HOW TO KEEP YOUR DOG VEGETARIAN

HOW TO KEEP YOUR DOG VEGETARIAN
	Many people think that dogs should be fed meat as part of their daily diet. But they fail to understand that dogs, being omnivorous do not require meat at all as their body system can be easily adapted to a healthy vegetarian diet. All over the world, vegetarian dogs have proved to live longer. Many people will argue that eating meat for dogs is natural. Perhaps for a dog in the wild. But is your dog in the wild? For a thousand years or more he has been a companion animal and man has bred hundreds of artificial varieties of dogs to produce a fashionable shape or form. So what is natural? Even if it were to be “natural” - is everything that is natural good for you? Malaria is natural, a child’s vomit is natural, floods are natural, earthquakes are natural inequality is natural - is it good for you? Do you desire them? So let us not use the “natural” argumemnt selectively. Can dogs live healthy and active lives on vegetarian food? Certainly! Dogs who are fed a completely vegetarian diet live long and healthy normal lives. No dog, or for that matter no human, requires specific foods, they require specific nutrients. Adog can easily be fed delicious meals of grains, vegetables and protein food to satisfy its complete nutritional needs. By choosing a vegetarian diet for your dog you will also avoid the terrible cruelty of killing one animal for another quite needlessly. There are practical, affordable ways to make the switch from feeding your dog dead and diseased bodies to a fresh, natural diet.
THE BASICS OF NUTRITION
	Dogs basically need a balanced diet comprising of protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Too much or too little of any may cause problems such as obesity, malnourishment or even vitamin or mineral toxicity. It is therefore, important that you have an understanding of what the animal needs. Proteins, carbohydrates and fats are essential to meet the specific need of dogs during heavy exercise, to regulate body temperature during cold weather and for lactating bitches. Similarly outdoor dogs are likely to have increased levels of exercise and thus require a higher percentage of proteins, carbohydrates and fats than a dog who stays indoors most of the time. A balanced diet provides adequate quantities of essential nutrients to each dog. Dogs can be kept on a lacto-ovo vegetarian diet that includes milk and eggs along with plant-based foods. Research shows that dogs fed soya protein grow well. Dogs thrive on a breakfast of wholegrain cereal and milk and a dinner of high protein food like cheese, eggs, groundnuts and textured vegetable proteins or legumes mixed with raw and/or cooked vegetables. Whole wheat bread (Challis), rice, sprouts, fruit and some hard foods, such as whole carrots and hard whole grain biscuits should be included for exercising the teeth and gums. The question of proper nutrition is not related to whether or not the diet contains animals products, but rather whether it contains sufficient amounts and proportions of a variety of nutrients. The world’s leading canine veterinary journals emphasise that plant protein and animal protein are digested equally well. Cooked starch is an easily digested nutrient. It has been found that dogs fed meat as a sole source of protein have difficulties producing adequate milk for their young as compared with dogs fed a diet that includes milk and vegetables. People who give their dogs meat buy what are commonly called ‘chichadas’. These are leftovers consisting of the fat, entrails and all the animal waste that cannot be sold for human consumption. This ghastly mess is then completely boiled to make it palatable thereby robbing it of any food value whatsoever. However, while it cannot do any good, it is still capable of plenty of harm. Salmonella bacteria derived from contaminated animal or animal products causes diarrhoea, nausea, fever, abdominal cramps, vomitting and chills in dogs. Cooking meat does not remove or even reduce the risk of salmonellosis. Diarrhoea is a common problem with pet dogs. The most common cause is consuming food heavily contaminated with bacteria or food containing pre-formed bacterial toxins or the products of food decomposition-all associated with meat. Meat is now the most polluted food source in the market. There are more pesticide residues in meat than in grains, vegetables and fruits. The long-term effect of all this toxic materials, particularly pesticides and heavy metals are increased cancer rates, allergies, infections, kidney and liver problems, irritability and hyperactivity in our pets. Must we stand by as our pets get sick from eating meat? Nutrient requirements for adult dogs and puppies (per kg. body weight/day) Nutrient(gm) Adult Puppy Protein Fat 4.8 9.6 Fat 1.1 2.2 Minerals(mg) Adult Puppy Calcium 242 484 Phosphorus 98 396 Sodium Chloride 242 484 Vitamins(IU)     A 110 220 B 11 22 C 1.1 2.2
HOW TO TURN YOUR MEAT-EATING DOG INTO A VEGETARIAN
