Dogs can safely eat beans, which are high in protein and fiber, after being cooked, which is good news for pet owners who were wondering if their canines could partake. Beans are low in sugar and high in fiber, so they won’t make your pet’s blood sugar levels skyrocket.
On the other hand, if your dog eats too many beans, he or she may experience gas and diarrhea, and some bean varieties are toxic to canines. Find out how to properly feed dogs beans.
Can Dogs Eat Beans?
Some canine bean species can enjoy beans without any ill effects. However, not all beans that are human-friendly are also dog-friendly.
Beans, like any other new food, should be introduced to your dog’s diet gradually and only after you’ve made sure they can safely eat the vegetables you’re considering giving them.
Beans, especially the varieties that are safe for dogs to eat, are a nutrient-dense and filling snack because they contain protein and fiber.
Are Beans Safe for Dogs?
Dogs can eat a wide variety of beans as part of a balanced diet, as they are omnivores, but there are some beans they should not eat. Beans are a good source of protein and several vitamins and minerals, including A, C, K, and manganese.
Never give your dog uncooked beans because most of them contain a compound called phytohemagglutinin that is toxic to dogs, and limit your dog’s bean consumption to prevent flatulence and constipation.
Cooked beans, like any novel food, should be introduced to a dog’s diet gradually by its owner, either as an addition to the dog’s regular kibble or as a treat.
Types of Beans That Dogs Can Eat
For the most part, most dogs can safely consume various bean varieties. Dogs shouldn’t eat foods that have been heavily seasoned like humans do. You could try preparing a small amount of one of these bean types and giving it to your dog:
1. Black beans
Easy to find and prepare, dry black beans can be a nutritious addition to your dog’s diet.
2. Butter beans
Dogs can safely consume cooked and plain butter beans, also known as lima beans.
Due to the high carbohydrate content and low fat content of butter beans, you should only give your dog a small amount of butter beans at a time.
There may be a lot of salt and other additives and preservatives in canned butter beans. You can feed your dog fresh, frozen, or dried butter beans if you want to give them some beans.
Butter beans are a great addition to your dog’s diet because they are not only delicious but also a healthy source of plant-based protein and fiber.
Butter beans are a healthy snack for your dog because they are loaded with vitamin C, manganese, and a few other nutrients.
3. Green beans
Green beans are a healthy and delicious snack you can give your dog whether you cook them or serve them raw. To be fair, green beans are technically a legume like peas rather than a true bean. However, given their name, we figured it was only fair to include them here.
4. Kidney beans
If the kidney beans are cooked properly, then yes, your dog can eat them. Your dog can safely and healthily consume cooked kidney beans.
However, due to the high level of Lectin naturally present in the beans, raw kidneys are harmful to both dogs and humans. Cooking the beans reduces the amount of Lectin, making them safe to eat for humans and their dogs.
When it comes to your dog’s diet, moderation is key in order to avoid health problems caused by overfeeding. This includes all beans and vegetables.
5. Garbanzo beans
Garbanzos, or chickpeas, are an excellent source of the nutrients potassium, magnesium, and folate (or folic acid), all of which contribute to the body’s ability to generate healthy new RBCs.
Keep your dog away from hummus and other processed chickpea foods because they often contain garlic and other seasonings that are harmful to dogs. Learn how to prepare hummus that is suitable for canine consumption below.
6. Lentils
In moderation, you can feed your dog these tiny, easy-to-cook legumes without worrying about any adverse effects. When cooked, both split and whole lentils are safe for dogs. Split lentils will become more porridge-like in texture, while whole lentils will retain their original form.
These tiny white beans can be found in the dried and canned sections of most supermarkets. Avoid feeding your dog canned beans because they may contain salt and preservatives that are bad for them, and instead prepare some dried navy beans.
8. Pinto beans
The Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisines would be incomplete without these creamy brown beans. If you want to cook some pinto beans for your dog, just boil them in water and skip the seasonings.
9. Soybeans
Because of its low cost and high protein content, this bean is a common addition to commercial dog food recipes.
Soybeans, when dried, have a tan color, while edamame, the Japanese name for frozen immature soybeans, is a vibrant green.
Types of Beans to Avoid Giving Dogs
It is unclear whether or not feeding your dog any beans at all is safe, despite the fact that some varieties of beans have been linked to health benefits for humans. You can avoid these beans by following these guidelines:
1. Baked beans, chili beans, and refried beans
There are numerous problems that could arise from giving your dog these beans. They typically come in a can, which means they have a lot of salt and contain ingredients like garlic and onion that are toxic to your dog. In addition, the spices may cause stomach problems for your canine companion.
2. Canned beans
It is possible that a dog’s digestive system would react negatively to the salt and preservatives found in most canned beans. Prepare dry beans without salt if you know how to cook them for your dog. Soaking the beans in advance can reduce the total time spent in the kitchen.
3. Coffee beans
Caffeine, which is found in coffee beans, is highly toxic to dogs. Call your vet immediately if you suspect your dog has consumed coffee beans or any other source of caffeine.
4. Fresh beans and bean shells
Please don’t give your dog any kind of bean, including the pod or shell. If you want to feed your dog fava beans, broad beans, edamame, or lima beans, make sure to cook them thoroughly first. Instead of giving them to your dog to chew on, toss or compost the shells or pods.
How Many Beans Can I Give My Dog?
The key is moderation, no matter what kind of bean you’re giving your dog. While beans do provide a number of health benefits, they shouldn’t make up the bulk of your dog’s diet.
You shouldn’t give your dog more than 10% of their daily calorie allotment in treats, as this is the general rule for all snacks. Beans and other vegetables like peppers are good examples of nutritious snacks.
That means if your dog needs 700 calories a day, treats and snacks shouldn’t add up to more than 70 calories. To guarantee your dog is getting all the nutrients they need, the remaining 630 calories should come from a complete dog food.
Recap: Can Dogs Eat Beans?
Certain varieties of beans are safe for canine consumption. To ensure your dog gets all the nutrients it needs to be happy and healthy, remember to feed them beans in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Pure provides nutritionally complete and balanced dog food, so you know your pet is getting everything they need from every serving.