Can Dogs Eat Peas?
Can Dogs Eat Peas? Pea time is spring, whether from your home garden or the farmer’s market. Knowing that fruits and vegetables are not necessary to a dog’s diet and are ideally thought of as an infrequent treat, peas are neither poisonous nor toxic to dogs. Peas are standard components of commercially available dog food, though there is still more research done on the role they may or may not have played in the development of heart disease in dogs.
As vegetables, peas are healthy and nutritious for humans, packed with vitamins and minerals, filled with protein and fiber. Are they healthy additions to include in canine fare, though?
Are Peas Good for Dogs?
Can Dogs Eat Peas? As a treat or small supplement to your dog’s regular diet, snow peas, sugar snap peas, and garden (or English) peas won’t hurt in small amounts. They can even do some good; example: peas contain antioxidants that are beneficial for skin, cardiovascular, and eye health.
But dogs, as opposed to humans, may not be benefited by a vegetable-based diet with high levels of peas. Peas when they are still in their pods are from the legume family, and a pulse is a legume plant’s edible seed. When a pea is removed from the pod, it is a pulse, as are beans and lentils. Legumes and pulses like peas have been used as ingredients in commercial pet foods for decades with not a whiff of adverse side effects. In recent years, however, researchers have been examining whether peas as an ingredient in mainstay dog food can be blamed for heart disease.
Peas in Dog Food
Can Dogs Eat Peas? When it comes to peas, we’re referring to snow peas, sugar snap peas, and garden (English) peas. These can be given to your dog fresh, frozen, or thawed—but avoid canned peas, as they usually contain high amounts of added salt, which is harmful for dogs (and people too).
As for the pods, a good rule of thumb is that if they’re safe for humans to eat, they’re safe for dogs as well. Just remember that garden peas should always be removed from their shells before serving. But handle pods cautiously, as they might get stuck in your dog’s airway and cause choking. And with any new food item, watch for adverse effects, such as diarrhea or vomiting.
What Causes DCM?
The second most common heart disease in dogs is referred to as dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). A muscle disease of the heart, DCM occurs in humans too. Veterinarians conclude that DCM is more common in certain big and giant breeds, including Doberman Pinschers, Boxers, and Great Danes. New research, however, appears to indicate that non-inherited cases of DCM can impact dogs as a result of a host of contributing factors like genetics, underlying health conditions, and even food.
What Kind of Peas Are Good for Your Dog to Eat?
Peas can be wonderful for your dog, but not all peas are healthy and safe for them to eat—especially if they contain added ingredients like butter, salt, or spices.
Let us take a closer examination of some of the different kinds of peas and whether they are safe for your pet:
Frozen Peas
Can Dogs Eat Peas? As long as they are not spiced with salt or any toxic chemicals, frozen peas can be safely eaten by dogs in moderation. You can even give your dog frozen peas from the freezer as an occasional snack, although it will be easier for them to digest if you thaw them first.
Canned Peas
Unfortunately, canned peas are not good for dogs because they contain a lot of sodium. Excessive sodium will lead to dehydration and a variety of other issues. An occasional one or two bites of canned peas won’t be a problem, but helpings from the can every day might cause some long-term damage to your dog.
Chickpeas
Chickpeas are full of protein, fiber, and other nutrients in them. Just make sure they are nicely cooked before feeding them to your pet.
Black-Eyed Peas
Black-eyed peas can be given to dogs, but they should be cooked and served plain and without spices or seasonings.
Snap Peas
Snap peas are rich in vitamins A and C for dogs. Nevertheless, since the pods are hard to digest for some dogs, presenting snap peas cooked or finely chopped is recommended.
When Are Peas Bad for Dogs
Can Dogs Eat Peas? It is advisable that not too many peas are fed to dogs with kidney disease since they naturally contain a set of compounds that fall under a family of substances known as purines, which the body breaks down into uric acid. In a healthy pet, this is removed by the kidneys. When there is too much uric acid, it causes kidney stones as well as other forms of kidney disease.
How to Feed Dogs Peas
Can Dogs Eat Peas? Peas are fine for dogs but do not eat the pods occasionally because they can be a choking hazard. When offering peas to your dog for the first time, start with a small amount and observe their response. Remember that all dogs are different, and they might dislike the taste or texture, so do not be surprised if they spit them out!
If your dog actually prefers the taste of peas, they can be used as healthy training treats. They are an easy size and low in calories because they are small, though they are not very strong in scent, so may not be great for getting your pet’s attention.
Always keep the 10% rule in mind when giving your dog peas—treats should make up no more than ten percent of their daily calories, with the majority coming from a balanced diet.