Can my dog eat beans? You bet they can! Beans are rich in protein and fiber and are a great part of a complete and balanced diet. However, they are high in calories and should only be fed to your dog in moderation.
Can My Dog Eat Beans?
Types of Beans Your Dog Can Eat
Now that you know the answer to your question, “Can my dog eat beans?” Keep reading to find out the best beans to add to their diet.
- Navy beans
- Soybeans
- Edamame
- Lima beans
- Black beans
- Pinto beans
- Kidney beans
- Garbanzo beans
How to Cook Beans for Your Dog
You might be tempted to toss a few beans into your dog’s food bowl from your dinner plate, but don’t be so quick. Most people cook beans with a variety of spices such as garlic and onions.
These two ingredients make beans taste delicious but are toxic for dogs. Try cooking beans for your dog the following way instead:
- Soak the beans overnight in a container with a lid.
- Drain the water from the container and place the beans in a pot.
- Don’t add any spices or salt to the beans.
- Place a lid on the beans and simmer on low-medium heat until soft. You can adjust the timing and temperature to accommodate your dog’s preference.
How to Add Beans to Your Dog’s Diet
As mentioned earlier, beans can cause dogs to gain weight fast. You can prevent that from happening by serving your dog small portions on occasion. Avoid feeding your dog beans on a daily basis.
Here are a few ways to add beans to your dog’s diet:
- Add cooked beans to dry or wet food.
- Offer a few beans as a reward or treat for your dog.
- Combine a few beans with fresh carrots to create a tasty and healthy meal.
Some dogs are picky eaters and only like specific beans, while others will eat any bean you serve them any time of the day. The best way to determine if your dog likes one type of bean over the other is to serve each kind separately.
If your dog tends to leave behind one type of bean more than another, eliminate that type of bean from their diet and only serve their preference with steak.
Can Dogs Eat Green Beans?
Can my dog eat beans or green beans? As mentioned earlier, dogs can eat beans, but green beans are actually a vegetable, and yes, dogs can eat those too. It’s best to serve your dog cooked or fresh.
Avoid feeding your dog canned green beans because they contain a lot of salt that is not good for your dog to consume.
Instead of canned green beans, choose fresh ones from the produce section at your grocery store or plain frozen green beans without any seasonings.
You can cook green beans on the stovetop, bake them in the oven or steam them in the microwave.
You can also feed your dog fresh uncooked green beans as a cool crisp snack directly out of the refrigerator.
Bottom Line
Beans are human food that provides health benefits to your dog. They can be a part of your dog’s complete and balanced diet when implemented in small portion sizes. Remember, beans are high in fat so if you notice your dog is gaining weight, offer smaller serving sizes.
If you suspect your dog is having an allergic reaction to beans, contact a veterinarian immediately for further assistance. However, most dogs happily eat beans without any trouble. Some commercial dog foods often include chickpeas and other beans as part of their ingredients for dry kibble.
Start feeding your dog beans as a healthy part of their diet today!
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