Can dogs eat beans?

Beans are legumes with good nutritional value that also do not contain any compounds that are toxic to dogs. Therefore, we can affirm that the broad beans They are on the list of foods suitable for dogs..

However, it is important to bear in mind that not all preparations with beans are safe and healthy for our pets. We tell you more about it in the next section.

Can dogs eat fried or raw beans?

Although broad beans are good for dogs, we must know that not all presentations are suitable. Cooked beans are digested and assimilated better than raw beans, since the cooking process increases the digestibility of the protein and carbohydrates present in this legume. Thus, It is preferable not to provide the beans raw, but cooked.

As for the cooking method, the healthiest options are, without a doubt, steamed broad beans and boiled broad beans. Other preparations like the fried beans should be discardedsince they contribute an excess of fat to the ration.

As we have mentioned, broad beans are legumes suitable for dogs that have good nutritional value. Next, we explain the main nutritional benefits of this food:

• They constitute a excellent source of vegetable protein.
• His complex carbohydrate content (starch) is highbut they hardly provide fat, which is why they are considered a healthy energy source for the diet of dogs.
• They are a source of fiber. Although fiber is a nutrient that dogs cannot digest, it is essential to regulate their intake, improve intestinal transit and maintain the beneficial microbiota of the large intestine.
• As for the minerals, are especially rich in iron and potassium. They also provide appreciable amounts of sodium, phosphorus and magnesium.
• Regarding vitamins, its content in vitamin B1 (thiamin), B3 (niacin), B9 (folic acid) and vitamin C.

Now that we know that dogs can eat beans, you may be wondering how best to offer them. First of all, we will talk about the ways in which this legume can be included in the diet of dogs:

• If your dog habitually consumes a commercial feed, you can introduce broad beans into his diet offering them as a prize or reward.
• If, on the contrary, your dog habitually consumes a homemade ration, you can opt for include broad beans as one more ingredient in your daily ration. In this case, you must combine the beans with other raw materials that are a source of protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins and minerals, in order to achieve a balanced diet according to the needs of your dog. We talk about the percentages of each food group in this article: “What do dogs eat?”.

Regarding the preparation or cooking of broad beans for dogs, we have already seen that the best option is to offer them cooked or steamed. The cooking time can vary depending on the size of the broad bean, although in general 15 minutes is enough.

Whenever possible, you must choose to offer fresh beans, although out of season you can also use frozen or canned beans. In the latter case, it is important to make sure that the preserve does not contain any ingredient that is harmful to dogs (such as salt, spices, additives, etc.), as well as washing the beans with plenty of water before adding them.

In case you decide to offer the beans as a prize or reward, to be able to provide them once a week or every two weeks in an amount according to the size of your dog (about 3-5 beans in small dogs, 5-8 in medium dogs and 8-10 in large dogs).

In case you choose to include the beans in the daily rationthe amount It will depend on the energy and nutritional needs of your dog., which will vary fundamentally depending on your age and your daily activity. Of course, it must be a portion of homemade food, since it is not advisable to mix the beans with their feed. We talk about it in this post: “Is it good to combine feed with homemade food?”. To ensure that the ration is balanced and that the proportion of the different ingredients is optimal, it is recommended that you have the support of a veterinarian specializing in animal nutrition to help you design a ration according to the needs of your dog.

The main negative effect associated with the consumption of broad beans is the production of flatulence or excess gas in the intestine. For the rest, the contribution of this legume does not have to cause any harm to the health of dogs, as long as it is offered properly and in the recommended amount.

Although broad beans are good for dogs, there are certain situations in which their contribution can be counterproductive:

• Dogs with urate stones or chronic kidney disease.
• Dogs with allergies or food intolerances.
• Dogs with a digestive system especially sensitive to diet changes.

If you observe symptoms of kidney stones in your dog, an allergic reaction or any other unusual sign, do not hesitate to go to the veterinary center.

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