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Ingredient file // Legume

Green Peas

Real protein and carbs, with a label caveat

Green peas are tender pea seeds used whole, fresh, frozen or dried. They add plant protein, carbohydrate and some fiber to dog food. The name alone does not say whether they entered the recipe wet or dried, which changes how to read the list.

Green Peas
What it is
Immature edible pea seeds removed from pods and used whole in dog food, fresh or preserved.
Made from
Young seeds inside pea pods
Main job
Carbohydrate and plant protein
Typical amount
Not published
Watch for
Several pea ingredients near the list top
Not the same as
Dried field peas

Straight answer

Is Green Peas safe for dogs?

Check the form and full pea load

Read green peas alongside the named proteins and every other pea ingredient. Fresh peas bring water to their listed weight, so a high position can overstate their contribution after cooking. Several pea forms near the top signal a pea-heavy formula. Judge the complete recipe and your dog's health history.

Why it is in the food
Carbohydrate and plant protein

Our read // In our catalog

In 1 of every 36 foods we track

Share of foods that list it

3%

88 of the 3,204 foods with an ingredient list on file, from 15 brands. 43 wet dog food, 42 dry dog food, 3 dog food topper.

Each square is 1% of the catalog

Where it sits on the label

Median position 8. In the top five of 25 foods, so it is usually a supporting ingredient.

Top five List position, heaviest first

Above the salt

47%

Usually listed after the salt, which caps it at roughly 1% of the recipe in 53% of foods.

Price per lb

Foods with it $3.20
All foods $3.25

Median of the cheapest bag price across 35 priced foods, about level with the catalog. The price is the food's, not the ingredient's.

Who leans on it

47%

of the foods that list it are from Hill's. 15 brands use it in total.

What it is

How it is made

Vegetable growers harvest pods while the peas are still tender for fresh, frozen and canned markets. They shell and clean the seeds. Some peas are blanched and dried for storage.9,13

  1. 01 // Source Tender pea pods Garden peas are picked before the seeds mature and dry on the plant.
  2. 02 // Process Shelled and cleaned The edible seeds are separated from pods, then washed before sale or further processing.
  3. 03 // Process Preserved if needed Peas may be frozen or blanched and dried to make them easier to store.
  4. 04 // Output Whole green peas Shelled seeds reach the food maker fresh, frozen or dehydrated, without pods or stems.

What is in it

Composition, as fed

79

% water

Raw green peas are mostly water. Fresh peas are weighed wet for the ingredient list, and much of that water cooks off in processing.

Water 78.9%7
Carbohydrate 14.4%7
Total dietary fiber 5.7%7
Sugars 5.7%7
Crude protein 5.4%7
Starch (frozen peas) 4.2%8
Crude fat 0.4%7

These are USDA values for raw and frozen green peas as fed. Strip the water and protein is about a quarter of the solids. Tender peas carry more sugar and far less starch than ripe, dried field peas.7,8,9

Why it is in the bag

What the manufacturer gets

  1. 01

    Helps kibble hold together

    Peas supply calories and help an extruded kibble keep its shape. That gives them a practical job even when they are a small part of the recipe.11

  2. 02

    Adds plant protein

    Raw green peas carry about 5.4 g protein per 100 g, which counts toward crude protein. Pea protein runs short on methionine, so makers must balance the full recipe.7,9

  3. 03

    Draws on a processing crop

    About 90% of US green pea acreage supplies processors. That gives food makers an existing vegetable supply; the available sources do not show a price advantage over grain.14

How much A dog trial fed 30% dried smooth pea flour, but that does not give a usual amount for immature green peas.4

Our read // The claims

What the evidence supports

Strong: controlled studies in dogs agree. Some: small or mixed dog data. Thin: mechanism or lab work only. None: nothing, or the evidence points the other way.

