Green beans can be tasty and healthy for dogs, but they can also be toxic. Learn how to prepare green beans properly for your dog and discover other beans that are safe for dogs!

Can Dogs Eat Green Beans or Are They Toxic?

Green beans are true mineral bombs for both humans and animals, as they contain comparatively high amounts of potassium, magnesium, selenium, fluoride, and zinc. They are also rich in B-vitamins, especially vitamin B12. Like lentils, they are also enjoyed as plant-based protein sources, but there are some things to consider when feeding beans to our dogs. You should always offer beans to your furry friend cooked or boiled; unripe green beans or legumes in their raw state can be toxic.

How to Properly Feed Green Beans to Your Dog

If you want to feed your dog some green beans, make sure to wash them well before cooking or boiling them. Also, cut off the tip with the stem attachment and remove any string at the seam if necessary. When cut into small pieces and mixed into the food, they can be a healthy addition to your dog’s bowl.

Green beans are also found as part of dry or wet dog food. Rich in plant-based protein and fiber, they provide a nutrient-rich supplement in the diet. Therefore, green beans are also an essential ingredient in our dry food “Superfoods” Angus Beef. In addition to carrots, tomatoes, zucchini, and cauliflower, green beans are one of the 5 selected and regional superfoods in this dry food.

When Are Green Beans Toxic for Dogs?

Green beans or legumes, in general, can be toxic for your dog when consumed raw and/or when they are still unripe. Uncooked beans contain the toxin lectin, which can be toxic for our four-legged friends. Lectin clumps the red blood cells in the body, leading to bleeding in your dog’s gastrointestinal tract, depending on the amount consumed.

If your canine companion belongs to larger breeds, you don’t need to worry too much if your dog has picked an unauthorized green bean from the garden bush. Perhaps, he might just have some stomach discomfort and diarrhea. However, it is different for larger consumption or if your four-legged friend belongs to smaller dog breeds. Here, you should be more cautious because poisonings occur much faster due to their low body weight.

Typical poisoning symptoms from raw beans include vomiting, abdominal cramps, (bloody) diarrhea, as well as fever, restlessness, and lethargy. In the best case, don’t wait until the symptoms occur, but contact your veterinarian directly. Sometimes, a call is enough because veterinarians can often assess what to do over the phone.

Which Beans Are Allowed for Dogs?

Besides green beans, there are other types of beans that can be enjoyable for dogs. Some of the most well-tolerated and nutritious beans for dogs include:

For these beans as well, you should pay attention to the right preparation. Most of them need to be soaked overnight and then cooked the next day. Young garden beans or string beans, as well as bean sprouts, can also be fed raw in small quantities. However, they are better tolerated, like all legumes, when cooked.

Are you a fan of fresh ingredients and would like to feed your dog more with real vegetables and raw meat? Then the BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) concept is probably right for you. Before starting, make sure to gather enough information to provide your dog with sufficient nutrients. If you are looking for an uncomplicated entry into raw feeding, try our “Fresh Menus.” Enhanced with our mineral mix and high-quality oil, we make BARFing easier for you and provide your dog with absolute nutrient freshness in the bowl!

Every little bean makes a sound…

…or something like that. The fact is, green beans can be bloating and might upset your furry friend’s stomach. For this reason, you should only feed a small amount of beans, especially if your dog doesn’t usually get legumes in his diet.

If you are unsure, there are plenty of other vegetables that you can feed to your dog worry-free and uncomplicatedly. Carrots, for example, are wonderful as a raw snack in between. Also, pumpkin, broccoli, or fennel can be a nutrient-rich addition to dog food when cooked or boiled.