Chickpea
621 foods contain this ingredient
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About Chickpea
Chickpea is a pulse crop formulated into many dog and cat foods as a grain alternative supplying carbohydrate, plant protein, and fiber.
Chickpeas are a legume commonly used in pet foods as a plant-based protein, source of digestible carbohydrates, and supply of soluble and insoluble fiber that helps with stool quality and satiety. They can be a useful ingredient for dogs but are not a complete protein for obligate carnivores like cats and may cause gas or digestive upset if underprocessed; additionally, high inclusion of legumes in some grain‑free diets has been discussed as a potential factor in canine dilated cardiomyopathy so diets should be balanced and any concerns discussed with your veterinarian.
Related ingredients
- Derived from
- Cicer arietinum seed (also called garbanzo bean)
- Primary role
- carbohydrate, plant protein, and fiber source
Why it's used
Chickpeas are formulated into recipes, especially grain-free ones, as a starch and binder that also contributes plant protein and fermentable fiber. A feline digestibility study found that garbanzo bean inclusion up to 30% of an extruded diet was highly digestible and supported favorable fecal short-chain fatty acid production without harming stool quality.
Common concerns
- FDA inquiry into diet and canine DCM The FDA investigated reports of non-hereditary dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs eating certain diets, most of them grain-free and high in peas, lentils, and other pulses, and reported that as of November 2022 it had received 1,382 case reports since 2014. The FDA has not established a causal relationship with any specific ingredient.
- FDA paused public updates without a confirmed cause In December 2022 the FDA announced it would stop routine public updates, stating available adverse-event data were not sufficient to establish a causal relationship with specific ingredients or products, and that the condition likely involves multiple contributing factors.
- Raw or underprocessed chickpeas contain anti-nutritional compounds Uncooked chickpeas contain enzyme inhibitors, tannins, phytic acid, and lectins that can reduce digestibility and contribute to gas, so commercial diets rely on cooking or extrusion to render the ingredient more digestible.
Also relevant
Peer-reviewed extrusion studies have found chickpea-based diets can meet AAFCO and NRC nutrient recommendations for dogs and cats at maintenance when properly formulated.
3 sources cited
- FDA investigated reports of DCM in dogs eating diets high in peas, lentils, and other legume seeds/pulses, mostly grain-free; 1,382 case reports as of November 2022, with no causal relationship established
- FDA announced in December 2022 it would end routine public updates on the DCM investigation, citing insufficient data to establish causality
- Raw garbanzo bean inclusion up to 30% in extruded feline diets was highly digestible, produced ideal fecal scores, and favorably shifted fermentative end-products and microbiota
Common Questions
What category is Chickpea?
Chickpea is categorized as a vegetable ingredient in the KibbleLab database.
Is Chickpea part of an allergen group?
Yes. Chickpea is grouped under the Legumes allergen group in the KibbleLab database.
Which foods contain Chickpea?
621 foods in the KibbleLab database contain Chickpea, including Nulo, Nutro, Orijen.
Foods with Chickpea
Alphabetical by brand. Scores run 0 to 10, higher is better, on published veterinary science.
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