Inexpensive and delicious, peas are a popular ingredient in our dishes. These healthy vegetables are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and essential nutrients, like manganese and folate.
So, considering how good they are for us, can dogs eat peas? Yes, dogs can eat peas and even benefit from them.
But if your dog has kidney problems, you might want to skip the peas since they contain purines. This chemical compound can cause kidney stones, so avoiding it is a good idea in this case.
We’ve created a quick guide for you. Here’s what you’ll learn:
- Can Dogs Eat Peas? — Yes, but Why Should They?
- Dogs Don’t Need a Lot of Fruits & Veggies
- Serving Ideas
- What About Pea Pods?
- Peas 101 — Learn Before You Feed
Can Dogs Eat Peas? — Yes, but Why Should They?
Dogs can eat peas, but what health benefits do they get from it? Here are the main ones:
Large Quantities of Vitamins
Besides a tasty treat, pea for dogs is an excellent source of vitamins A, K, and B. That can improve your dog’s eyesight, bone growth and strengthen its immune system. Also, these vitamins reduce inflammation and prevent chronic diseases like diabetes and arthritis.
Lots of Mighty Minerals
Peas are full of minerals, including:
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Potassium
- Folate
- Manganese
- Zinc
These minerals can be pretty helpful if your dog has any wounds and can even improve its blood and heart health. The essential nutrients from peas are quite good for your dog’s overall health.
High Protein and Fiber Content
Another reason why peas are good for dogs is that they’re high in protein and fiber. The latter can benefit your dog’s digestive system since it improves digestion, prevents diarrhea, and eases constipation.
The treat is high in protein but low in calories, making your dog’s energy levels go up without weight gain. Since obesity in dogs is a massive problem, this filling vegetable may help you maintain your dog’s healthy weight.
Significant Amount of the Powerful Lutein Antioxidant
Peas contain an antioxidant agent called lutein. It’s particularly good for your dog’s eye health. Also, it improves heart health and keeps your dog’s skin and coat nice and shiny.
So when the pea season starts, instead of wondering, “Are peas ok for dogs?” just hurry up and grab some for your pawsome pet. But make sure to also buy other veggies for your dog to enhance the benefits.
Dogs Don’t Need a Lot of Fruits & Veggies
While humans benefit significantly from essential nutrients in fruits and veggies, dogs don’t need that in high amounts.
This is where the 10% rule comes into play. It suggests that fruits and veggies are excellent occasional treats only if they don’t exceed 10% of your dog’s recommended calorie intake.
Pea for Dogs — Possible Side Effects
Although peas make a fantastic addition to your dog’s balanced diet, they still have some side effects. Here are the health concerns you should know about:
Kidney Problems
If your dog has any kidney problems, you might want to avoid peas since they contain the chemical compound purine. The body breaks that down into uric acid, and dogs suffering from kidney issues will have trouble filtering it. The excessive amount of uric acid in their system causes kidney stones.
High Sodium Levels
Are canned peas good for dogs? They’re not. High sodium levels in canned peas can cause many problems for your pet. Sodium poisoning, blood sugar spike, dehydration, and bloating are just some of the issues you can expect. If your dog enjoys eating peas, fresh or frozen are the best option.
Gas
Don’t give your dog too many peas if you want to avoid stinky situations. That can cause gas, and you don’t want such an unpleasant surprise.
Serving Ideas
Most dogs absolutely adore that sweet, crunchy taste of peas, so let’s explore some serving suggestions:
Use Fresh Peas as a Topping
Since fresh peas are safe for dogs, you shouldn’t hesitate to serve them. If you want to add that crunchy twist to your dog’s meals, mix them with kibble or use them as a topping for raw food.
Freeze for a Cool Snack
While soft food for dogs is beneficial, crunchy peas are an excellent occasional snack. Freeze them for a couple of hours, and let your dog enjoy this refreshing yet delicious treat. It’s a great choice for hot summer days. You can also use frozen peas as a training treat since they’re small and low in calories.
Cooked in a Homemade Meal
If you want to make your own dog food, green peas for dogs might be your new favorite ingredient. The veggie is very versatile. But if you don’t have time to cook, you can check Just Food for Dogs’ recipes.
Get Treats
Nudges Natural Dog Treats on Amazon is an excellent option if you want to give your dog some homestyle treats without added flavors. Like any other food, serve them in moderation.
What About Pea Pods?
Can dogs eat pea pods? The answer isn’t that simple. While pea itself is a great idea, some types of pea pods are a big no-no. For example, we don’t recommend feeding your dog Garden pea pods as they’re not edible. The rule here is that if you can’t eat it, neither can your dog.
Another reason for avoiding pea pods is that they can increase the risk of choking. For your dog’s safety, it’s best to opt for shelled peas.
Peas 101 — Learn Before You Feed
Before serving your dog some yummy veggies, let’s discover more about peas and dogs.
Their Latin Name Is Pisum Sativum
Despite their appearance, peas are a type of edible legume rather than a vegetable. Also, they’re annual plants, and their Latin name is Pisum sativum.
These crunchy little green balls grow in pods on vines. Aside from fresh, dogs can eat frozen peas, too.
There are three main pea types:
- Snow peas
- Snap peas
- Sweet peas
Peas Originate From Middle Asia
Pea cultivation dates back to ancient times. They originate from Middle Asia — northwest India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
Thanks to European colonization, peas entered the New World. And they’ve been a staple food ever since.
Peas’ Flowers Look Like Butterflies
Peas’ flowers have five petals and look a lot like butterflies. They can come in white, purple, blue, and even pink.
Wrap Up: Can Dogs Eat Peas?
Dogs can eat peas, and they absolutely love them.
Peas make an excellent addition to your dog’s balanced diet. They’re delicious and a great source of essential nutrients. But make sure to follow the 10% rule. It’s best to serve them only as an occasional snack and not as a main meal.
We don’t recommend serving peas to a dog with kidney issues since they can only worsen its condition. Another thing you should look out for is pea pods. They’re not all edible, so pay attention.
