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Can Dogs Eat Green Beans?

Can Dogs Eat Green Beans?

Yes, you can provide green beans for dogs as an occasional treat or part of your pup’s regular, commercially available dog food. There are nutritional benefits and only rare side effects. As with any new food, you should always offer a small amount first to see how your pet reacts. If your dog has a history of negative reactions to a new food, you may want to talk to your veterinarian first. But, for the most part, dogs and green beans are a good combination in many households. 

Let’s talk about the potential health benefits of green beans and when your dog should avoid this veggie treat. 

Are green beans good for dogs?

While your pet shouldn’t be eating a diet consisting mostly of vegetables, green beans are good for dogs in limited quantities. Specifically, this green vegetable is high in fiber, folate, vitamins C and A, calcium and iron. Additional nutrients in one cup of raw green beans include .41mg of vitamin K, 25mg of magnesium and 211mg of potassium. 

Green beans are also a good source of protein, but remember that most of a dog’s protein should come from animal protein. In fact, at least 75% of your dog’s diet should be meat-based. 

What benefits can green beans provide to your dog? The nutrients in green beans play a variety of vital roles in the health of canines, including:

Sense of fullness

Green beans are high in fiber but low in sugar, which makes your dog feel full without eating a ton of calories. If you have a pup on a weight management program, you may occasionally want to replace your dog’s normal treat with a raw, washed green bean. 

Creation of red blood cells

The folate in green beans is a B vitamin that canine bodies need to make red blood cells. This type of blood cell is important because it delivers oxygen to body tissues. Green beans also have iron, which helps in this process. 

Immune system support

Feeding green beans to dogs also supplies them with vitamins A and C, which offer immune system support. Vitamin C also serves as an antioxidant, and vitamin A promotes better vision. 

Bone health

The calcium in green beans could help a growing or senior dog maintain much-needed bone health. 

While green beans offer some positive health benefits, they shouldn’t necessarily be the staple of any pet’s diet. For one, too much of any single food could lead to a nutritional imbalance. In addition to veggie treats, you’ll want to feed your pet a regular kibble diet with lots of animal protein and maybe some supplemental wet dog food that helps with hydration. 

The primary downside when using green beans for dogs as a dietary supplement is gastrointestinal distress, which typically appears as vomiting or diarrhea. Talk to your vet about other green treat options if your dog negatively reacts to green beans. You might be able to find dog food toppers or other treats with similar nutritional value.

How to feed green beans to dogs

If you are going to introduce green beans to your dog, there are safe and unsafe ways to feed this vegetable. The best way to prepare green beans for dogs is to wash them and offer them raw, but you can also boil or steam them. Do not feed your pet any canned vegetables, and avoid any options that have added salt or other spices. Garlic and onion are especially bad for dogs because they’re toxic to canines and can upset their gastrointestinal tract, at the very least. You may even want to try slightly thawed frozen green beans as a crunchy treat on hot summer days. 

If your dog does take to green beans, only feed a small amount now and then, never exceeding 10% of their daily caloric intake. Start with a few bites and then work your way up, depending on your pet’s size. At most, a larger dog should only have about one cup at a time—for many pets, a smaller amount is recommended. Talk to your vet when you’re not sure about food measurements. 

Finally, keep in mind that whole green beans could be a choking hazard. After you wash or prepare your green beans, you should break them up by hand or cut them into smaller pieces.

Dog food and treats containing green beans

FAQs about green beans for dogs

Can dogs eat green beans?

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Yes. Green beans are safe for dogs in small amounts and should be included in no more than 10% of your pet’s diet reserved for treats. The bulk of your pup’s diet should still consist of kibble or canned dog food full of meat protein. 

Are green beans good for dogs?

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Yes, green beans have many nutrients that can be good for dogs, including calcium and vitamin C. Green beans also contain iron, vitamin A and magnesium. These veggies are also rich in fiber which can help keep your pet’s bowel movements regular. 

Can dogs eat raw green beans?

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Yes, dogs can eat raw green beans, and it’s one of the most recommended ways to offer this veggie to pets. Always clean raw green beans before feeding them to your dog, and you can also boil, steam or freeze them. 

Can dogs eat canned green beans?

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No. Canned vegetables are more likely to have a high salt content, which is not good for your pets. Raw green beans are preferable to canned beans, and you should especially avoid canned options containing garlic or onion.

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