Like every other green vegetable, peas are also filled with vital minerals and vitamins. We may consider these bead-sized jewels as ordinary vegetables, but they contain a huge amount of nutrients, which is exactly why we love to incorporate this vegetable in most of our dishes.
Snow peas and snap peas are some of the most popular kinds that are available across the country. But, does this vegetable also have the same effect on avian creatures? Specifically, Can dogs eat snow peas? Is it safe?
Are Snow Peas Safe For dogs?
Snow peas belong to the family of legumes. These are plants that have pods, and inside they have seeds or beans. Therefore, peas being a part of legumes are safe for dogs.
Snow peas grow inside edible pods, and their taste is sweeter than garden peas. dogs love to eat them because of the crunch and wholesome flavor it provides.
Since the pods are edible, dogs love to play with them. So overall, snow beans are a good choice of food for dogs.
Nutritional Value Of Peas
Peas have a high concentration of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that positively affects your feathery friend’s health. Let’s have a look at the list of vital nutrients that snow peas contain:
- Vitamin A – It is essential for your bird’s vision, hearing, mucus membrane maintenance. If dogs do not get enough of this vitamin, it can create respiratory diseases and lower immunity.
- Vitamin B – It helps in the prevention of infections and promotes cell health and blood clotting. Not only that, but it also reduces inflammation.
- Vitamin C – It has ascorbic acid and is required by avian creatures such as dogs to increase gut absorption for some minerals.
- Vitamin E – improves fertility in dogs and other birds. It also helps in the better functioning of metabolic activities, muscles, and the nervous system.
- Potassium – It helps to regulate blood pressure.
- Calcium – It helps strengthen the bones and the proper formation of eggshells.
- Iron – It helps in the formation of red blood cells.
- Catechin – helps in the prevention of oxidative stress.
Health Benefits Of Snow Peas For dogs
The health benefits of snow peas are immense because of the minerals, vitamins, and nutrients it contains.
Great for eyesight:
There is a certain type of carotenoid in peas called lutein and zeaxanthin. These protect your dog’s eyes from eye diseases, such as cataracts and secretions from the eyes.
Eye problems like cataracts are created due to blue light, and carotenoids like zeaxanthin filter out the light.
Helps In Promoting Digestive Health:
Peas are rich in fiber, and dogs need a fiber-rich diet to have a healthy gastrointestinal tract.
If dogs do not have enough of this nutrient in their diet, it can cause constipation and other digestive issues.
Reduces inflammation:
The anti-inflammatory properties of peas are because it is rich in antioxidants. Not only that, but it also helps in increasing immunity against diseases.
Prevents Diabetes:
Fibre and proteins are responsible for regulating the digestion of starch, and it also slows down the breaking process of carbohydrates in dog’s bodies. In this way, the blood sugar level is controlled, reducing the risk of diabetes.
Better heart health:
Peas also have omega-3 and fatty acids, which prevent oxidative stress and plaques to form around the walls of the heart. Also, magnesium and potassium reduce the risk of high blood pressure.
Can dogs Eat Cooked Peas
There is no harm in boiling the peas in plain water. However, if you cook them in some spices and other ingredients, it will harm your dog. Peas are used in a variety of dishes, and people cook them with ingredients like salt, onions, garlic, etc.
These items are extremely toxic for dogs, and even a small amount can lead to health complications or, in worst cases, death.
dogs love to eat snow peas because of the crunchy texture. Boiling or cooking them will make them soft, and your avian friend might not like it as much they love it in raw form.
What Other Vegetables Are Safe For dogs?
Not only peas but there are plenty of other vegetables that boost the nutritional levels in birds. Adding variety in the form of vegetables to your dog’s diet will keep things interesting for them. Read below to find out what other vegetables you can give to your feathery friend.
Broccoli:
This green vegetable is rich in vitamin D. Your caged dog might be missing out on this vitamin because of inadequate sunlight, as in the wild, dogs spend enough time in the sun that covers the amount of vitamin D required by their body.
Carrots:
Carrots are another flavorsome vegetable that has a lot of benefits because it contains beta-carotene. This substance promotes better eye health in dogs. They also enjoy eating carrots because of their crunchy texture.
Spinach:
Leafy green vegetables like spinach and lettuce are rich in antioxidants, which help boost the immune system in birds and keep them safe from infections. If your pet dog is obese, giving them a full diet of lettuce or spinach can help them cut off a few calories as well.
Peppers:
Yes! Peppers. dogs love eating them. These birds lack the receptors that sense spice levels. Therefore, they can eat jalapeno or habanero peppers easily. Incorporate it into their diet, and they will love eating it.
Conclusion
Growing up, we have heard many of the benefits of green vegetables, which enhance our health. These benefits are not only limited to humans but birds too.
You came here to find the answer to the question, “Can dogs eat snow peas.” Yes, they can, and they should! Vegetables like peas contain lots of minerals and vitamins, which are essential for your pet dog.
This small-sized veggie is not small when it comes to nutritional value. dogs love to eat this crunchy vegetable and even play with the pods. So, it’s a two-in-one food for your avian creature.