Yes, dogs can eat green beans including canned, steamed, boiled, roasted, and dehydrated types, and dogs can even eat raw green beans too! Most canines will really like the taste of them as they’re crunchy with an almost sweet flavor.
Chopped, steamed, raw, or canned all types of green beans are safe for dogs to eat, as long as they are plain. Green beans themselves are not only safe for dogs, but veterinarians also recommend them as a healthy treat. Best of all, dogs seem to love them.
Is the Green Bean Diet Safe for Dogs?
If you’ve heard people talking about the green bean diet for dogs online, be aware that this is not a valid diet for weight loss in dogs.
They would be losing out on essential nutrients creating the additional problem of malnutrition. They also wouldn’t be getting enough animal protein to balance out the muscle mass lost.
And as your dog loses weight, their metabolism changes and adjusts. This means that your dog could easily regain their extra weight when their food is switched back to normal.
Instead, keep green beans as an occasional treat for your dog that doesn’t make up more than 10% of their diet. Talk with your veterinarian about proper food portions, exercise regimens, and weight-loss diets that are safe to help your pup lose the extra weight.
Benefits Of Feeding Green Beans
Green beans are an excellent source of key vitamins and minerals, like Vitamin C and A. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps boost the immune system, while Vitamin A aids immune health, reproduction, and healthy vision.
Green beans are also a good source of minerals, especially manganese, which supports the metabolism and has antioxidant abilities. It also supports bone health and promotes wound healing.
Note: Even a healthy option like green beans must be fed in moderation. Dogs are naturally carnivorous, and 75-85% of their diet should be meat-based.
You want to make sure your pup’s diet is well-balanced. Our 100% grass-fed dehydrated beef entree is an example of how to balance feeding your dog green beans alongside healthy meats and fats.
Are All Types Of Green Beans Safe For Dogs?
All types of green beans are safe for dogs, including chopped, steamed, raw, and canned. However, your dog should only eat plain green beans.
Therefore, it doesn’t matter whether they come raw or in a can; they should not be cooked with butter, salt, oil, garlic, or any other ingredients you use to make your green beans taste better.
In addition, feeding your dog whole green beans can be a choking hazard, especially if your dog tends to swallow without chewing their food.
Can dogs eat beans? Green beans are legumes, not beans. Therefore, just because green beans are safe for dogs doesn’t mean beans are.
While there are several safe beans for dogs, including kidney, black, and lima beans, some beans should be avoided, including refried, baked, and fava beans. However, green beans for dogs are safe and can even be part of your dog’s healthy diet.
Of course, it’s important to remember that only plain green beans are safe for your dog. Therefore, you should not feed them green beans with additional ingredients, such as green bean casserole or seasoned green beans you feed yourself for dinner.
Are green beans good for dogs?
Yes, green beans are good for dogs. They’re packed with essential vitamins, like vitamins A, B6, K, and C. These offer numerous health benefits for dogs.
For example, vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps strengthen the immune system, whereas vitamin A helps support vision and reproduction.
They’re also a good source of essential minerals, including iron, which helps with anemia, and manganese, which supports bone health and promotes wound healing.
Green beans are rich in dietary fiber and low in calories, so they can help dogs (and their pet parents!) feel full for longer.
On top of that, most pups love these crunchy veggies for their sweet flavor, making them a perfect alternative to refined biscuits – especially for overweight dogs who need to shed a few pounds.
According to AKC, more than 50% of dogs in the US are overweight. This is a serious problem, as obesity can lead to a number of health issues, including high blood pressure, diabetes, orthopedic problems, osteoarthritis, kidney disease, heart disease, as well as some types of cancers. What’s more, obesity can decrease your pet’s life expectancy by up to two years!
How to Prepare Green Beans for Your Dog
Green beans are most nutritious for your beloved canine when served raw. You can also serve them frozen (my dog’s favorite), boiled, grilled, or steamed, but be aware that the cooking process takes out many of the nutrients.
Dogs tend to gulp down their food and treats. And green beans are large, so you should cut them up into small pieces so they’re not a choking hazard. This is especially important for small dogs.
Additionally, many things we add to green beans when cooking them for ourselves like seasonings, oils, onions, and garlic (which is toxic to dogs) can cause stomach upsets, so be sure to serve them plain when feeding green beans to your dog.
Overall, green beans are a healthy treat replacement for high-calorie commercial treats. The low sugar and high fiber content in green beans also make them acceptable for dogs with diabetes.
Plus, they’re portable, so you can take them along when you’re out and about with your pooch. They’re also a hydrating treat for a hot day, not to mention a healthy way to boost your dog’s energy level until dinnertime.
That said, be aware that canned green beans may contain too much salt, which is bad for dogs. If you want to offer your dog canned green beans, make sure they have no added salt.
