Can dogs eat green beans or are they toxic?
Green beans are real mineral bombs for both humans and animals, as they contain relatively high amounts of potassium, magnesium, selenium, fluorine, and zinc. They are also rich in B vitamins, especially vitamin B12. They are also enjoyed as plant-based protein sources →just like lentils, although there are some considerations to keep in mind when feeding beans to our dogs. You should only offer beans cooked or steamed to your four-legged friend, as raw green beans or legumes can be toxic.
How to properly feed green beans to your dog
If you want to feed your dog some green beans, you should wash them well first and then steam or boil them. Cut off the tip where the stem meets and remove the string if necessary. Chopped up and mixed into the food, they can be a healthy addition to the bowl.
Green beans can also be found as an ingredient in dry or wet food. Rich in plant-based protein and fiber, they provide a nutrient-rich supplement in the food. Thus, green beans should not be missing from our dry food "Superfoods" Angus Beef. Alongside carrots, tomatoes, zucchini, and cauliflower, the green bean is of course one of the 5 selected and regional superfoods in this dry food.
[TRANSLATION ERROR] Randvoll mit guten Zutaten - unser Trockenfutter "Superfoods" Angus-Rind
When are green beans toxic to dogs?
Green beans or legumes can be toxic to your dog if they are eaten raw and/or are still unripe. Uncooked beans contain the toxic substance Phasin, which can be →toxic for our four-legged friends. Phasin clumps red blood cells in the body, which can lead to bleeding in your dog's gastrointestinal tract, depending on the amount consumed.
If your four-legged friend belongs to the larger breeds, you don't need to worry if your dog has picked a green bean from the garden bush. He might just get a bit of a tummy ache and [→diarrhea](/magazin/hunde/hunde-gesundheit/5-hausmittel-und-tipps-gegen-durchfall-beim-hund). This is different for larger amounts or if your four-legged friend belongs to the [→smaller dog breeds](/magazin/hunde/hunderassen/ratgeber-kleine-hunderassen-erziehung-und-ernahrung). Here you should be more cautious, as due to their lower body weight, poisoning occurs much faster.
Typical poisoning symptoms from raw beans include →vomiting, →abdominal cramps, (bloody) diarrhea, as well as fever, restlessness, and lethargy. In the best case, you should not wait for the symptoms to appear, but contact your veterinarian directly. Sometimes just a phone call is enough, as even over the phone, the veterinarians can assess what to do.
[TRANSLATION ERROR] Richtig zubereitet können viele Gemüse- und Obstsorten an deinen Hund gefüttert werden. Bohnen sollten vorher allerdings immer gekocht oder gegart werden.
Which beans are allowed for dogs?
In addition to green beans, there are also other types of beans that can be edible for dogs. Some of the most well-known that are well-tolerated and nutritious for dogs include:
- Black beans
- Butter beans or lima beans
- Chickpeas
- Green beans or pole beans
- Pinto beans
- Bean sprouts
- Kidney beans
You should also pay attention to the proper preparation of these beans. Most of them need to be soaked overnight and then cooked the next day. Young garden beans or young pole beans, as well as bean sprouts, can also be fed raw in small amounts. However, they are better tolerated, like all legumes, if you cook them first.
Do you prefer fresh ingredients and want to feed your dog more with proper vegetables and raw meat? Then the →concept of BARFing is certainly something for you. You should inform yourself well beforehand to provide your dog with sufficient nutrients. If you're looking for an uncomplicated entry into raw feeding, why not try our "Fresh Menus"? Enhanced with our mineral mix and a 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 cause bloating and may upset your four-legged friend's stomach. For this reason, you should always only feed a small amount of beans, especially if your four-legged friend otherwise doesn't eat legumes.
If you're unsure, there is also a variety of other vegetables that you can feed your dog worry-free and easily. For example, →carrots are wonderful as a raw snack in between. Also, →pumpkin, →broccoli, or fennel can be steamed or boiled to provide a nutrient-rich addition to dog food.
