Yes, dogs can eat black beans occasionally. Black beans are packed with essential nutrients, fiber, and vitamins that help the dog stay healthy. However, human food must not become their staple diet. Instead, these can be used as supplements or treats, which must not cross the 10% diet rule.
Table of Contents
What Are Black Beans?
Black beans are indigenous to Latin American cuisine. However, it is used worldwide as a part of their cuisine. It is packed with nutrients and vitamins. They are also several times referred to as a superfood. They have a juicy texture. They are small in size with a shiny outer layer and are also known as black turtle beans.
Are Black Beans Safe For Dogs?
Yes, black beans are safe for dogs. However, you must keep these essential points in mind before serving black turtle beans to them:
Seasoned black beans: Seasoned black beans are the worst foes of your dog. Dogs are intolerant to spices. They will have several health hazards with immediate effect if you serve your dog with black beans.
Raw black beans: Raw black beans are hard to digest. Therefore, you must not give your dog raw black beans. They may face internal injuries.
Canned black beans: Canned black beans are filled with preservatives, making them unhealthy for dogs.
Fava or broad beans: These beans contain the toxic phytohemagglutinin (PHA), lethal to dogs.
Note: Avoid beans if your dog is allergic or has a sensitive stomach.
Why Are Black Beans Good For Dogs?
Phytonutrients
Anthocyanins: Anthocyanins protect the heart, increase visual acuity, boost memory, and protect the brain from oxidative damage as they age. In addition, angiogenesis, the creation of abnormal blood vessels linked to tumor growth and cancer cell growth, is also inhibited by anthocyanins.
Anthocyanins can help prevent:
Cognitive issues
Cancer
Diabetes
Vision loss
Neurological issues
Heart disease
Reduces blood clotting
Lowers blood pressure
Decreases arterial blockage
Lowers stroke risks
Reduces inflammation
Obesity
Kaempferol: This soluble fiber decreases the chances of getting cancer.
Quercetin: Quercetin is a naturally occurring antioxidant that promotes the body’s natural anti-inflammatory activities and is especially good for promoting urinary tract health in dogs. Quercetin can also help with pet allergy problems.
Quercetin helps in preventing:
Arthritis
Cancer
Heart disease
Diabetes
Vitamins
Vitamin C: Vitamin C serves as a powerful antioxidant. It can help prevent inflammation and cognitive aging by scavenging damaging free radicals in the body. Although dogs’ livers can generate vitamin C on their own, supplementation may provide health advantages in some situations.
Vitamin K: Vitamin K is a fat-soluble substance required to coagulate proteins necessary for clotting blood. Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone), which is generated in plants and can be ingested through food or supplements, is the most common dietary source of Vitamin K.
B-Vitamins: B Vitamins are essential factors in dog food. B vitamins are responsible for excellent and healthy fur keeping the heart healthy, reducing and preventing skin problems, and helping metabolism and digestive health. In addition, b vitamins work well with the whole body functioning from brain development to the nervous system.
Vitamin B-6: Vitamin B6 is essential. Glucose production, red blood cells, central nervous function, hormone control, immunological response, niacin synthesis, and gene activation are all aided by this vitamin.
Minerals
Potassium: Potassium is an electrolyte essential for your dog’s health. It helps electrical charges in the heart and the proper functioning of nerves and muscles. If your dog lacks this vital mineral, you may notice that they are constantly fatigued, which is abnormal, or have no desire to eat.
Folate: Folate ensures fast cell development during puppyhood, adulthood, and pregnancy, regulates homocysteine levels in the blood and employs amino acids to construct new proteins. Vitamin B9 or folate has a role in regular blood production, immunological function, cell division, and tissue development.
Selenium: Selenium is a microelement necessary for the proper functioning of the metabolism. It is crucial in a dog’s body for various functions, including antioxidant activity, thyroid metabolism, DNA synthesis, and reproduction.
Iron: Iron is required to accomplish critical processes, including carrying oxygen throughout the body in the hemoglobin of red blood cells so that the cells can generate energy. Iron is also required for proper functioning of various enzymes in the body.
