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.
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Firstly, baked beans are high in sugar which is never good for dogs to eat. A dog’s energy should largely come from eating protein and some long-chain carbohydrates. If your dog has diabetes you definitely shouldn’t give them baked beans. It’s also advisable to avoid feeding baked beans to any dog in general as the sugar can contribute tounhealthy weight gain.
As well as sugar, baked beans contain a lot of sodium. Salt is another additive that should never be introduced to your dog’s diet as it can cause dehydration and sickness.
Another problem with baked beans is the fat and saturated fat content. Not only can this cause weight gain, but increased fat in a dog’s diet also puts a strain on their digestive system, particularly their pancreas.
It has been found that dogs who eat baked beans regularly are susceptible to developingpancreatitis. As with many canine illnesses, prevention is far easier and safer than the cure, which is why it’s advised not to feed your dog baked beans.
The Big Question: Can Dogs Eat Baked Beans?
In short, yes, they can, but you shouldn’t make a regular habit of it. If your dog has just gobbled up some baked beans from on the carpet, then you shouldn’t have to worry too much about it. This does not contain any poisons that will immediately harm your dog.
However, beans have a very high sugar content that will really play havoc with your dog’s digestion. If you are feeding your dog lots of baked beans every day, then you can be sure that they will develop certain conditions such as diabetes and kidney problems.
A dog’s diet should largely comprise of proteins such as fresh chicken and long-chain carbs such as rice.
If you are feeding your dog very fatty foods such as baked beans, then you can expect them to put on weight very quickly, which will cause them all sorts of mobility issues.
Are canned beans OK for dogs?
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.