Lentils are a highly nutritious legume that many people enjoy as part of their regular diet. But have you ever considered feeding lentils to your precious pooch? Can dogs eat lentils, or are they toxic to dogs?
Can dogs eat lentils?
Dogs can eat lentils, and they can make a very nutritious addition to your dog’s diet. For this reason, you will often see lentils and other pulses on the ingredient list for commercial dog foods.
Lentils should be cooked before being fed to dogs, in the same way as we would eat them.
Most dogs seem to enjoy the flavor of lentils and, when fed correctly and safely, they are a delicious and nutritious foodstuff for your canine buddy.
What are the health benefits of lentils?
Like most pulses, lentils are high in protein and fiber. This makes them an excellent hunger-satisfying snack for active, energetic dogs. The high fiber content is also essential for maintaining a healthy digestive system and preventing constipation, whilst protein is good for building strong, healthy tissue.
Feeding lentils to your dog provides a slow-release source of energy, and they can be a good source of calories for older dogs that may struggle to maintain their body weight. They may also be a suitable food source for diabetic dogs, although this should be checked with your veterinarian first.
The high iron content of lentils can be beneficial for your dog’s circulatory system. Iron is essential in the production of red blood cells, which transport oxygen around the body. This may improve your dog’s energy levels and exercise tolerance.
What should I be aware of when offering lentils to my dog?
Firstly, lentils should be cooked before they are fed to dogs.
Never feed dried lentils to dogs, as they contain lectins that may prevent your dog from absorbing other nutrients. Make sure to cook lentils thoroughly before your dog eats them to ensure they get the full nutritional benefit of their dinner.
Some concerns have been raised over dogs that eat lentils every day, either as part of a homemade doggy diet or in their commercially produced dog food. It is thought that there may be a very slightly increased risk of heart disease in dogs that eat food that contains high levels of legumes such as lentils.
However, research is ongoing into this issue, and it is only a cause for concern if you feed a commercial diet containing lentils. Currently, there is no advice to dog owners that lentils are not safe to feed to dogs… As long as they are cooked first and only fed in moderation.
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