- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Beans contain plenty of fiber and protein, and some varieties also provide beneficial vitamins and minerals. Their nutritional value makes beans a nourishing food for humans, and certain types of beans also make a tasty snack for dogs. Yet while dogs can eat some beans, they can’t eat all types of beans.
Dogs can’t eat canned beans, fava beans, dry beans, or coffee beans—we’ll explain why in more detail below. Beans also shouldn’t replace animal proteins in complete and balanced dog foods, and you’ll want to make sure any beans you give your dog are cooked and free of salt and other seasoning.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends checking with your veterinarian before choosing a dog food that lists peas, lentils, and other legume seeds (pulses) in the first 10 ingredients. It’s also best to ask your vet before you add beans to your dog’s daily diet.
Below, get a complete list of dog-safe beans, expert guidance on feeding your dog beans, and a few recipe ideas.
What Type Of Beans Can Dogs Eat?
Dogs can eat many types of beans safely, according to Dr. Kevin Puzycki, DVM and spokesperson for Solid Gold.
Examples of dog-friendly beans—and their benefits—include:
- Black beans: These contain vitamin C, vitamin K, and manganese, along with protein and fiber.
- Butter beans (lima beans): These provide fiber along with fat-free protein.
- Garbanzo beans (chickpeas): These contain high fiber and protein. Avoid giving dogs hummus or canned chickpeas, which may contain added ingredients or preservatives that cause digestive issues.
- Green beans (string beans): These provide fiber, magnesium, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin K. Dogs can eat fresh, frozen, or cooked green beans.
- Kidney beans: Raw kidney beans are toxic to dogs, but fully cooked kidney beans provide plenty of nutrients, including antioxidants, fiber, protein, and vitamins.
- Pinto beans: These provide protein, fiber, and magnesium.
- Lentils: These provide iron, fiber, and protein.
- Black-eyed peas: These provide protein, fiber, and vitamin K.
- Soybeans (edamame): These contain protein, omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, and vitamin C. Dogs can eat soybeans raw or cooked.
And again, avoid serving your pup raw, dry, or canned beans, unless otherwise noted above, and avoid spices and seasoning when preparing beans for dogs.
Top Benefits Of Beans For Dogs
Dog-safe beans do have nutritional value when eaten in moderation. The chart below outlines some of their main benefits.
| Nutrient | Benefit |
| Vitamin A | Helps maintain eyesight, supports growth and development, and promotes a healthy immune system. |
| Vitamin C | Supports the immune system and overall well-being and helps with collagen production, which is essential for healthy skin, joints, and connective tissues. |
| Vitamin K | Helps metabolize protein and supports healthy blood coagulation. |
| Magnesium | Helps the body absorb other nutrients more effectively. |
| Antioxidants | Prevents cellular and molecular damage and may help boost cognitive function in senior dogs. |
| Protein | Provides amino acids like taurine and helps maintain bone, muscle, cartilage, and skin health. |
| Fiber | Aids digestion, helps regulate bowel movements, and may help dogs feel full for longer periods after eating. |
Do Beans Have Any Risks For Dogs?
Dogs can’t digest dry or raw beans, Dr. Puzycki says. What’s more, processed options like canned or baked beans typically have a lot of additives, preservatives, and sodium.
Eating too many beans can also have side effects for dogs, including digestive upset, gas, weight gain, or a nutritional imbalance.
For more details on the types of beans dogs can’t eat, check out the chart below.
