Yes. Dogs can eat peas and carrots. They are loaded with a lot of vitamins and minerals. Carrots are filled with high fiber, while peas are rich in protein, making both an essential addition to your dog’s diet. The serving methods of carrots and peas make it even more tempting to feed them to your dog. That said, let us take a quick glimpse into the article.
Table of Contents
What Are Peas and Carrots?
Pea is a variety of legumes native to the Middle East, especially in the areas like Iraq and Turkey. Pea tendrils and sprouts are the ones that show up in the market. Some kinds of peas are garden peas, snow peas, and sugar snaps that grow during the spring. They are available at the beginning of April and extend to June – July in cooler regions in most parts of the US. All types of peas have some nutritional benefits; garden peas are rich in calories and a great source of protein and fiber. In addition, this legume is packed with vitamins A, B6, C, and K and enriched with folate, calcium, manganese, magnesium, iron, and zinc.
Carrot is a root vegetable, coming in orange. The most edible part of this plant is the taproot; however, the stems and leaves are also edible. The domesticated versions of wild carrots, such as purple, red, yellow, black, and white varieties, exist. Approximately it originated in Persia to cultivate leaves and seeds initially. Carrot is rich in Alpha and Beta-carotene, packed with vitamins A, B6, and K.
Are Peas and Carrots Safe for Dogs?
Peas and carrots are entirely safe for your canines. They are rich in nutritional values that benefit your dog’s overall health.
Why Are Peas and Carrots Good for Dogs?
Owing to the vitamins and minerals loaded in peas and carrots, it is undoubtedly suitable for dogs. Here are some benefits that these vitamins and minerals provide your dog.
Vitamin A: It is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps in a dog’s eyesight, cellular differentiation, immunological responses, reproduction, and bone development.
Vitamin B6: Vitamin B6 is essential for a healthy immune system. However, vitamin B6 is engaged in over 100 different interactions during the breakdown and digestion of meals. Vitamin B6 also aids the correct development of a puppy’s brain during pregnancy and early puppyhood.
Vitamin K is a fat-soluble substance that creates coagulation proteins necessary for blood clotting. Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone), which is generated in plants and may be ingested through food or supplements, is the most common dietary source of Vitamin K.
Vitamin C: Vitamin C serves as a powerful antioxidant. It can help prevent inflammation and cognitive aging by scavenging free radicals that damage the body’s functioning. Although dogs’ livers can generate vitamin C independently, supplementation may provide health advantages in some situations.
Alpha and beta-carotene are potent antioxidants and regulate the immune system. In dogs, it’s also a provitamin A. Cell-mediated immune responses are influenced by alpha and beta-carotene. For example, they boost plasma antibody levels and improve hypersensitivity in dogs.
Iron is a mineral your dog requires to accomplish critical processes, including transporting oxygen throughout the body in the hemoglobin of red blood cells; this helps cells to generate energy. Iron is also required to metabolize various enzymes in the body.
Calcium: Calcium is an essential dietary component for your dog’s health. It is required for bone and tooth development, nerve impulse transmission, cell communication, muscle contraction, and blood coagulation. Therefore, it’s critical for your dog’s general health that he gets adequate calcium.
Folate: Folate ensures fast cell development during puppyhood, adulthood, and pregnancy, regulates homocysteine levels in the blood and employs amino acids to construct new proteins. Vitamin B9 or folate has a role in regular blood production, immunological function, cell division, and tissue development.
Manganese is required to produce energy, metabolize protein and carbs, and form fatty acids in dogs. In addition, manganese is a component of many enzymes and aids in the health and preservation of bone and cartilage in joints.
Fiber: Fiber is an excellent source of nutrients for a dog’s digestive system. The healthy bacteria in your dog’s colon digest fiber into fatty acids. This fatty acid then aids in the recovery of the colon by preventing the expansion of harmful bacteria.
Zinc: Zinc is a mineral found in numerous things in the dog’s body, including enzymes, proteins, and hormones. Zinc is also necessary for the immune system and thyroid function. Therefore, zinc insufficiency can cause various issues in dogs, including incapability of infection protection.
Potassium: Potassium is an electrolyte that is essential for your dog’s health. Potassium helps electrical charges in the heart, nerves, and muscles work correctly. If your dog lacks this vital mineral, you may notice that they are constantly fatigued, which is not normal, or have no desire to eat. Potassium also helps in:
Regulating muscle contractions and heartbeats
Optimizing cognitive functions
Boosting metabolism
Aiding normal blood flow
Increasing bone density
Protein aids in forming new skin cells, hair growth, and the development of organs, enzymes, antibodies, hormones, and other biological functions.