	If you have brought your dog up on meat and now want to change, how do you go about it? Most pets adjust easily to their new diets but if you have a particularly finicky dog, what you should do is to reduce its meat from the current consumption to about 50 gms only. Boil this with water until it becomes a soup. Sprinkle this soup over the new meal for flavour. Continue reducing the quantity of soup until the dog successfully makes the transition. Make sure you serve food warm because this increases aroma and appeal. Introduce new foods gradually until they are accepted, letting your animal go without eating until it is hungry enough to try the new food. This not only helps the pet get used to the taste of new foods but also gives the animal’s digestvie system time to adjust. So by switching over gradually, you can reduce or avoid acceptance problems and the possibility of discomfort for your pet. You can also fast your animal for a few days stimulating a lagging appetite which helps in cleansing the body and deconditions old taste habits all at the same time. To fast, your pet needs a healthy setting like lots of fresh air, access to the outdoors and some moderate exercise. Begin the fast with a break in period of 1 or 2 days, feeding smaller quantitites of the usual food; moving on to a liquid fast such as pure water, vegetable juices and broths. To break the fast, add some solid foods like vegetables and after a day or so increase the amount, gradually adding other ingredients. In stubborn cases continue fasting the animal a few more days. Some people are frightened by the idea of fasting their pet and it seems that some animals would rather starve to death than eat anything but the food to which they are accustomed. But sooner or later the pet comes around as the instinct for survival is very strong. Sometimes fasting does not work and the pet just will not convert to a new diet. In that case it is better to compromise by mixing the old food with the new. Eventually the pet will get used to the new food. For the average healthy animal, the most important factor in accepting a new food is hunger. By nature the dog is a partial scavenger so it will adapt to eat whenever the oppotunitiy arises.
THE IDEAL DOG FOOD
	The amount of food that you offer will depend largely on the size of your dog and on the amount of energy it consumes from day to day. Large dogs, especially working dogs or those which get a considerable amount of exercise are able to utlise quite a lot of carbohydrates in their diet in the form of biscuits or meal to supply energy and warmth. It is difficult to generalise about the quantities of food which should be fed to a dog as even within the different breeds there are great differences in individual requirements. If you are feeding more food than the dog needs to replace tissues and to supply heat and energy for the body, it will be stored as fat which is not usually fit for the dog. The dog which is underfed will lose weight. The dog is naturally adapted to eating at fairly infrequent intervals and the food tends to remain in the stomach for a considerable time before digestion takes place. For the adult healthy dog, two meals are quite sufficeint, given at a regular time each day. Include equal proportions of fat and protein in your dog’s diet. The dog can become undernourished when you add oil to its food wihout increasing the protein, vitamin and mineral content accordingly. If your dog puts on too much weight, cut back the food a little; if the dog is underweight, increase the quantity a little. When deciding how much food to give your dog, you may feel tempted to increase its growth by giving it large quantities. Seeking maximum growth, particularly in large and giant breeds, can cause serious growth abnormalities. Heavy feeding and supplementing carried out by owners of giant breeds seeking to boost their dog’s growth may contribute towards the shortened lifespan of these breeds. It is not a good idea to give your dog as much food as it will eat. In practice, the quantity which seems to produce the best results in terms of growth is about 80 percent of what a dog would eat if unchecked. More than this can cause obesity; less may curb growth potential. Always confine feeding to set mealtimes only. Never feed your dog from the table, or it will come to expect such attention and be a nuisance, as well as put on weight. Nor should you give tidbits between meals, the only exception being rewards for obedience during training sessions, when you should provide healthy foods such as slices of carrot or apple or a piece of cheese. Even if the dog is to be allowed table scraps, put them in his own dish and give them at a proper time. A dog that gets extras throughout the day will often be difficult and refuse his real meals. A healthy dog that is getting sufficient exercise and the right quantity of food should be ready for his meals and demolish them at once. Try not to give your dog mithai and sweets. Some human foods can even be poisonous to dogs if consumed in large quantities such as chocolate which contains theobromine, a toxicant for dogs.
