Can Dogs Eat Black-Eyed Peas? 4 Health Benefits for Dogs

Dogs can eat black-eyed peas as an occasional treat. Pet owners can offer black-eyed peas as a healthy snack or mix the beans into homemade dog food. Like many other beans, black-eyed peas are high in protein, fiber, and vitamins while low in calories and cholesterol. However, avoid canned black-eyed peas with added sodium, preservatives, or seasonings since these additives can cause stomach upset and digestive issues for your pet.

Ensure your dog has a balanced diet full of carbohydrates, protein, and vegetables, and offer your dog black-eyed peas in moderation; treats should make up no more than ten percent of their daily calorie intake. If your dog eats too many black-eyed peas, gassiness or stomach upset can result.

Black-eyed peas can be a healthy addition to your dog’s meal because they are:

1. 1. Full of vitamins and minerals: Legumes are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for your dog. Black-eyed peas are a good source of iron, vitamin K, vitamin A, potassium, folate, and magnesium.
2. 2. High in protein: Black-eyed peas are a great source of protein that will help your dog build healthy muscle. You can serve your dog black-eyed peas alongside animal proteins found in commercial dog food to provide them with a healthy and balanced meal.
3. 3. Low in calories: Black-eyed peas are one of the lowest-calorie beans in the legume family, making them a healthy option for dogs who need to moderate their daily caloric intake or find a source of low-calorie carbohydrates.
   
4. 4. Rich in fiber: The high dietary fiber content in black-eyed peas can assist in regulating your dog’s digestive tract and bowel movements and prevent constipation. A significant amount of fiber also makes your dog feel full, helping your dog avoid overeating and maintain a healthy weight.

Follow these steps to add black-eyed peas to your dog’s diet:

1. 1. Start with fresh or dried beans. Black-eyed peas are healthy for dogs in moderation, but canned beans often include added sodium, preservatives, and seasonings. These ingredients can upset your dog’s stomach or lead to dehydration. Avoid canned black-eyed peas and instead rehydrate dried black-eyed peas, thaw frozen beans, or prepare fresh beans.
2. 2. Cook them. Black-eyed peas cook quickly. While other dried beans require overnight soaking before cooking, you can add black-eyed peas straight to boiling water and simmer until tender, about thirty to fifty minutes.
3. 3. Allow them to cool. Let your cooked black-eyed peas sit for at least fifteen minutes to cool before serving them to your pet.
4. 4. Try different forms. Experiment with different ways to offer your dog black-eyed peas. You can offer them as is, mash them up into a paste, or combine them with other dog-safe ingredients.
5. 5. Skip the seasonings. Dogs’ digestive systems have a difficult time with many seasonings. Too much salt can cause ion poisoning (or “salt poisoning”), while onions and garlic are toxic to dogs. In addition, spicy seasonings like jalapeños or cayenne can irritate your dog’s stomach and cause bloating or vomiting. When preparing black-eyed peas for your dog, keep them unseasoned to avoid giving your dog an upset stomach.

Certain human foods can cause adverse reactions in canines, so always consult your veterinarian to determine whether it is safe to add these foods to your pet’s diet. This article is for educational and informational purposes and is not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.

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