Can dogs eat snap peas? Peas tend to be a staple for a variety of human dishes, or even side dishes. But what kinds of peas can dogs eat? Are they safe for dogs to eat at all?
The short answer is yes, snap peas are safe for dogs to eat. In fact, all kinds of peas are safe for dogs to eat, not just snap peas. In many cases, you don’t even have to shell peas from their pods!
Of course, don’t take our word for it. Before introducing peas or any new dietary additions to your dog, you must consult your veterinarian. In the meantime, here’s what you should know about how snap peas are an excellent doggy snack.
How Are Snap Peas Good For Dogs?
Snow peas, sugar snap peas, garden peas, English peas — it’s all on the table for your dog! Well, maybe not the literal table, but you know what we mean.
Peas are a tremendously nutritious snack for your dog, regardless of form — with the exception of canned peas. Fresh, frozen, thawed, or cooked, peas are safe.
They contain vitamins A, K, and B, plus minerals such as iron, zinc, potassium, and magnesium. Furthermore, they’re chock-full of protein, dietary fiber, and the antioxidant lutein, which aids in eye, heart, and skin health.
Nutrition aside, peas are also just a lot of fun. Tossing frozen peas for your dog to catch is a fun pastime and nutritionally useful! Plus, peas are versatile. You can put them in almost anything, either whole or mashed into dog food for some added nutrients.
It’s important to note, however, some vital things to consider with safely giving peas to your dog.
How Can I Safely Give Snap Peas To My Dog?
For the most part, serving peas safely is easy. Technically, you don’t even have to shell them for your dog to safely consume. However, pea pods can be a bit rough to digest, particularly for smaller dogs. Outside of this, there’s nothing toxic about the pods.
The main thing to consider for safety is your dog’s kidneys. If your dog has any existing kidney issues, then snap peas, or peas of any kind, are a bad idea.
Peas contain a naturally occurring chemical compound called purines. This compound produces uric acid, which is typically filtered through the kidneys of both humans and dogs.
When kidney issues are present, their ability to properly filter out uric acid is affected, which can create a dangerous buildup of the acid, and eventually lead to kidney stones and other kidney-related conditions.
Furthermore, serving canned peas to your dog is a bad idea. They’re loaded with added preservatives and dangerous amounts of sodium for your dog.
Outside of these few caveats, peas can be an exceptionally healthy addition to your dog’s diet.
How do you add snap peas into your dog’s diet? Do you have any pea recipes that your dog particularly loves? Let us know in the comments below.