A DOG’S DAILY NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENT
	Component Amount Dietary Sources Main Function in Body Protein (4.8 g) Rice, bean, wheat products, legumes Growth & maintainence, repair & replacement of damaged tissues. Fats (1.1 g) Wheat germ, corn & safflower oil Smooth, lustrous coat, protects vital organs, brightness & builds up confidence Linoleic (0.22 g) Corn & safflower oil, black gram, rajmah coconut, almonds sesame, jowar, maize Prevents hair loss, smooth lustrous coat Minerals : Calcium (242 mg) Milk, cheese, bread Bone/tooth formation, nerve & muscle function, blood clotting Copper (0.075mg) Water kept in copper vessel Part of haemoglobin Phosphorus (198 mg) Milk, cheese ,Onions Bone/tooth formation, metabolic function Potassium (132 mg) Milk Water balance, nerve-muscle function, normal growth Sodium Chloride(242 mg) Salt, cereals Water balance, muscle and nerve activity Magnesium (8.8 mg) Cereals, green vegetables Constituent of bones & teeth, helps in protein synthesis Iron (1.32 mg) Cereals, bread, green vegetables Part of haemoglobin, needed in respiration, energy metabolism Manganese (0.11 mg) Nuts, cereals Involved in several enzymes & metabolism of fat Zinc (1.1 mg) Many foods including cereals Part of digestive enzymes & probably helps tissue repair Iodine (0.034 mg) Dairy products, iodised salt, vegetables Part of thyroid hormone Selenium (2.42) Cereals Associated with vitamin E, muscle cells Vitamins : A (110 I.U.) Butter, cheese, milk, carrots, papaya Associated with bone growth, reproduction, integument & vision D (11 I.U.) Dairy products Promotes bone growth & increase calcium absorption E (1.11 I.U.) Green vegetables, vegetable oils, cereals, dairy products Assists cell membrane function, reproduction K Spinach, green vegetables Blood clotting Thiamine 22* Whole grains, peas, beans, yeast, polished rice Co-enzyme in various functions with carbo-hydrate metabolism Riboflavin 48* Most foods, milk, yeast, rice bran green leaves of plants Part of enzymes involved in energy metabolism Pantothenic acid 220* Most foods, cereals legumes Central to energy utilization, normal functioning of adrenal glands and intestinal tract healthy skin/fur Niacin 250* Cereal grains, legumes Part of enxymes involved in many aspects of metabolism Folic acid 4* Legumes, wheat green vegetables prevents anaemic & normal Amino acid metabolism, blood, gastrointestinal activity Biotin 2.2* Legumes, vegetables Amino acid metabolism B12 (0.5*) Dairy products Transfer of carbon, division of cells in bone marrow Choline 26* Grains, legumes wheat germ, egg yolk Involved in fat metabolism, nerve function Results of deficieny Results of excess Minerals : Calcium Poor growth, rickets,convulsions, tremors,impairment of blood coagulation, faulty lactation, improper calcification, poor dentition Very high levels-bone deformities. Copper Anaemia Anaemia in other mammals, hepatitis in Terriers Phosphorous Rickets (rare), improper calcification, poor dentition, improper bone formation, demineralization of bones & teeth Symptoms of calcium deficiency Potassium Poor growth, paralysis kidney and heart lessions Muscular weakness Sodium chloride Poor growth,exhaustion Thirst, high blood pressure (if intake maintained) Magnesium Anorexia, vomiting muscular weakness Diarrhoea Iron Anaemia Weight loss, anorexia Manganese Reproductive failure, poor growth Poor fertility in other mammals, albinism, anaemia Zinc Hair loss, poor growth skin thickenning Diarrhoea Iodine Hair loss, apathy drowsiness In other animals, symptoms similar to deficiency Solenium Muscle damage Toxic Vitamins     A Night blindness, skin lesions, cataracts,conjuctivitis, corneal opacities/keratitis, inflammation of tongue & mouth Anorexia, pain in bones & malformation D Rickets, osteomalacia Calcification of soft tissues, anorexia E infertility, anaemia,muscle weakness n/k K Haemorrhage n/k Thiamine Anorexia, vomiting, paralysis, blisters on mucous membranes of mouth n/k Riboflavin Weight loss, weakness, collapse, coma n/k Pantothenic acid Slow growth, hari loss, convulsions, comas n/k Niacin Anorexia, ulceration of mouth (black tongue) n/k Folic acid Anaemia, poor growth n/k Biotin Loss of coat/hair, scaly skin, scurf (skin dandruff) sore tongue n/k B12 Anaemia n/k Choline Fatty infiltration of liver, poor blood clotting n/k Note : Amounts shown represent a dog’s daily requirments for every kg of its body weight I.U. - International unit mg - milligrams g - grams * - microgrammes n/k - not known in dogs
SPECIAL FOODS FOR SPECIAL CONDITIONS
