Pea Protein

Pea processors divide dried seeds into ingredients with different uses. Milling and air sorting produce a protein concentrate; extraction with water removes more starch and fiber to produce a more refined isolate.⁵

1. 01 // Source Dried peas Mature pea seeds supply the protein, starch and fiber that processors separate.
2. 02 // Process Milled Grinding frees fine protein particles from the larger starch granules.
3. 03 // Process Protein separated Air sorting makes a concentrate; extraction with water produces a more refined isolate.
4. 04 // Output Pea protein powder The protein-rich fraction arrives as a dry ingredient for weighing into dog food.

1. 01

   Raises measured protein

   Pea protein adds far more protein and less starch than whole peas. The guaranteed crude protein figure counts protein from peas and meat together.^5,7

2. 02

   Supplies plant protein

   It lets manufacturers formulate foods with less animal protein or none. The complete recipe still needs enough methionine from other ingredients or supplements.^2,4

3. 03

   Improves processing economics

   Separating protein from pea flour gives formulators a concentrated ingredient. For processors, better protein recovery improves margins, and air sorting can raise protein content at similar production cost.⁵

How much A dog trial fed complete foods listing organic pea protein first, but did not publish its percentage in the recipes.²

1. Critics say

   Pea protein lifts the protein figure without meat

   Evidence

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

   Commercial samples contained 53.7 to 92.6% protein on a dry matter basis. A food's crude protein figure counts nitrogen from every ingredient, so pea protein raises that figure without adding animal protein.^5,7

2. Brands say

   Dogs digest pea protein well

   Outruns the evidence

   Evidence

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

   In a 12-dog feeding trial, complete foods listing organic pea protein first had macronutrient digestibility above 80%. The study tested whole recipes, not isolated pea protein, and the food maker funded it.²

3. Brands say

   Pea protein can replace meat by itself

   Outruns the evidence

   Evidence

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

   A rooster assay scored pea protein's methionine at 42.7% of the adult dog reference. Dogs have eaten complete plant-based foods with pea protein as a main ingredient, but those recipes contain other ingredients and added nutrients.^1,3,4

4. Owners say

   Pea protein causes heart disease in dogs

   Outruns the evidence

   Evidence

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

   FDA sees a pattern involving diets with pulse ingredients high on their lists, but has not identified a cause. A 34-dog pea-protein-based diet trial found no clinically relevant heart changes after 12 weeks. Neither isolates this ingredient's long-term effect.^1,6

5. Critics say

   Pea protein is just filler

   Outruns the evidence

   Evidence

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

   Tested pea protein concentrates averaged 55.7% protein on a dry matter basis; isolates averaged 85.7%. It has a nutritional job. The fair label concern is that crude protein does not disclose its plant and animal shares.^5,7