This article was written because I wanted to know whether it’s okay for my Lab puppy Jake to eat beans. Here is what I found:
Yes! Labradors can eat beans – And as long as they’re well-cooked, Labradors can consume kidney beans, butter beans, green beans, runner beans, and any other type of bean. Beans are a great source of protein, fiber, minerals, and vitamins.
What Kind of Beans are good for my Labrador
Beans contain protein which helps build muscle mass. Also, they are high in fiber which keeps your dog full. But don’t get carried away. Beans are also high in calories and should only be fed to your furry friend as a treat. We looked at the most common beans – kidney bean, pinto bean, lima bean, etc. And found that all of them have similar nutritional content. They are low in fat but high in fiber, iron, and vitamins.
“The nutrition facts for 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of boiled kidney beans are:
- Calories: 127
- Water: 67%
- Protein: 8.7 grams
- Carbs: 22.8 grams
- Sugar: 0.3 grams
- Fiber: 6.4 grams
- Fat: 0.5 grams”
Source: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods/kidney-beans#nutrients
Can labradors eat kidney beans?
Yes, they can. As long as beans are well-cooked, dogs can consume kidney beans. Dogs love cooked kidney beans! However, raw kidney beans are dangerous for both dogs and people because they contain high levels of lectins. Lectin content is reduced when cooking beans, grains, legumes, etc., making them safer for both people and pets.
Can labradors eat butter beans?
Same as above. It is better to cook butter beans (or lima beans) thoroughly. Also, butter beans are pretty high in carbohydrates. That’s why we recommend that you feed your labrador butter beans only now and then.
read.. can Labrador eat Carrots
Can labradors eat green beans?
The name is a bit misleading. Those “green beans” are not beans but rather legumes. Your lab doesn’t care and will happily munch on them. Green beans are very high in nutrition, plus they are safe to eat raw or cooked.
rea.. can labradors eat chickpeas
Can labradors eat runner beans?
You’ll notice a pattern here. All beans (except the “green beans – who aren’t beans) need to be thoroughly cooked. Otherwise, the lectins will cause some trouble such as diarrhea and vomiting… No, thank you!
read.. can labradors eat edamame?
Are beans good for Labradors?
Yes. Absolutely. Thoroughly cooked (remember the lectins?), they are a great source of protein, fiber, minerals, and vitamins. So yes, it’s perfectly fine to give your Labrador a handful of beans once a week.
How many beans can I give my Lab?
To be clear, beans can never replace your dog’s regular diet! They’re only snacks and can be rewarded for extra good behavior or as a special treat. As a rule of thumb, snack treats and goodies shouldn’t make up more than 10% of your pups’ daily meal plan.
The guys over at Hungry Bark offer a custom meal plan for your dog. Check them out here: https://hungrybark.com/blogs/nutrition/custom-meal-plans-dogs
Keep in mind that if you decide to give your dog beans, make sure to cook them first.
Which beans are the best? You can use any beans, but we suggest using dried ones instead of canned ones. Canned beans tend to be high in sodium and sugar. Dried (pure) beans are much healthier. You can find them at health food stores and even Amazon.
read.. labs and tomatoes
Bean Nutrition
High in protein, carbohydrates, folate, and iron. Plus some vitamins and fiber. The nutritional value of beans is high!
You don’t believe me? Here are some stats from Harvard
- “On average, legumes contain about 20-25% protein by weight on a dry basis, which is 2-3 times more protein than wheat and rice. However, they tend to be low in the essential amino acid methionine, and sometimes tryptophan.
- Legumes are also a very good source of dietary fiber, which is important for maintaining healthy bowel function.
- The content of total carbohydrates, including complex carbohydrates, ranges from 65-72% by weight on a dry basis, of which 85% is composed of starch, while dietary fiber constitutes anywhere from 10-20% of the weight of dried legumes (1).”
Source: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/2015/11/16/ask-the-expert-legumes-and-resistant-starch/
Vitamins
Beans are packed with Vitamins B1 and B6, E, and K. A healthy snack for your canine friend.
Minerals
The most common minerals found in beans are magnesium, potassium, and zinc. Minerals are essential for building strong bones, healing wounds, and other stuff.
Iron! Iron is an essential mineral for many things, including weight loss, energy production, growth, development. Plus, it helps with the immune system and much more. As always – don’t forget to cook your beans thoroughly before giving them to your Labrador.
Sugar Content
There is a negligible amount of sugar in beans, plus beans are low on the glycemic index (GI) scale.
Source: University of California
High Protein
Beans are high in protein. Beans have a protein content of up to 25% by weight, much greater than other vegetable sources. So go for it!
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Fiber
Beans have an excellent type of fiber that helps regulate your dog’s stool and digestive system.
Fat
Extremely low-fat content in beans. About 1% of the total weight is fat, making them a very lean food source for dogs.
When cooking beans, remember the lectin factor! Lectins, which are natural chemicals found in beans, can cause
Summary
Labradors can eat beans, but they should be cooked thoroughly first. Beans are a good source of protein, fiber, minerals, and vitamins. They make a healthy snack for dogs and are packed with Vitamins B1 and B6, E, and K.
The most common minerals found in beans are magnesium, potassium, and zinc. Beans are also a very good source of dietary fiber, which is important for maintaining healthy bowel function.