	Most dogs thrive on the basic maintenance recipes but special conditions require special diets. PUPPIES -Extra protein, carbohydrates and calories are needed for new tissue growth and youthful activity. In the early stages of weaning, the bitch’s milk is the most vital source of nutrients while the puppies digestive and immune systems are learning how to handle new sources of food. Once weaned, puppies grow at a rapid rate and need to ingest very large amounts of energy and nutrients in relation to their size. It is essential to use more concentrated foods and offer three or four meals a day until the puppy reaches half its expected adult weight, and then two meals a day is normally recommended. Feeding the Puppy The main ingredients of a puppy’s diet are milk to supply protein, and biscuits and cereal to supply carbohydrates. Milk is of vital impotance to the growing pup as it supplies calcium and vitamin D, which are essential for bone formation. Many people think that giving milk to puppies causes worms. Puppy worms-round worms - are not caused by eating any kind of food, but are directly transmitted from dog to dog. It is usually thought that only meat is the source of protein, which is a myth. Eggs and soyabeans are equally good sources of protein. The main use of protein is to build muscle and body tissues. Milk contains its own protein (casein) which is the only source of protein in the first weeks of a puppy’s life. Carbohydrates (starch) are supplied by cereals, biscuits, porridge and bread. This is either used to produce energy and warmth, or stored as fat. It is better not to give too many biscuits to adult dogs, unless they are getting really hard exercise, or they may develop obesity and fat dogs soon become old dogs. Some pups enjoy green vegetables which may be added to the food daily. A pup’s dietary requirements are much greater than those of adult dogs in proportion to their weight. The main growing period in a dog’s life is between 7 to 20 weeks, so it can be understood the it is vital that at this time your puppy is given the right foods in the right amounts. Wrong feeding at this time can lead to poor bone formation, bad teeth or stunting of growth. Vary the meals giving dahlia, rice and dal, vegetable soup mashed vegetables, soft-boiled eggs and milk and chappatis. There are some basic guidelines to tell how much food should be fed. A puppy which is being fed 4 times daily can be given as much food as it will finish up straight away at each mealtime. Start with a tablespoonful and increase as necessary. If your puppy is well and active and food is being left, it means that you are certainly overfeeding.If however your puppy is not eating its food and seems quiet and listless, you should consult your vet immediately. A pup has a small stomach capacity and will thrive much better on frequent small meals rather than on one large one. Try to keep to regular mealtimes. If any food is left, do not leave it in the bowl to harbout germs but pick it up straightaway. Vitamin and mineral supplements may be needed for a pup which is in poor condition. These elements are essential for health but can be dangerous if given in excess. GROWING DOGS From weaning to maturity growing dogs are fed diets composed of cereals, leguminous seeds, vegetables, dals, soyabeans and fruits. Daily requiremeent varies according to body weight. BREEDING, PREGNANT AND LACTATING FEMALES Conceiving, carrying, giving birth and nursing offspring call for unusually high protein intake to grow new tissue. Eggs or beaten egg and milk makes a good tonic for a pregnant bitch or a dog in poor condition. Throughout lactation the bitch must eat, digest, absorb and utilise very large quantities of nutrients in order to produce sufficeint milk of adequate composition to support the growth and development of several puppies. As the volume of food required to provide all the calories is too much for the bitch’s gut to physically hold, it is necessary to feed concentrated prescription diets or puppy foods relying on fats as the main energy source. There are relatively few special nutiritional or feeding requirements for the bitch during pregnancy. The following are however, some general principles which should be followed : Body weight at mating should be stable at the desired weight for the breed provided that a balanced diet is being given. The normal feeding and exercising regime should be continued during the first 6 weeks of pregnancy. While occasional sickness may occur, the diet should not be changed unless feed intake decreases. Body condition and