Chickpea

742 foods contain this ingredient

Vegetable Legumes allergen group

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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

Chickpea Flour Garbanzo Flour

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

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?

742 foods in the KibbleLab database contain Chickpea, including Nulo.

Foods with Chickpea

Alphabetical by brand. Scores run 0 to 10, higher is better, on published veterinary science.