How should beans for dogs be prepared?
“Beans have to be prepared the way they would be for people,” explains Purina Senior Nutritionist Jan Dempsey. Beans already contain a lot of fiber, but uncooked they are almost indigestible. Dogs can have beans or legumes that have been soaked first and then cooked. This helps your dog digest them and may help reduce flatulence. (Beans may still give your dog some gas!)
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There are a few varieties of beans that are safe for your pooch to try. These include:
Unless you are offering your dog edamame beans or green beans, you must cook beans before offering them to your dog. This is because many varieties of bean naturally contain high levels of Lectin, which can make dogs sick if consumed. Cooking not only reduces Lectin dramatically, but it also makes the beans easier for your pooch to digest.
Just remember to always feed your dog beans in moderation and only feed them plain, cooked beans. Never feed your dog any beans that have been cooked or coated with oils, seasoning, spices, or sauce, as these can be unhealthy and even harmful for your pup.
Your dog can’t eat every variety of bean that’s edible for humans. Some beans you definitely have to avoid feeding your dog include:
Broad beans are known to cause vomiting and diarrhoea if eaten by dogs, while raw kidney beans are toxic because of the high levels of Lectin. Meanwhile baked beans and refried beans are unhealthy and contain ingredients which can make your pooch sick.
No, dogs shouldn’t eat baked beans because the sauce contains a lot of salt and sugar which is unhealthy for your pooch. Sugar contributes towards bad oral health and weight gain, whereas salt can lead to dehydration and sodium poisoning. The sauce also contains herbs and spices which could cause sickness, such as garlic and onion powder, which is toxic to dogs.
It has also been reported that dogs who eat baked beans regularly can develop pancreatitis, and potentially suffer from damage to their red blood cells. Since prevention is safer and more effective than a cure in these situations, it’s best to avoid feeding your dog baked beans.
However, a small number of baked beans shouldn’t be toxic or harm your dog. So if your dog has eaten a few beans by mistake, or licked some sauce off your plate, they should be okay.
Yes, dogs can eat kidney beans as long as they are thoroughly cooked. Cooked kidney beans are quite nutritious and perfectly safe for your dog to eat. On the other hand, raw kidney beans are toxic to both dogs and humans because of the high level of Lectin found naturally in the beans. Cooking reduces the amount of Lectin and makes the beans edible for both us and our pups.
As with most vegetables and all kinds of beans, you must feed them to your pooch in moderation to prevent overfeeding and illness.
Butter beans, also called lima beans, are perfectly safe for dogs to eat provided they have been cooked thoroughly and are served plain. Butter beans have very little fat but do contain a lot of carbohydrates, so it is important to only feed your dog a few butter beans at a time to ensure it won’t contribute tounhealthy weight gain.
Canned butter beans can contain a lot of salt as well as other additives and preservatives. If you want to feed your dog a few of these beans, you can instead try feeding them fresh, frozen, or dried butter beans instead.
Butter beans are not only tasty, but they contain a good amount of plant-based protein and fibre, making them a healthy and filling snack or dinnertime extra for your pooch. Butter beans also contain a good dose of vitamin C and manganese, as well as a few other vitamins and minerals that make this a wholesome treat for your pooch to enjoy.
Green beans are a tasty treat to offer your pup as they are safe to eat when raw or cooked and offer great nutritional benefits. Although green beans aren’t really a type of bean, they are a legume like peas, we thought we best include them in this list given their name!
Yes, your pooch can eat runner beans as long as they are cooked thoroughly, served plain, and cut up into bitesize pieces.
Cooking is essential when serving runner beans for your pooch because raw runner beans contain lectin. However, cooking reduces the amount of lectin and makes the beans perfectly safe to eat. It’s also important not to feed your dog a whole runner bean as it can be a choking hazard.
Which Types Of Beans Can Dogs Eat?
As a general rule, fresh green beans and cooked dried beans are the best options for our canine companions. Dried beans should always be soaked and cooked before feeding. This is because they are nearly impossible to digest raw. Beans can cause gas (flatulence) and soaking may also help to reduce this unwanted effect!
Canned beans containing high levels of sugar or salt should be avoided. So should those flavored with ingredients that are toxic to dogs, like garlic or onion. Plain canned beans without salt, preservatives, and flavorings, however, are usually very safe.
Many dogs enjoy the taste of green beans and they can be given as a nutritious, low-calorie treat. High in iron, protein, essential vitamins, and minerals, green beans (also known as string beans) can be fed raw or steamed as long as they are plain (unflavored or unseasoned). This includes canned green beans without additives. Pre-cooked frozen green beans can also be fine as long as they have been steamed or thawed correctly.
French beans are another variety of green beans and are also perfectly safe to feed to dogs. When feeding green beans, always make sure that larger pieces are chopped up into smaller pieces before giving them to your dog. If you don’t, they can become a choking hazard.
Other varieties of beans or legumes that are dog-friendly include:
Are Beans Good for Dogs & Puppies?
Many dog owners seek to give their dogs a break from the monotony of eating the same types of dry kibble over and over each day. It’s quite common for dog owners to add toppers or different types of fruits and vegetables to their dog’s kibble. Popular additions include sweet potatoes, blueberries, oatmeal, and other human foods. So what about beans? Are they safe for dogs?
Beans are known for their health benefits and are packed full of nutrients. So, it’s only natural to think about feeding them to our canine companions. But not all beans are alike. Some are easier to digest than others, and some shouldn’t be fed to your pup at all.
This article will discuss the pros and cons of feeding your pup beans, as well as which types of beans, are safe for dogs. You’ll also get answers to commonly asked questions about canines and beans. Let’s jump in!