No, dogs cannot eat refried beans as they come in a can. Canned beans are harmful to dogs as they contain preservatives. They also have canola oil, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, and chili powder. All of these ingredients are toxic for dogs and can lead to severe health issues. As a responsible dog parent, you must prefer healthy foods.

Table of Contents
What Are Refried Beans?
Refried bean is a Mexican dish, which is first boiled and then mashed. While the mashing procedure is done, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, cumin, cilantro, and lemon juice are added, along with preservatives. It is then fried or baked and then canned. For this recipe, pinto beans are commonly used.
Are Refried Beans Safe for Dogs?
Refried beans are toxic for dogs. In addition, the entire pack of refried beans is toxic due to the ingredients present in it.
The presence of sodium is too high for a dog to consume. If consumed, the dog will face severe consequences. Consuming garlic and onion powder, canola oil, chili powder, and the added preservatives will lead to chronic diarrhea, vomiting, and other health issues.
Why Are Refried Beans Bad for Dogs?
Refried beans are toxic to dogs due to the ingredients used to prepare them. Let us check out the elements and their downsides:
Canola oil: Canola has a high-fat content and is also processed to an extent where it can be compared with high fructose syrup.
The consequences of consuming canola oil can be:
- Obesity
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Dental issues
- Kidney issues
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Weight gain
Salt: The amount of salt present in refried beans is toxic for dogs. Excessive salt consumption can bring adverse effects in dogs. Salt poisoning is one of the most severe health conditions which dogs face.
The consequences of consuming salt are:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Disorientation
- Excessive thirst
- Frequent urination
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Coma
- Death, in severe cases
Cumin Powder: Cumin powder is not exactly toxic, but it triggers an upset stomach in small dogs, while for adult dogs, it is used to boost energy. However, there are downsides of cumin powder, which includes:
- Triggers gas
- Digestive issues
- Diarrhea
Garlic and Onion Powder: Garlic and onion powder are the two most toxic elements in most processed or canned food. These should not be fed to the dog as they are highly toxic. They are from the allium subspecies and has numerous downsides, which are:
- Damages red blood cell
- Lack of oxygen supply
- Organ failure
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Vomiting
- Bloody diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Drooling
- Mouth irritation
- Seizures
- Tremors
- Disorientation
- Increased heart rate
- Respiratory issues
- Anemia
- Kidney damage
- Collapse
- Death
Chili Powder: Spices are not recommended for dogs to eat. These cause various sorts of irritations like:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Throat and mouth irritation
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Pancreatitis
- Esophageal damage
- Intestinal damage
Lime Juice: Dogs naturally do not like the taste of lemon, as they are citrous. These are generally used as chew deterrent solutions. However, if your dog somehow consumes lemon, he would face the following consequences:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Added Preservative: There are tons of preservatives in the market, at least one of which you will get in canned products. These can severely affect your dog. Anything which is chemically added to canned products is harmful to dogs.
The consequences a dog may face if he consumed preservatives are:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Kidney issues
- Disorientations
- Weight gain or weight loss
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Pancreatitis
- Seizures
- Tremors
- Organ failure
How Much Refried Beans to Feed Your Dog?
Refried beans are harmful to dogs, and hence should never be given to dogs to eat. Offering your dogs refried beans can have serious health issues leading to death.
What If My Dog Ate Refried Beans?
If your dog accidentally consumes refried beans, then check with your veterinarian once he shows the symptoms:
- Disorientation
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Drooling
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal pain or swelling
- Behavioral changes
- Nausea
- Excessive thirst
The veterinarian will first diagnose the issue and then treat your dog according to the medical need. Follow the medication as prescribed by the vet.
Ensure your dog has enough access to drinking water. This will gradually help him improve.
Alternatives to Refried Beans
You can choose healthier food for your dog to keep him healthy. The alternatives to refried beans are:
- Bean sprouts
- Spring beans
- Kidney beans
- Black beans
- Pinto beans
- Butter beans
- Navy beans
- White beans
Frequently Asked Questions
Can dogs eat black beans?
Black beans are packed with vitamins, minerals. Let your dog have cooked and unseasoned black beans in moderation.
Can dogs eat kidney beans or red beans?
Yes, dogs can consume cooked and unseasoned kidney/red beans, as they contain antioxidants that are healthy to consume.
Do not feed raw kidney beans; they contain PHA, which might cause diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, abdominal pain, drooling, loss of appetite.
Can dogs eat pinto beans?
Yes, dogs can eat pinto beans in moderation. They are a good source of vitamins and minerals. In addition, it helps fight bacterial infections and other health issues. However, avoid feeding your dog with raw pinto beans.
Can dogs have fava beans?
Fava beans or broad beans pose a risk to a dog’s health as they contain PHA. Hence, your dog should not eat fava beans.
Can dogs eat butter beans?
Dogs with diabetes are highly benefited from butter or lima beans. Dogs with no medical issues too can eat butter beans.
Can dogs eat chili beans?
No, dogs cannot eat chili beans. This is because they contain the two most toxic elements, garlic, and onion powder, leading to various health issues in dogs.
Can dogs eat coffee beans?
Dogs cannot eat coffee beans as caffeine is toxic to dogs.
Can dogs eat navy beans?
Dogs can eat navy beans in moderation.
Can dogs eat white beans?
White beans are two types – cannellini beans and great northern beans. If both the beans are cooked at home without any seasoning, it is safe for dogs to eat.
Can dogs eat green beans?
Yes, dogs can eat green beans in moderation.
Can dogs eat baked beans?
Baked beans are toxic for dogs as they have high sugar content. Consuming excessive sugar from their regular diet leads to diabetes, obesity, dental issues, heart issues. Apart from the sugar content, they also have garlic and onion powder which is even more toxic to dogs. Hence, your dog should not eat baked beans.
Conclusion
Concluding whether your dog can eat refried beans or not, we can inarguably comprehend that it is toxic to dogs due to the presence of various poisonous ingredients. In addition, refried beans can cause multiple health issues ranging from drooling to death. Hence, as a loving and responsible pet parent, it is best to choose healthy alternatives like butter beans, green beans, black beans, et cetera. So, give a healthy and happy life to your dog!