Peas and pea protein have become ubiquitous in dog food, especially grain-free formulas. But controversy surrounds these ingredients: they've been linked to potential heart problems, they can inflate protein numbers, and many pet owners don't realize how prevalent they've become. Here's what you need to know.
Why Are Peas Everywhere?
The Grain-Free Boom
When grain-free diets became popular in the 2010s, manufacturers needed something to replace grains as binding agents and carbohydrate sources. Legumes — peas, lentils, chickpeas — became the go-to alternatives.
Benefits for manufacturers:
- Cheaper than meat
- Good binding properties for kibble
- Add protein to the formula
- Can be marketed as "natural" carbohydrates
- Multiple forms available (whole peas, pea protein, pea starch, pea fiber)
The Cost Factor
The truth about pea protein:
- Much cheaper than meat — Pea protein costs a fraction of chicken meal
- Boosts protein percentages — Makes formulas look more meat-heavy
- Versatile — Can be used in multiple forms in one formula
The DCM Investigation
What Happened
In 2018, the FDA began investigating reports of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) — a serious heart condition — in dogs eating certain diets. Many affected dogs were eating grain-free foods.
Key Findings
- Correlation, not proven causation — The FDA found an association but couldn't prove direct cause
- Legume-heavy diets showed the strongest correlation
- Not just grain-free — Some grain-containing foods were also implicated
- Peas, lentils, chickpeas, potatoes were commonly seen in reported diets
- Exact mechanism unknown — Scientists haven't determined why these ingredients might cause problems
Current Status (2026)
- The FDA has not recalled any foods based on DCM concerns
- No specific ingredients banned
- Investigation is ongoing but less active
- Veterinary community divided on whether to avoid grain-free
For the full scientific breakdown, see The Grain-Free DCM Debate.
The Protein Inflation Problem
How It Works
Dogs are carnivores (or omnivores, depending on who you ask), but either way, they evolved eating primarily animal protein. Animal protein has a complete amino acid profile that plant proteins don't.
When manufacturers use pea protein:
- Label can show high protein — 28%, 30%, even 35%
- But much of that protein is from peas — Not meat
- Plant protein is less bioavailable — Dogs don't utilize it as efficiently
- Amino acid profile is incomplete — Missing some essential amino acids
Spotting Protein Inflation
Inflated formula:
Ingredients: Chicken, Peas, Pea Protein, Chickpeas, Lentils, Tapioca...
Protein: 32%
Despite high protein and "chicken first," this is a pea-heavy food. After chicken's water cooks off, legumes dominate. Much of that 32% protein comes from peas.
Meat-focused formula:
Ingredients: Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Chicken, Peas, Chicken Fat...
Protein: 34%
Multiple meat sources (including concentrated meals) before peas = genuinely high animal protein.
The Math Problem
Fresh chicken: ~70% water, ~20% protein when fresh
In a hypothetical batch:
- 100 lbs fresh chicken = 20 lbs chicken protein
- 50 lbs pea protein = 50 lbs pea protein
The finished food might be 70%+ pea protein despite "chicken" being first.
What's Actually in Common Foods?
Legume Loading
Many grain-free foods contain multiple forms of peas/legumes:
Ingredients: Salmon, Peas, Chickpeas, Pea Protein, Lentils, Pea Starch...
That's FIVE legume ingredients. Together, they likely outweigh the salmon significantly.
Why Multiple Forms?
If a manufacturer used all peas together, "peas" would be the first ingredient. By splitting into:
- Whole peas
- Pea protein
- Pea starch
- Pea fiber
...each appears separately and lower on the list. "Salmon" stays first despite legumes dominating the formula.
This is called ingredient splitting and is legal but misleading.
Is Pea Protein Bad for Dogs?
The Honest Answer
We don't know for certain.
Arguments that pea protein is problematic:
- DCM investigation associations
- Lower biological value than animal protein
- May interfere with taurine absorption or metabolism
- Dogs didn't evolve eating large amounts of legumes
Arguments that it's probably fine:
- Many dogs eat legume-heavy diets without problems
- FDA hasn't banned or recalled anything
- Legumes do provide protein and fiber
- Causation hasn't been proven
A Balanced View
Pea protein in moderation is probably fine. The concern is:
- Excessive amounts — Legumes as primary ingredients
- Protein inflation — Hiding low meat content
- Potential unknown effects — DCM research is incomplete
How to Evaluate Legume Content
Look for These Red Flags
Multiple legume forms:
Peas, Pea Protein, Chickpeas, Lentils...
Legumes in positions 2, 3, AND 4:
Chicken, Peas, Lentils, Chickpeas, Chicken Meal...
Despite chicken first, this is legume-heavy.
Pea protein specifically: Pea protein is an isolated protein added specifically to boost numbers. Its presence often indicates cost-cutting.