| Type of bean | Adverse reaction |
| Raw beans | Dogs have a hard time digesting many types of raw beans. Raw kidney beans are toxic to dogs. |
| Bean pastes and powders | Commercial bean pastes and powders often contain added salt and sugar, which dogs shouldn’t eat. However, Dr. Puzycki, says it’s fine to make your dog a bean paste that contains only cooked beans and water. |
| Castor beans | Just one ounce of castor beans can cause serious side effects in dogs within 12 to 48 hours of ingestion. These effects include oral irritation, burning in the mouth and throat, increased thirst, vomiting, diarrhea, kidney failure, and convulsions. |
| Refried beans
|
The fat in refried beans can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and an upset stomach. Canned refried beans may also contain toxic spices like garlic and onion. |
| Baked beans | Baked beans are high in fat and sugar and are especially risky for dogs with diabetes. Dogs who eat baked beans may go on to develop pancreatitis or damage to their red blood cells. |
| Canned beans | Canned beans are high in salt. In general, salt isn’t healthy for dogs, but it poses a particular risk to dogs with medical conditions like congestive heart failure. |
| Fava beans (broad beans) | Broad beans, also called fava beans, contain a compound called phytohemagglutinin (PHA), which is toxic to dogs in high amounts. Cooking helps neutralize PHA, but this bean’s larger size and tough skin make it difficult to cook thoroughly. Symptoms of PHA poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. If your dog has these symptoms, contact your vet right away. |
| Coffee beans | All forms of caffeine are highly toxic to dogs, as caffeine can dangerously increase their heart rate. |
Important: Do you think your dog may have eaten a type of bean they shouldn’t have? Experts at the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) and ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) can offer more guidance on side effects to pay attention to and when to contact your vet.
Do beans cause secondary dilated cardiomyopathy?
The FDA is currently exploring a possible link between certain dog food diets and a heart condition called non-hereditary (secondary) dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Secondary DCM is a heart condition that can affect any breed of dog. It’s caused by factors not related to genetics, like diet.
The FDA has yet to uncover a definite link between dog food diets and DCM, but they have found a few potential concerns. For example, some dog foods containing a lot of pulses may raise your dog’s risk of secondary DCM.
| Term | Definition |
| Legume | The pod and seed of a plant |
| Bean | An edible, elongated seed that grows inside a pod |
| Pulses | Dried beans |
Since experts have yet to come to a conclusion about the cause of secondary DCM, it’s a good idea to check with your vet before feeding your dog any foods that contain pulses in the first 10 ingredients. They can offer suggestions on a safe and nourishing diet for your dog.
How To Give Beans To Your Dog
A few tips to consider when giving your dog beans to eat:
- Adjust bean size based on your dog’s size and preferences: If your dog likes chewing things, leave the beans whole for some good gnawing action. On the other hand, you may want to cut the beans into smaller pieces if your dog tends to swallow things without chewing or has difficulty chewing large pieces of food.
- Serve beans only in moderation: “Like all fruits and vegetables, beans should not exceed 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake,” says Dr. Puzycki, who recommends commercially available dog food as your pup’s primary source of nutrition.
- Soak dry beans overnight and cook them in water: This helps ensure the beans are both soft enough to chew and safe for your dog to eat. For a nutritious flavor boost, you can swap water for homemade or commercially available bone broth for dogs.
How To Make Chickpea Flour Dog Treats
If you’d like to try making homemade meals for your pup, you’ll want to get started with help from a veterinary nutritionist.
That said, it’s just fine to offer homemade snacks, as long as they make up only 10% or less of your dog’s daily calorie needs.
Our Rover chef came up with a high-protein snack recipe you can make at home. These Chickpea Flour Treats are high in fiber, so they may help keep your pup feeling full.
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- In a large bowl, mix 1 cup chickpea flour, ½ cup unsweetened applesauce, and 2 tablespoons peanut butter (make sure it’s xylitol-free) until well combined.
- Roll out the dough until it’s about a quarter-inch thick. If desired, dust your work surface with additional flour or a sprinkle of steel-cut oats.
- Using your favorite cookie cutter, cut out the biscuits. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 22 minutes, or until just golden brown around the edges.
- Let the biscuits cool completely on the baking sheet before storing them in an airtight container.
Tips:
- For a crunchier biscuit, turn off the oven after baking for 22 minutes and let the biscuits sit in the oven for an additional 5-10 minutes.
- Add blueberries, shredded carrots, or other dog-safe fruits or veggies to the dough before baking.
