5 Easy Homemade Dog Food Recipes with Lentils

Are you thinking to give homemade dog food to your dog then definitely you can consider lentils. It is a excellent component of dog food that you can introduce today lentils content huge amount of protein, fiber, essential vitamins and many other ingredients. All these things make homemade dog food recipes with lentils a very intelligent choice for your dog. In this article I shall discuss about the benefits of lentils, some other aspects related to it and above all five easy recipes with lentils for your pet child.

Reasons for Including Lentils in Homemade Dog Food

 Before introducing lentils in the diet of your power let me show you some benefits out of it if you want to cook for your dog at your home then just know the following which will convince you to do so.

• Rich in Protein:  Lentils contents high percentage of protein protein eat helps to maintain the muscle power and also increases the energy.

• High in Fiber:  Lentils contain sufficient amount of fiber which helps in digestion of your dog and also the supplies Mini minerals like Iron magnesium potassium along with Vitamin B complex all these things make your dog healthy and happy.

• Presence of Essential Nutrients:  Lentils contain very little amount of fat, almost Nil it helps your dog to maintain its weight and also activity.
• Low in Fat:    lentils contain very little amount of fat, almost Nil. It helps your dog to maintain its weight and also activity.

• Budget-Friendly:  At home is not a matter of million dollar project using very small amount of money we can do it at our home and also we can preserve it for future.

There are some benefits of homemade foods with lentils over store-bought commercial foods. Let’s have a quick look.

• No Artificial Additives : Many commercial dog foods contain fillers, artificial colors, and preservatives that can be harmful.
• Customizable Nutrition : With homemade dog food, you can tailor the ingredients to your dog’s specific dietary needs.
• Cost-Effective: Buying whole ingredients in bulk can save money in the long run.

Are there any Risks of Feeding Lentils to Dogs?

While lentils offer numerous benefits, there are a few risks to consider:

• Gas and Bloating :  Lentils can cause digestive discomfort if not introduced gradually.
• Portion Control : Too much can lead to an imbalanced diet. Lentils should be part of a well-rounded meal.

Best Lentils to Use for Homemade Dog Food

All lentils are not the same. The best options for dogs include:

• Green Lentils : Firm texture, great for stews.
• Red Lentils: Softer, ideal for quick cooking.
• Brown Lentils : Versatile and widely available.

How to Prepare Lentils for Your Dog?

Before you start cooking lentils do the following.

• Rinse Thoroughly: It removes any dirt or debris.
• Cook Until Soft : Avoid raw lentils as they are difficult to digest for  dogs.
• No Seasonings : Garlic, onions, and excessive salt can be harmful to dogs.

5 Easy Recipes with Lentils

Here are five delicious and nutritious homemade dog food recipes using lentils that your pup will love.

1. Vegetarian Lentil Dog Food Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked lentils
• ½ cup mashed pumpkin
• ½ cup chopped green beans
• 1 tablespoon flaxseed oil

Instructions:

1. Cook lentils and let them cool.
2. Steam green beans until soft.
3. Mix all ingredients together and then serve.

2. Lentil and Sweet Potato Dog Meal

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked lentils
• 1 cup mashed sweet potatoes
• ½ cup boiled peas
• 1 teaspoon fish oil

Instructions:

1. Cook and mash sweet potatoes.
2. Mix all ingredients together and serve.

3. Chicken & Lentil Dog Food Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked lentils (red or green)
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast (cooked and shredded)
• 1/2 cup carrots (chopped)
• 1/2 cup green beans (chopped)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cups water

Instructions:

1. In a pot, cook the lentils according to package instructions.
2. Steam or boil carrots and green beans until soft.
3. In a large bowl, mix the cooked lentils, shredded chicken, and vegetables.
4. Add olive oil and stir well.
5. Let it cool before serving to your dog.

4. Turkey & Lentil Dog Food Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked yellow lentils
• 1/2 pound ground turkey
• 1/2 cup zucchini (chopped)
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 tablespoon flaxseed oil
• 2 cups water

Instructions:

1. Cook the lentils according to package instructions.
2. Brown the ground turkey in a pan until fully cooked.
3. Steam zucchini until soft.
4. In a bowl, mix the cooked lentils, turkey, and vegetables.
5. Add flaxseed oil and stir well.
6. Let it cool before serving.

5. Beef & Lentil Stew for Dogs

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked brown lentils
• 1/2 pound ground beef (lean)
• 1/2 cup sweet potatoes (cubed)
• 1/2 cup peas
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 2 cups low-sodium beef broth

Instructions:

1. Brown the ground beef in a pan until fully cooked.
2. Cook the lentils separately according to package instructions.
3. Steam the sweet potatoes and peas until soft.
4. In a pot, mix the cooked lentils, beef, and vegetables.
5. Add beef broth and coconut oil, then stir well.
6. Let it cool before serving.

How to Store Homemade Dog Food?

If you prefer cooking extra lentils for future use, you may preserve the cooked food in two ways as under:

• Refrigerate: Keep the cooked food in airtight containers and refrigerate it for up to 5 days.
• Freeze: In meal-sized portions one can freeze the food for up to 3 months. Before using, allow it to come in at room temperature. 

Transition Your Dog to a Lentil-Based Diet

• Start by mixing a small amount of lentil-based food with their regular food.
• Increase the proportion over a week.
• Monitor your dog’s digestion and overall health.

Conclusion

Lentils are a highly nutritious and affordable ingredient to include in homemade dog food. They provide many essential nutrients and help in digestion. They are considered to be excellent alternatives to protein sources. By preparing food with lentils at home, I have observed that my dogs’ are now much fresh, energetic and healthy. You can also follow these to get the same results for your dog. Try the recipes which I have discussed above. They are very simple and quick also. Overall production cost of Homemade Dog Food Recipes with Lentils is also satisfactory. every simple and quick also. Overall cost of the food was also satisfactory.

Please inform the results on your dog after you introduce lentils in diet.

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