Evaluate Ingredient Position
Better: Legumes appearing at position 5+
Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Chicken, Brown Rice, Peas...
Concerning: Legumes at positions 2, 3, 4
Chicken, Peas, Chickpeas, Tapioca, Chicken Fat...
Calculate True Meat Content
Some brands disclose meat content percentages. Look for:
- "85% animal ingredients"
- "70% meat and fish"
- "Single animal protein source"
These claims are more meaningful than just checking if meat is first.
Alternatives to Pea-Heavy Foods
Grain-Inclusive Options
If you've been feeding grain-free due to marketing rather than allergies, consider foods with:
- Rice — Highly digestible, well-studied
- Oatmeal — Good fiber source
- Barley — Nutritious whole grain
Browse grain-inclusive foods →
Low-Legume Grain-Free
If your dog needs grain-free (confirmed allergies), look for:
- Potato or sweet potato as primary carb
- Single legume source positioned lower on ingredient list
- High meat content explicitly stated
Foods with Meat First AND Second
Look for formulas where meat or meat meal appears in positions 1 AND 2:
Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Chicken Fat...
What About Taurine?
The Connection
Taurine is an amino acid important for heart health. The DCM investigation considered whether legume-heavy diets might:
- Contain less taurine — Plant proteins are low in taurine precursors
- Interfere with taurine absorption — Some theorize certain ingredients block absorption
- Increase taurine loss — Dogs may excrete more taurine on certain diets
Taurine Supplementation
Many foods now add supplemental taurine. This may help, but:
- Doesn't address potential absorption issues
- May not fully compensate for poor taurine bioavailability
- Added taurine doesn't make a pea-heavy diet "safe"
Getting Taurine Naturally
Taurine is found in:
- Heart meat
- Dark chicken meat
- Shellfish
- Fish
Foods with these ingredients provide natural taurine beyond what's supplemented.
Breeds at Higher Risk
Some breeds are genetically predisposed to DCM and may warrant extra caution:
- Doberman Pinschers
- Great Danes
- Boxers
- Irish Wolfhounds
- Cocker Spaniels
- Golden Retrievers (appeared frequently in diet-related cases)
If you have one of these breeds, discuss diet with your vet before choosing legume-heavy foods.
Our Recommendations
For Most Dogs
Choose foods where:
- Named meat is first — Chicken, beef, lamb, fish
- Second ingredient is also meat (preferably meal) — Or at least not legumes
- Legumes appear at position 5+ — If at all
- No "pea protein" — This isolated ingredient is a cost-cutter
If You Choose Grain-Free
- Have a legitimate reason — Confirmed grain allergy
- Choose meat-dominant formulas — 70%+ animal ingredients
- Avoid legume loading — No more than one or two legume ingredients
- Consider potatoes/sweet potatoes — As primary carb instead of peas
- Monitor your dog — Especially for cardiac symptoms
Signs to Watch For
If your dog is on a legume-heavy diet, watch for:
- Decreased energy or exercise intolerance
- Coughing, especially at night
- Rapid or labored breathing
- Fainting or weakness
- Distended abdomen
These could indicate heart problems. See your vet if observed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I avoid all foods with peas?
Not necessarily. Peas in small amounts, lower on the ingredient list, are probably fine. The concern is legume-dominant formulas where peas and similar ingredients are the main components.
Is pea protein the same as whole peas?
No. Pea protein is an isolated protein concentrate — it's specifically added to boost protein percentages. Whole peas include fiber, carbohydrates, and other components. Pea protein's only purpose is to inflate numbers cheaply.
Why do premium brands use peas?
Even premium grain-free brands need a carbohydrate/binder. Some use peas responsibly (lower on the list, no pea protein). Others load up on legumes despite premium pricing. Price doesn't guarantee quality.
Did the FDA recall any foods for DCM?
No. The FDA investigated and published reports but has not issued recalls based on DCM concerns. They've stated the cause isn't determined and more research is needed.
My dog has been eating grain-free for years with no problems. Should I switch?
Discuss with your vet. If your dog has thrived, DCM risk may be low. But if there's no medical need for grain-free, a grain-inclusive food might be worth considering — especially for at-risk breeds.
Are lentils and chickpeas as concerning as peas?
Yes. The DCM investigation looked at legumes broadly — peas, lentils, chickpeas all showed similar associations. The concern is legume-heavy diets in general, not peas specifically.
The Bottom Line
Pea protein and legume-heavy diets are controversial for good reasons:
- DCM associations remain unexplained
- Protein inflation misleads consumers
- Dogs evolved eating meat, not legumes in large amounts
While we can't say legumes definitively cause harm, the safest approach is choosing foods where meat clearly dominates and legumes play a minor role.
What to look for:
- Named meat first AND second
- Legumes at position 5+ (if present)
- No "pea protein" ingredient
- Explicit meat content claims (70%+, etc.)