Brief History of Baked Beans
Baked beans are an all-American food created by American Indians. They used other ingredients, such as maple syrup and venison, to flavor it. The Pilgrims took it to the next level, adding bacon or salt pork. They also spiced it up to their tastes to prepare the dish that we know today. Interestingly, many of those same ingredients exist in modern renditions of the recipe.
Henry Heinz canned his signature recipe in 1886. It’s hard to believe that people considered it a luxury food. It made its way to the United Kingdom in the early 1900s. The rest, as they say, is history. Today, the company boasts a 70-percent market share in the UK alone. There’s even a museum dedicated to the product’s history.
This recap provides the foundation for teasing apart this question if dogs can eat baked beans. Let’s begin with the American version of the product. According to the Heinz website, the ingredient list includes:
Several things probably jump out at you, such as raisin paste, onion powder, and garlic powder. All are toxic to dogs. We could stop there, but there are several other vital lessons from reading this label, namely, modified food starch and natural flavor. Manufacturers often source ingredients like these from multiple sellers. They follow the supply chain where it leads them.
Sometimes, modified food starch contains wheat. Other times, it is corn. Unfortunately, either one is a potential allergen for dogs. On the other hand, companies often source from different suppliers for this one, too. The only way to determine what’s inside the can is to call the manufacturer, providing a lot number to identify what they are. The same thing applies to the spices in the yellow mustard.
Everything else aside, we’re left with a few more red flags, brown sugar and molasses. That’s part of the reason that Heinz Baked Beans are a whopping 190 calories per ½ cup. Let’s put that figure into perspective. A 50-pound dog should get between 700–900 calories a day. That snack of baked beans takes up 21–27% of his total intake.
ARE HEINZ BEANS OKAY FOR DOGS?
Here in the UK, Heinz is pretty much synonymous with baked beans. Admittedly, there are some good things to be said about the brand of beans as they are free from artificial colours, flavours, and preservatives. But that alone does not make them any better for your furry friend.
As mentioned, the problem with baked beans is that they are high in sugar and salt, and Heinz is no different here. Additionally, Heinz beans contain “spice extracts” and “herb extract”. Given the nondescript nature of what’s inside the can in terms of spices and seasonings, it’s safest to avoid feeding them to your dog in case it contains toxic ingredients like garlic or onion powder. Better to be safe than sorry, after all.
There are many other kinds of bean out there that are perfectly safe for dogs to eat and can even make a healthy snack for your pooch. Some varieties of bean that your dog can eat include:
It is important to remember that any beans must be fed in moderation as they can cause flatulence. Overeating beans and the increase of gas can lead to bloating which is a medical emergency for dogs. Additionally, always feed your dog cooked beans as they are easier to digest. (Except green beans, which can be fed raw.)
There are some beans you need to avoid feeding your dog. These include broad beans because they cause vomiting and diarrhoea, and raw kidney beans as they are toxic. (Cooked kidney beans are perfectly safe for dogs to eat though.)
As mentioned above, the sauce is the real problem when it comes to dogs eating baked beans. Althoughred tomatoes are not toxic to dogs, other ingredients included in the sauce have the potential to make your furry friend ill.
Most tomato sauces are made using a bunch of seasoning and spices. We’ve already talked about the problem of sugar and salt, but there are other ingredients to be wary of.
Many baked beans contain “herb extracts” and “spice extracts”, which makes it difficult to judge whether they are safe for canine digestion or not.
Doggy stomachs are pretty sensitive when it comes to spices and many ingredients we humans use are likely to cause GI issues if ingested by our pets.
More worryingly, many common ingredients in our favourite human foods are harmful to dogs. For example, onions and garlic are both toxic and they can be found in baked beans, usually in the form of garlic and onion powder.
Because of the likelihood of these ingredients lurking in your beans, the safest thing to do is not to let your dog eat any. (Although a tiny amount probably won’t cause them any harm.)
Health Risks of Baked Beans for Dogs
High-saturated fatty foods like baked beans can cause bloat and other digestive issues, hurting your pup’s stomach. Baked beans contain high-fat content, which is difficult for dogs’ stomachs to digest efficiently. Long-term problems related to high-fat diets include increased heart disease risk, obesity, and pancreatitis.
Baked beans contain many calories, compromising your dog’s healthy weight and metabolism. It’s unwise to feed your dogs high amounts of dense human food, as your dog could become overweight and develop long-term health conditions related to obesity.
Canned beans contain high levels of sodium and other preservatives and stablizers meant to keep the food fresh on the shelf for a long time. Too much salt can dehydrate your dog, and long-term exposure to high sodium can lead to kidney damage or hypernatremia (salt poisoning). Watch for dehydration signs such as excessive thirst, loss of appetite, dry gums, diarrhea, and little urination.
Sugar is unhealthy for dogs, as too much sugar can cause blood sugar issues or more severe diet-related issues such as diabetes and obesity. Some baked beans recipes can contain xylitol, which is highly toxic to dogs, even in tiny amounts.
Most baked bean recipes contain ingredients that are toxic to dogs, even though they’re delicious for humans. Even small amounts can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and upset stomachs. Onion powder, garlic powder, tomatoes, and more are dangerous for dogs, and it’s better to avoid feeding them the food than trying to make baked beans without these ingredients.
While small amounts of baked beans are less likely to cause significant harm, dogs should not consume them regularly, or they could have an increased risk of pancreatitis, the inflammation of the pancreas. The underlying causes of the disease aren’t always known, but certain dietary factors can heighten your dog’s risk of developing this painful condition. Pancreatitis can feature the following symptoms, though these may relate to other health conditions:
Can Dogs Eat Baked Beans
Baked beans are a generally healthy part of the human diet, with plenty of fiber and delicious flavors that make them a welcome addition to a family dinner. This may make dog owners wonder if their dogs can eat baked beans, too. And while you might expect an affirmative answer, it isn’t quite that simple.
Whether you are curious about sharing your side dish with your pup or if your dog has slurped up an accidental spill, read on to know whether it’s a good idea for dogs to eat baked beans.