Can Dogs Eat Snap Peas? Yes, Fresh or Frozen, Cut Small

Why snap peas are safe for dogs

Sugar snap peas and snow peas are edible-pod peas, and the AKC lists them alongside garden peas as safe in small amounts for dogs. They are mostly water and fiber, with some vitamins and plant antioxidants, and they are low in calories, so they suit dogs that need a light treat.

The AKC gives a simple rule: if people eat the pod, a dog can too. Snap and snow peas fall in that group. Garden or English peas should be shelled, because their tough pods are not meant to be eaten.

The choking risk and other cautions

The AKC warns that pea pods can get stuck in a dog's throat, which is the main reason to cut them up. Snap peas also have a fibrous string along the seam; pulling it off makes the pod easier to chew and swallow, especially for small dogs.

Avoid canned peas, which the AKC notes are typically high in added sodium. Snap peas from a stir-fry or takeout are often cooked with garlic, onion, soy sauce or oil, and the ASPCA lists garlic and onion as harmful to dogs. Only share plain peas.

How to prepare snap peas

Rinse the pods, snap off the stem end and pull away the string. For dogs under 20 lb, cut each pod into pieces about the size of a pea; for larger dogs, halves or thirds are fine. Serve them raw for crunch, or steam them for a minute or two to soften them for older dogs.

Frozen sugar snap or snow peas without sauce or butter are fine too, and make a cooling summer snack. Thaw them slightly for small dogs so they are not rock hard. Season nothing: no salt, butter, oil or dip.

Spreading a few safe pieces across a snuffle mat or packing them into a puzzle toy turns a small treat into a few minutes of sniffing work.

How many snap peas by weight

Vegetables are an occasional extra, not part of the main diet, which is what the AKC means by treat. A guide: one or two pods, cut up, for dogs under 20 lb; three or four pods for dogs of 20 to 50 lb; five or six pods for dogs over 50 lb.

Start at the low end and see how your dog's stomach handles the fiber. If your dog has kidney disease, is on a prescription diet or has a sensitive stomach, check with your vet before adding vegetables.

Snap peas for puppies

Puppies can try snap peas once they are eating solid food well, but their throats are small, so cut pods into tiny pieces or steam and mash them. Offer one or two pieces the first time and watch for loose stool.

Snap peas can be a useful low-calorie reward during puppy training, mixed with regular puppy treats. Keep the amounts small so that puppy food, which is balanced for growth, stays the bulk of their diet.

Signs snap peas disagreed with your dog

Too many peas can cause gas, bloating or loose stool within a day, thanks to the fiber. These usually pass without treatment. The AKC advises watching for diarrhea or vomiting whenever you introduce a new food.

Call your vet straight away if your dog gags, coughs repeatedly or struggles to swallow after eating a whole pod, as it may be stuck. Call the same day for vomiting that repeats, a painful belly or a dog that stops eating.

Other crunchy vegetables to try

Green beans, carrot sticks, cucumber slices and bell pepper strips are other low-calorie, crunchy vegetables most dogs enjoy. Like snap peas, cut them to a size your dog cannot swallow whole, and serve them plain.

Avoid onions, garlic, leeks and chives in any form, and wild mushrooms, which can be dangerous. If your dog eats any of those, call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435; a fee may apply.

This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.