  1. Brands say

    Green peas add real protein and carbs

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    USDA lists raw green peas at 5.4 g protein and 14.4 g carbohydrate per 100 g, alongside 78.9 g water. That makes protein about a quarter of the solids. The label still does not show how much pea a bag holds.7

  2. Brands say

    Peas give dogs steady blood sugar

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    The cited test is a 7-day, 8-dog crossover trial feeding smooth and wrinkled pea flour diets, the wrinkled one at 58.65%. Peak glucose for both pea diets, 4.5 to 4.7 mmol/L, shared a statistical letter with rice's 5.0. Garden peas were not tested.2

  3. Owners say

    Peas cause heart disease in dogs

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    The adverse evidence is one 8-dog, 28-day crossover trial on a non-commercial wrinkled pea flour at 58%, causing subclinical cardiac changes. A 60-dog, 18-month trial found no clinical DCM, though a published letter disputed its heart measurements. FDA finds pulses not inherently dangerous.1,3,5,6,10

  4. Critics say

    Green peas are just filler

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    USDA measures 5.4 g protein and 14.4 g carbohydrate in 100 g of raw green peas, and AAFCO describes peas as supplying calories and kibble structure. Those are real jobs. The fair question is how heavily a recipe leans on peas.7,11

Straight answers

What owners ask

  1. Q01

    Is it just filler?

    No

    Green peas contribute protein, carbohydrate and some fiber. The useful question is how much of the recipe comes from peas, especially when pea protein, starch or fiber also appear elsewhere on the list.7,11,12

  2. Q02

    Are these dried field peas?

    Different harvest

    Garden peas are picked tender; field peas ripen and dry on the plant. Both are pea seeds, but the words green peas on a bag do not disclose whether the seeds arrived fresh or dehydrated.9,13

  3. Q03

    Does fresh mean more pea?

    By weight

    Raw green peas are about 79% water. Ingredients are listed by weight, so fresh peas can rank higher than their share of solids in the finished kibble suggests. The label does not give that solids share.7,12

  4. Q04

    Should my dog avoid peas?

    Usually no

    FDA has not found peas inherently dangerous or identified a specific cause of diet-associated DCM. If your dog has DCM, have the complete diet reviewed with the treating veterinarian, especially when pulses dominate its ingredient list.10

Who uses it

Brands, best sellers and the company it keeps

Top brands, by foods that list it

  1. Hill's 41 / 116
  2. Weruva 10 / 50
  3. Health Extension 8 / 47
  4. Acana 8 / 23
  5. Tiki Dog 3 / 30
  6. Canidae 3 / 35
  7. Sojos 3 / 7
  8. Iams 3 / 31
  9. INABA 2 / 11
  10. Annamaet 2 / 20

Foods that list it / all the brand's recipes we track.

Plus 5 more brands.

Amazon best sellers that list it

  1. #4 Hill’s Science Diet Light Small & Mini Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food
  2. #62 Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Chicken Meal, Barley & Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
  3. #69 Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Small Paws Chicken Meal, Barley & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
  4. #84 Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Small Bites Chicken & Barley Recipe Dry Dog Food
  5. #87 Iams Adult Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food

Rank on Amazon's dog food best seller list, checked October 2026.

Usually listed with, share of the foods that list it

  1. Chicken 67%
  2. Carrots 44%
  3. Chicken Meal 33%
  4. Brown Rice 32%
  5. Dried Beet Pulp 30%
  6. Chicken Broth 28%
  7. Chicken Fat 28%
  8. Flaxseed 26%
  9. Cracked Pearled Barley 25%
  10. Rice 18%
  11. Pork Liver 17%
  12. Brewers Rice 17%

On the shelf

Foods that list Green Peas

88 foods in our catalog list it. These 60 list it highest on the label.

