Can dogs eat beans?

Why

Beans can cause gas and digestive discomfort if a dog eats too many or if they are not fully cooked. Some types of beans, like raw or undercooked kidney beans, contain toxins that can be harmful to dogs.

If you do feed it

• Serve only fully cooked, plain beans with no salt, garlic, onions, or spices.
• Start with a very small amount (e.g., a teaspoon for small dogs) to check for tolerance.
• Introduce beans slowly into the diet to prevent gas and bloating.
• Always rinse canned beans thoroughly to remove excess sodium and preservatives.

Watch out for

• Raw or undercooked beans which contain toxins
• Canned beans with added salt, garlic, or onion
• Baked beans with sugar, molasses, or spicy seasonings
• Bean sprouts or bean pods which can be hard to digest

Better choices