Mary Allen
Lentils with spaetzle are one of the favorite meals in Germany. Perhaps you are also one of those people who like to give their dog something from the table.
And now you’re wondering, “Can dogs eat lentils?”
You can now find out whether you can resist your four-legged friend’s begging looks and what you should consider when feeding lentils.
In a nutshell: Can my dog eat lentils?
Yes, your dog can eat lentils, but only in cooked form. Raw legumes like lentils, chickpeas and beans are just as harmful to dogs as they are to humans.
Raw lentils contain phasin. The substance is toxic and sticks together the red blood cells. The result is severe gastrointestinal problems. Larger amounts may cause internal bleeding.
Raw lentils are poisonous
Lentils belong to the legumes. You must not feed your dog raw lentils. As with other raw legumes, lentils contain the substance phasin. It also contains a bitter substance called saponin. Both substances stick together the red blood cells.
The following symptoms and signs of intoxication can be observed 1-3 hours after consumption:
- Stomach cramps
- Vomit
- bloody diarrhea
- Fever
- chills
The toxins are only broken down by cooking and then your furry friend can eat lentils without hesitation. Assuming he can handle it. The substances are no longer detectable after just 15 minutes of cooking time. You usually don’t need to soak the lentils before cooking. The red lentils are the quickest to cook.
Important to know
Some dogs are highly sensitive to phasin, others less so. As a precaution, take your four-legged friend to the vet if he has eaten raw lentils.
Not all dogs tolerate lentils
Dogs can get bloated after eating. When feeding your dog lentils for the first time, start with a small portion. After that, you should keep a close eye on him to see if he can tolerate lentils.
If your dog does not tolerate beans or other legumes, it may be different with lentils. Lentils are easier to tolerate and digest. Just try it. If your dog tolerates lentils and likes them, he can have them more often.
Good to know:
There is even dog food that contains lentils. If your darling has to go on an elimination diet or has an allergy to animal protein, lentils, and other legumes are the ideal alternative. Lentils are suitable as a staple food for dogs.
Lentils bring health benefits to dogs
Lentils contain a lot of vitamin E, which has a positive effect on the immune system. The vitamin can also support healthy cell function in your dog.
Vitamin E is considered a cell protection vitamin and thus protects the cells from oxidative damage and free radicals.
Furthermore, the ingredients in lentils are healthy for the brain and optic nerves. The muscles also benefit from it.
Lentils also contain many other vitamins and minerals:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6
- vitamin C
- Vitamin D
- vitamin E
- vitamin k
- potassium
- magnesium
- calcium
- iron
Lentils are high in fiber and low in fat. You can therefore also feed an overweight dog a small portion of cooked lentils. They fill up your dog and at the same time you do something good for him with this high-quality legume.
Another benefit of lentils is that they don’t spike blood sugar levels.
What you should pay attention to when feeding lentils
Only cooked lentils should end up in the dog bowl. You can feed your four-legged friend green, brown, yellow, and red lentils.
You can either cook them yourself or use ready-made lentils from the can. If you buy canned lentils, make sure they don’t contain any added sugar or other undesirable ingredients. Rinse the lentils well with water before feeding them to your four-legged friend.
Good to know:
Don’t feed too many lentils at once. Your dog can get bloated from too much.
Conclusion: Can dogs eat lentils?
Yes, your dog can eat cooked lentils. The delicious legumes provide your four-legged friend with a lot of vegetable protein. As a result, they are an ideal alternative if your dog is intolerant to animal protein or has an allergy to it. However, not every dog tolerates legumes. Therefore, you should first feed a small amount to be able to determine whether your four-legged friend tolerates lentils.
Lentils are poisonous in their raw form. Consumption causes the red blood cells to stick together. That’s why dogs, like us humans, are only allowed to eat cooked lentils.
Do you have any questions? Then leave a comment now!