Canidae Under the Sun Grain-Free Chicken Recipe Dry Dog FoodCanidaeCanidae Under the Sun Grain-Free Chicken Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelCanidae Under The Sun Grain-Free Lamb Recipe Dry Dog FoodCanidaeCanidae Under The Sun Grain-Free Lamb Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelInaba Churu Meal in Gravy Chicken Recipe with Vegetables Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodINABAInaba Churu Meal in Gravy Chicken Recipe with Vegetables Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 3 on the labelInaba Churu Meal in Gravy Chicken Recipe with Vegetables & Beef Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodINABAInaba Churu Meal in Gravy Chicken Recipe with Vegetables & Beef Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 3 on the labelAnnamaet Re-juvenate Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodAnnamaetAnnamaet Re-juvenate Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 3 on the labelSojos Turkey Plus Raw Dog Food TopperSojosSojos Turkey Plus Raw Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 3 on the labelSojos Beef Plus Raw Dog Food TopperSojosSojos Beef Plus Raw Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 3 on the labelTiki Dog Taste of the World Chicken & Pasta Carbonara Recipe Wet Dog FoodTiki DogTiki Dog Taste of the World Chicken & Pasta Carbonara Recipe Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 4 on the labelHealth Extension Broth-Licious Ocean Fish in Bone Broth -Shiny Coat Recipe Wet Dog FoodHealth ExtensionHealth Extension Broth-Licious Ocean Fish in Bone Broth -Shiny Coat Recipe Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 4 on the labelHealth Extension Broth-Licious Chicken & Carrots in Bone Broth- Mobility Recipe Wet Dog FoodHealth ExtensionHealth Extension Broth-Licious Chicken & Carrots in Bone Broth- Mobility Recipe Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 4 on the labelHill’s Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight Hearty Vegetable & Chicken Stew Wet Dog FoodHill'sHill’s Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight Hearty Vegetable & Chicken Stew Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 4 on the labelAcana Puppy Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodAcanaAcana Puppy Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 4 on the label
Show 48 more
Sojos Lamb Plus Raw Dog Food TopperSojosSojos Lamb Plus Raw Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 3 on the labelCanidae Under the Sun Grain-Free Recipe Large Breed Real Chicken Dry Dog FoodCanidaeCanidae Under the Sun Grain-Free Recipe Large Breed Real Chicken Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 3 on the labelHealth Extension food Grain Free Chunky Chicken Stew Wet Dog FoodHealth ExtensionHealth Extension food Grain Free Chunky Chicken Stew Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 4 on the labelHealth Extension food Grain Free Savory Beef Stew Wet Dog FoodHealth ExtensionHealth Extension food Grain Free Savory Beef Stew Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 4 on the labelHill’s Prescription Diet ONC Care Chicken & Vegetable Stew Wet Dog FoodHill'sHill’s Prescription Diet ONC Care Chicken & Vegetable Stew Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 5 on the labelDave’s Pet Food Pouches Dave’s Beef & Chicken with Brown Rice, Goat Milk Pouch Recipe Wet Dog FoodDave's Pet FoodDave’s Pet Food Pouches Dave’s Beef & Chicken with Brown Rice, Goat Milk Pouch Recipe Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 5 on the labelWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen BFF Fun Size Meals Kiss Me Thrice Chicken & Veggies Wet Dog FoodWeruvaWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen BFF Fun Size Meals Kiss Me Thrice Chicken & Veggies Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 5 on the labelBil-Jac Chunky Stew with Chicken & Vegetables Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodBil-JacBil-Jac Chunky Stew with Chicken & Vegetables Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 5 on the labelHealth Extension Gently Cooked Grain Free Vegetarian Recipe Wet Dog FoodHealth ExtensionHealth Extension Gently Cooked Grain Free Vegetarian Recipe Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 5 on the labelHealth Extension Gently Cooked Grain Free Salmon Recipe Wet Dog FoodHealth ExtensionHealth Extension Gently Cooked Grain Free Salmon Recipe Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 5 on the labelHealth Extension Gently Cooked Chicken And Pumpkin Recipe Wet Dog FoodHealth ExtensionHealth Extension Gently Cooked Chicken And Pumpkin Recipe Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 5 on the labelSimply Nourish Hip & Joint Recipe Wet Dog FoodSimply NourishSimply Nourish Hip & Joint Recipe Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 5 on the labelAnnamaet Sustain Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodAnnamaetAnnamaet Sustain Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 5 on the labelHill’s Adult Healthy Cuisine Roasted Chicken, Carrots & Spinach Stew Wet Dog FoodHill'sHill’s Adult Healthy Cuisine Roasted Chicken, Carrots & Spinach Stew Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 6 on the labelWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Paris Hilton Pamper Like Paris Chicken, Rice & Pumpkin Wet Dog FoodWeruvaWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Paris Hilton Pamper Like Paris Chicken, Rice & Pumpkin Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 6 on the labelWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen BFF Fun Size Meals You My Munchkin Chicken & Rice Wet Dog FoodWeruvaWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen BFF Fun Size Meals You My Munchkin Chicken & Rice Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 6 on the labelWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Meals ‘n More Grandma’s Chicken Soup Plus Digestive Support Wet Dog FoodWeruvaWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Meals ‘n More Grandma’s Chicken Soup Plus Digestive Support Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 6 on the labelWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Meals ‘n More Funky Chunky Plus Skin & Coat Health Wet Dog FoodWeruvaWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Meals ‘n More Funky Chunky Plus Skin & Coat Health Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 6 on the labelTiki Dog Taste of the World Chicken & Shrimp Paella Recipe Wet Dog FoodTiki DogTiki Dog Taste of the World Chicken & Shrimp Paella Recipe Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 6 on the labelHill’s