Can Dogs Eat Green Beans?
NOTE: Always check with your veterinarian before giving your dog any new foods, especially “people foods.” What might be okay for one dog might not be good for your dog, depending on multiple factors, such as their age, health history, health conditions, and diet. Dogs on prescription diets should not be fed any food or treats outside the diet.
Green beans are a tasty and healthy treat for your dogs. Most dogs love them, and they are great all-natural treats. There are numerous health benefits to giving your pup green beans.
But as with all foods, moderation is key. Here are some things to keep in mind when safely feeding green beans to your dog.
Are Green Beans Good for Dogs?
Green beans are just as nutritious and safe for our dogs as they are for us! They offer a great low-calorie treat choice—in moderation—for adult dogs and puppies. Just remember that puppies have more sensitive stomachs, and too many green beans could upset their stomachs due to the high fiber.
Green beans have tons of great nutrients:
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Protein
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Fiber
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Iron
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Folate
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Calcium
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Potassium
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Magnesium
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Vitamin B6
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Vitamin A
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Vitamin C
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Vitamin K
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Antioxidants
Is the Green Bean Diet Safe for Dogs?
If you’ve heard people talking about the green bean diet for dogs online, be aware that this is not a valid diet for weight loss in dogs.
They would be losing out on essential nutrients—creating the additional problem of malnutrition. They also wouldn’t be getting enough animal protein to balance out the muscle mass lost.
And as your dog loses weight, their metabolism changes and adjusts. This means that your dog could easily regain their extra weight when their food is switched back to normal.
Instead, keep green beans as an occasional treat for your dog that doesn’t make up more than 10% of their diet. Talk with your veterinarian about proper food portions, exercise regimens, and weight-loss diets that are safe to help your pup lose the extra weight.
Can Dogs Eat Raw Green Beans?
Yes, dogs can eat raw or cooked green beans. Both are safe and nutritious. And although cooking the green beans may reduce some of their vitamin levels when it comes to folate and vitamin C, cooked green beans are more easily digestible.
Can Dogs Eat Canned Green Beans?
Although the nutritional values of fresh green beans and canned green beans are very similar, there is one major difference between the two—the salt!
With green beans, there is typically a large amount of sodium added. They taste great, but they are very unhealthy for your dog—especially over time. Too much sodium can lead to issues like obesity, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
You can avoid this by only using fresh green beans or no-salt-added canned green beans.
Can Dogs Eat Frozen Green Beans?
Frozen green beans are also a nutritious snack for your pup, and they’ll probably love the crunch. However, if they’re served frozen, green beans can easily become a choking hazard and potentially cause an intestinal blockage. If you cook frozen green beans, make sure there are no added ingredients.
Can Dogs Have Green Bean Casserole?
Even though we love green bean casserole during the holidays, this is not a healthy—or safe—table scrap for your dog. Not only are there tons of unhealthy ingredients, like sugars, salts, and fats, but green bean casserole often has onion and garlic—both of which are poisonous to dogs.
How Many Green Beans Can Dogs Have?
Any treat for a dog—even the healthy ones like green beans—should only make up 10% of their daily diet, while the other 90% should come from a well-balanced dog food diet. Here are some general guidelines on the safe amount of green beans to feed your dog—based on their size and breed. Each “piece” should be about 1 inch in length.
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Extra-small dog (2-20 lbs.) = 1-2 pieces of green beans (Examples: Yorkies, Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, Pugs, Shih Tzus)
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Small dog (21-30 lbs.) = 2-3 pieces of green beans (Examples: Basenjis, Beagles, Miniature Australian Shepherds)
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Medium dog (31-50 lbs.) = 5-6 pieces of green beans (Examples: Basset Hounds, Border Collies, Australian Cattle Dogs, Siberian Huskies)
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Large dog (51-90 lbs.) = small handful of green bean pieces (Examples: Pit Bulls, German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Australian Shepherds)
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Extra-large dog (91+ lbs.) = large handful of green bean pieces (Examples: Newfoundlands, Bernese Mountain Dogs, St. Bernards, Great Pyrenees)
If your dog ate too many green beans, the high fiber content will likely give them an upset stomach. Watch for the following symptoms:
If symptoms persist or become severe, contact your veterinarian immediately.
How to Safely Feed Your Dog Green Beans
Use the portion sizes listed above. Always wash fresh green beans, remove any stems or strings, and cut them into small, bite-size pieces.
Raw
Give your pup some pieces of chopped, washed green beans as a treat or food topper.
Cooked
Boil, steam, or microwave green beans for your dog. Make sure they are completely plain, cooled-off, and chopped into small pieces. Use as treats or a food topper.
Dehydrated
If you have a dehydrator at home, you can dehydrate some green beans for your dog as a treat or food topper.
Frozen
Frozen green beans can be a fun treat, but make sure they are chopped into small pieces. Always supervise your dog while they eat frozen treats. If you’re cooking them from frozen, check that the only ingredient is green beans.
Blended
If you’re feeling creative, you can blend some dog-safe fruits and vegetables to make your pup a little smoothie. You can also add completely plain, sugar-free, xylitol-free yogurt. Use it as a food topper or put it in your dog’s KONG toy to freeze for later.
Featured image: iStock.com/Mariha-kitchen