weight should show little change and any tendency to obesity be controlled. Although there is considerable development of mammary and uterine tissues before this, the extra need for nutrients and energy over an above maintainance requirments are quite small. A bitch in good condition at mating will not require any special food during pregnancy and can continue to receive her usual balanced diet. All that is necessary is gestation. It has been found that increasing the total food allowance by 10% each week from the 6th week onwards, so that intake at birth is approximately 50% more than at mating, is a satisfactory regime for most dogs. It may happen that a bitch with a large litter may have such an enlarged abdomen and such reduced activity that her appetite falls during the last week or 10 days of pregnancy. In these cases it is sensible to feed several smaller meals by augmenting the protein component in the diet. during the last week or so the food should be appetizing, nutritious, non-bulky and readily digestible. The bitch may go off her food on the last day of pregnancy but she will often be tempted by small quantities of an appetizing food rather than the usual larger meals. It is very important that water be constantly available. Lactation presents the biggest test of nutritional adequacy of any feeding regime. The bitch must eat, digest, absorb and use large amounts of nutrients to produce sufficient milk of adequate composition to support the growth and development of several puppies. After parturation the bitch should be offered frequent small meals with plenty of liquid for a day or so while the uterus involutes but gradually be returned to her balanced diet. Food requirement and intake will quickly increase if sufficient appetizing food is given. It is very important to realize that by the time the pups are about 3 weeks old the bitch may require at least three times her maintainance ration in order to provide for her litter and retain her own conditon. Any sudden decrease in food intake during early lactation should be immediately noticed as it may be the first sign of milk fever or eclampsia due to decrease in blood calcium, mastitis and metritis and in such cases immediate veterinary attention is necessary. CONVALESCENT AND ELDERLY DOGS When your dogs are sick or old, they may develop special dietary needs. You may make special meals to fulfill these specific dietary needs and overcome listlessness and refusal to eat. Sometimes, a dog vomits while eating his food. It is possible that some part of the food is causing you dog to vomit. Therefore, it is preferable to simplify his diet to something that he can easily eat and digest. Here is a meal for your sick or old dog. 2 cups oats (dahlia) 1 cup wheat grain 1/2 cup milk 1 finely grated apple 1 tsp garlic powder 1 pinch of kelp and salad (optional) 1 tsp calcium carbonate 15 mg zinc Preparation : Combine ingredients with water until oatmeal-like consistency. Offer food frequently. The consistency of the meal should be semi-solid to aid easy digestion. VEGETARIAN RECIPES Fixing fresh, nutritious meals for pets is little trouble and use a variety of grains and vegetable rather than sticking to the same formula every time. To economise the cost of feeding, it is always advisable to make use of fresh, local produce which is easily available and the only care to be taken is in the preparation and combination to make it a balanced ration. Artificial or medical preparation should be avoided, as far as possible, as they have only passing good effects and there is the danger of the animal becoming to them. Khichdi Khichdi is an equal mixture of rice and gram (dhuli moong dal/chana dal or both). Preparation Wash rice and dal properly and cook in water with some salt and turmeric powder to a soft semi-dry consistency. Sprinkle with a little dhaniya. Judge the dog’s appetite and cook accordingly. you can break in a raw egg at the time of serving. Indian Hotpot This recipe is very simple using readily available vegetables like onions, garlic, carrots, beans, potatoes, cabbage and palak. Do not give palak everyday because it can lead to formation of stones in the kidney. 