Can Dogs Eat Beans?

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Yes, certain cooked beans can be a safe treat for healthy dogs to eat in small quantities. But they must always be cooked, and some varieties should be off-limits altogether.

Always consult with your veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist about changes you’re considering to your dog’s diet, and never make treats more than 10% of their total daily calories. If your dog isn’t used to eating beans, you should start slowly—their fiber content could lead to gastrointestinal discomfort if you feed too much too quickly.

Your dog’s main source of nutrition should always be a complete and balanced food formulated by board-certified nutritionists. With that said, here’s what to know about feeding your dog beans.

Can my dog eat beans?

Whether beans are safe for a healthy dog depends on the type of beans and their preparation. Cooked, plain beans from safe varieties can provide valuable nutrients for dogs, including protein, fiber, prebiotics (food for beneficial bacteria in the gut), and essential minerals. 

However, raw beans contain compounds called lectins that can harm dogs. That’s one reason it’s important to always thoroughly cook beans of any kind before serving.

Beans also have an outer layer made out of a fibrous substance called cellulose. Cellulose is water insoluble, which means it can’t be digested, though cooking can soften this coating.

How can I cook beans for my dog at home?

If you’re preparing dried beans, soak them in water for at least 12 hours before cooking. Then, cook them in water heated to a rolling boil for 15 to 45 minutes—depending on which beans you are cooking—to remove any toxic compounds (like lectins). Boiling water at 212 degrees Fahrenheit more effectively removes these compounds than water in a slow cooker.

Avoid seasonings like salt, oil, and herbs when cooking beans for your dog. Only feed them fully cooked and plain.

Beans that are safe for dogs when cooked

Green beans

Green beans are among the safest for dogs. They provide fiber, folate, and vitamins A, C, and K.

Green beans, like all beans, are best cooked to remove lectins. However, their lower levels of lectins make them a safer choice to feed your dog fresh or frozen. Always cut them into appropriate sizes to prevent blockages and choking hazards, and avoid cooking them with salt, oil, or other seasonings.

Garbanzo beans

Also known as chickpeas, cooked garbanzos provide protein, fiber, and healthy fats. They’re easy to mash up for dogs with dental issues. Be sure to cook thoroughly before serving.

In particular, chickpeas are a good source of soluble fiber, which can be dissolved in water. When it reaches your dog’s colon, soluble fiber aids digestion by serving as food for the beneficial bacteria that live there. For this reason, soluble fibers are called “prebiotics”—they stimulate the growth of good bacteria.

If using canned chickpeas, rinse thoroughly to remove excess sodium. Their translucent skins or hulls are edible and contain fiber. 

Kidney beans

Thoroughly cooked kidney beans can be a good source of protein, iron, and fiber for dogs. But they must be completely cooked before serving—boiled for at least 45 minutes. In their raw form, kidney beans contain a compound called phytohemagglutinin that can cause serious health problems in dogs.

Always cook kidney beans until soft, rinse thoroughly if using canned varieties, and serve plain without any seasonings.

Black beans

When properly cooked, black beans offer protein; fiber; minerals like iron, zinc, and copper; and antioxidants including folate and magnesium. For safety, soak black beans for for 12 hours. Follow this with boiling for at least 35 minutes and disposing of the water, or pressure cooking for 5 minutes. Like any other bean that’s safe to feed your dog, black beans must be prepared without seasonings, salt, or other additives.

Lima beans

Lima beans can be offered in small quantities when thoroughly cooked. Due to their higher starch content, moderation is especially important to prevent digestive upset. Also note that raw lima beans contain cyanide, which can be very dangerous in large amounts—but it’s unlikely that your dog would consume enough lima beans for this to be a concern. Always ensure complete cooking and plain preparation. And if your dog eats raw lima beans, call a vet to ask if they recommend treatment.

Navy beans

Navy beans provide high amounts of potassium, iron, and magnesium. They are also a good source of protein. They contain large amounts of starch, which can be removed with soaking to prevent gastrointestinal upset; and lectins, which can be removed with appropriate boiling. Canned navy beans are already cooked, and should be rinsed thoroughly before feeding small amounts to your dog.

Pinto beans

Pinto beans are high in protein, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals. When appropriately boiled, they can be safe to consume in small amounts.

Fava beans

Fava beans have large amounts of the lectin phytohemagglutinin, which can cause serious vomiting, diarrhea, and bloating. Fava beans should never be ingested raw. If your dog does eat any raw fava beans, you should contact your veterinarian immediately. When cooked appropriately, the lectins can be reduced, and these can be safe to ingest in very small quantities; however, it may be safer to avoid giving your dog fava beans altogether.

Beans to never feed your dog

In general, never feed any raw beans to your dog. If your dog eats raw beans of any kind, with the exception of green beans, contact your veterinarian. And always ask your veterinarian before adding any new food to your dog’s diet.

Baked beans

Baked beans, store bought or homemade, may contain high levels of sugar and sodium. They often include onions and garlic, which are toxic to dogs.

Refried beans

This dish also typically contains onions, garlic, and other spices. It may also use lard or another cooking fat, which throws your dog’s healthy diet out of whack and puts them at risk for pancreatitis and weight gain.

Beans straight from the can

While canned beans are fine to feed most healthy dogs in moderation, always thoroughly rinse them before cooking. Never dump beans straight from the can into your dog’s dish. Many canned beans contain excessive sodium that can be harmful to dogs. Excess salt intake in dogs can result in vomiting, weakness, diarrhea, muscle tremors, and seizures. 

When in doubt, always ask your vet for input about your dog’s diet. They will be able to give you the specific guidance you need to keep your pet healthy and safe.

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