Can Dogs Eat Refried Beans? No, Here's Why

Why refried beans are a bad choice for dogs

Refried beans are cooked, mashed beans, usually pinto, fried in lard or oil and then seasoned. Plain cooked beans are one thing, but the refried version is built around the extras: onion, garlic, salt, spices and a good deal of fat. Canned and restaurant versions are especially likely to contain several of these at once, and the label rarely tells you how much.

That is why refried beans belong on the avoid list even though beans themselves are not the problem. The risk comes from the seasonings and the fat, and it grows as the portion gets bigger relative to your dog's size. If you are unsure what is in a particular batch, treat it as unsafe and keep it out of reach.

The onion and garlic problem

The ASPCA lists onions, garlic and chives, all members of the Allium family, as foods to avoid because they can cause stomach irritation and damage red blood cells, which can lead to anemia. The Merck Veterinary Manual adds that raw, cooked and concentrated forms can all cause poisoning, and that chopping, cooking or chewing releases the toxic compounds, so cooking does not make them safe. Dehydrated flakes and powders, which show up in many seasoning mixes, are the forms most associated with toxicity.

The tricky part is timing. The Merck manual explains that signs usually do not appear until significant red blood cell damage has occurred, often a few days after the meal. Watch for lethargy, weakness, reduced appetite, fast breathing, pale or yellowish gums and eyes, and dark urine. A dog that seems fine on the day can still need treatment, which is why a phone call to your vet is worth making the same day.

Salt, fat and other ingredients

Even a version with no onion or garlic is not a good choice. The ASPCA notes that too much salt can cause excessive thirst and urination, and in larger amounts vomiting, diarrhea, tremors and seizures. It also warns that fatty foods can cause vomiting and diarrhea and may trigger pancreatitis. Refried beans are often made with lard or generous amounts of oil and a lot of salt.

Many refried bean dishes also come mixed with cheese, hot sauce, chili powder or sour cream, or served with tortilla chips. Spicy ingredients can irritate the stomach, and dairy can upset dogs that do not digest it well. Check the full ingredient list, including anything the beans were served with, before deciding how worried to be.

What to do if your dog ate refried beans

Take away whatever is left and note what your dog ate, how much and when, and keep the can or restaurant details. Call your vet, or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 (a consultation fee may apply). Do not make your dog vomit unless a professional tells you to.

See a vet the same day if your dog ate a large amount, any amount of a recipe you know contained onion or garlic, or if your dog is small. Go to an emergency vet immediately if you see repeated vomiting, collapse, trouble breathing, pale gums or severe weakness. Because the effects of onion and garlic can be delayed, keep watching for several days even if your dog seems normal at first.

Plain beans and safer swaps

Plain, fully cooked beans with no salt, oil or seasoning are a different question, and our pages on plain beans and black beans explain how small a serving should be. Cooked green beans are a simple vegetable snack served plain, cut into bite-size pieces.

If you want to share a mealtime, give your dog something designed for the job. Small, soft dog training treats work for rewards, and a dog puzzle feeder keeps a dog busy while you eat. Keep any bean dishes, taco night leftovers and takeout containers where your dog cannot reach them.

Puppies, small dogs and when to call your vet

Puppies and small dogs reach a harmful intake from far less food, so refried beans are a bigger concern for them than for a large adult. If a puppy or toy-breed dog eats any, call your vet promptly rather than waiting to see what happens. Dogs with a history of pancreatitis, stomach trouble or anemia should be treated as higher risk.

Call your vet for vomiting, diarrhea, belly pain, lethargy, pale gums or dark urine at any point after your dog eats refried beans. Your vet is the right person to decide whether your dog needs monitoring, blood tests or treatment.

This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.