When we think about healthy food alternatives for ourselves, beans often find their way into the conversation. A great source of protein, antioxidants, and nutrients, beans can be found in dishes such as soups, stews, and much more. 

Humans are more reliant on beans and legumes than you might think. With the growth of soybean drinks and snacks, our healthy food options are filled with this nutrient-rich vegetable. But can dogs have beans, too? 

Today, we’ll review the risks versus benefits of beans for dogs. Legumes may not be toxic to dogs, but long-term feeding can wreak havoc on your dog’s health. Luckily, legume-free dog food is easy to find–thanks to brands like Sundays for Dogs! 

Can dogs have beans? 

Can dogs eat beans? The answer is a little complicated. Dogs can eat beans every now and then–but it’s not something your dog should be eating every day. It’s only safe for dogs to eat cooked beans. Raw beans are too hard for our pups to digest. 

Which types of beans can dogs eat?

With more than 400 different species, beans are considered legume vegetables. These are plants that can take nitrogen from the air and return it to the soil. In many cases, beans are bought dried, which increases their shelf life.

With so many beans found around the world, we can’t provide a full list of which types are safe for dogs. But can dogs eat green beans? Absolutely. Beans you can generally safely feed to your dog include:

• Black Beans
• Kidney Beans
• Cannellini Beans
• Lima Beans
• Edamame
• Pinto Beans
• Soy Beans
• Haricot or Navy Beans
• Green Beans (Although technically not a traditional bean, they are a legume your pup will love)

Are legumes safe for dogs to eat?

The simple answer is yes, depending on the bean. Many beans, when cooked correctly, provide a great healthy food source for your pup, but should never exceed 10% of their daily diet and should remain an occasional snack at most. 

Canned beans are often packaged in a salt brine, which is a salty juice mix that expands the shelf life of your food and also provides seasoning. High sodium intake is a health risk for your pup and should be avoided at all costs. 

Remember the old children's rhyme “beans, beans, the wonderful fruit, the more you eat, the more you toot?” This happens from the high levels of fibers found in beans, and your pup eating beans will be no different. 

If they become too gassy, this could be a sign of an upset stomach, so keep in mind the more beans they eat, the more you can expect gassiness. 

What Beans Should I Never Give My Dog? 

While most beans are safe for your pup, you’ll want to add a few types of beans to your Do-Not-Give list. 

Baked beans are a form of pre-cooked, pre-seasoned beans in some form of a sauce. These cans of beans should be avoided due to their high levels of seasonings and the ingredients used. Many cans of baked beans use sugar, tomatoes, garlic, onion, and other ingredients that can be toxic to dogs. So, can dogs eat black beans? Maybe not if they’re precooked. 

Refried beans are a paste-like mix most commonly using a mix of black beans and pinto beans. Refried beans are common in Hispanic cooking, used as a dip or inside dishes, and should be avoided due to their seasonings. Common seasonings in refried beans include salt, cumin, garlic, and chili powder. 

Chili beans are a spicy form of beans used in soups. Higher levels of chili powder and peppers are used in chili bean recipes, which are generally not safe for your pup. 

Canned beans should generally be avoided due to the increased sodium and sugars used in the brine. This means if you’re making a soup or other dish that requires beans, you could set a small amount to the side to share — just don’t make this a routine. 

Coffee beans, or any form of caffeine, can be extremely toxic and life-threatening for your pup. Both caffeine and theobromine can be detrimental, as dogs and cats are far more sensitive than humans. If your dog eats a large amount of coffee beans, you need to contact your veterinarian immediately and watch your pup closely for signs of:

• Vomiting
• Seizures 
• Elevated heart rate
• Hypertension or elevated blood pressure 
• Hypothermia or increasing body temperature 
• Hyperactivity or restlessness 
• Collapsing or the body shutting down 

What are the risks of dog food with legumes?

While beans may not be inherently harmful to your pup, there’s proof that long-term feeding can cause health issues. Some legumes, such as chickpeas, peas, and lentils, could block your pup’s ability to absorb other nutrients. 

Legume ingredients are especially popular in many grain-free formulas, and can contribute to a life-threatening condition called dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). In 2018, the FDA even announced an investigation into the link between DCM and legumes in dog food. 

The safety of legumes is really dependent on your pup’s individual needs. Nutrient absorption can also be related to your dog’s breed, weight, activity level, or other health factors. 

Try Sundays’ Legume-Free Dog Food

We don’t care about saving money on ingredients. We care about providing the best ingredients for your furry friend. This is why at Sundays For Dogs, we don’t use any of those negative fillers and avoid any potential for anti-nutrients. 

By sticking with USDA-grade beef, adding healthy plant-based nutrients from whole fruits and veggies like carrots, apples, pumpkin, tomatoes, and other real foods you know and recognize, your dog will have the diet they need to thrive. 

Give Sundays a try, your pup will thank you.