Green beans are a popular and tasty addition to many family meals and come with many nutritional benefits too. But have you ever considered sharing your green beans with your dog? Can dogs eat green beans, or are they toxic?
Can dogs eat green beans?
Yes, green beans are perfectly safe for dogs to eat, and they can be a great low-calorie alternative to commercial dog treats.
Most dogs seem to love the flavor of green beans and will tuck into them both raw and cooked. If fed to your dog correctly and safely, green beans are a delicious and nutritious snack.
What are the health benefits of green beans?
Green beans 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.
The big advantage of feeding green beans to dogs is that they are high in fiber but low in calories. This means your dog will feel full for longer, whilst reducing his overall calorie intake.
So, if your dog is overweight or obese, green beans can be used to replace higher-calorie commercial dog treats.
You may hear about the ‘green bean diet’ for dogs, where up to half the daily food intake is replaced with green beans. Whilst this can be a great way to help your dog lose weight quickly, veterinary nutritionists advise against it due to the potential long-term side effects.
What should I be aware of when offering green beans to my dog?
When we eat green beans, we tend to flavor them with other ingredients such as salt, oils, and spices. Whether you feed green beans to your dog cooked or raw, they should only ever be given plain, without any added flavorings.
The same applies to green beans cooked with onions and garlic – delicious for humans, but toxic to dogs!
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.
You should cut green beans into bite-size chunks to avoid the risk of choking. Like all fruits and vegetables, green 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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