Can Dogs Eat Peas?
Peas are typical in most meals as we all love the vegetable. They are full of nutrients beneficial to humans, but does the same apply to canines? What do you need to know about peas concerning dogs? Read on to discover.
Are Peas Safe For Dogs?
Just like most vegetables that we eat, peas are safe for our beloved pups. Most varieties, such as snow peas, English peas, and snap peas, are dog-friendly and can add essential nutrients to your dog’s regular diet as they are healthy, low-calorie food.
Health Benefits Of Peas
Peas are a super vegetable that packs various nutrients in them. The nutrients can assist your dog in multiple ways. They include:
1. Improve Digestion
Peas contain a generous amount of fiber, which provides many benefits to a dog’s digestive health. It helps reduce the risk of developing gastrointestinal issues such as inflamed bowel and irritable bowel syndrome.
Fiber also helps create good bacteria in the dog’s intestine, preventing harmful bacteria from increasing.
A significant percentage of the fiber is insoluble, meaning it acts as a bulking agent that makes your dog feel fuller for longer. This can assist your furry friend in reducing the need to eat, preventing obesity, and enabling them to pass healthy stool.
2. Protect Against Chronic Diseases
Peas contain a generous amount of nutrients such as magnesium and potassium. Canine diets rich in such minerals can protect your dog against heart diseases. The generous fiber amount also lowers cholesterol levels.
The low levels of cholesterol and the antioxidants present can prevent stroke and stop any damage to a dog’s cells. Peas also contain saponins; these are compounds that have anti-cancer effects. Your dog regularly eating peas can reduce the risk of developing canine cancers.
Peas can also aid in blood sugar control, which is essential in preventing diabetes. Protein and fiber are crucial factors in reducing the chances of a dog’s blood sugar rising quickly. Furthermore, the food has a low glycemic index rank, making it suitable for dogs suffering from diabetes.
3. Source Of Iron
Iron deficiency in dogs can cause anemia. If your dog lacks enough iron, their bodies will not be able to make red blood cells causing hemoglobin deficiency. Iron is present in peas and can prevent this deficiency and assist in fighting off fatigue and giving your pup strength.
4. Eye Care
Aging canines suffer from cataracts and macular degeneration. Peas can be wonderful for your dog’s vision as they contain carotenoid pigment lutein. This compound assists a dog’s vision by reducing the risks of getting eyesight diseases.
5. Contain Antioxidants
Free radicals are present in every animal’s bloodstream. The particles often mix with healthy cells and damage them. The damage from free radicals is linked to inflammation and aging in canines.
Your dog consuming a rich antioxidant diet can lower such risks. Peas are antioxidant-rich and can keep these concerns at bay.
6. Improve Immunity
The nutrients present in peas and antioxidants play a huge role in strengthening a canine’s immunity. They are responsible for shielding immune cells from attacks by pathogens. Your dog consuming a nutritious meal like peas also helps slow down the progression of age-related diseases.
7. Strengthen Bone Structure
Though calcium and vitamin D are responsible for keeping bones strong and healthy, they do not work alone. One other essential mineral is vitamin K, which is plenty in peas. Vitamin K works alongside vitamin D and calcium to increase the structural density of a dog’s bone.
How To Feed Peas To My Dog?
For your dog to enjoy the nutritious vegetable, always use fresh peas. Before preparing them for your canine, remove them from the pods. You can opt to cook them plainly or mix them with their regular meals. If your dog has no kidney issues, they can have as much as possible.
When feeding your pooch peas for the first time, start by giving them a few to see their reaction. Every dog has a different taste palate, so be prepared if your pooch spits out the peas, as they might not be fond of their taste or texture.
If your dog develops an attraction to the vegetable, you can use them for making a treat. Their nutritional composition makes them suitable for this. Remember to follow the 10% rule when offering a treat to your dog. No more than a tenth of your dog’s daily calorie intake should be from treats.
Related: How much should I feed my dog? Factors to consider
Can Dogs Eat Canned Peas?
Most vets recommend avoiding canned peas as most of the brands available in grocery stores contain high sodium levels. While some might be dog-friendly, it will be best not to gamble and risk picking the wrong brand.
High sodium levels in canines can cause bloating and several other problems. You can notice the effects when your dog becomes too thirsty and drinks too much water than usual. Canned peas also have preservatives and other additives that can be toxic to your dog’s health. It is always better to use fresh fruits to prevent any of these risks.
Can Dogs Eat Pea Pods?
Peapods can be a tasty addition to salads and meals. While it might be safe for us to eat, adding them to a dog’s meal is unwise. They can be a choking hazard to your furry friend, especially puppies or smaller dog breeds.
Are Peas Good For Dogs?
Peas contain lots of micro-nutrients beneficial to a dog’s health. Such a nutritious vegetable is crucial to combat most nutrient deficiencies that your furry friend might be suffering from.
Nevertheless, though they are nutrient-rich, peas should always be used to supplement your dog’s protein-based diet and not replace it.
Are Peas Bad for Dogs?
Peas contain purine, which is naturally occurring. During digestion, your dog’s body will convert the purine into uric acid. The majority of healthy dogs can filter the acid through the kidneys.
However, for dogs with kidney problems, the uric acid might be too high, causing kidney stones or other kidney health issues. It is, therefore, better to avoid feeding peas to dogs with such problems.
How To Make Pea Dog Treats
It is good to be creative in the kitchen when making your pet’s food, especially if they have a low appetite. Below is a dog-friendly pea treat recipe you can try for your dog.
Ingredients
- Half a cup of garden peas
- Half a cup of grain oats
- Pinch of salt
- One teaspoon of cinnamon
- Two bananas
- One teaspoonful of honey
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
- Put all the ingredients in a food processor and pulse
- Mold the mix into cookie dough balls
- Place them on a baking pan with a baking sheet
- Bake for 20 minutes
- Remove them from the oven and let them cool for at least 15 minutes.
- Store the cookies and give your furry friend in moderation
Final Thoughts
Peas are safe for dogs to eat, and you may discover that your dog already consumes them as most commercial pet foods contain them.
They can be an excellent meal for dogs facing an array of health issues as their nutritional composition helps improve their health.
We recommend incorporating peas occasionally in your furry friend’s meals as long as they have no kidney issues.
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