Read time: 5 mins
28 Jun 2023
Yes, dogs can eat lentils in controlled quantities.
Yes, lentils are good for dogs.
As long as they are served cooked and in moderation, this lovely legume is a really beneficial addition to a dog’s diet. Their biggest claim to fame is their high fibre content, which helps to promote healthy digestion and ensure that your pup produces lovely logs, not sloppy messes.
Lentils are also packed with protein which is essential for building strong muscles and keeping coats looking like they’re fresh out of the groomers. As they’re also low in fat and cholesterol, lentils are the perfect satisfying energy source for pooch’s that are trying to watch their waistline.
Yes, dogs can eat red lentils.
Red lentils are used in a lot of high quality dog foods. They are relatively mild in taste which means that they tend to have mass-appeal, even with the fussiest of pups. Paired perfectly with high quality meat and veg, they’re sure to go down a treat.
Yes, dogs can eat green lentils.
Green lentils are slightly larger than red lentils and have a firmer texture but they are equally as delicious and nutritionally beneficial.
No, dogs should not eat dry lentils.
Although they are not toxic to dogs, raw or dry lentils should not be given to dogs as they are difficult to chew and digest. This can lead to tummy upset in the form of sickness and the runs, due to increased pressure on the gastrointestinal system.
You should be sure to thoroughly cook lentils until they are soft.
No, dogs should not eat lentil crisps.
This delicious snack has taken off in recent years and whilst we may enjoy a snack of lentil crisps and hummus, they should not be offered to your pup.
Lentil crisps and other lentil based snacks are created for humans to eat and for that reason contain added seasonings and flavourings, which are harmful to dogs. The crunchy texture and sharp edges of lentil crisps can also pose a choking hazard.
All lentils, whether red or green, should be cooked thoroughly before being fed to your dog. This will enhance their digestibility and prevent upset tummies. Plus, cooking them releases delicious aromas which are bound to get your pup’s mouth drooling.
1. Rinse the lentils thoroughly to get rid of any dirt and bacteria
2. Soak the lentils in water for a couple of hours
3. Drain the lentils and rinse once more
4. In a pot, bring water to a boil and reduce heat to simmer
5. Cook the lentils for around 20-30 mins under they’re soft-ish
6. Drain the water and allow the lentils to cool
7. Serve the lentils with your dog’s food or alongside meat and veg
As with any new food, if you are introducing lentils to your dog’s diet you should do so slowly. By feeding small portions to start with, you will be giving your dog’s stomach time to adjust to the new food.
If you want an easy way to get lentils into your dog’s diet, you can opt for a dog food that uses lentils in their recipes, such as us here at Butternut Box.
The amount of lentils you should feed your pooch is dependent on their size, activity level and individual dietary needs.
As a rough guideline, we would recommend starting with feeding your dog somewhere between 1 teaspoon and 1 tablespoon of cooked lentils, a couple of times a week, mixed in with their food. From there, you can see how they react to eating lentils. If they show any signs of intolerance, such as itchy skin or runny poos, be sure to check with your vet for additional guidance.
A complete and balanced diet for dogs is similar to ours and should include a combination of high quality meat, vegetables and herbs.
Lentils are much more nutritionally beneficial for dogs than rice.
Compared to rice, lentils are richer in dietary fibre and protein which makes them an excellent energy source and amino acid booster. This is great for all dogs, but particularly useful for dogs that rely on plant sources for protein.
Rice, on the other hand, is easily digestible and bland, perfect for dogs with upset stomachs. Whilst rice is a good carbohydrate source, that is its only real benefit. It is also a really cheap ingredient, which is why a lot of commercially available dog foods use it as a filler to ‘bulk out’ meals.
However, there are definitely better alternative energy sources, such as lentils, pearl barley and quinoa.
At Butternut Box, we include lentils in a lot of our meals, such as Beef It Up, Chicken You Out, Wham Bam Lamb, Salmon To Love and Plant Get Enough. However, we also have meals that do not use lentils as part of their ingredients, instead opting for alternative energy sources such as quinoa and pearl barley. These can be found in our Pork Of The Town and Tuck In Chicken meals.
We only use the best-quality ingredients in our meals. As well as 60% human-quality meat, vegetables form the basis for our recipes, alongside things like lentils and pearl barley. Because we believe dogs deserve better.
You don’t have to worry about guesswork either, we use the perfect balance of ingredients in our meals to ensure that they are nutritionally-complete, providing your dog with all the nutrients that they need to thrive.
At sign up, we will ask you a few questions about your dog, such as their breed, age and activity level. This will help us to calculate exactly how many calories they need, as well as the flavours that would best suit their preferences and lifestyle.
Click the Build Your Box button below to get an exact price and plan.
