Are beans a healthy treat for dogs?

Beans, classified as legumes, are seeds from plants that belong in the Fabaceae family. They grow in pods or are usually encapsulated when growing flowers of Fabaceae plants. There are many types of beans and most are a great source of nutrients for dogs.

Amino Acids and Proteins

Beans are a great source of amino acids, molecules required to build protein in the body. Soybeans are a commonly used plant-based amino acid source in most commercial diet formulations. They have high concentrations of highly digestible amino acids, making them an ideal protein source in the diet. Of all the bean types, soybeans contain the most complete amino acids essential for protein synthesis.

Dietary Fiber

Beans are also known for their high dietary fiber content. Fiber is an essential nutrient that helps regulate the transit of ingested food and the metabolism of glucose. Sufficient fiber levels in the diet can help prevent and control diarrhea and constipation and can manage blood glucose levels, especially in diabetic dogs. Adding beans to the diet can help meet the dog’s daily dietary fiber needs and prevent or manage different health problems.

Vitamins and Minerals

Essential vitamins and minerals can also be found in beans. Folate, or folic acid, is an essential vitamin that helps maintain healthy red blood cells. This vitamin can be found in high amounts in most beans, along with other essential vitamins and trace minerals such as iron, potassium, and magnesium.

Antioxidants

Lastly, beans are a great source of antioxidants, a substance that eliminates free radicals in the body and helps control cell damage. Free radicals are by-products of various physiological processes and metabolism and cause damage to healthy cells in the dog’s body. Beans have high amounts of polyphenols, an antioxidant that fights off free radicals and prevents cell damage, which ultimately helps prevent different diseases.

Are beans a safe treat for dogs?

Beans are a highly nutritious food option for both humans and dogs and a suitable food ingredient for dogs that are maintained on a home-cooked diet. However, while most beans are generally safe for dogs to eat, there are some types of beans that can cause serious health problems when eaten by canines.

Here is a list of beans that are generally safe to give to dogs:

• Black beans
• Pinto beans
• Lima beans
• Cooked kidney beans
• Green beans
• Soybeans
• Edamame

These beans are safe to consume and will not usually cause health problems in dogs if eaten in controlled amounts. These also contain essential nutrients mentioned above that help meet a dog’s daily nutritional needs.

These beans should not be fed to dogs:

• Fava beans
• Baked beans
• Canned beans
• Coffee beans
• Chili beans
• Raw kidney beans

Fava beans have been shown to trigger gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. Canned beans contain high levels of preservatives and sodium which can cause severe health problems in dogs when taken in significant amounts. Baked beans and chili beans often contain garlic which is toxic in dogs. Coffee beans can cause neurological clinical signs when ingested, and raw kidney beans contain toxins that cause severe illness in dogs.

Even the safe-to-eat beans can cause health problems if given incorrectly. Like with any other diet, a well-balanced meal is key to maintaining proper health in dogs. Beans, nutritious as they are, can cause nutritional imbalances if given solely as a nutrient source. Adequate amounts mixed with other highly nutritious food ingredients are the ideal way to give beans to dogs.

How should beans be prepared and fed to your dog?

Beans are highly nutritious if given to dogs correctly. They are not meant to replace a well-balanced and well-formulated meal but can be mixed into a home-cooked well-balanced recipe. They can also be given occasionally as treats during training and playtime with your dogs.

It is not recommended to mix raw beans in the diet even though most of them can be eaten raw by humans. Cooking the beans quickly through boiling or steam ensures that contaminants and pathogens on the surface of the beans are killed to prevent any infections. When cooked, avoid adding salt or any other spices as dogs have a very low tolerance for these. Excessive salt intake can cause electrolyte imbalance, kidney, and heart problems in dogs.

Read more:

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