[BessieDog]

Just been on another forum where a woman wants help with her too thin setter. Amongst a load of veg she's feeding it 'pulses for protein'. Now my first reaction is that this is bonkers, but I don't know enough to say.

She's also feeding it rice and some meat daily, but whether the meat is cooked or raw I daren't ask.

 

[smokeybear]

Pulses are in many cases complete proteins, however whether they are suitable as a PRIME source of nutrients for a dog is a moot point.

I would, however, avoid Soy at all costs.

 

[912142]

I would have thought that pulses would provide more fibre than protein but are rich in vitamins/minerals.

 

[BessieDog]

Out of my depth here. She's from India so cooks all the meat she gives him as the meats not good over there. Couldn't afford to feed more meat hence the pulses and rice in the diet.

 

[cinnamontoast]

Low glycaemic index, so potentially good, but not a top ingredient, IMO and in fact, unnecessary.

 

[PennyGSD]

Depends whether you believe dogs can process protein from vegetable sources. Not sure there's a definitive answer to this one, although there is an awful lot of opinion available on the net - for both sides

Pulses are certainly an excellent source of protein for vegetarians, so you can understand why she would think it's a sensible thing to do.

I guess you can only really monitor the dog's condition to see if it does them any good.

 

[Burrowzig]

I know something about combining vegetable protein sources to make complete proteins for humans, being a vegetarian. Assuming it's the same for dogs.....

Rice and pulses complement each other well, the ratio should be 3-4 parts rice to 1 part pulses. As already said, avoid soya. Rice should be brown to get the best of the B vitamins.