this Veggie Mix

I used the following tools to mix up 24 pounds (384 ounces or 12 32-ounce jars) of my veggie mix:

  • a knife; I use a meat clever
  • cutting board
  • three 8-qt mixing bowls (I also use a 20-qt stock pot)
  • Nutri-Bullet (or food processor)
  • mixing spoon
  • 12 – wide-mouthed jars

It takes 45-60 minutes to chop, blend, and mix everything.  I then transfer the mixture into glass jars and freeze. Tip: don't seal the containers until the veggie mix is frozen.

Veggie Mix Instructions

  • Chop and puree vegetables, then pour into a large bowl.
  • Sautee mushrooms before stirring them into the veggie mix.
  • Pour bone broth into the veggie mix.
  • Mix thoroughly before transferring the mix to wide-mouth glass jars.

Common Questions About My Veggie Mix

Why do you add vegetables to your dogs' diet? – I feed vegetables primarily for fiber, antioxidants, and food for the gut microbiome.

Do you use this veggie mix instead of a base mix? – No. This is not a base mix and will not balance a raw diet.

Do you cook or blanch the vegetables before pureeing? – I chop the vegetables and then puree them; I sautee the mushrooms in MCT oil and add them to the pureed vegetables.

Do you have to use organic vegetables? – No. I prefer to use organic vegetables for my vegetable mix because they have less exposure to toxins and may be more nutrient-rich. I buy them from local farms and grow my own in the summer.

Do I have to use the vegetables listed here? – No. You can use any vegetable that is safe for your dog.

How much of the veggie mix do I add per meal? – I usually add a spoonful, a little more if a dog needs to lose weight.

Can this be fed to dogs on a kibble diet? – Absolutely! This is an excellent way to add fresh food and healthy fiber to their diet.

What's the difference between this mix and Green JuJu? – This isn't a DIY Green JuJu recipe. It's only a blend of vegetables. I also alternate Bailey's Blend and Just Greens, two Green JuJu products, into my dog's diet.

Can I Add Fruit to the Veggie Mix?

Yes. I sometimes add apples or blueberries to my veggie mix. I have apple trees and grow blueberries and when they're in season, I will add them to the veggie mix.

  • Apples: Apples are packed with vitamin “C” and pectin. Pectin is a powerful detoxifier, reducing the risk of heart disease. Because it slows the absorption of sugars, it benefits animals with diabetes. Except for avocados (don't give to birds), apples are the only fruit that may be mixed with vegetables. Apples are best when in season. Leave the skin intact.
  • Berries: Berries are rich in vitamins “A” and “C,” potassium, and fiber. Check your pet's stool to make sure they can assimilate berries. When choosing strawberries, try to buy organic ones. Like bananas, strawberries are often contaminated with insecticide sprays.

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