Magnesium: At the cellular level, magnesium is involved in energy generation. Magnesium is required to allow the passage of energy whenever your pet moves a muscle, has a heartbeat or does any other activity.
Antioxidants
Chronic inflammation, a hallmark of many complex health conditions in animals, is neutralized by antioxidants. Antioxidant intake may help with any chronic autoimmune illness.
Dietary fiber
Fiber is an excellent source of nutrients for a dog’s digestive system. The healthy bacteria usually found in your dog’s colon digest fiber into fatty acids. This fatty acid then aids in the recovery of the colon by preventing the expansion of any harmful bacteria.
Why Are Black Beans Bad For Dogs?
Black beans may have essential vitamins and minerals, but they may also cause harm to your dog. The reason why black beans are bad for your dog are:
Seasoned black beans: Seasoned black beans contain onion, garlic, chives, salt, peppercorn, whole spices, etc. These ingredients are toxic to dogs and may even be life-threatening. Onions, garlic, and chives are from the Allium family, which is deadly for your dog. The consequences of consuming seasoned black beans are:
Anemia
Gastrointestinal Issues
Vomiting
Bloody diarrhea
Weakness
Impair immune system
Seizures
Sleepiness
Lethargy
Indigestion
Abdominal pain
Irritated and pale gums
Drooling
Disorientation
Muscle tremors
Coma
Death
Canned black beans: Canned black beans have preservatives, salt, and other ingredients which might be harmful to your dog. The consequences of feeding canned black beans are:
Raw black beans: Raw black beans can be dangerous to dogs as they might choke, causing internal injuries such as:
Bleeding gums
Bleeding throat
Esophagus rupture
Kidney injury
Bloody diarrhea
Painful rectum
How Much Black Beans To Feed My Dog?
Remember, moderation is the key! Do not add black beans to your dog’s regular diet. They are not meant to be a part of your dog’s daily diet. You can provide them once every two weeks. If your dog has a gassy stomach, avoid fiber-based human food until (s)he recovers.
How To Serve Black Beans To My Dog?
Here are a few great methods which you can opt to serve your dog with black beans:
You must soak black beans overnight, drain the water the following day, and steam the beans. Then, you may mash the beans or shred them.
Mix the mashed black beans with their daily diet occasionally.
What If My Dog Ate Black Beans?
If your dog ate excess black beans accidentally, look for unusual symptoms. Here are some situations when black beans become a threat:
Did your dog consume black beans from your plate? Then check for symptoms like:
Diarrhea
Dehydration
Restlessness
Vomiting
Nausea
Note: It is due to the spice added.
Did your dog consume raw black beans? Then check for these symptoms:
Coughing
Trying to vomit
Bloodied gums
Stomach pain
Note: It is because the black bean got lodged in his esophagus or intestine.
If these are the issues, take your dog to the vet immediately. They will diagnose the problems, treat your dog, and provide medication and diet. Then, follow the same to let your dog recover soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are canned beans safe for dogs?
No, canned beans are not safe for dogs. They have preservatives, salt, and other ingredients which can be toxic to your dog.
Can dogs eat all kinds of beans?
Dogs generally eat pinto beans, kidney beans, black beans, navy beans, garbanzo beans, and soybeans.
Can puppies eat black beans?
It is best to provide your puppy with high-quality dog food prescribed by your vet. Your puppy’s gut is more vulnerable than a dog’s gut. Therefore, they can have health issues if introduced to human food from an early age.
Can dogs eat refried beans?
No, dogs should not eat refried beans. Refried beans are prepared with pinto beans or black beans. Both are safe for dogs, but ingredients such as onions, garlic, peppers, vegetable oils, and preservatives that are lethal for dogs are added to make them tastier. Hence, avoid feeding refried beans to your dog.
Final Thoughts
Coming to the foot of the article, we have learned that serving steamed and mashed black beans occasionally is suitable for dogs. However, raw, seasoned, canned black beans are toxic to dogs as they bring unwanted circumstances. Before adding black beans to the dog’s diet, consult your vet to ensure a healthy lifestyle for your pet.