1 tbsp vegetable oil 1 large onion (minced or cut into small pieces) 3-4 cloves garlic (chopped) 1 pinch of salt 1 pinch of turmeric powder (enough to get a medium colour of cooked food) Preparation Cut the vegetables into very small pieces. Heat the oil for 10 minutes, add the cut onion and garlic and stir till very light brown. Add the cut vegetables and fry over low fire for 10 minutes. Add a pinch of salt after adding turmeric powder. Add about 2-3 cups of water, cover with the lid and allow it to cook till the vegetables are tender. Add more water if water dries up. The soup is ready if it smells good and looks presentable. Rice or wheat chappati (roti) can be added to the soup which is then mixed well and served. Potato Mash 2 large boiled potatoes 1 cup curd 4 chapattis/6 slices of bread a pinch of salt (optional) Preparation Mash potatoes with small pieces of bread/chapatti, mixing it with curd. Add salt. Soyabean Curry 1 cup soyabeans 2 medium sized chappatis 1 cup water 1 finely grated carrot a pinch of salt and turmeric powder. Preparation Soak soyabeans overnight in a cup of water. Steam for at least 20 minutes in the same water. Add salt and turmeric powder. Mix medium sized pieces of chappatis with the soyabean curry. Dry Paneer 1 cup paneer 2 chappatis a pinch of salt (optional) Preparation Mix chappatis and paneer together, adding a pinch of salt. Salt is optional as some dogs prefer their food without it. Green Beans/Lentil Meal Beans are an excellent food because of their high carbohydrate, vitamin, and mineral content. If your dog needs a high protein diet, then reduce the oil in the recipes. For puppies, such feeding however may cause over nutrition or obesity, leading to canine Hip Dysplasia and a shortened lifespan. 2 cups cooked lentil (masur dal, chana dal) 1 cup green french beans 1 cup wheat grain 1 tsp powdered calcium carbonate 3 tsp vegetable oil 1 cup finely chopped spinach (or steamed) 1 finely grated carrot 1/8 tsp kelp (optional) a pinch of salt 1/4 gm or more powdered or steamed alfalfa (optional) 20 mg zinc (crushed tablets) 1 Sprig Dhaniya Preparation Wash and rinse green beans. Soak overnight with 2 cups water for every 1 cup beans. Add enough water to cover beans, bring to boil, then simmer for approximately 2 hours. Add other ingredients to it and serve when warm. If you subsequently notice whole beans in the stool, mash beans in blender or food processor before adding to the food. Rice Gruel 1 cup rice flour 1 ½ cup milk/curd 1 cup milk/curd Preparation Dry roast rice flour till it is golden brown. Add milk gradually stirring to avoid consolidation. Add water to dilute the rice gruel. You can use curd instead of milk if preferred. Misi Roti 1 cup wheat flour ¼ cup gram flour (besan) ¼ cup grated vegetables (carrots, cabbage, potatoes, beans) ½ cup milk/curd a pinch of salt (optional) Preparation : Mix together wheat flour, besan, salt and grated vegetables. Knead it with milk/curd for softness and form into small balls. Roll each ball into medium sized rotis and serve with curd. French Toast 4 pcs of bread/2 thick chappatis 2 eggs 1 tsp vegetable oil ½ cup milk (optional) a pinch of salt Preparation : Break eggs into bowl, mix lightly. Dip bread in the egg batter adding salt. Roast egg-soaked bread on the tava pan using oil to make it slightly crisp. You can put milk on top of the bread/chappati soaked with egg before roasting. Oots Pulao 1 cup oats 1 cup finely grated vegetables (beans, carrots, cabbage) 3 medium sized onions 3 cloves garlic (crushed) 2 medium sized tomatoes ¾ cup nutrella (soyabean) 2 cups water a pinch of salt (optional) Preparation Saute ground onions and garlic. Add all the ingredients grated vegetables, tomatoes, nutrella, salt and cook well. Keep aside. Dry roast oats separately, then add boiling water and simmer. Cook till the water dries. Mix the cooked oats with the vegetables. Potato Salad 6 potatoes (peeled & diced) 2 cucumbers (sliced) ¼ cup curd 1 cup skimmed milk a pinch of salt Preparation Cook potatoes in a large pan of salted boiling water. Drain and cool, cutting into small pieces. You can mash one potato for thick consistency and mix well with the rest of the cooked potatoes, cucumbers, curd and milk. Fruit Delight ½ orange ½ banana ½ apple 2 slices of papaya Preparation Peel oranges, remove the pits and slit into segments, cut the bananas, apple and papaya into small pieces. Mix all the fruits and serve chilled in summer. Dog Biscuits 9 cups whole wheat flour 1 cup nutritional yeast 1 tbsp salt 1 tbsp garlic powder 1 tbsp spirulina (Optional : can substitute 1 cup of ground-up nuts or seeds and 1 cup of oat flour for the 2 cups of whole wheat flour) Preparation Mix dry ingredients. Add approximately 3 cups water. Knead into a pliable dough. Roll out 1/8” thickness. Cut into desired shapes. Bake for 10-15 minutes at 350 F. After turning off oven, leave biscuits in the oven overnight or for an eight hour period so they become hard and crunchy.