Prescription Diet w/d Multi-Benefit Vegetable & Chicken Stew Wet Dog FoodHill'sHill’s Prescription Diet w/d Multi-Benefit Vegetable & Chicken Stew Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 6 on the labelHill’s Science Diet Puppy Chicken & Rice Stew Wet Dog FoodHill'sHill’s Science Diet Puppy Chicken & Rice Stew Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 6 on the labelHill’s Science Diet Adult Healthy Cuisine Chicken & Vegetables Stew Wet Dog FoodHill'sHill’s Science Diet Adult Healthy Cuisine Chicken & Vegetables Stew Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 6 on the labelAcana Red Meat Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodAcanaAcana Red Meat Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 6 on the labelAcana Freshwater Fish Blend Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodAcanaAcana Freshwater Fish Blend Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 6 on the labelAcana Light & Fit Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodAcanaAcana Light & Fit Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 6 on the labelAcana Free-Run Poultry Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodAcanaAcana Free-Run Poultry Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 6 on the labelHill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Healthy Cuisine Braised Beef, Carrots & Peas Stew Wet Dog FoodHill'sHill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Healthy Cuisine Braised Beef, Carrots & Peas Stew Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 7 on the labelMerrick Kitchen Comforts Lamb Shepherd’s Pie Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Kitchen Comforts Lamb Shepherd’s Pie Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 7 on the labelWeruva Awesome Functions Awesome Shiny Chicken Breast & Brown Rice Recipe with Veggies & Flaxseed Wet Dog FoodWeruvaWeruva Awesome Functions Awesome Shiny Chicken Breast & Brown Rice Recipe with Veggies & Flaxseed Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 8 on the labelWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Awesome Everything Beef, Rice & Veggies Multicare Wet Dog FoodWeruvaWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Awesome Everything Beef, Rice & Veggies Multicare Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 8 on the labelWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen BFF Fun Size Meals We Be Jammin Wet Dog FoodWeruvaWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen BFF Fun Size Meals We Be Jammin Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 8 on the labelWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Meals ‘n More Jammin’ Salmon Recipe Plus Skin & Coat Health Wet Dog FoodWeruvaWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Meals ‘n More Jammin’ Salmon Recipe Plus Skin & Coat Health Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 8 on the label4health All Life Stages Fresh Beef and Rice Recipe Wet Dog Food4health4health All Life Stages Fresh Beef and Rice Recipe Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 8 on the labelTiki Dog Taste of the World Beef, Potatoes & Carrots Burgundy Recipe Wet Dog FoodTiki DogTiki Dog Taste of the World Beef, Potatoes & Carrots Burgundy Recipe Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 8 on the labelHealth Extension Gently Cooked Beef And Potato Recipe Wet Dog FoodHealth ExtensionHealth Extension Gently Cooked Beef And Potato Recipe Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 8 on the labelHill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken & Vegetable Entrée Wet Dog FoodHill'sHill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken & Vegetable Entrée Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 9 on the labelHill’s Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken & Rice Stew Wet Dog FoodHill'sHill’s Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken & Rice Stew Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 9 on the labelWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Awesome Everything Chicken, Rice & Veggies Multicare Wet Dog FoodWeruvaWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Awesome Everything Chicken, Rice & Veggies Multicare Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 9 on the labelHill’s Science Diet Puppy Savory Stew with Chicken & Vegetables Wet Dog FoodHill'sHill’s Science Diet Puppy Savory Stew with Chicken & Vegetables Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 13 on the labelHill’s Science Diet Puppy Small & Mini Savory Stew with Chicken & Vegetables Wet Dog FoodHill'sHill’s Science Diet Puppy Small & Mini Savory Stew with Chicken & Vegetables Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 14 on the labelHill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Savory Stew with Beef and Vegetables Wet Dog FoodHill'sHill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Savory Stew with Beef and Vegetables Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 14 on the labelHill’s Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Savory Stew with Chicken & Vegetables Wet Dog FoodHill'sHill’s Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Savory Stew with Chicken & Vegetables Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 15 on the labelHill’s Hill’s Science Diet Adult Savory Stew with Beef & Vegetables Wet Dog FoodHill'sHill’s Hill’s Science Diet Adult Savory Stew with Beef & Vegetables Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 15 on the labelHill’s Science Diet Adult Savory Stew with Chicken & Vegetables Wet Dog FoodHill'sHill’s Science Diet Adult Savory Stew with Chicken & Vegetables Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 15 on the labelHill’s Healthy Advantage Adult Small Bites Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodHill'sHill’s Healthy Advantage Adult Small Bites Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 16 on the labelHill’s Healthy Advantage Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodHill'sHill’s Healthy Advantage Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 16 on the labelHill’s Science Diet Adult Small Bites No Corn, Wheat, Soy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodHill'sHill’s Science Diet Adult Small Bites No Corn, Wheat, Soy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 16 on the labelHill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Small Paws Chicken Meal, Barley & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodHill'sHill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Small Paws Chicken Meal, Barley & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 17 on the label

