If you’re looking for a low-calorie, healthy treat for your dog, then green beans might be a perfect choice. Nutritious and full of fiber, green beans are readily available fresh, frozen, and canned and are safe for a dog to eat as long as they are plain.
What’s more, green beans can play an important part in helping a hungry dog maintain an ideal weight. Can dogs eat raw green beans? Yes, they can, so, if you want to give your dog a tasty treat that’s also good for their health, read on.
Benefits of Green beans for dogs
Green beans are safe for dogs and boast an impressive nutritional profile. Not only do they provide excellent levels of Vitamins K and C, but they are full of essential minerals such as manganese, folate, and copper.
But the green beans’ secret weapon is the amount of fiber they contain. Fiber is essential for digestive well-being and has also been linked to heart health, lower cholesterol levels, and stabilizing blood sugar levels.
These benefits alone are a good reason to swap your dog’s usual treats out for a few green beans. But fiber has another trick up its sleeve; it contributes to a feeling of fullness, making it a useful snack for dogs if you are trying to keep your dog’s weight in check.
The Green Bean Diet for dogs
With over half of all dogs in the USA classified as overweight, finding a way of keeping your dog satisfied while reducing their food is a challenge. Overweight dogs suffer from a lot of the same health problems that we do when we aren’t at our ideal weight. Green beans for dogs can help reduce the likelihood of these conditions common with obesity;
- High blood pressure
- Kidney disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Osteoarthritis
- Skin conditions
- Thyroid issues
Not only that, but overweight dogs have a decreased life expectancy which is a powerful motive to get your dog back in shape.
So, what is the green bean diet? In essence, plain green beans are used as a substitute for some of your dog’s regular food. Starting at around ten percent of your dog’s diet, the number of beans is gradually increased until half of your dog’s food is beans, and half is regular dog food.
Feeding your dog this way continues until your dog has reached its weight loss target. The green beans can then be phased out at this stage, and your dog can go back to its regular food. Just with any diet, though, it should not be attempted without getting your dog checked by a veterinarian first.
Although green beans are good for dogs packed full of vitamins and minerals, they can only contribute to a balanced diet and shouldn’t replace your dog’s regular food. There are lots of ways you can include green beans into your dog’s diet so let’s look at the benefits of each.
Can dogs eat raw green beans?
Raw or frozen green beans are a perfect way for your dog to enjoy them. Either feed in place of treats, or the beans can be cut up and mixed in with your dog’s regular food.
Green beans can provide a much-needed boost to an aging or infirm dog as they contain free-radical fighting antioxidants such as lutein and zeaxanthin. With omega-3 fatty acids and iron and B vitamins, green beans are an excellent all-around healthy snack for dogs.
Can dogs eat cooked green beans?
Whether they’re steamed, boiled, blanched or, baked, cooked green beans are okay to give to your dog as long as they are plain with no added flavors.
In fact, many commercial dog foods contain cooked green beans. Not only are they low fat and low in calories, but they have trace minerals essential for overall health. What’s more, beans contain the all-important fiber that satisfies a hungry hound.
Can dogs eat canned green beans?
Despite canned green beans being convenient and cost-effective, beware of added ingredients. Many canned vegetables have a high sodium content or contain other flavors that won’t be good for your dog.
So although you can feed your dog canned beans, low salt green beans canned in only water are the best choice for your dog.
Green beans and digestion
With such a nutritional pedigree, you might be tempted to load your dog’s plate with green beans. But all that fiber can have unpleasant side effects.
Although green beans are low on the allergy scale and tummy-friendly, any new food can cause digestive issues if eaten in large quantities.
If you want to feed your dog green beans, don’t overdo it. Start with a few and monitor your dog for any adverse reactions.
Can dogs eat raw green beans?
Yes, green beans, whether fresh, raw, frozen, cooked, or canned, are safe for your dog. In fact, used carefully, they can contribute to a healthy and nutritious diet and help your dog lose weight.
Fed as a treat or mixed in with your dog’s regular food, these little powerhouses of nutrition have many health benefits and will keep your dog happy and feeling full.
If you want to give your dog an even bigger treat, why not try this recipe from Borrow my doggy for an extra special way of serving green beans.
Crusted Baked Green Beans
Ingredients:
- 500 grams frozen green beans, defrosted
- 30 grams of freeze-dried dog treats
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 100C
- Grate dog treats
- Place the defrosted green beans in a large bowl
- Add the powdered treats and gently mix
- Lay the coated green beans on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and bake for 3 hours