Having a dog as a pet not only means you have a best friend but also a protector and a loyal companion, who loves you unlike any other pet you might have had. At any age, dogs are sprightly creatures that require a good diet to stay their energetic and alert selves. And as their caretakers, it is our responsibility to make sure they get the best diet to thrive fully. Like any other dog owner, one would want to keep their pet as healthy as they can be and provide them with well-balanced and nutrient-rich foods that would help keep up their physical well-being.
Adding greens to your diet always sounds like a good idea but is it the same for your dog? When considering the type of diet that might be best suitable for your little pup, you might be curious if green beans can be added to their diet, and the answer is yes! Your dog can and should eat green beans as a part of its diet!
Green beans are full of all the essential nutrients your dog might need and not only are they healthy and beneficial, but they might also be something your dog loves to eat.
Why Are Green Beans Beneficial For Your Dog?
Green beans contain some of the most important nutrients your dog might need. While a normal diet might be enough for your dog, adding green beans as a treat may be more beneficial than you may think. Green beans contain calcium, iron, a healthy dose of fiber, and vitamins B6, C, and A, all very favorable for your dog’s life.
- Calcium: Green beans provide calcium that is necessary for your dog’s bones as it may help them be more energetic and maintain their muscle building and function.
- Fiber: Sustains the digestive system, making sure their delicate tummies are kept healthy.
- Iron: Helps in the formation of healthy red blood cells which helps them sustain their energy.
- Vitamin B6, C, and A: Help maintain an overall healthy and functioning physical well-being, from blood clotting to skin and muscles, these are necessary vitamins that your dog needs to live a healthy life.
While your dog might be able to get a lot of nutrients through its daily diet, adding green beans to its routine just adds to its health and sustenance.
What Is The Green Bean Diet And Why Your Dog Might Need It
You must want to spoil your little buddy every once in a while and reward them for their good behavior. Whenever the thought of treating your dog comes to mind, traditional dog treats are usually the first thing you would consider picking up. But you might want to go get some green beans instead.
Green beans are considered a healthy substitute for dog treats, as they are low in calories and dogs love them all the same. It’s a tasty and healthy snack your dog can munch on.
If you’re concerned about your dog being overweight, green beans might be the first thing your pet’s veterinarian might suggest. Substituting the traditional treats with these greens might be very helpful in keeping your dog’s weight stay at a healthy level.
The Green Bean diet is a popular dog diet that consists of replacing 10% of your dog’s traditional food with green beans and gradually increasing it up to 50%. The green bean diet has become popular recently as dog owners around the world are looking to make sure their dogs are kept healthy and have the best diet to lengthen their time with their beloved pets. It’s an ideal diet for your pet when you’re looking out for their physical well-being, especially if your dog is overweight and it’s a concern you might have. As dogs become overweight, their life span is significantly decreased. Obesity in dogs might lessen their life span by 2 years which is bad news for any dog owner as they want their beloved little buddy to be with them for as long as it’s possible.
How To Feed Green Beans To Your Dog
While we might like our beans cooked a certain way, that might not be suitable for your dog’s tummy. Lightly cooked green beans are the way to go when feeding your dog as they get rid of any lecithin proteins that might upset your dog’s tummy. Any added spices or oils might harm their digestive system, so it’s best to avoid those as well.
Raw canned beans can be hard for them to chew which can be helped by baking the green beans or sauteing them lightly. Make sure the green bean pieces are not too hard, too big, or cooked in oils or spices that might be harmful to your dog.
Pre-made green bean mixes are also available for dogs if that’s what might seem like a better option.
It is also important to see how your dog feels about eating green beans. Testing and checking with your beloved pet is the key to figuring out how they best like it. While some may enjoy it, some might not. It’s something you might have to see if it works for them or not, and if they do not take a liking to it, it is not necessary to force it on them.
Let us make a wild guess. You’re a dog parent and one way or another that is what led you to read this article. If that is the case, we’re glad to welcome you here! Always looking for better treats or meals is a trait that comes hand in hand with being a pet parent – especially to a dog. Whoever said love makes you do wonders, was right! The adoration and fondness you have for your four-legged friend will keep you on the go. At the end of the day, it deserves all the care in the world for being such a good boy, doesn’t it? Accordingly, you may have come across the perfect treat for your doggo.
Is it okay for my dog to eat green beans?