On labels as

Other names for this

Manufacturers do not all use the same wording. These all mean the same thing.

Fresh Garden Peas Garden Peas Whole Green Peas

Sources

What we read

Checked October 1, 2026.

  1. 1 Effects of a 28-day feeding trial of grain-containing versus pulse-based diets on cardiac function, taurine levels and digestibility in domestic dogs PLOS One, 2023 // Journal
  2. 2 The Effects of 7 Days of Feeding Pulse-Based Diets on Digestibility, Glycemic Response and Taurine Levels in Domestic Dogs Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2021 // Journal
  3. 3 Different carbohydrate sources in dog foods supported overall health and cardiac function: an 18-mo prospective study in healthy adult dogs Journal of Animal Science, 2025 // Journal
  4. 4 Oligosaccharides and diet-related dilated cardiomyopathy in beagles Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2023 // Journal
  5. 5 Response to the letter to the editor from Pion et al. regarding "Different Carbohydrate Sources in Dog Foods Supported Overall Health and Cardiac Function" Journal of Animal Science, 2026 // Journal
  6. 6 Correction: Effects of a 28-day feeding trial of grain-containing versus pulse-based diets on cardiac function, taurine levels and digestibility in domestic dogs PLOS One, 2024 // Journal
  7. 7 Peas, green, raw (FDC ID 170419) USDA Agricultural Research Service, FoodData Central, 2019 // Database
  8. 8 Peas, green, frozen, unprepared (FDC ID 170016) USDA Agricultural Research Service, FoodData Central, 2019 // Database
  9. 9 Pea seeds Feedipedia (INRAE, CIRAD, AFZ, FAO), 2012 // Database
  10. 10 Questions & Answers: FDA's Work on Potential Causes of Non-Hereditary DCM in Dogs U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2025 // Government
  11. 11 What's in the Ingredients List? AAFCO, n.d. // Regulator
  12. 12 Animal Food Labeling and Pet Food Claims U.S. Food and Drug Administration, n.d. // Government
  13. 13 Drying Peas, Green Colorado State University Extension, 2026 // University
  14. 14 2022 Census of Agriculture: Vegetable acreage destined for processing varies by crop USDA Economic Research Service, 2024 // Government
An ingredient on its own tells you very little. What matters is how much of it there is and where it sits in the list. That is why we weigh the top five rather than reacting to any single name further down. Back to the wiki

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