Can lentils be part of the dog’s diet? We take stock!
Lentils, legumes to limit in dogs
The lenses are part of the family of legumes. They contain vegetable proteins, fibres and comprehensive carbohydrates.
Among these comprehensive complex carbohydrates, we find mostly starch, and among the fibres of lentils, we find mostly fermentable soluble fibres (galactosides, in particular). The first is not well digested by the dog when it is brought to large quantity while the seconds are fermented by intestinal bacteria, produce gases in the intestine and can interfere with the digestion of other nutrients.
Therefore, the lenses, if they are given too large quantity to the dog, can cause some digestive intolerances to him.
To speak clearly, give lentils in too much quantity to a dog can give him flatulence or cause problems of diarrhoea. It is, therefore, a starch that can be given to eat but in very limited quantity.
Croquettes without cereals: Warning
In some croquettes without cereals, cereals are replaced by legumes such as peas or lentils. If these ingredients occupy too much in the composition of the food, they can also be at the origin of digestive intolerances.
How to give lenses to his dog?
If you want to give lenses to eat at your dog, it is best to soak them in the water before cooking to reduce their content of indigenous galactosides and to cook them for a long time to make the starch they contain more digestible for the dog.
How many lentils give my dog?
It is not recommended to give lenses to a dog fed with croquettes so as not to add starch to its ration that already contains enough.
On the other hand, it is possible to give lenses to a dog as part of a household ration as an ad hoc source of starch. The quantities to be distributed depends on its digestive tolerance to legumes and its energy needs. These needs are to calculate precisely with the support of your veterinarian or by helping your data provided in our article “Calculate a household ration for his dog”.
Note, however, that the lenses do not constitute the ideal daily starch source to feed a dog. For every day, prefer their well-cooked white rice, more digestible and easier assimilable for the dog.
