Are Beans Okay for Cats? A Vet-Approved Guide

Beans are a nutritious and protein-rich food that humans love to eat. But is it safe to share your beans with your feline friend? The short answer is – occasionally and in moderation. While beans can offer some nutritional benefits they also come with some risks for cats. This article provides a vet-approved guide to feeding beans to cats, including which types are safest proper preparation methods, nutritional value, and potential risks.

Can Cats Eat Beans?

Cats can eat small amounts of plain cooked beans on occasion. Beans contain protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals that may benefit cats. However, beans are not part of a cat’s natural carnivorous diet. Cats lack the digestive enzymes to properly break down the complex carbs and fiber found in plant-based foods.

Feeding beans frequently or in large quantities can lead to digestive upset in cats. Diarrhea, vomiting gas, and abdominal pain are common side effects. At most beans should be an occasional treat comprising no more than 10% of your cat’s diet.

It’s always best to check with your veterinarian before introducing new foods. Some cats may be more sensitive to beans than others, especially kittens, seniors, and cats with conditions like diabetes or gastrointestinal disease.

Benefits of Beans for Cats

In small amounts, beans may provide some nutritional value for cats:

• Protein: Beans contain moderate amounts of plant-based protein. But cats require animal-based protein from meat, fish, or eggs.

• Fiber: Beans have soluble and insoluble fiber. This can help regulate digestion. But too much fiber gives cats loose stools.

• Vitamins and minerals: Beans contain vitamins like folate, thiamine, and niacin. They also have minerals like iron, magnesium, and potassium. But cats need animal sources for bioavailable nutrition.

• Antioxidants: Beans contain healthful antioxidants. But the benefit for cats is likely negligible.

While beans offer some potential benefits, they are not an essential or required part of a cat’s diet. Any nutrients gained from beans can be more appropriately obtained from high-quality cat foods or occasional treats of animal origin.

Risks of Feeding Beans to Cats

Beans come with some risks and downsides for cats:

• Digestive upset: The carbohydrates, fiber, oligosaccharides, and lectins in beans may irritate a cat’s gastrointestinal tract, causing gas, diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain.

• Toxic risk: Some beans like kidney beans contain phytohemagglutinin, which is toxic to cats if undercooked.

• Weight gain: Beans are high calorie and could lead to obesity if overfed. Stick to occasional small portions.

• Allergies: While less common in cats than dogs, some cats may be allergic to the proteins in beans.

• Nutritional imbalances: Overfeeding beans could displace essential animal-based proteins and nutrients in a cat’s diet.

To reduce these risks, beans should only comprise a tiny portion of a cat’s diet. Always monitor your cat after introducing new foods like beans to watch for adverse reactions.

What Types of Beans Can Cats Eat?

Not all beans are safe for cats. Here is a breakdown of the bean varieties that are more cat-friendly versus those that should be avoided:

Safe Beans for Cats in Moderation:

• Black beans
• Pinto beans
• Kidney beans
• Cannellini beans
• Navy beans
• Lentils
• Green beans

Unsafe Beans for Cats:

• Undercooked kidney beans (contain toxic lectin)
• Baked beans (due to additives)
• Refried beans (due to fat/salt content)
• Cocoa beans (theobromine toxicity)
• Coffee beans (caffeine toxicity)
• Raw beans of any type (choking hazard)

Stick to plain varieties of beans with no added flavors, spices, salt, oils or other ingredients. Thoroughly cook beans to destroy lectins and other heat-sensitive toxins.

How to Feed Beans to Cats

If you wish to share beans with your cat occasionally, follow these preparation tips:

• Select a low-gas producing bean like black, pinto, or navy. Lentils are also gentler on digestion.

• Presoak dry beans in water for 12+ hours before cooking to reduce lectins and oligosaccharides.

• Rinse soaked beans and boil in fresh water for at least 30 minutes until very soft.

• Drain and rinse the beans well. Mash or puree to prevent choking.

• Cool beans before feeding. Do not add any salt, oil, spices, garlic, or onion.

• Mix a teaspoon or two of mashed beans into your cat’s regular meal.

• Start with tiny portions and increase slowly while monitoring for tolerance.

• Do not exceed 1-2 tablespoons of beans per 5 lbs of body weight.

Only share homemade plain bean purees. Never feed canned, pre-seasoned, or flavored bean products designed for humans. Monitor your cat for any signs of an upset stomach afterward and discontinue feeding beans if issues arise.

Are Beans a Good Treat for Cats?

Beans do not make an ideal regular treat for cats. While small portions of plain cooked beans are generally safe, they offer limited nutritional value. Cats thrive on a meat-based diet, not plant foods.

There are better options for nutritious cat treats, such as:

• Cooked chicken or fish
• Freeze-dried raw treats
• Meat or fish broths
• Meat baby food

Treats should comprise no more than 10% of your cat’s daily calories. If you wish to share beans only occasionally, stick to a teaspoon or two at a time. There are better sources of fiber and nutrients from cat foods and treats tailored to feline nutrition requirements. Monitor your cat’s weight and health when offering any people foods or treats.

Are Beans Bad for Cats?

Beans themselves are not necessarily “bad” for cats when fed properly in strict moderation. However, beans do come with some risks and are not an ideal part of a cat’s diet. At most, plain cooked beans can be an occasional snack but should not become a regular part of your cat’s meal plan.

It’s understandable to want to share tasty human foods with your pet. But cats have very different nutritional needs than humans. Feeding human food excessively can lead to weight gain, nutritional imbalances, and other health issues over time.

Talk to your vet about any new foods you want to introduce. They can help determine if and how human foods like beans may fit into your individual cat’s diet. Monitor your cat closely for signs of food intolerance anytime you offer people foods.

The Bottom Line

Beans can be fed to cats sparingly and occasionally as a treat. But they are not an essential or necessary part of a cat’s diet. At most, plain cooked beans should comprise no more than 10% of your cat’s total daily calories.

To play it safe, check with your vet before introducing beans. Monitor your cat closely when feeding beans and stop immediately if any digestive upset occurs. There are better options than beans for meeting your cat’s nutritional needs and providing healthy treats they will enjoy.