Many pet owners often wonder whether dogs can eat peas and, if so, whether peas are good for dogs? Loads of fruits and vegetables are perfectly healthy to add to your pet’s diet, and peas are definitely one of those foods. In fact, dogs can eat snap peas, sweet peas, green peas, sugar snap peas, and any other type of pea. However, your dog should not be given a steady diet of peas as too much of anything, including peas, can be bad for your dog. Peas, in moderation, are safe and OK for your dogs.
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Do Dogs Need Fruits and Vegetables?
Technically, even though fruits and vegetables are loaded with vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that dogs need, having these foods in their diets isn’t really necessary, as they get these nutrients from quality dog food. But, that isn’t to say that you can’t give your dog fruits and vegetables.
Many people are switching their pets over to whole-food diets, which are comprised of meat, vegetables, and fruit. Also, many of the high-end dog foods contain peas and other vegetables because they are so rich in nutrients.
If you are enjoying a plate of peas and carrots at meal time, there is absolutely no reason why you can’t share them with your dog, as long as they aren’t loaded down with butter, cheese, salt, etc. All your dog needs are plain vegetables without any seasonings or sauces.
If you want to share peas in the pods, this is also perfectly safe for larger dogs, but they may pose a choking hazard to smaller dogs, so you should cut them up to be on the safe side.
Why Are Peas Healthy for Dogs?
When you are looking for healthy vegetables to add to a doggie diet, peas are definitely one of the first options you should consider. For starters, they are rich in many vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, C, and K, as well as copper, iron, manganese, zinc, and potassium.
Peas are also high in protein, and a great way to make sure that your dog gets the protein they need without eating foods with a high-fat content. Other health benefits of giving peas to your dog include:
- Dietary fiber — Peas are rich in fiber, which help to improve bowel functions in dogs
- Immune system — Peas are known to help improve immune systems in dogs
- Anti-inflammatory — Peas can help lower the risk of cancer and tumors as they have anti-inflammatory properties
- Eye health — Peas contain lutein and zeaxanthin, both of which are important for a dog’s eye health
- Regulate sugars — Adding peas to your dogs’ diets can lower their risk of diabetes as they are able to help regulate blood sugars
Avoid Giving Your Dog Canned Peas
There is one type of peas that you should always avoid giving to your dog, and that is canned peas. You may think that there is no difference between these and fresh or frozen peas, because they taste pretty much the same, but the truth is, they are loaded with sodium and preservatives. Stick to fresh or frozen peas to be on the safe side.
Yes, Dogs Can Eat Peas in Moderation
As long as they are not seasoned, there is absolutely no reason why your dog can’t enjoy peas, as well as many other vegetables, as a regular part of their healthy diet. Dogs can have peas either cooked or raw, with raw being best as they don’t lose any of their vital nutrients that can be lost in the cooking process. If you are going to give your dog cooked peas, steamed is the best option, because they lose fewer nutrients that way.
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