Grow a Garden for Your Pet

Gardening for Cats

If you have cats, try growing some catnip (also called cat mint) for them. You can give it to them fresh or dried. Some people even give their cats catnip tea. Cats also love to graze on wheat or rye grass, both of which are easy to grow outside or near a sunny window. If there are unwelcome cats in your garden, try planting a patch of catnip and wheat grass away from the garden. This will encourage them to stay out of your flowers or vegetables.

Gardening for Dogs

Fresh fruits and veggies aren't just good for humans- dogs can benefit too! Orange foods like carrots, cantaloupe, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin are all easy to grow and good for your dog to eat. Green veggies like celery, green beans, spinach, and broccoli are also good plants for your vegetable garden that you can share with your dog.  Feed broccoli in moderation- too much can alter thyroid function.
Most of these foods (like carrots, green beans, celery and broccoli) can be fed raw and unprocessed, but for your dog to get the most nutrients from them they should be lightly steamed, or processed in a blender first. Add blended veggies, pumpkin, or sweet potato to homemade dog cookies to give your dog some extra fiber and nutrients during snack time.
Try this recipe from Rodale:

Vegetarian Dog Treats
Substitute just about any fruit or vegetable in this great vegetarian dog-treat recipe to add variety. This recipe uses an egg as a binding agent, but if you want to make these treats vegan, just mix the dough longer and omit the egg.

Ingredients:
2½ cups flour
¾ cup dry milk powder
½ cup vegetable oil
2 Tablespoons brown sugar
2 vegetable bouillon cubes, dissolved in ¾ cup boiling water
½ cup carrots, green beans, apples, or blueberries
1 egg (optional)

Directions:
In a large bowl, mix all ingredients and form into a ball. On a flour-dusted cutting board, roll out the dough to about ¼-inch thick.

Cut with bone-shaped cookie cutter or any cutter shape your pet will like.

Dehydrate at the highest setting—145 to 155 degrees—until done, approximately 6 to 8 hours.

These treats should be very dry, so add time as necessary.