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I am so excited for you to learn the benefits of green beans for dogs. In addition, your doggo is going to love when you make these green beans for dogs. They are healthy, crunchy and make a perfect snack for both of you. Furthermore, this recipe is so easy to make and has a little more pizazz than plain green beans.
But, in case you didn’t know, your dog will also enjoy plain green beans! My sweet dog Bella has weight problems. Mostly, due to congestive heart failure. Yet, she also loves to eat and loves her peanut butter treats. So, plain green beans for dogs are my “go to” for a healthy alternative for weight loss.
My first reaction to using plain green beans as a treat for weight loss was yuk. Say I thought giving Bella a green bean instead of peanut butter for being good would be boring. Boy, was I wrong! She loves green beans so much, maybe even more than peanut butter. I just can’t believe it, so I try them out on her finicky brother, Edward. To my surprise, he loves them, too!.
But green beans for dogs that are just plain are dull, right? I’m now on a mission to find new ways to spice them up. However, before getting to the recipe, let’s look at the safety and benefits of green beans for dogs.
Green beans make a nutritious and delicious addition to many dogs’ diets. Low in calories and packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber, green beans can provide health benefits for your pup. When cooked properly and served safely, beans make a crunchy, versatile ingredient to mix into your dog’s meals.
Follow these simple steps to learn how to prepare green beans to enhance your dog’s diet.
Can Dogs Eat Green Beans?
Green beans are safe for most dogs to eat in moderation Many vets actually recommend adding green beans to dogs’ diets for several reasons
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They are low calorie, so they can aid in weight loss or maintenance
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They provide a boost of fiber to support digestion.
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They contain essential vitamins like A, C, and K.
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Their crunchy texture can help clean dogs’ teeth
Always check with your own vet before introducing new foods. But in general, plain green beans make a healthy supplemental food.
Choose Your Green Beans
When selecting green beans to cook for your dog, opt for plain, unseasoned varieties:
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Fresh: Buy fresh green beans in the produce section. Choose crisp, bright beans.
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Frozen: Use frozen beans, but check the package to ensure no ingredients like salt or garlic are added.
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Canned: Select canned green beans with no added sodium or preservatives. Rinse before serving.
Avoid beans cooked with any seasonings, oils, salt, or other flavorings meant for humans. Plain beans will provide the best nutrition for dogs.
Prep the Green Beans
Give the beans a rinse and chop into small pieces. Dogs may gulph down whole beans, creating a choking hazard. Cutting them into bite-sized bits allows for safer chewing.
For frozen beans, you can defrost first or cook directly frozen. Canned beans should be drained and rinsed before serving.
Cook the Green Beans
Green beans can be served raw or cooked. But cooking softens the crunchy vegetable to make it gentler on your dog’s digestive system. Here are some simple cooking methods:
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Boiling: In a pot of boiling water, add beans and cook for 5-7 minutes until tender. Drain and cool before serving.
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Steaming: In a steamer basket over simmering water, steam beans for 4-5 minutes until bright green and tender.
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Microwaving: In a microwave-safe bowl with 2 tablespoons water, microwave beans for 90 seconds or until warmed through.
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Dehydrating: Use a dehydrator or low oven to dehydrate raw beans into crunchy “chips”.
Always let cooked beans cool completely before serving to prevent mouth burns. Store any leftovers in the fridge for 2-3 days.
Mix Green Beans Into Your Dog’s Meals
Once cooked and cooled, green beans can be mixed into your dog’s regular food in a few different ways:
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Mash or puree beans and stir into kibble to add moisture.
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Combine whole beans with crunchy dry food for texture contrast.
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Top a serving of wet dog food with green beans.
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Stuff beans into a Kong or food puzzle toy for a healthy challenge.
Aim to limit bean portions to 10% or less of your dog’s total daily calories. Too many can cause digestive upset.
Use Beans for Low-Cal Treats
In addition to mixing into meals, cooked green beans make great low-calorie training treats. Here are some serving ideas:
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Freeze boiled beans in ice cube trays for popsicle treats.
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Dehydrate into crispy chips your dog will love.
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Stuff a Kong toy with mashed beans and freeze.
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Allow your dog to forage for scattered beans to keep them busy.
Since they are low in fat and calories, beans make a waistline-friendly snack.
Health Benefits of Green Beans for Dogs
Adding green beans to your dog’s diet provides a boost of important nutrients, including:
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Fiber – Helps regulate digestion and promote gut health.
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Vitamin K – Important for blood clotting and bone metabolism.
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Vitamin C – An antioxidant that supports immune health.
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Iron – Carries oxygen throughout the body in blood.
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Potassium – Necessary for fluid balance and nerve transmission.
So serve up this veggie to keep your dog feeling his best! Follow these tips for preparing green beans to add flavor, nutrition, and variety to your pup’s diet. Both you and your dog will love the benefits!
Are Green Beans for Dogs Safe?
Green beans themselves are not only safe for dogs, veterinarians also recommend them as a healthy treat. Chopped, steamed, raw, or canned — all types of green beans are safe for dogs to eat. But, only as long as they are plain. The key word is “plain”! Therefore, I learned to pay attention to what I was buying at the grocery store.
You see, some green beans are prepared with different ingredients that are less healthy and even dangerous. So let’s look at some preparation hazards to avoid:
- canned beans with added salt
- green beans cooked with spices
- green beans that were cooked with vegetables that are bad for you, like garlic and onions
- giving dogs big, whole green beans, which can cause them to choke
The Health Benefits of Green Beans for Dogs
Green beans are full of important vitamins and minerals, such as:
- protein
- iron
- calcium
- vitamin B6
- vitamins A, C, and K
Green beans are also full of fiber, potassium, and magnesium and are low in calories. Therefore, this can help dogs and humans feel full when they are dieting. Dogs thrive on antioxidant rich foods such as green beans.
I love making Bella and Edward greenie beanie hats because they are crunchy and only need two things to make them. Most of all, I get to snack right along with them. The two ingredients are both superfoods. The green beans are the star, but olive oil has its benefits, too. This antioxidant helps to give dogs more energy, improve their immune system, and reduce dry skin.
How To Cook Green Beans for Dogs
FAQ
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