Are Chickpeas Good for Dogs?

Has your pup ever begged for some of your hummus at dinner or as an afternoon snack? You might have wondered if your favorite dip is safe to share with your dog. Due to some of the other ingredients like garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil, you might have to pass on sharing this snack – but what about the star ingredient? Chickpeas.

Can dogs have chickpeas?

Yes! As long as they are cooked, chickpeas are safe for dogs. They are a great source of protein, potassium, magnesium, and folate as well as vitamins A, B, and C.

In recent years, chickpeas have increased in their popularity as an ingredient in commercial dog food. Due to their low cost, high protein and fiber content and ability to help your pup feel full, they can be a great addition to dog food recipes.

What are the benefits of chickpeas?

As a complex carbohydrate, chickpeas release energy more slowly than their simple carbohydrate counterparts. This can help control blood sugar for diabetic pups.

Because of their high protein content, chickpeas can help pups manage their weight. Since they help pups feel full longer, they are a good choice for overweight dogs.

For pups who suffer from constipation chickpeas may offer (some) relief. This is because they are high in fiber which can help get things moving.

Chickpeas can help fight inflammation, which causes diseases including osteoarthritis and cancers as well as inflammatory bowel diseases.

Are there any negative side effects of chickpeas?

Like any other food, you offer your dog, you want to start slowly to ensure your dog tolerates them. Watch for signs of allergies or indigestion. If your pup is allergic to chickpeas you should not offer them.

You may also want to avoid canned chickpeas, as they can have added sodium and preservatives which aren’t great for your pup.

You may have also read the “FDA announced that it had begun investigating reports of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs eating certain pet foods, many labeled as “grain-free,” which contained a high proportion of peas, lentils, other legume seeds (pulses), and/or potatoes in various forms (whole, flour, protein, etc.) as main ingredients (listed within the first 10 ingredients in the ingredient list, before vitamins and minerals).”

If this is concerning to you, ensure that your dog’s food is not on the list of brands under investigation. At Ollie , we keep up with the research and our veterinary nutritionist works to ensure our food is safe for your pup. This includes our lamb recipe which contains chickpeas.

Pet Food Reviewer has also reviewed these studies, their position on this is: “at this time, the link between Dilated Cardiomyopathy and legumes like Chickpeas is not clear and not fully substantiated. We do not recommend changing your dog’s diet based solely on limited studies. Instead, we recommend you visit and discuss this, with your vet.”

Based on your dog’s overall health and nutritional needs, your vet can make more specific recommendations about whether or not to include chickpeas in your dog’s diet.

How to serve your dog chickpeas

You can mash some chickpeas, which will resemble hummus without the garlic, lemon and olive oil in the human version. You can serve this with some cucumbers or carrot sticks for a tasty snack.

You can use chickpea flour (also called garbanzo bean flour) in place of wheat flour in dog treats like these pumpkin and peanut butter biscuits. This can benefit dogs who are allergic to wheat/gluten or stick to a grain-free diet. This three ingredient treat is easy to make and can be stored safely for 1-2 months making it a great choice for busy pup parents who want to spoil their dogs.

Our Lamb Recipe is also a safe and easy way to add chickpeas to your dog’s diet without having to chop, dice, or cook. Simply thaw the food in your refrigerator and follow your specific serving directions to give your pup a tasty meal filled with great ingredients.

The Ollie blog is devoted to helping pet parents lead healthier lives with their pups. If you want to learn more about our fresh, human-grade food, check out MyOllie.com.