Technically, no – lentils aren’t bad for dogs, provided they are offered in a plain, cooked format. Your canine gets an excellent source of fiber, protein, and vitamins, and minerals. Remember to introduce these beans slowly into your dog’s diet to limit the chance of stomach upset.
Yes, lentils are relatively safe for dogs to eat, and they do provide extra nutrition to a dog’s diet. Some dogs, however, may experience some mild gastrointestinal issues after consuming any legume due to their high-fiber content. Lentils, legumes in general, are known for being uniquely high in protein and fiber.
You could be thinking “Can I give my Dog lentils?”
Look for foods that are a healthy source of all the essential minerals your dog needs. If you make your dog’s food , you can add lentils. You likely only want to do so in small quantities anyway as they can cause gas in dogs. White and brown rice are good for dogs and can be part of a healthy diet.
The FDA is investigating whether lentils may be linked to heart disease in dogs. It is also investigating whether there is a connection between certain potatoes, peas, and chickpeas.
Are peas and lentils bad for dogs?
One reason red lentils, peas, and other legumes are sometimes considered bad is an ongoing FDA investigation. However, this investigation is not because of the lentils themselves. It is because of the dog food that contains them .
How common are lentils and peas in dog food?
From what we found, lentils are in nearly 10 percent of the recipes for dry dog food. Peas are found in nearly 5 percent and are listed as dried peas on almost all labels, with four recipes referring to dehydrated peas. In wet dog food, peas are listed in less than 2 percent of the recipes and lentils at 0.5 percent .
What kind of lentils are used in cat food?
Lentils are used in 9.1 percent of the dry cat food recipes, with lentils listed in 7 percent of the recipes, lentil beans 0.6 percent and green lentils 1.5 percent for a total of 9 percent. Dried peas show up in 4.8 percent of wet cat food recipes and 1.1 percent of wet cat food recipes.
Are lentils bad for You?
A study has found that raw lentils and all legumes , in general, contain large quantities of lectins, a group of glycoproteins ( Dolan et al, 2010 ). Technically, lectins can cause intestinal absorption and produce toxicity through bacterial growth in the GI tract.
Lentils are a good source of complex carbohydrates , which assist in breaking down simple sugars. They are also rich in vitamins, and contain a good amount of protein.