Lentils are recognized to be healthy legume, which has a very high nutritional value. The best thing about these food items is that you can prepare them without any difficulties.
Lentils can be used as an addition to soups, salads or a stand alone meal.
But what about the dogs?
Can dogs eat lentils?
Lentils are safe for your dog to eat. They are high in fiber, iron, zinc, thiamine, folate, and vitamins B5, and B6. They are also high in protein and have a low glycemic index. Lentils need to be cooked before serving and should not have any additional seasoning. Only feed lentils in moderation.
Lentils are found in some grain free dog foods and the FDA is looking at a potential association between dog foods with lentils (and other legumes) as a main ingredient, and a heart condition (dilated cardiomyopathy) in dogs. Consult your veterinarian if you have any concerns regarding your dog’s food.
Health benefits of lentils for dogs
Lentils are recognized to be a good source of fiber, iron, and plant-based protein, as well as being low-in calories. In addition to this, they offer different nutrients, such as zinc, iron, phosphorous, vitamin B, and carotenoids, to name a few.
Why can lentils be bad for dogs?
Consumption of lentils in excessive amounts can result in stomach upset and gas in the dogs. So, the dogs might feel uncomfortable and gassy if lentils are consumed excessively.
In addition to this, lentils can result in stomach upset. Hence, it is necessary to introduce these beans in small amounts.
How to feed lentils to dogs?
You can consider feeding lentils to the dogs in moderate and smaller amounts after soaking and cooking them without the spices. In addition to this, you can prepare lentils by mixing with vegetable and meat protein.
How many lentils should a dog get?
It is recommended to feed half a cup of lentils to the dogs daily. Make sure that the lentils are unsalted and plain. In addition, it would help if you refrain from adding extra flavorings to the lentils.
What foods can you give to your dog instead of lentils?
You can consider brown and white rice for the health of your dogs instead of the lentils. However, rice will not have as good of a nutritional value as green lentils.
Are dogs allergic to lentils?
Dogs, in general, are not allergic to lentils. However, excessive in-take of lentils leads to different kinds of stomach problems. Therefore, if your dog has fallen sick due to a higher than recommended in-take of lentils, you should immediately reach out to the veterinarian.
Can diabetic dogs eat lentils?
Lentils are high in fiber, iron, and different kinds of plant-based protein. Therefore, it is a safe choice for diabetic dogs.