Lentils

The lentil is a legume used as a source of carbohydrate, fibre and plant protein in some foods, often [grain-free](/glossary/grain-free) ones, where it partly replaces rice, maize or wheat, and its starch content makes it a structuring ingredient for extruded kibble. Like other legumes, the lentil supplies protein, but plant protein alone does not cover the essential amino acid needs of dogs and especially cats, whose profile differs from that of an animal protein (NRC, 2006). A useful label marker follows from this: a high lentil share can inflate the stated crude protein figure without guaranteeing protein quality equal to an animal source. Lentils are among the legumes cited in the FDA investigation into [dilated cardiomyopathy](/glossary/dcm-dilated-cardiomyopathy-grain-free-debate) cases linked to certain diets; no cause-and-effect link has been demonstrated, and this point should stay framed as an ongoing question rather than proof (FDA CVM, Dec 2022 update). The lentil remains a sound ingredient in moderate amounts, and cooking reduces some antinutritional factors present in the raw seed. The marker: lentils are an acceptable carbohydrate and plant-protein source, best assessed by watching the legume share against the animal-protein content, much as with [peas](/glossary/peas) and [chickpea](/glossary/chickpea) in the [Petipedia glossary](/glossary).

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