Yes, dogs can eat sugar snap peas moderately. Since peas are low in calories, they serve as healthy treats for your dog and are a common ingredient in dog foods. In addition, your canine companion can easily digest sugar snap peas when eaten along with their pods. However, you have to be careful with a few pods that may be inedible and pose a potential choking hazard.
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What are Sugar Snap Peas?
Botanically, pea pods are fruits containing tiny spherical seeds belonging to the plant Pisum sativum. Peas belong to the legume family and are generally eaten as a vegetable before they mature.
Sugar snap peas are a nutritious food addition to your pet’s diet. Also known as snap peas, their texture and flavor cross garden, and snow peas. They contain low calories with a rich source of complex carbohydrates, fiber, and proteins. Further, they contain abundant vitamins and minerals such as C, iron, and potassium.
Are Peas Safe for Dogs?
You can safely feed sugar snap peas to your dogs in different ways, either with or without the pod. When eaten with the pod, they carry a crunchy texture with a delightful flavor.
Fresh Peas
Garden-fresh raw sugar snap peas are safe to feed your canines. They contain natural sugar that converts to starch when consumed. Therefore, they are beneficial to your canine’s health. Further, it is good to chop them and feed them with their pods finely.
Shelled Peas
If your canine is not a fan of the pods, you can extract the peas. This process is called shelling. This way, you can serve them as a treat occasionally. Although shelled peas are rich in calories, they are highly beneficial to your pet.
Cooked Peas
You can also cook the peas and feed them to your dogs. However, you must avoid seasonings, and salt, and avoid cooking with other vegetables, such as onions and garlic, that are toxic to dogs.
Why Are Peas Good For dogs?
Peas are nutritionally beneficial for your dog’s consumption. They are a rich source of various vitamins and minerals which help your pup in the below-mentioned ways:
Nutrients
Health Benefits
Vitamin A
It keeps a dog’s eyesight healthy.
It aids in bone growth and reproduction.
It supports the dog’s cellular formation and immune system.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C fights free radicals and procures the impaired immune system. In addition, it increases the proliferation of B and T cells.
It reduces chronic diseases
Prevents allergies and inflammation
Keeps the heart healthy
lowers the levels of uric acids
An excellent source of iron
Immunity booster
Vitamin K
Facilitates blood clotting
Iron
Aids in transporting oxygen throughout the body in the hemoglobin of red blood cells to generate the energy
it metabolizes various enzymes in the body.
Potassium
Potassium aids electrical charges in the heart, nerves, and muscles to work appropriately.
A lack of this mineral can cause loss of appetite and constant fatigue.
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.
Folate generates red and white blood cells and transforms carbohydrates into energy, enhancing the cells’ capacity to fix their DNA.
Anti-oxidants: Lutein, ferulic, alpha & beta carotene, and flavonoids
Fights inflammation and cancer-causing free radicals in dogs; Reducing inflammation can lessen brain aging in dogs and arthritis pain.
Fiber
Fiber is an excellent source of nutrition for a dog’s digestive tract.
It is frequently digested into fatty acids by beneficial bacteria in your dog’s gut.
This fatty acid then aids in preventing bacterial overgrowth and the recovery of the colon following damage.
Proteins
Protein is well recognized for providing amino acids to produce hair, skin, nails, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage.
In addition, it aids in the synthesis of hormones.
Why are Peas Bad for Dogs?
Kidney Problems
Peas and pea pods carry a naturally occurring chemical compound called purines. Purines produce uric acid that is filtered through the kidneys. So when your ailing dog with kidney problems consumes peas, it results in too much uric acid, which can further deteriorate your pet’s health.
Leishmaniasis
Purins may lead to the formation of kidney stones and bladder stones. The presence of these stones may be painful for your dog. In addition, it can lead to infections and other complications, including the need for surgical removal. Hence, it is better to avoid feeding peas to your affected dog.
