Feeding your dog peas could lead to canine heart disease, study finds

Feeding your dog the remains of your dinner can seem like a harmless thing to do, but a new study warns peas could increase their risk of getting heart disease. Scientists in Massachusetts have found a link between canine consumption of peas and the development of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) – an often fatal condition that causes a dog's heart muscle to enlarge. As the heart dilates and becomes larger, it becomes harder to pump, which can lead to heart valve leaks or a build-up of fluids in the chest. Worrying, peas and other legumes including lentils and chickpeas have been ingredients in some'grain-free' dog foods for years – and could be responsible for hundreds of dog deaths. 'Grain-free' dog foods containing legumes instead of grain have already been investigated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).