Chickpeas in Dog Food: The Third Pulse on the FDA Watch List
Why brands use chickpeas
Chickpeas are the third common pulse in grain-free dog food formulations after peas and lentils. They serve the same functions: cheap starch source, cheap plant protein, kibble binding properties. They're often used in combination with peas and lentils to spread the pulse content across multiple ingredient line items, which can move each individual pulse down the rank order on the label.
The FDA grain-free DCM investigation specifically named chickpeas alongside peas and lentils as the ingredient cluster of concern. Most of the same caveats apply.
Frequently asked
Are chickpeas safe for dogs?
In moderate inclusion in a quality recipe, yes. The concern is the cluster pattern with peas and lentils that the FDA flagged in the DCM investigation.
What's the difference between chickpeas, peas, and lentils?
All three are pulses (legume seeds) and all three are nutritionally similar at the ingredient level. They have small differences in protein content, fiber content, and starch composition, but they're treated as a single category in the FDA DCM investigation.
Are chickpeas allergenic for dogs?
Pulse allergies in dogs exist but are uncommon compared to chicken or beef allergies. Chickpeas specifically are not a high-frequency allergen.