If we’re being truthful, most of the dog treats that are sold do not satisfy a large majority of dog owners. Undoubtedly, this is partly because of a psychological mindset that human foods are the healthiest i.e. vegetables, etc. At the same time, it can not be denied that some snacks your dog so loves are not the most beneficial. For this reason, you may resort to fruits and vegetables that are fit and appropriate for a dog. Green beans are without a doubt one of them.
You may feed your buff friend the vegetable goodness without any worry. They are harmless to both you as well as your dog. If anything, green beans will be a source of nourishment and make up for any deficiencies in its base diet. As a bonus point, you will be further relieved to know that green beans are amongst the top preferences of animal experts.
Are green beans healthy for my dog?
As you may have already realized, green beans are excellent sources of energy. If you’ve been trying to bring about a positive change in their dietary habits, this is where you should get started. We are certain, after having read till the end of this subheading you will be convinced that green beans are exactly what your dog needs. Don’t worry, we’re not going to hypnotize you…or are we? Just kidding! Let’s get into the middle of what green beans have to offer to your dog’s health.
Taste
First and foremost, green beans are ravishing in terms of taste. As a pet parent, you would be aware of the fact that the taste of food is the topmost priority of a dog. If it tastes delicious, nothing else matters. If it doesn’t taste delicious, nothing else matters! However, green beans pass the taste test successfully. They have a crunchy and buttery taste to them along with some sweetness making it a mixture of flavors. Raw green beans and cooked green beans may differ in taste.
Vitamins
Furthermore, it is no surprise that they are full of nutrients. A few of the minerals that they are abundant in include the following;
- Protein
- Calcium
- Iron
- A few prominent vitamins (A, C, B6, and K)
Having said that, if your dog is being fed a proper and sufficient diet, it will seldom require extra supplements. In such a case, whatever treatment it is fed will have little effect on its health. It may at the same time be comforting for you to know that your furry fellow is eating food that contains nutrients. However, if you are the parent of an elderly dog or one with a weaker immune system, additional health benefits are always a delight. Therefore, don’t shy away from adding a bowl of green beans to your dog’s food menu.
Calories and obesity in dogs
Green beans have received the recognition they have today primarily because of their calorie content. They barely contain any calories or fats for you to be concerned about the risk. Plenty of canine treats prepared in factories have a considerable content of calories. It is also important to be mindful that what might be minimal for you, maybe excessive for your dog. And trust us when we say, the last thing you want your dog to be is obese.
Obesity as a law arrives with plenty of other health risks, itself aside. A number of these handfuls of alarming unpleasant health complications include;
- High blood pressure,
- Vulnerability to cardiovascular diseases
- Osteoarthritis
- Susceptibility to some cancers as well.
Your canine friend may otherwise feel lethargic and exhausted due to obesity. Eventually, if the circumstance grows to be out of hand, obesity may even prove to be fatal. We understand that the mere thought of your beloved animal best friend is capable of shaking you to the very core.
Nonetheless, fret not! Green Beans are here to be your savior. If you are looking for ways you can help your dog drop some weight without being fed too little, you’ve come to the right food. Similarly, you can replace comparatively fattening treats in your dog’s diet with green beans. Along with this, incorporating exercise weekly in your four-legged friend’s routine will keep you on the right track.
What do I need to be careful about when feeding my dog green beans?
Like all other human foods and even some dog foods, green beans are not the best options for your dog in every form.
Most significantly, excess of everything is bad, is a motto all pet owners live by. Make sure it is applicable when it comes to green beans as well. They should be fed in moderation to your canine fellow. Green beans despite having a grand amount of health benefits are capable of not fulfilling your dog’s bodily needs. A base diet consisting of dog feed is an absolute necessity for your precious mate. Green beans should only be incorporated as a treat. No treat should be fed over repeated intervals of time. The treats altogether should make up 10 to 12% of your pet’s diet. Some vets often advise dog parents to set a green bean diet for their pets. This should strictly only be done on the pattern integrated by the expert.
Conclusion
Green beans are a relatively easy food to add to your dog’s diet that provides a lot of health benefits that you and your dog might be thankful for in the long run. They have no harmful side effects. Make sure other essential nutrients, like amino acids and protein, are also part of their daily intake. However, if your dog does not react well to green beans, it is important to take notice and avoid force-feeding it to them. They are not a necessary item to add to their daily intake and if any concerns arise, it is always a good idea to consult a veterinarian.