Beans are a delicious addition to many family meals and come with many nutritional benefits too. But have you ever considered feeding beans to your dog? Can dogs eat beans, or are they toxic to them?
Can dogs eat beans?
Some varieties of beans are perfectly safe for dogs to eat, whilst others should be avoided. There are also some which can be eaten raw, whilst others should only be fed to dogs once they have been cooked.
Most dogs seem to love the flavor of beans and, if fed to your dog correctly and safely, beans are a delicious and nutritious snack or reward for your canine best friend.
Let’s take a look at the right and wrong way to feed beans to dogs!
What are the health benefits of beans?
Green beans (which are a legume, not a bean!) can be fed to dogs both raw or cooked. These healthy snacks are packed full of essential nutrients and minerals, including iron, calcium, and protein. They also contain high levels of vitamins A, B6, C, and K.
Other varieties of beans that are safe for dogs to eat include black beans, lima beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, garbanzo beans, navy beans, edamame, and soybeans. All of these should be cooked before being fed to dogs, as they can be toxic when raw.
All these beans are high in fiber but low in calories. This means your dog will feel full for longer, whilst reducing its overall calorie intake.
What should I be aware of when offering beans to my dog?
Firstly, all beans apart from green beans must be cooked before they are fed to dogs. Never feed dried beans to dogs, as they can cause severe abdominal discomfort.
All types of canned beans should also be avoided, as they normally contain added salt. Dogs are very sensitive to high levels of salt in their diet, which can cause high blood pressure, joint pain, and muscle cramps.
When we cook beans, we tend to flavor them with other ingredients such as salt, garlic, onion, oils, and spices. These are all toxic to dogs, and beans should only ever be given plain, without any added flavorings.
Long beans such as green beans should be cut into bite-size chunks to avoid the risk of choking.
Like all fruits and vegetables, beans should only be fed as an occasional treat, and never as more than 10% of the dog’s overall daily food intake.
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