Beans are high in protein and good for the human digestive system. Do dogs, on the other hand, enjoy the same health advantages as humans.
Many dog owners want to give their pets a break from eating the same dry kibble every day. Toppers or other sorts of fruits and vegetables are frequently added to dog kibble by their owners. Sweet potatoes, blueberries, oats, and other human meals are popular additions. So, how about the beans? Are they safe for dogs to consume?
Beans are high in nutrients and are recognized for their health advantages. As a result, it’s only logical to consider giving them to our four-legged friends. However, not all beans are created equal. Some foods are simpler to digest than others, and some should be avoided altogether.
This article will go through the benefits and drawbacks of giving your dog beans, as well as which beans are suitable for dogs. You’ll also find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions concerning dogs and beans. Let’s get started!
Are Beans Safe for Dogs?
Beans, which are high in protein, fiber, and iron, can be a nutritious supplement to your dog’s diet. They can consume a variety of things.
However, despite their nutritional benefits, they should never be used in place of high-quality complete, and balanced dog food. It’s preferable to think of them as a special treat. They should account for no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calorie consumption.
It may appear that adding a natural element to your dog’s food is innocuous. However, any modifications to your pet’s food should always be discussed with your veterinarian first.
This is especially critical if your dog has a medical problem such as diabetes or a food allergy. With improper dietary guidance, these diseases may worsen.
Remember to introduce new foods to your dog cautiously and gradually, starting with very little amounts. This will assist to reduce the chances of a stomach ache. Some dogs, like people, may be sensitive to or allergic to certain foods.
Vomiting, diarrhea, itchy skin, red rashes, and a hurting stomach are all symptoms of a probable food allergy. If your dog exhibits any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian.
Read also: Can Dogs Eat Honeydew?
Which Types of Beans Can Dogs Eat?
Fresh green beans and dried beans are the greatest choices for our canine companions in general. Before feeding dried beans, they should always be soaked and cooked.
This is due to the fact that they are virtually hard to digest when uncooked. Beans can produce gas (flatulence), and soaking them can assist to alleviate this problem!
Beans in a can with a lot of sugar or salt should be avoided. Those flavored with components that are poisonous to dogs, such as garlic or onion, should be avoided. Plain canned beans, on the other hand, without salt, preservatives, or flavorings, are typically extremely safe.
Green beans are a tasty treat for many dogs and may be offered as a nutritional, low-calorie treat. Green beans (also known as string beans) are high in iron, protein, vital vitamins, and minerals and may be eaten raw or cooked as long as they are simple (unflavored or unseasoned).
This includes green beans in a can that haven’t been tampered with. Green beans that have been pre-cooked and frozen are likewise OK as long as they have been steamed or thawed properly.
Read also: Can Dogs Eat Blackberries?
Green beans, often known as French beans, are another type of green bean that is entirely fine to offer to dogs. Always make sure that bigger chunks of green beans are cut up into tiny bits before feeding them to your dog. They can become a choking threat if you don’t.
Other dog-friendly types of beans or legumes include:
Edamame Lentils Black Lima Pinto Kidney Butter Garbanzo (also known as chickpeas)
Why Can They Be Bad for Dogs?
Many varieties are nutritious and acceptable for dogs to eat, but others should be avoided. Sugar and salt levels in canned baked beans (such as Heinz) are substantially greater than recommended. Toxic components like garlic and onion may be present in the thick tomato sauce.
Refried and chili beans, which often contain preservatives, spices, and seasoning, might be hazardous as well. Your dog’s stomach may become upset as a result of this. Onions, onion powder, and garlic are also known to be present.
Red kidney and soya beans should be handled with caution as well. Although they are healthy for both dogs and people to eat, they must be cooked with care. Phytohemagglutinin, or lectin, is a protein found in raw kidney and soya beans that can be hazardous if consumed in high amounts.
A bloated and unpleasant stomach, vomiting, and diarrhea are all symptoms of lectin poisoning. It can also induce abnormal clumping of the body’s red blood cells, which can lead to bleeding.
The good news is that when lectin is cooked and processed properly, it is considerably decreased to a level that is safe for human and canine ingestion.
Canned kidney and soya beans are already cooked and safe to eat; all you have to do is make sure they don’t have any salt, sugar, or other ingredients that may make your dog sick.
Fava beans, often known as wide beans, have been shown to possess greater levels of harmful lectin (Phytohemagglutinin). Because of their rough skin, they are difficult to prepare and should be avoided.
Read also: Can Dogs Eat Corn?
Portion Size
Portion size is important, and eating big amounts of beans of any sort might be difficult. Beans can induce stomach distress, vomiting, diarrhea, and flatulence if consumed in large quantities.
They should never be used in lieu of or as a substitute for a reputed company’s high-quality full and balanced pet food. You could unintentionally create a nutritional imbalance or deficit! Consider them a side dish rather than the main course.
Though providing home-cooked meals made with natural components such as beans may appear to be a nice idea, they are exceedingly tough to master.
Many of the recipes for home-cooked pet food that are available do not include exact proportions and are frequently low in one or more key elements, according to studies.
If you decide to prepare meals for your dog at home, you should seek the advice of a veterinary nutritionist who can devise a full and balanced diet to fulfill your dog’s requirements.
Read also: Can Dogs Eat Raspberries?
Dilated Cardiomyopathy
It’s also worth mentioning that during the last several years, a number of incidences of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs have been related to pet meals containing “strange” ingredients like peas, lentils, and fava beans.
There isn’t enough proof to link these cases to a specific component at this time, although many of the dogs improved once their diets were adjusted.
The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) website has reports and recalls for the items in concern. While the findings are ambiguous, some foods, such as lentils, may not be suitable for all dogs. If your dog is allergic to lentils, feed him lentil-free dog food.
There is always a lot to consider when it comes to nutrition, so make use of your veterinarian, who will give you detailed advice tailored to your pet.
Before making any modifications to your dog’s diet, seek expert guidance from them, especially if your dog has an underlying medical problem such as diabetes, food allergies, or renal illness.
Final Thoughts
Many varieties of beans can be safely provided to dogs as a treat in small amounts, but they should not be used to substitute high-quality, full, and balanced dog food. Beans can cause vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, and gas if consumed in large quantities. Preparation is essential, and dried beans must be thoroughly boiled before being fed to your dog.
Seasoning and hazardous substances like onion and garlic should never be served to dogs in baked beans, chili beans, or refried beans. Before you start introducing beans to your dog’s diet, see your veterinarian first, since diabetic pets and dogs with underlying ailments may be better off without them!
