Can Dogs Eat Green Beans?

Green beans are tasty, crunchy, healthy, low in calories, and rich in nutrients—and dogs can eat them safely! What’s even better is that dogs can eat almost any type of green bean out there! And as the cherry on top—dogs seem to adore them.

Green beans are popular in my house only when cooked with cream, but I must admit I love ordering grilled green beans with sea salt and hot honey when I dine out! Oh, how amazing that tastes.

I rarely share green beans with my dog (as we only make them cooked with heavy cream, tomato sauce, and some garlic), but I learned a lot about green beans on my journey to becoming a certified dog nutritionist, so I can tell you all about it!

Are green beans good for dogs?

I have already written that zucchini is the best vegetable for dogs, followed by carrots. Then, in third place, we have green beans, followed by tasty but gassy broccoli, cauliflower, artichokes, and collard greens!

Every time I write about how something is good for dogs, I want to remind you that most research and clinical studies often don’t fully support these claims. In a way, there is no clear difference whether you give your dog legumes or other healthy superfoods, but all studies confirm that, when combined with regular dog food, vegetables are great for your dog’s diet.

Now that you know not to overdo it, you’d be happy to learn that green beans are absolutely good for dogs. They are low in calories, which means you can give them more often, and rich in vitamins A, C, and K. They add fiber to your dog’s diet that can support healthy digestion!

Are green beans safe for dogs?

Snap beans, green beans, or string beans, however you call them, are absolutely safe for dogs! But as with any fiber, you have to be careful not to overdo it.

While dogs do need fiber in their diet, they are built very differently from us and can’t handle large amounts without ending up with gas, bloating, or diarrhea.

Now, the way you prepare green beans is important, so let’s dig into some popular options to see whether you can share them or not!

Can dogs eat canned green beans?

Canned green beans in brine are usually okay unless they have too much sodium. Try to buy the low-sodium versions or rinse them under water before sharing them with your dog.

Some preservatives and additives are not very popular, but I never found scientific evidence to support the claim that canned green beans have any sort of harmful ingredients. Also, nothing bad can happen if your dog eats canned green beans, unlike canned and fermented bok choy, which turned out to be dangerous to dogs!

Can dogs eat raw (fresh) green beans?

Yes! Raw, fresh, uncooked green beans are great for dogs as a crunchy snack! They love them and often enjoy them with their homecooked protein (like chicken or turkey).

Can dogs eat frozen green beans?

Yes, dogs can eat frozen green beans, but it’s best to limit them to a few pieces as a frozen treat. Too much fiber, and especially frozen, can cause diarrhea.

How to safely feed green beans to your dog

As I mentioned earlier, all types of green beans are safe—raw, frozen, cooked, grilled, baked, even canned—but only if they’re not seasoned with salt, onion, or garlic powder, or dressings that can irritate your dog’s stomach.

None of these spices or seasonings will be toxic in small amounts, so if your dog happens to eat some of your green beans, don’t worry about the seasonings. But remember, you should never deliberately give your dog seasoned dishes!

I’m sure you’ve had this happen before when your dog steals food, but it’s important to teach them not to eat from your plate while you’re eating, not to rummage through the trash, and to keep their paws out of the garden. Now, I’m not exactly sure how you grow green beans or if dogs can eat raw green beans straight from the garden, but as long as you’re not using harsh pesticides, your dog should be fine.

The role of fiber in your dog’s diet and how green beans fit in

Fiber is pretty important when it comes to your dog’s diet. It helps keep their digestive system in good shape and can even help with weight control. Most adult dogs do well with 2.5% to 4.5% fiber in their diet, but some “diet” foods have a bit more to help dogs feel full without packing on the calories. Fiber can also help manage high blood sugar and support healthy bowel function. But too much fiber isn’t a good thing—it can lead to loose stools, frequent bathroom trips, and even make their food less appealing.

How much green beans can a dog eat?

Now, when it comes to green beans, which are naturally high in fiber, a little goes a long way. For small dogs, about 1-2 tablespoons of green beans a day is plenty, and for larger dogs, up to 1/4 cup should be enough. A few times a week is a good balance. Just keep an eye on your dog—too much fiber can cause some tummy trouble, so adjust as needed based on how they handle it.

It’s Thanksgiving time! Can dogs eat green bean casserole?

Oh, they wish, but green bean casserole is not really something we should share with our dogs! While a small bite won’t hurt, and there are worse Thanksgiving table scraps we can give our dogs, green bean casserole is still a bit heavy for their stomachs.

The main reason I don’t recommend it is the onions! Other ingredients like mushroom soup, milk, soy sauce, and ground black pepper can be okay in tiny amounts, but onions can be potentially dangerous.

As always, it takes a large amount of onions to reach toxicity, but if there’s a compound effect of dogs eating onions being bad for them, you’re putting them at an unnecessary risk. So, if you pull a couple of green beans from the casserole and share, it’s okay, but don’t give them leftovers!

Green beans are one of the most popular veggie snacks I see in dog treats. There’s even the infamous green bean diet, which is a horrible idea, and you should never do something like that to your dog (replacing 50% of their food with canned green beans!). But as a healthy treat, frozen snack, or an addition to dog food, green beans are an excellent idea!

Love, life, and fur forever!

FAQs

How much green beans can I give my dog?

You can give your dog a few green beans as a snack or mix them in with their regular food. Start small—a handful or a few pieces, depending on how big your dog is.

Are green beans a laxative for dogs?

Not really, but since green beans are packed with fiber, they can help keep things moving and improve digestion. If your dog’s constipated, adding some green beans could help. Just be careful not to give too much because they’ll end up with diarrhea.

What happens if a dog eats too many green beans?

They might end up with some tummy troubles like gas, bloating, or diarrhea. Green beans are healthy, but too much fiber all at once can be rough on their system. If that happens, just cut back on the green beans and give their stomach some time to settle.