Black-Eyed Pea Stew with Tofu for Dogs

Disclaimer: Images and recipe is from Nikki of Active Vegetarian

Ever heard of black-eyed pea stew with tofu? Curious about it? Read on.

Dogs have undergone thousands of years of coevolution with humans, adapting to become omnivores. Indeed, dogs are omnivorous, meaning they obtain all necessary nutrients from both plant and animal sources.

In light of this, it's important to recognize that dogs have nutrient needs rather than ingredient requirements. As long as your dog receives all the essential amino acids and other nutritional necessities, there is no physiological distinction between whether these needs are fulfilled by plant-based or animal-based sources.

What are the motivations for opting for a plant-based diet for dogs as opposed to one centered on animal proteins? Well, for the very same reasons that we humans flourish when we prioritize plant consumption and reduce meat intake.

An animal-centric diet is associated with a multitude of health issues, including diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Our canine companions are susceptible to the same degenerative ailments as we are! By substituting animal protein with plant sources, you can guarantee high-quality protein that is not only sustainable but also more environmentally friendly.

Why Homemade?

Although there are numerous commercially produced vegan foods and snacks for dogs on the market, the majority of them lack nutritional value because they contain additives and fillers. In the most severe instances, your dog might experience illness or develop allergies as a result of consuming these products, which is one of the factors behind our choice to prepare Oliver's meals at home.

Preparing food for your dog need not be laborious, expensive, or intricate! You can enhance your dog's nutrition with straightforward, wholesome ingredients that are both easy to prepare and more budget-friendly than buying ready-made pet food.

We are delighted to present a highly nutritious stew today, brimming with plant-based protein, complex carbohydrates, and essential fatty acids. You can enhance the nutrient diversity of this recipe by incorporating a range of beans, including pinto, black, or kidney beans.

Black-Eyed Pea Stew with Tofu

Nikki

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Servings 2

Ingredients

  

• 1 1/2 cups Black eyed peas, dried soak the dry peas in water overnight or for 8 hours
• 1 Sweet potato cubed
• 3 Potatoes cubed
• 4 Carrots sliced
• 1 Tofu shredded
• 1 cup Spinach chopped
• 2 tbsp Dulse flakes
• 2 tbsp Cold-pressed hemp seed oil

Instructions

 

• Add peas to 4 cups of water in a large pot or bowl and soak overnight. Drain peas and rinse. Place peas in a large pot with 6 cups of water and bring to boil on medium-high. Cover and reduce heat to a simmer for about 45 minutes or until peas are tender. If they are drying out before being tender then add extra water.
• Next mix in shredded tofu, potatoes, carrots and 2 cups of water. Simmer on medium heat for 25 minutes.
• Remove from heat and allow to cool for 10 minutes.
• Then add the dulse flakes and hemp oil, and stir through until well combined.
• Leave to cool before serving.

Notes

Storage: You can preserve any remaining food in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days, or you have the option to freeze it, which will maintain its quality for up to 3 months. Please be aware that since this recipe lacks preservatives, its shelf life isn't as extensive as that of commercial dog food.

Feeding Guidelines: Determining the precise serving size for your dog can be challenging. The specific quantity of food your dog needs is contingent upon factors such as their activity level, age, environment, and breed. We gauge Oliver's appetite, which serves as a valuable indicator for us to determine his daily portion. It fluctuates based on his daily activity. As a reference, he weighs 32 pounds, engages in 2-3 hours of exercise, and typically consumes around 4 cups of food per day, in addition to energy-boosting treats during our walks. If we notice him losing weight, we simply adjust his food intake accordingly.