Book Review

The Simple Little Vegan Dog Book: Cruelty-Free Recipes for Canines
By Michelle A. Rivera
Review by Tammie Ortlieb

An easy read, a useful resource guide, great recipes, informative but not overwhelming. What more could you ask for in a vegan dog book? Michelle Rivera, author of The Simple Little Vegan Slow Cooker and keeper of The Vegan Grandmother blog on PETA's Prime website (prime.peta.org), has brought compassion and caring into the canine kitchen. Careful to steer clear of arguing the point for veganism for dogs, Rivera instead supports those who may have already made the decision.

The Simple Little Vegan Dog Book provides answers to the questions most owners have when deciding to make the transition to a plant-based diet for their pets. What is veganism? Why is it good for the environment? How will it help my dog and not harm him? My favorite bit of info has to be the list of foods considered dangerous to canine companions, among them onions and chocolate, garlic and mushrooms. In addition, Rivera provides viewpoints of veterinarians, both pro and con, and personal experience stories of those who have fed their pets a vegan diet for years.

Article continues below

As for the recipes, they are as simple as the book's title suggests. Admittedly, my one hesitation to moving my pets to a plant-based meal plan would be convenience. Rivera, however, provides simple, manageable, menu ideas that could be prepared in even the most basically stocked kitchen. For everyday feeding try the Oats, Rice, Veggies, and Lentils or perhaps Snoopy's Great Pumpkin, Rice, and Beans. For special occasions, go all out with Snickerpoodles or Apple Pupcakes. And don't forget every pooch's favorite, doggy biscuits. Whip up a batch of Basic Vegan Dog Biscuits, Bulldog Bulgur Biscuits, or Yeasted Gourmet Dog Treats.

I highly recommend The Simple Little Vegan Dog Book to anyone thinking of transitioning their pet to a vegan diet. Order The Simple Little Vegan Dog Book: Cruelty-Free Recipes for Canines Now!

Tammie Ortlieb is a freelance writer and adjunct instructor with a Master's Degree in Developmental Psychology. She resides in southwest Michigan with her omnivorous husband, four veg kids, and small menagerie of pets. Tammie writes for various vegetarian sources, mostly on being okay with your vegetarian self. She's a book nerd, a research nerd, a health nerd, and a huge glass of soymilk half full kind of creature. Visit her blog at www.middle-agedveganchick.blogspot.com.

Sponsors: