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At one point or another, most of us have considered feeding our dogs vegetables. There’s pumpkin to soothe their tummy, sweet potatoes as a treat, or carrots for an extra boost of vitamins. Now, some pet parents are filling their dog’s bowl with another vegetable: green beans.
What’s the deal with the green bean diet for dogs? We ask two veterinarians for an expert perspective.
Can Dogs Eat Green Beans?
Dogs can definitely eat green beans. These little green veggies are filled with fiber, vitamins, and even magnesium. The vitamins found in green beans include A, C, and K—all beneficial to your dog’s physical health.
Plus, they offer a dose of omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, folic acid, iron, potassium, and beta-carotene. Because of this, green beans may make for a wonderful treat, snack, or part of a whole food diet. And dogs seem to love the taste.
But the green bean diet trend goes beyond just an occasional boost to your dog’s nutrient intake. The pet parents using it are making green beans a significant portion—up to half—of their dog’s diet, whether to increase their vitamin consumption or to help them achieve a healthy weight.
The theory is that the high fiber content of the beans will leave your dog feeling full, despite the fact that they’re actually eating fewer calories. Green beans’ high palatability for most dogs will keep them coming back for meal times, and the nutritive properties of the beans should make it safe. But is it?
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Can Green Beans Help My Dog Lose Weight?
To get clarity around the green bean diet for dogs, we sought the advice of two veterinarians: Dr. Jennifer Sperry and Dr. Sabrina Kong.
Dr. Sperry, an advisor for PetsPlusUS, agrees that green beans are health powerhouses: “Green beans are a good source of many important nutrients like fiber, iron, and vitamins A, C, and K. Most importantly, they are relatively low in calories, and pretty satisfying, making them a good tool for weight loss in dogs.”
But you can’t replace half your dog’s diet with them and call it success. Sperry says including green beans depends on your dog’s diet—and which part of it you’re replacing. “If a dog’s daily food intake is a mix of dog food and treats (table scraps, cheese, dog biscuits), and only the dog food is replaced by green beans, then the substitution may fail to achieve the goal of weight loss and could also lead to dietary imbalances.”
Those potential imbalances are what give Dr. Kong, senior veterinary contributor at WeLoveDoodles, pause. “It might help with weight loss because of fewer calories, but dogs need a diet that meets all their nutritional needs, and green beans alone just can’t do that.”
For weight loss, Dr. Kong prefers a holistic approach that considers both diet and exercise: “Besides tweaking their diet, getting more active is key—think more walks, playtime, and other fun activities to get them moving.”
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Talking to your veterinarian about the green bean diet
Drs. Kong and Sperry both made one point clear: before you change your dog’s diet—whether with green beans or anything else—you’ll want to talk to your vet. They can help you assess your dog’s overall health and nutrition and come up with a plan that meets all of their needs in a healthy way.
If you do get the green light for green beans, Dr. Sperry says it’s key to monitor your pup throughout: “Stay in sync with your pet. Are they comfortable and satisfied every day when they eat? Are they experiencing any appetite changes, vomiting, or diarrhea in response to the change? How does their hair coat look? If you or your pet are uncomfortable with anything related to the diet change, reach out for professional advice.”
How To Safely Feed Your Dog Green Beans
There are many ways to add green beans to your pet’s diet.
For a fun approach, fresh beans can be a great treat for playing toss with your pet. One Rover test pup, Pepper, loved both the game and the snack—especially once her pet parent figured out how she liked them (broken into small pieces).
Whole green beans can be gently cooked and fed to your dog as part of a meal or snack. Dr. Kong says, “Just remember to start slow and keep an eye out for any digestive issues, like gas or diarrhea, that might pop up with more veggies in their diet. And when you serve them, the green beans should be plain—no salt or seasonings, please!”
Lightly sautéing, steaming, or baking the beans will soften their texture for easier eating. In addition to salt, you’ll also want to avoid using oil, butter, or other seasonings, says Dr. Sperry. That means no sharing the beans from your own plate at dinner time.
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After cooking, the beans can be served warm or stored in the refrigerator for later. Some pet parents have even found that dogs love a frozen, pre-cooked green bean snack in the summer. Canned beans should be avoided due to the sodium content in the can. Frozen vegetables are typically okay as long as they contain no oil, spices, or other additives.
How much of the green beans you offer your dog depends on their food needs in general. Dr. Sperry suggests starting with their current food: “Make sure to check the feeding guide. If your dog’s portion after adding green beans dips below 80% of their recommended daily portion, check in with your vet for guidance.”
Final Verdict: Is the Green Bean Diet Good for Dogs?
With our experts’ advice in mind, including a moderate amount of green beans in your dog’s diet is fine. If you’re concerned about your dog’s weight or overall nutrition, green beans can help support their overall wellness, replacing less-healthy snacks and table scraps. However, an extreme approach to the green bean diet, replacing more 20% of your dog’s food, could be dangerous for your pup.
Taking the time to better understand your dog’s nutritional needs and ensuring that they get plenty of activity are alternative—and safer—approaches to keeping your dog healthy and their weight under control. Above all, talking to your vet is the best way to know how and when to incorporate green beans or any other health trends into your dog’s wellness plan.
