Can dogs eat peas or peas?

Indeed, peas or peas Are they food suitable for dogs?, since they provide various nutritional benefits and do not contain any substance that is toxic to the organism of these animals. In fact, it is an ingredient that is frequently used in commercial dog feed as a source of protein and carbohydrates, but also for the preparation of wet and homemade food.

However, to ensure that the contribution of this food is safe and healthy for dogs, it is necessary to take into account a series of considerations. Throughout the article, we will mention everything you should keep in mind when offering peas or peas to dogs.

As we have seen, peas or peas are legumes suitable for dogs, which provide a series of nutritional benefits. Next, we mention the main benefits of this legume when it is included in the diet of dogs:

• It is a source of protein. Astonishing as it may seem, an average serving of peas provides almost as much protein as an egg. In addition, despite being a protein of vegetable origin, they provide a good amount of essential amino acids (those that the body is not capable of synthesizing and that need to be ingested through the diet). Specifically, they provide leucine, lysine, phenylalanine and arginine.
• They provide a high level of fiber. Although it is a nutrient that dogs cannot digest, it is essential to regulate intake, regulate intestinal transit and maintain the beneficial microbiota of the large intestine.
• hardly contain fat (only 0.4 grams per 100 grams of product), which implies that its energy value comes mainly from proteins and carbohydrates.
• Provides a significant mineral contentsuch as phosphorus, iron, potassium and magnesium.
• As for vitamins, highlight your content vitamin B1 (thiamin), vitamin B3 (niacin), vitamin B9 (folic acid) and vitamin C (although the latter is largely lost during the cooking process).
• Contains beta carotene (compounds that are transformed into vitamin A in the body) and other carotenoids such as lutein and zeaxanthin that have antioxidant effects.

Now that we know that peas are a dog-friendly food, you may be wondering how best to offer them. First of all, we will talk about the ways in which this food can be included in the diet of dogs:

• If your dog regularly consumes a commercial feed, you can introduce peas into his diet offering them as a prize or reward.
• On the contrary, if your dog usually consumes a homemade ration, you can opt for include peas as one more ingredient in your daily ration. In this case, you must combine the peas with other raw materials that are a source of protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, in order to achieve a balanced diet according to the needs of your dog.

Second, we need to talk about the preparation and cooking of peas. Is it true that dogs can eat raw peas? Or, can dogs eat boiled peas? We’ll tell you then.

The protein and carbohydrates present in peas are better digested and assimilated when cooked, since the cooking process increases the digestibility of the food. Thus, it is preferable to offer the cooked peas. The best option is to cook the steamed peas, since in this way the properties of the food are better preserved and there is less loss of water-soluble vitamins. However, if you wonder if dogs can eat boiled peas, the answer is yes, although, we insist, their properties are better preserved when steamed.

Whenever possible, they should offer fresh peas, although out of season you can also use frozen, canned or canned peas. In the latter case, it is important to make sure that the preserve does not contain any harmful ingredients for dogs (salt, spices, additives, etc.) and wash the peas with plenty of water before adding them.

In case you decide to offer the peas as a prizeyou can contribute them once a week or every two weeks in an amount according to the size of your dog (4-7 in small dogs, 8-10 in medium dogs or 10-12 in large dogs).

If you choose to include the peas in the daily rationthe amount Depends on energy and nutritional needs of your dog, which will vary fundamentally depending on your age and your daily activity. To ensure that the ration is balanced and that the proportion of the different foods is optimal, it is important that you have the help of a veterinarian specializing in animal nutrition. We talk in more detail in this other article: “What do dogs eat?”

In principle, the contribution of peas does not have to cause any harm on the health of dogs. However, when they are not provided in the proper way, certain undesirable effects can arise.

For example, the contribution of peas in an excessive amount can alter the intestinal microbiota and produce gases, especially in dogs that are not used to eating legumes. They can also be produced nutritional imbalances when the adequate proportions of the different raw materials that make up the ration are not maintained.

If you notice that your dog has a lot of gases, do not hesitate to go to the veterinary center. We talk about the causes of it here: “Gas in dogs-Causes and what to do”.

Although peas or peas are a suitable food for dogs, there are certain situations in which their contribution can be counterproductive:

• Dogs with urate stones or chronic kidney disease.
• Dogs with allergies or food intolerances.
• Dogs with a digestive system that is especially sensitive to changes in diet.

If you offer peas to your dog and you notice any unusual symptoms, go quickly to the veterinary center in case it is an allergic reaction. On the other hand, in this video we share more foods suitable for dogs:

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