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Do you and your family enjoy eating sugar snap peas? Sugar snap peas are a favorite for many people in the summer months! But what happens if your dog eats sugar snap peas? Are sugar snap peas safe for dogs?
We’ll answer those questions in this article! We’ll take a look at what sugar snap peas are, their nutritional value, and whether they’re safe for dogs. Let’s get started!
What are Sugar Snap Peas?
Sugar snap peas are also known as snap peas (Pisum satvium), which grow in a pod. The peas and the pod are edible, and they are safe to eat raw or cooked. The sugar snap pea plants love to climb and can grow as tall as 6.5 ft! Sugar snap peas are a cross between regular peas and snow peas that were developed in 1979. So these are hybrid peas, and they grow in Guatemala, Colombia, Peru, China, and Kenya.
Snap peas are in season between June and September. The peas are best eaten right away after they’re picked. These can be eaten in a wide range of recipes, and they’re easy to grow.
Health Benefits of Sugar Snap Peas
Sugar snap peas are packed with valuable nutrients, including:
- Vitamin C
- Potassium
- Vitamin K
- Beta carotene
- Vitamin A
- Fiber
- Magnesium
- Calcium
- Vitamin B5
- Vitamin E
- Manganese
- Iron
- Copper
- Lutein
- Folate
These yummy veggies have about 40 calories per ¾ cup serving, along with 2 grams of protein, less than 1 gram of fat, 9 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, and 3 grams of sugar.
There’s no question that sugar snap peas are definitely part of a healthy diet for humans. But what about dogs?
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Ask a Vet Live NowSugar Snap Peas & Dogs
Fortunately, sugar snap peas are very healthy for dogs! In fact, peas are good for dogs and are often included in many brands of dog food. While veggies aren’t necessary for a dog’s diet, they are safe and a great addition to a dog’s healthy diet.
Experts recommend feeding about four or five sugar snap peas to your dog about once a week. Every day would be too much for your dog’s system and could lead to diarrhea.
Dogs can benefit from all the valuable nutrition offered by snap peas, even the fiber in this veggie! However, too much fiber in a dog’s diet can cause digestive issues such as diarrhea. That’s why you should only feed a few sugar snap peas to your dog once a week and not more often.
Can Sugar Snap Peas Be Dangerous for Some Dogs?
That’s a great question! The answer is that some dogs should not eat peas. Peas contain natural substances called purines. Purines produce uric acid that can be filtered out when a dog has healthy kidneys. However, dogs that have kidney problems are not able to filter out the purines. These dogs may develop too much uric acid in their systems, which can cause kidney stones and other kidney problems.
What’s more, veggies such as sugar snap peas are not good in large amounts for dogs. A canine’s system has not been developed to eat too many vegetables. When a dog eats too many veggies, they can develop vomiting, diarrhea, and other issues. So, veggies, such as sugar snap peas, should only be given in small amounts and just once in a while.
It’s also best to avoid feeding your dog canned peas or sugar snap peas (and other peas) that have been seasoned with salt, lemon, onions, and garlic. Lemons, garlic, and onions are toxic to dogs, and too much salt can make a dog sick.
In addition, pea pods can also be a problem for dogs. The pods are not toxic; however, eating too many pea pods can cause intestinal blockage, and they may pose a choking hazard.
For these reasons, it’s up to you, as the pet parent, to determine whether your dog is able to safely eat sugar snap peas and their pods.
Can Dogs Eat Other Kinds of Peas?
Yes, other kinds of peas are also safe for dogs to eat! However, remember that canned peas are never safe for dogs. And peas that have other ingredients, such as onions, garlic, and onions, are not safe for dogs.
In addition, English peas (also called garden peas or sweet peas) must first be shelled before a dog can enjoy them.
Like sugar snap peas, your dog should only have peas in moderation. Eating too many peas can cause diarrhea and gas, so make sure to only feed your dog a few peas about once a week.
Sugar Snap Pea Serving Ideas for Dogs
Now that you know your canine companion can safely eat sugar snap peas, you may want some ideas on how to serve them to your dog!
Remember, never feed your dog over four or five sugar snap peas (and their pods) more often than once a week. And never feed sugar snap peas (or other peas) to a dog that has kidney issues.
So, you can boil a few peas and add these to your dog’s wet or dry food. You can serve the peas on top or mix them into the food.
Another idea is to freeze the raw peas and keep these on hand as a healthy, cooling treat when the weather’s really warm. Your dog will enjoy this wonderful frozen veggie treat!
You can also serve the peas completely raw to your dog. But remember not to overdo it.
Green Pea Dog Cookies
Here’s an easy recipe for some green peas your dog will love! You can use these treats as a topper for your dog’s meals or as treats. This is a dog-friendly, safe recipe!
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup shelled peas
- ¼ cup of whole grain oats
- 1 banana
- ½ teaspoon honey
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 F. Pulse together all ingredients in a food processor or a blender.
- Then roll into cookie dough balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake these doggie treats for 15 to 20 minutes, or until lightly brown on the bottom.
- Remove from the oven and leave to cool on the baking sheet for 15 minutes.
- Serve your dog a treat and put the rest in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to three days.
Summing It Up
So, there you have it! Your dog can safely enjoy sugar snap peas as long as he doesn’t have health issues and the peas don’t contain any other ingredients. He can even enjoy peas in these yummy dog treats that are sure to become his favorites!
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Julie
Julie is a graduate of the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, where she studied Animal science. Though contrary to the opinion of her parents she was meant to study pharmacy, but she was in love with animals especially cats. Julie currently works in an animal research institute (NGO) in California and loves spending quality time with her little cat. She has the passion for making research about animals, how they survive, their way of life among others and publishes it. Julie is also happily married with two kids.
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