Allergy
Some dogs are allergic to this nutritious food. So if you are introducing peas, watch out for any allergic reactions.
Symptoms of allergic reaction in dogs
Chronic ear inflammation
Gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting, diarrhea, or chronic gas
Hair loss
Hot spots
Skin infections
Reach out to your vet if you notice the symptoms mentioned above.
Choking Hazard
Although you can feed sugar snap peas with or without pods, you must chop them into pieces to ensure your canine doesn’t choke.
Symptoms of choking hazard
Make high-pitched squeaks or whistling noises
Cough
Gag
Have discolored gums or tongue
Panic
Paw at his mouth
Pant
Pace
Struggles to breathe
Canned Peas
This form generally has more sodium content which can dehydrate your pet, spiking his blood pressure which may lead to sodium poisoning in dogs.
Symptoms of sodium poisoning to look out for:
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Tremors
Disturbing seizures might occur.
How Many Peas to Feed Your Dog?
On average, you can serve two to three sugar snap peas along with the pods. If you have never fed peas to your dog before, start with smaller portions to know how your pet’s body reacts to them. You may choose to feed sugar snap peas as an occasional treat. However, feeding cooked peas is safer as it minimizes the risk of choking and ensures proper digestion.
How to Serve Peas to Your Dog?
You can feed sugar snap peas in the following ways:
Feed only four to five fresh peas from the garden at a time, once a week rather than every day.
You may even choose to feed 2 to 3 pods to your adult dog, while 1 to 2 pods are enough for your small pup, provided they are not complicated.
Mix a small handful of boiled peas as an ingredient in a homemade meal or your regular dog meal.
Chop the boiled peas into bite-size pieces and use them as a topping on your dog’s food.
Boil the peas and offer them as treats. You can use this even during training sessions.
Peas are a great way to hide medication that you may need to give your dog. To help your dog accept his medicine, you may mush peas around the pill and offer it as a treat.
Peas are an excellent substitute to give to an overweight dog on a diet instead of high-calorie dog treats.
Here are some homemade recipes to include peas in your pet’s diet:
Pea Spread
Blend a cup of peas with chicken broth. Spread the paste over treats or crackers or mix it with your canine’s dry food.
Green Pea Dog Treats
Ingredients
¼ cup shelled garden peas
¼ cup whole grain oats
1 banana
½ tsp honey
½ tsp cinnamon
Pinch of salt
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Beat all the ingredients together in a food processor.
Roll the mix into dough balls.
Place the balls on a baking sheet lined with a silicon baking mat.
Bake the balls for 15 to 20 minutes until they turn slightly brown on the bottom.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool for at least 15 minutes.
Refrigerate the cookies for up to three days and serve them to your dogs.
Beef Stew
Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds of beef- any kind
1 sweet potato
½ cup of carrots
½ cup frozen peas
2 tablespoons coconut oil
Water
Directions
Thoroughly cook the beef.
Peel the sweet potatoes, pierce and microwave them until soft.
Steam the carrots and peas until soft
Mix the ingredients in a pot, add enough water to cover, and simmer for about 20 minutes.
Cool and serve.
Chicken & Peas
Ingredients
4 pounds chicken
2 cups peas
1 cup carrots
1 cup white plain rice
¼ cup spinach
Directions
Boil the chicken until it is cooked.
Cook rice until soft.
Steam peas, carrots, and spinach and chop them.
Add all ingredients together and serve
What if My Dog Ate Sugar Snap Peas?
Having peas in moderation is essential for your dogs as too much of it can cause gas and stomach distress. Hence, look out for stomach discomforts such as diarrhea and vomiting. In this case, please give them a lot of water to drink. Also, feed them a bland diet and look for signs of healing within a day or two before reaching out to your vet.
Final Thoughts
Peas are an excellent substitute for high-calorie treats, making them the best choice for your buddy. But, despite its advantages, it is always safe to feed peas in moderation, provided your dog does not show any symptoms of leishmaniasis or kidney issues.
