There are many types of peas available, including canned, black-eyed, and chickpeas. But don’t assume all pea varieties will affect your dog in the same way if you’re wondering whether to let your dog share your favorite side dish while you’re perusing your pantry. Some are better for your fur baby than others. Consider which types of peas dogs can eat before opening that can and which you should keep out of paws reach.
Are Peas Good or Bad for Dogs?
For the most part, peas can safely be part of your poochs diet, says Antje Beth-Joslin, DVM at Dogtopia. The veggie is a good source of fiber, protein, and several vitamins—but how theyre packaged and prepared can make a difference in just how healthy they are for your dog.
How These Findings Affect Your Dog
What we should conclude from this study is that peas and legumes are harmful to dogs when they are consumed in quantities that are disproportionate to their nutritional requirements. If you had to choose between feeding your dog meat or legumes, which would you choose?
Dogs require 70-85% real, high-quality meats (organ and skeletal), followed by much smaller amounts of fruits, vegetables, and seeds to provide whole-food vitamins and minerals. Actually, these findings seem to confirm that neither high-grain diets nor low-grain diets (looking at you, kibble) are species-appropriate.
No matter the reasons (which will undoubtedly be investigated by veterinarians), we can be certain that grain-free kibble diets high in legumes (and kibble diets in general) aren’t suitable for dogs and aren’t giving them the taurine they so desperately need. These findings serve as further evidence that dogs should be fed in a carnivorous manner.
When are peas bad for dogs?
Given that they contain a naturally occurring class of substances called purines, which the body transforms into uric acid, peas are best avoided by dogs who have kidney issues. In a healthy pet, this is filtered through the kidneys. However, uric acid levels that are too high can result in kidney stones and other problems with the kidneys.
FAQ
What peas are bad for dogs?
No, it’s best to avoid giving your dog canned peas because salt is used as a preservative and they are high in sodium. Because of this, it is best to only feed fresh or frozen peas to your dog.
How much peas can I give my dog?
Even for a large dog, a handful of peas is far too much to consume. Peas should always be consumed in moderation to avoid bloat and flatulence For smaller breeds, use a teaspoon, and for larger breeds, use a tablespoon. If your dog has never consumed peas, try giving them one or two to see how they react.
Should I avoid peas in dog food?
The answer is categorically no! Peas can be found in pet food in a variety of forms, including whole, ground, pea protein, and pea flour. None of these present any toxicity risk at all. Due to their high protein content, dogs actually prefer the taste of peas over many other plant ingredients!
Can I feed my dog cooked peas?
Yes, they can, and not only can they eat them, but peas are also beneficial to dogs. The majority of pea varieties are perfectly safe for your dog to eat and make a tasty, low-calorie treat in addition to being packed with nutrients.