Can dogs eat lentils?
They are small, round, and full of plant-based proteins. For us, lentils are among the healthy legumes and are indispensable in many stews and curries alongside chickpeas and beans. But what about our furry friends, who pierce us with their pleading looks while we happily stand in the kitchen cooking lentils? For your dog, only cooked lentils are allowed. Raw lentils, on the other hand, are [→toxic](/magazin/hunde/hunde-gesundheit/diese-dinge-sind-giftig-fur-deinen-hund) and have no place in any dog bowl!
In addition to the high content of plant protein, lentils also contain complex carbohydrates, many fibers, antioxidants, and B vitamins. Furthermore, they are a real mineral booster and provide the (dog) body with zinc, iron, magnesium, and folic acid.
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How to feed lentils to your dog
If you want to share the valuable properties of lentils with your dog, you should wash and cook them well before feeding. Once cooled and mixed into the food, a few lentils can provide some variety and healthy nutrients in the bowl. However, keep in mind that in →high-quality complete feeds, the individual food components are already balanced** with each other, ensuring that proteins, vegetables, fruits, as well as minerals and fats are present in sufficient quantities.
So should I better not feed my dog lentils? That depends! In a [→vegetarian](/magazin/hunde/hunde-ernaehrung/kann-ich-meinen-hund-vegetarisch-ernaehren) or even [→vegan dog diet](/magazin/hunde/hunde-ernaehrung/den-hund-vegan-ernaehren-das-solltest-du-wissen), you can find lentils quite frequently in the ingredient lists of dog food manufacturers. Just like for us humans, lentils also provide our dogs with valuable protein. In combination with other foods, they can therefore represent a good alternative to conventional meat-based diets - provided that all nutrients for your four-legged friend are adequately covered!
Are you curious and would you like to try vegetarian or vegan dog food? With Pets Deli GREEN, you provide your dog with valuable nutrients on a plant-based diet. For example, our →wet food "Green Vegan" contains protein-rich lentils and lupins, as well as quinoa, chard, sweet potatoes, and zucchini. Everything is balanced to optimally meet your dog's nutrient needs.
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When are lentils toxic for dogs?
As you have already learned, you should always serve lentils cooked to your four-legged friend. In their raw state, these legumes, as small as they are, are toxic to dogs and can lead to poisoning symptoms. The reason for this is that raw lentils (just like raw beans and chickpeas) contain the substance phasin. This active ingredient is toxic to our dogs and can, if fed regularly or in excess, lead to clumping of red blood cells and severe gastrointestinal issues up to internal bleeding.
If your dog has helped itself to a pack of raw lentils, seek prompt veterinary care. With the help of a syringe, your four-legged friend can be induced to vomit and treated accordingly.
Which vegetables are suitable for dogs?
As a tasty topping occasionally, the small legumes can be used, but as a tasty snack in between, they are rather unsuitable. If you want to do something good for your dog and offer him some fresh fruit or vegetables from time to time, opt for a →crunchy carrot, a →piece of sweet banana, or a piece of →juicy apple**.
With our "BARF Complete," you can feed your dog easily and at the same time with delicious, fresh ingredients. The menu already contains everything your four-legged friend needs daily: fresh meat, fruits, and vegetables, as well as minerals and oils. Everything is weighed and pre-portioned, super fresh and tasty!
