Cereals and starches

Peas

Good

Description

Legume rich in plant proteins.

Benefits

Plant proteins, fiber, gluten-free

Risks

May artificially inflate protein levels

Why this ingredient is used

Peas (whole green peas, pea protein, pea starch, pea fibre) are the most used legume in grain-free pet food. They provide plant protein (20 to 25 percent crude), binding starch for kibble extrusion, and a moderate glycemic index. The issue is that pea protein concentrates artificially inflate the crude protein percentage on the label without contributing animal-quality amino acids. A bag claiming 28 percent protein may contain 10 percent from meat and 18 percent from pea protein, which is nutritionally inferior for carnivores. PetFoodRate deducts transparency points when pea protein is used in the top 5 without clear disclosure.

Controversies and what to watch for

In 2018, the FDA opened an investigation into a possible link between grain-free diets high in peas and lentils and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs. The hypothesis is that high-legume diets may interfere with taurine absorption or metabolism, leading to taurine deficiency and heart disease. As of 2025, the FDA has not issued a definitive finding, and the veterinary community remains divided. Some cardiologists recommend avoiding pea-heavy grain-free diets for large-breed dogs, while others argue the correlation is confounded by breed genetics. PetFoodRate does not penalise peas per se but flags products where legumes represent more than 25 percent of the total formula.