Yes. Beans can be a part of a dog’s healthy diet. They are rich in fiber and have some protein, too. Dogs can have beans as a treat. That means they should never be more than 10 percent of your dog’s daily calorie intake. Since beans can be high in calories, you should not be feeding him many.
Absolutely, your dog can enjoy beans like you! They are an excellent source of fiber, protein, and other essential nutrients, and their low-fat content makes them perfect for weight management.
The protein in beans helps dogs maintain muscles and supports their immune system. Beans also regulate digestion and prevent constipation. Canned beans are also easy and affordable to add to home cooking or enrichment for your dog, such as a lick mat.
Are Beans Good for Dogs?
Most beans are good for dogs when fed in moderation and prepared without ingredients that are unsafe for dogs (like garlic, onions, or salt). When cooked plain, beans can be a great source of protein and fiber for Fido while being low in fat.
They’re also rich in vitamins like iron, potassium, and magnesium, and are a source of amino acids that dogs need to stay healthy.
But there are some limitations to how many and what kinds of beans your dog should eat. Canned beans, for example, are laden with sodium that can cause problems for your pooch.
Moderation also matters. Beans can cause digestive issues (such as gas) for your furry friend if they’re eaten in large quantities. You can help avoid too many toots by starting with small amounts:
Try incorporating just a few cooked, plain beans into your pooch’s food as a treat or food topper before making these a big part of their bowl. That way you can monitor your dog’s reaction for any signs of digestive upset or a food allergy.
9 Types of Beans That Dogs Can Eat
Many types of beans are safe for most dogs. Avoid salt and spices commonly added to human foods; too much seasoning can harm dogs. Try cooking a small amount of these bean varieties for your dog:
1. Black beans: Dry black beans are widely available, and they can be a healthy part of your dog’s diet when cooked simply.
2. Butter beans: Also known as lima beans, you can find these large beans dried or frozen. (Frozen butter beans are bright green, while dried ones are white.) Frozen lima beans are typically precooked, making them an easy addition to homemade dog food.
3. Green beans: Green beans are the only type your dog can consume raw, but you can also steam them. Avoid cooking green beans in oil, since too much fat can upset your dog’s stomach.
4. Kidney beans: While raw kidney beans can be hazardous to dogs, cooked kidney beans are a healthy option.
5. Garbanzo beans: Also known as chickpeas, garbanzos are particularly rich in potassium, magnesium, and folate (also known as folic acid), which helps produce new red blood cells. Stay away from processed chickpea-based foods like hummus, which typically contains garlic and other seasonings that can be dangerous for dogs. Here’s how to make hummus safe for your dog to consume.
6. Lentils: These small, quick-cooking legumes are safe for dogs to consume in moderation. Split and whole lentils are safe for dogs when fully cooked; split lentils will cook to a soupier, porridge-like consistency, while whole lentils will keep their shape.
7. Navy beans: Most grocery stores carry these small white beans in dried and canned form. Skip the canned beans, which may contain salt and preservatives that are unsafe for dogs, and instead cook the dried navy beans.
8. Pinto beans: These creamy brown beans are a staple in Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine. To prepare pinto beans for your dog, stay away from flavorful seasonings and boil them in water.
9. Soybeans: This inexpensive bean is an excellent source of protein, which is why you’ll find it on the ingredients list of many commercial dog foods. Dried soybeans are tan in color, while frozen immature soybeans, known as edamame in Japanese, are bright green.
How Do I Prepare Beans to Be Safe for Dogs?
When uncooked, beans are very hard and the skin is very thick and dense. This can be dangerous for your pup both as a choking hazard as well as being difficult to digest.
You should always cook beans thoroughly, or until they become soft and easy to eat. This is most commonly done by boiling the beans.
When cooking for your pup, you should avoid using butter, fats, or seasonings.
While fresh-cooked beans are the best option, some canned beans can be cooked for your dog, as long as they are rinsed thoroughly and the brine or the canning sauce doesn’t have ingredients you should avoid giving to your pup, such as onion or garlic.
Beans should make up a small amount of your pup’s meal, usually less than 10%. They can be mixed in or used as a food topper if your dog particularly loves them.
Once the beans are thoroughly cooked, you’ll want to let them rest or place them in the refrigerator for some time before feeding them to your pup.
Beans hold a lot of heat internally, meaning just because the outside feels cool to the touch, the inside could still be very hot. Make sure you break a few beans open to check the temperature before feeding your pup.
What Beans Shouldn’t Dogs Eat?
Your dog can’t eat every variety of bean that’s edible for humans. Some beans you definitely have to avoid feeding your dog include:
- Broad beans (Also called fava beans.)
- Raw kidney beans
- Baked beans
- Refried beans
Broad beans are known to cause vomiting and diarrhea if eaten by dogs, while raw kidney beans are toxic because of the high levels of Lectin. Meanwhile, baked beans and refried beans are unhealthy and contain ingredients that can make your pooch sick.
Can dogs eat canned beans?
No, dogs can’t eat canned beans. Canned beans contain a lot of sodium and preservatives that aren’t good for a dog’s digestive system. Most canned beans contain high levels of salt, as well as calcium chloride, an inorganic salt, used to keep beans firm.
Disodium EDTA a common ingredient in canned beans that preserves color, adds a salty flavor, and reduces leeching metal ions from the can has also been found to cause stomach issues in humans when consumed in high doses.
