Food safety
Can Dogs Eat Green Beans? Yes, if They're Plain
Yes, dogs can eat green beans, as long as they are plain. Fresh, frozen, steamed or boiled green beans with nothing added make a crunchy, low-calorie snack that many dogs enjoy. The problems come from how people usually serve them: canned beans loaded with salt, beans sauteed in butter and garlic, and the green bean casserole on the Thanksgiving table. Here is how to share them safely and how much to give.
By Matt GarnettUpdated November 13, 20264 min read2 sources
Why plain green beans are good for dogs
Green beans are not toxic to dogs, and the AKC describes them as safe in moderation, with plain raw or cooked beans providing vitamins, minerals and fiber. The ASPCA lists green beans among the vegetables you can share, cut into bite-size pieces and served without seasoning.
Because they are mostly water and fiber, green beans are filling and very low in calories, which is why they are a popular swap for richer treats. They are a snack, though, not a meal, and should not crowd out a complete dog food.
Green beans to avoid
Regular canned green beans are often high in salt, so choose a can labeled no salt added, or rinse and drain well, or use fresh or frozen instead. Skip beans cooked with butter, bacon, oil or seasoning, and never share beans prepared with garlic, garlic salt or onion, which can damage a dog's red blood cells.
Green bean casserole is a double problem: it is made with creamy soup, often contains onion, and is topped with fried onions. If your dog ate a serving of casserole or beans cooked with garlic or onion, call your vet, ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661; a fee may apply.
How to prepare green beans for your dog
Wash fresh beans, snap off the stem ends, and either serve them raw or steam or boil them plain until tender. Cut them into pieces about half an inch long for dogs under 20 lb, and one-inch pieces for bigger dogs, because long whole beans can be gulped and cause choking.
Frozen green beans straight from the bag make a cold, crunchy treat on a hot day. Lightly steamed beans are easier for older dogs with sore teeth to chew. Mixing a few chopped beans into your dog's regular food adds volume without many extra calories.
Spreading a few safe pieces across a snuffle mat or packing them into a puzzle toy turns a small treat into a few minutes of sniffing work.
How many green beans by dog weight
Keep green beans inside the 10 percent treat allowance. A dog under 20 lb can have two or three beans cut into pieces, a dog of 20 to 50 lb about a small handful, and a dog over 50 lb a quarter to half a cup of chopped beans.
More is not better. Large amounts of fiber can cause gas and loose stool. If your vet has suggested replacing part of a meal with green beans to help with weight, follow your vet's guidance on amounts, since a diet built mostly on beans can leave a dog short of protein and other nutrients.
Puppies and green beans
Puppies can have green beans once they are eating solid food. Start with one or two small cooked pieces, which are softer than raw and easier for puppy teeth, and check the stool the next day before offering more.
A puppy needs most of its calories from a complete puppy food, so keep green beans as a tiny occasional extra or a chewy training reward. A frozen bean can also soothe a teething puppy, as long as it is short enough not to be swallowed whole.
Signs green beans disagreed with your dog
Too many green beans usually cause gas, a rumbling stomach or loose stool within a few hours to a day. These signs normally settle quickly once you cut back. Rarely, a dog may have a food sensitivity and develop vomiting or itchy skin after a new food.
Call your vet the same day if vomiting is repeated, your dog seems painful or bloated, refuses food, or has bloody diarrhea. Choking, gagging or trouble breathing after eating a whole bean needs an emergency clinic now.
This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.
Common questions
Can dogs eat canned green beans?
Yes, if they are plain and low in salt. Choose cans labeled no salt added, or drain and rinse regular canned beans to remove some of the sodium. Avoid canned beans with seasoning, butter sauce or onion.
Can dogs eat raw green beans?
Yes. Raw green beans are safe and crunchy, and many dogs enjoy them. Wash them, remove the stem end, and cut them into short pieces so they cannot be swallowed whole, especially by small dogs.
Can dogs eat green bean casserole?
No. Green bean casserole usually contains creamy soup, salt and onion, and is topped with fried onions, which are toxic to dogs. Set aside a few plain beans for your dog before the casserole is assembled.
Can dogs eat frozen green beans?
Yes. Plain frozen green beans with no sauce or seasoning are a good cold treat. Cut them short for small dogs, and let them soften slightly first for seniors or dogs with dental problems.
Can dogs eat green beans every day?
A few plain green beans every day is fine for most dogs as long as they stay inside the treat allowance. If your dog gets gassy or has loose stool, cut back to a few times a week.
Sources we checked
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell or injured, contact your veterinarian.
