Can My Dog Eat Peas?
What's tiny, green, and bursting with flavor and nutrition? If you said peas, you're right on the money!
Peas are packed with vitamins A, C, B6, and B1. They also contain large amounts of vitamin K, which is known to fight osteoporosis. These mighty vegetables are rich in manganese, thiamin, and folate. They have a sweet taste that makes them a nice meal topper or treat. What CAN'T these powerful little veggies do?
Peas are good—there's no question about it. Any dog owner would like to give them to their pet for an extra nutrition boost. Most dog owners might ask, "Can my dog eat peas?"
Quick Answer:
Yes.
Your dog can eat green peas, including English peas, snow peas, and sugar snap peas. However, you need to be careful when feeding your dog some types of peas. It's helpful to know about certain risks before giving this vegetable to your canine companion.
Can My Dog Eat Peas?
Yes! Peas are one of the main ingredients in several brands of dry dog food. They're relatively cheap and contain many nutrients that dogs need, so many companies rely on them to make up the bulk of their products. While dogs don't need to consume fruits and vegetables, you can still give them as treats to your pet. You can also feed pea pods to your dog, but you need to make sure that they don't get stuck in their throat.
Peas may cause vomiting or diarrhea in some dogs. If you notice that your dog is uncomfortable after eating peats, it is wise to stop giving them to your pet. Your puppy may enjoy having fresh peas as healthy snacks. Aside from the vitamins that the peas contain, they're also a good source of minerals like magnesium, potassium, zinc, and iron.
It is not advisable to give your dog peas as treats every day, especially when you are already feeding them commercial dog food containing peas. Many manufacturers of dog foods began using peas in their products to provide grain-free dog meals. You can give your dogs a different meal every other day to prevent feeding them peas every day.
The Basics of Feeding Peas to Dogs
While there's nothing too concerning about giving peas to your dog, there are still some things that you need to keep in mind.
Don’t Feed Canned Peas to Your Dogs.
You can feed your dog boiled, thawed, frozen, or fresh peas. Never feed your dog canned peas, which often contain high amounts of preservatives or sodium. Too much salt can make your dog thirsty and may even cause sodium ion poisoning. Symptoms of ingesting too much salt include tremors, depression, high temperature, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Feed Your Dogs With Plain Peas.
It is best to feed your dog plain peas. If you add other ingredients, such as butter, it may upset your dog's stomach. Adding salt can expose your dog to even more danger, especially if you miscalculate the amount and put in too much. Other flavorings may also cause adverse effects, so it's best to ditch all the extra ingredients and just serve plain peas.
Only Feed Peas in Moderation.
Too much of anything can be bad, and it is the same when giving peas to your dog. Consuming too many peas can give your dog stomach issues like gas. It's also best to feed the peas sparingly to your dog to prevent them from eating a bunch in one serving.
Don’t Feed Peas to Dogs With Kidney Problems.
Peas have purines, which are compounds present in the cells of every living thing. It is futile to eliminate them from your dog's diet because your dog produces purines naturally. Purines are relatively harmless, but they can aggravate kidney conditions in dogs. Even a dog without any kidney problems may still get sick from having large amounts of purine in its body.
Too many purines will cause uric acid to crystallize and solidify in the kidneys. This results in painful kidney stones. In most cases, the patient must undergo a surgical procedure to remove the kidney stones.
What About Peas in Grain-Free Dog Food?
The Federal Drug Administration issued a warning regarding the possible connection between canine heart disease and grain-free dog food. They believe high levels of lentils, peas, and other legumes in dog foods may increase the risk of heart disease. Does this mean peas are the primary cause of the problem? Not really.
Peas can lower your dog's taurine levels, which may contribute to the occurrence of a heart disease known as dilated cardiomyopathy or DCM. This connection was discovered when some dogs that ate grain-free food contracted DCM. However, DCM can also occur in dogs that eat food that contains grains. Also, some of the dogs that acquired DCM did not have low levels of taurine.
To stay safe, it's a good idea to give all food to your dog in moderation. When you feed your dog peas, regard them as an occasional treat.
How to Make Green Pea Dog Treats
You can still get creative in presenting a nice treat to your dog. You can try this easy, simple recipe to treat your dog.
You will need the following:
- 1/4 cup oats (whole grain)
- 1/4 cup garden peas, shelled
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon honey
- 1 piece medium-sized banana
- 1/16 teaspoon salt
- Preheat your oven 350 degrees Fahrenheit
- Dump all the ingredients in your food processor and blend until thoroughly mixed.
- Spread parchment paper over a baking sheet. Roll the prepared mixture into cookie balls and line them neatly on the baking sheet.
- Take between 15 and 25 minutes or until the bottom turns light brown.
- Remove the cooked cookies from the oven and let them rest for 15 minutes or more.
- You can store the cookies for a maximum of three days in the refrigerator.
Why Peas Are a Healthy Part of Your Dog’s Diet
Peas can provide most of the vitamins and nutrients that your dog needs to live a healthy life. When consumed in moderation, this vegetable will not cause any problems to your dog's digestive system. The fiber in peas may lower your dog's cholesterol and help them maintain a healthy weight.
Are Peas Safe for Dogs?
Peas are safe for dogs. However, you need to exercise moderation when giving your dog this nutritious veggie. You also need to make sure that your dog is not suffering from kidney ailments when you give them peas. Some dogs also have allergies to peas and other legumes like lentils and chickpeas. If you take the necessary precautions, your dog can reap the benefits of this nutritious veggie!