Can dogs eat broad beans? Some beans are safe for dogs to consume, just like the majority of human meals, but not all beans. One such instance is the broad bean, which has a substance called phytohemagglutinin (PHA) that, when consumed in sufficient quantities by dogs, may be toxic.
It is especially challenging to completely neutralise the PHA molecule when wide beans are cooked due to their relatively large size. Dogs will normally vomit the beans out, but if this happens frequently, contact your veterinarian.
Symptoms of Broad Bean Poisoning in Dogs
Your dog won’t likely get sick from eating one or two of these broad beans, but anything more could upset their stomachs. Your dog may begin to exhibit symptoms like vomiting, diarrhoea, and appetite loss. According to the rover, the compound phytohemagglutinin will cause the following symptoms in your dog:
- Abdominal pain
- Depression
- Diarrhoea
- Drooling
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
When looking for healthy treats for your dog, fruits like blackberries make a good choice, as long as you consult your vet first to make sure “are blackberries good for dogs.
Alternatives of Broad Beans for Your Dog
Strictly stick to these types of beans only if you want to integrate beans into your dog’s diet:
- Pinto beans
- Black beans
- Kidney beans
- Soybeans
- Garbanzo beans
- Green beans
- Butter beans
- Lima beans
- Lentils
There are many healthy and dog-safe vegetable options to consider instead of broad beans, like asparagus. Be sure to ask “can dogs eat raw asparagus” before adding it to their diet as well.
FAQs
Can dogs eat baked beans?
No, not at all. Despite the fact that baked beans have some health advantages for humans (mostly fibre, protein, and some nutrients), they also contain elements that are not good for dogs, such as sugar, maize starch, salt, and spices.
Can dogs eat canned beans?
No, dogs can’t eat canned beans. Canned beans contain large amounts of sodium and added preservatives that aren’t good for a dog’s digestive system.
Which beans are safe for dogs?
Dogs can safely consume several types of beans, including black beans, lima beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, garbanzo beans, navy beans, edamame, and soybeans. These beans are a good source of protein and fibre for dogs, as long as they are cooked and served without added spices, seasonings, or oils.
Which beans are toxic for dogs?
It is important to note that some types of beans can be toxic to dogs and should be avoided. Baked beans and canned beans, which often contain added ingredients like onions or garlic that can be harmful to dogs, should not be fed to them.
Additionally, coffee beans contain caffeine which can be toxic to dogs and can cause symptoms such as restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, muscle tremors, and seizures. Broad beans, also known as fava beans, can cause a condition called favism in some dogs, leading to anaemia, difficulty breathing, and other serious health issues.
Conclusion
So, can dogs eat broad beans? The answer is a big no! Broad beans should not be included in your dog’s diet, not be given as a treat also. To ensure the safety of your dog, it’s best to only feed them beans that have been approved by your veterinarian and to avoid giving them baked beans, canned beans, coffee beans, or broad beans.
If you want to treat your dog to something sweet, fruits like watermelon make a refreshing, healthier choice. But always be sure to check if any new foods are safe by asking your vet “can dogs eat watermelon” before feeding it to your pet
References:
- Corsato Alvarenga, I., Holt, D., & Aldrich, C. G. (2020, April 1). Evaluation of faba beans as an ingredient in dog diets: Apparent total tract digestibility of extruded diets with graded levels of dehulled faba beans (vicia faba L.) by dogs. Journal of animal science. Retrieved February 8, 2024, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7149548/
- Anne. (2023, February 7). Can dogs eat fava beans? Trident K9. Retrieved February 8, 2024, from https://www.tridentk9.org/can-dogs-eat-fava-beans/
- The Animal Health Foundation. (2019, November 18). The New No-Grain Ingredient Coming to Your Pet Food Aisle. Retrieved February 8, 2024, from https://www.animalhealthfoundation.org/blog/2019/11/the-new-no-grain-ingredient-coming-to-your-pet-food-aisle/
