Can Dogs Eat Peas?
Can Dogs Eat Peas? Love them or loathe them, peas are a nutritious nutrient-rich vegetable that make their way into our soup, salads, and side dishes. They’re incredibly healthy for us, but what about our dogs? If your dog is looking at taking a bite of this tasty little legume, you may be wondering if dogs can eat peas.
Good news: it is safe for canines to consume peas. Indeed, peas are a nutritious snack for canine companions and an excellent source of nutrients for dogs. Just mind the quantity and make sure not to provide your dog with too many (especially if this is their very first time eating peas), and don’t include any other ingredients that will make them fall sick.
Are Peas Good for Dogs?
Can Dogs Eat Peas? Peas offer a wholesome way to supply your dog with essential vitamins and minerals. Despite their small size, peas are packed with protein and fiber in their little pods. Peas are also packed with iron and other vitamins and minerals that can help your dog’s immune system, digestive system, and overall health. Peas also contain antioxidants that can help neutralize inflammation and make your dog healthy for years to come.
Because peas are packed with nutrients, they’re now often included in many commercial dog food recipes. Just be sure to check with your veterinarian before making any major changes to your dog’s diet, especially if your pup has any health conditions or sensitivities.
One of the FDA’s jobs is to ensure that pet food ingredients are safe and serve a proper role. The most common diets of the dogs with non-hereditary DCM included legume seed ingredients (or “pulses”) close to the front of their ingredient list, and 90 percent of the diets were also grain-free. Most grain-free diets use pulse ingredients in higher levels.
Are Peas Linked to DCM?
Can Dogs Eat Peas? Scientists at the Tufts University Nutrition and Genomics Laboratory examined nine diets associated with canine DCM that contained pulses and/or potatoes or sweet potatoes as major ingredients. There is evidence that whereas peas are not probably going to be the etiology for disease, findings indicate that peas are “a leading possible ingredient with diet-associated DCM in dogs.”
It is challenging to establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship between peas as a main constituent in grain-free diets and DCM due to a number of reasons. For one:
- Most of the foods that are used in grain-free dog diets are eaten by humans as well and are safe for human consumption. But dogs will eat these foods in even larger quantities; most dogs eat one type of commercial dog food, as opposed to a multitude of various forms of foods people eat. Are peas bad always or only in large quantities?
- Peas and/or other legumes that are eaten in massive quantities as a protein source may interfere with amino acid absorption. Is DCM linked to a lack of amino acids?
- Vitamins were reduced in high-peas or other legumes diets. According to the FDA, nutrient-deficient diets, for example, B vitamins, can influence cardiac metabolism, and nutrient status was reduced in high pea and other pulse diets. Is the concern that peas are substituting for other foods that dogs require in order to stay healthy?
What Should a Dog Owner Consider?
Can Dogs Eat Peas? According to Dr. Jerry Klein, Chief Veterinarian at the AKC, each dog is different and may respond in its own way to specific nutritional needs.. Therefore, an owner’s optimal course of action is to discuss their dog’s diet and food with a veterinarian. “In addition, it’s a good idea to speak with your vet about any dietary change you’re contemplating before you go ahead and do it,” Dr. Klein says.
Can Dogs Eat Peas?
Yes, dogs can eat peas! Most types of green peas are safe to eat, such as snow peas, sugar snap peas, garden peas, and English peas. They can be a great low-calorie treat in small amounts, and most complete and balanced dog foods will contain them too.
Can Dogs Eat Frozen Peas?
Frozen peas are also fine for your dog as long as they are cooked first. This is because frozen vegetables are usually sold as ready to cook, not ready to eat, and therefore there can still be some bacteria present. These will have to be killed off in the act of cooking.
Can Dogs Eat Canned Peas
No, it’s best to avoid giving your dog canned peas as they’re high in sodium because salt is used as a preservative. For this reason, the best option is to offer your dog peas that are either fresh or frozen.
Are Peas Good for Dogs?
Yes, peas are a great treat for dogs! Green peas are full of vitamins A, K and C, minerals iron, manganese, phosphorus. They also have the added benefit of being high in protein and high in fiber. Peas also provide lutein, an antioxidant that can support a dog’s skin, heart, and eye health. However, since we suggest offering peas only in small treat-sized portions, the overall benefits remain minimal. You can also have peace of mind that they’re getting all they need to perform well from their complete and balanced dog food, so adding other vegetables isn’t necessary.
Closing Peas in Your Dog’s Diet
Dogs are able to consume peas, which are a nutritious addition to their diet. Peas contain healthy amounts of vitamins A, B, and K, along with minerals like iron and potassium that contribute to dog health.
But it should be used in moderation, and peas should never make up a large component of a dog’s diet. Peas should always be plain and not salted or seasoned in any fashion, whether frozen, cooked, or raw. Peas are fine for puppy use, but be careful for whole peas to keep from causing them to choke.
Always consult with your vet first for drastic changes in diet.