But can refried beans be given to a dog without any ill effects? First, let’s see what the experts have to say.
Refried beans are not one of the few foods that dogs can eat. They are difficult for canines to digest and often contain preservatives that can be harmful to the dog’s health.
Can Dogs Eat Refried Beans?
Veterinarians do not endorse refried beans, so the answer is no. While the calories in refried beans could be useful for keeping your dog alive, they typically lack other nutrients like vitamins and minerals.
Canola oil, garlic, cumin, chili powder, and salt are the main components of refried beans, so it’s best to keep your dog away from them. You shouldn’t give your dog any of these spices because they can cause stomach upset.
A high fat content, like that of beans, can lead to gastrointestinal distress like bloating and cramping. The protein phytohaemagglutinin found in these can be extremely painful for your dog.
Are Refried Beans Safe for a Dog to Eat?
Dogs shouldn’t eat refried beans for obvious reasons. Most people’s conception of refried beans is inaccurate; there’s more going on inside that can than just mashed beans.
They’re usually flavored with a wide variety of spices, most of which aren’t good for your dog’s health.
Garlic, canola oil, chili powder, and cumin are examples of such seasonings. To put it another way, consider the spices commonly used in tacos (all of which should be avoided around dogs).
Because dogs don’t have a high sodium requirement, the sodium in refried beans is also bad for them. They can have problems with their digestive and urinary systems if they consume too much of it.
Dogs shouldn’t consume strong spices like cumin, garlic, or chili powder. They’re not easy to digest and can be dangerous for canines.
Be on the lookout for symptoms like vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea if your dog ingested any of these, whether they were found inside or outside of a can of refried beans.
To put it bluntly, refried beans are not safe for any canine, at any age. If there is onion in the baked beans, you should not eat them.
What If the Dog Ate Refried Beans?
Stop your dog immediately if you catch him eating a bowl of refried beans or licking the remains off the plate, and keep an eye out for any signs of illness.
Of course, if your dog consumes an excessive amount of refried beans, he may develop a sluggish disposition. Dogs aren’t the only ones who can experience mental health problems. Your dog could get sick if he eats raw beans.
Talking to your vet can help you figure out what’s best.
Types of Beans That Your Dog Can Eat
There are some bean varieties that can be fed to a dog without causing any health problems. If you’re into making your own snacks and meals, these legumes will be a great addition. They’re a good source of carbohydrates without the digestive discomfort that can come from grains. It’s a great way to get more nutrients into your diet without adding extra calories to your day.
But you have to know which ones won’t harm your dog and which ones will make them sick. Below is a list of bean types that are safe for canine consumption.
Black Beans
Vitamin C, vitamin K, manganese, dietary fiber, and protein can all be found in abundance in these. It’s best to cook dry black beans that you’ve soaked in water overnight rather than feed your dog canned beans.
Kidney Beans or Red Beans
The cholesterol-lowering antioxidants in these beans are well-documented. There is no cause for concern if the dogs consume kidney beans.
Pinto Beans
These aid digestion, contain a lot of meat protein, and are a good source of magnesium and vitamin C. Pinto beans are safe for dogs to eat, as long as they are not raw or canned.
Lima Beans or Butter Beans
Even a diabetic dog can benefit from eating these beans because of how well they digest. If you want to eat it, you need to make sure it’s prepared at home without any spices.
White Beans
There are two varieties of white bean: cannellini and Great Northern. In the home kitchen, either variety is fine for dogs to eat.
Lentils
It is a common additive to commercial dog food because it can be used as a grain substitute. When preparing food for a dog, you should hold off on seasonings.
Your dog will benefit from a diet low in beans. Beans like navy beans, soy beans, garbanzo beans, and green beans are also fine to feed your dog.
While it’s true that some types of legumes are fine for dogs to eat, that doesn’t mean you should give them free reign to slurp them down whenever they please.
Beans Dogs Should Avoid
You may occasionally use a can of refried beans, but you should stay away from several other types of beans.
In addition, the amount of additives and preservatives in some bean varieties may be unsafe for canine consumption.
Some of the beans featured here are:
- Beans used in fava bean salads
- Chili con carne
- Beanzas en horno
- Beans in a can
- Toasted coffee beans
- Beans for making chili
- Beans, raw, of the red kidney variety
To illustrate, let’s say your dog accidentally consumed some beans. Keep an eye out for indicators such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
It’s important to get them to the vet if they show signs of discomfort. In the event that they consume coffee beans or raw red kidney beans, you should rush them to the vet, especially if you are unsure of the exact amount they consumed.
These beans can raise the toxin levels in your dog’s body, leading to neurological damage.
Don’t feed your dog refried beans. Avoid canned beans of any kind because they may have added salt, sugar, or vegetables.
Even if it’s taco night for the humans, you can make your dog’s day by serving him a special meal, like one made with lentils.
Dangers of Beans to Dogs
The ability to identify both healthy and dangerous legumes is a necessary life skill. Here are some risks you should be aware of before eating beans:
- While peas and soybeans are fine for canines to consume, refried beans and chili beans can lead to serious digestive issues.
- It’s only the beginning when it comes to the side effects of eating beans, which include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea due to their high toxicity levels. Beans, if consumed in excess, can lead to a number of additional health issues:
- Anti-nutrients are present in beans and prevent the body from properly absorbing their nutrients.
- Red blood cells clump together and white blood cells attack the foreign matter that is causing cell damage after lectins have damaged the intestinal walls.
- If you eat too many beans, you may end up with loose stools.
- Phytohaemagglutinin is known to trigger a wide range of unpleasant side effects.
- It’s possible to experience symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as tiredness or sickness.
Your dog’s digestive system could be seriously affected by any of these. In extreme cases, feeding your dog beans could be fatal for him. Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a form of kidney failure, and Dr. Mike Richards of Colorado State University warns that dogs who consume red kidney beans run the risk of developing HUS.
Final Thoughts
While it’s true that some varieties of beans are dog-friendly, you still need to be careful about how much and how often you give them to your pet.
Anything that humans eat is susceptible to this same fate. Overeating can cause digestive problems in animals.
Don’t freak out if you find your dog with a mouthful of beans; instead, call your vet right away. Although some dogs may benefit from eating beans, most veterinarians advise against it.
If you absolutely must give your puppy a bean product, limit the amount you give it. In contrast to feeding your dog raw or refried beans, you should always opt for home-cooked beans.