Magnesium: At the cellular level, magnesium is involved in energy generation. Magnesium is required to allow the passage of energy whenever your pet moves a muscle, has a heartbeat, or does any other activity.
Lutein helps protect the eyes from blue light and improves night and fine detail vision. As a result, cataracts and degenerative issues are prevented. In each scoop, pets get the vital chemicals they need to support their eyesight with active lutein.
Besides these benefits, munching on carrots can aid in keeping your canine’s teeth clean.
Why Are Peas and Carrots Bad for Dogs?
Some cooking or serving methods make peas and carrots bad for dogs. The cons of feeding them in these ways are lethal to dogs:
Seasoned peas and carrots: Seasoned peas and carrots contain onion, garlic, chives, pepper, and other whole spices, which are bad for dogs. If your dog consumes any of these ingredients, he will face:
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Nausea
Lethargy
GI Issues
Kidney issues
Liver issues
Tremors
Muscle cramps
Convulsions
Difficulty in breathing
Restlessness
High temperatures
Weight gain
Arthritis
Bloating
Fits
Coma
Death
Further, do not add oil or butter as an ingredient while cooking peas and carrots. Oil or butter is not recommended for dogs in any amount. The consequences of consuming oil or butter are:
Fat
Obesity
Weight gain
Cardiovascular issues
Joint issues
Pancreatitis
Kidney problems
Raw peas and carrots: Raw peas and carrots are hard to digest. They are compact and sturdy, making it difficult for dogs to break them down into tiny particles. They will rather swallow the entire piece. The issues which the dog will face are:
Choking
Bleeding in lips and throat
Blockage of esophagus
Intestine injury
Surgery
Salted peas and carrots: Salt is one of the main components in cooking, and dogs should not consume above 100 mg of salt a day. Dogs consuming excessive salt can face sodium ion poisoning. The symptoms of sodium ion poisoning are:
Dehydration
Disorientation
Pancreatitis
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Frequent urination
Kidney issues
Blood pressure
Blood-thinning
Seizures
Convulsions
Tremors
Coma
Muscle tremors
Canned peas and carrots: Canned peas and carrots have preservatives, salt, and other ingredients that might harm your dog. The consequences of feeding canned peas and carrots are:
Purines: Peas have purines, which can cause difficulties for dogs with kidney issues. This chemical compound synthesizes uric acid, which filters through the kidney. Excessive uric acid can cause kidney stones and various other kidney issues.
Pesticides: Peas and carrots can have pesticides to protect them from getting spoilt. Pesticides can be harmful to dogs and may trigger:
Diarrhea
Vomiting
GI infections
Choking hazards: Dogs cannot properly break down and ingest raw peas, carrots or parts like leaves, skin, or shells. Hence, swallowing it results in choking. They can create blockages in the esophagus and the intestinal tract. The consequences are:
Throat injury
Intestinal injury
Choking
Coughing
Whining
Throat ache
Abdominal pain
Digestive issues
How Many Peas and Carrots to Feed Your Dog?
Dogs can consume peas or carrots as treats, in moderation, every day. Consult your veterinarian before introducing peas and carrots to your dog. However, you can introduce peas and carrots by adding them with kibbles or homemade dog food.
How to Serve Peas and Carrots to Your Dog?
Although fresh or frozen peas and carrots are good alternatives to canned peas and carrots, they cannot be served raw as they may cause choking hazards or indigestion in dogs. Here are some step-wise serving methods that make peas and carrots dog friendly:
If it is a carrot – skinned and chopped into small pieces.
If it is peas- boil and remove the shells.
Peas and carrot – Steam/microwave/boil/bake/puree
Choose any of the above methods and serve your dog without adding salt, spices, or seasonings like onion or garlic.
You can also add them to kibbles or homemade dog foods.
If your dog has accidentally consumed carrot or peas, Check your dog for choking hazards. Suppose your dog shows these symptoms. In which case, it is best to visit the veterinarian to solve the issue immediately:
Abdominal pain
Diarrhea
Fatigue
Heartburn
Anxiety
Vomiting
Retching
Bloating
Weakness
Lethargy
Upset Stomach
Nausea
Loss of appetite
Stomach soreness
Further, contact poison control as soon as possible. The Animal Poison Control Center phone number is (888) 426-4435.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can dogs eat raw vegetables?
Considering a dog’s sensitive digestive system, it is best not to feed them raw vegetables.
Are vegetables good for dogs?
Yes, vegetables are good for dogs because of their health benefits.
Final Thoughts
Peas and carrots are safe, healthy food for dogs that are heavily loaded with vitamins and minerals. You can consider feeding them these vegetables apart from other dog-safe vegetables with their commercial kibbles or homemade dog foods. Further, it is always best to consult your dog’s veterinarian before offering any food for the first time.
