Pinto beans are a variety of common beans with spots, a creamy texture, and a mild, earthy flavor. Although several experts recommend homemade diets for dogs, you may wonder if pinto beans make the list of dog-friendly foods. Can dogs eat pinto beans?
Yes, dogs can and should eat well-prepared pinto beans in appropriate amounts. This legume is non-toxic to dogs and supplies several nutrients, such as vitamin B and calcium. One advantage of feeding your dogs this lentil is improved digestive function.
But of course, as with all meals which canines share with us, there are some noteworthy tips for safely feeding pinto beans to our furry friends. How do you safely prepare pinto beans for dogs? What amount is enough or too much? Why should you even bother feeding beans to your furry friend anyway? Not to worry, this article details the benefits of pinto beans for your canine friend. First, let’s start with why pinto beans are beneficial for dogs.
What Happens If Dogs Eat Pinto Beans?
The consequences dogs will face after eating pinto beans depend on the preparation of the beans, and the amount served. Pinto beans are not toxic to dogs. In fact, vets consider them to be great for dogs as a source of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Pinto beans are an excellent addition to a dog’s diet. But prepare these beans properly for your canine friend and serve them in moderation. This lentil possesses several beneficial nutrients, which can positively affect your canine’s well-being.
Do Pinto Beans Give Dogs Gas?
If your doggie eats too many pinto beans, the dog may experience digestive issues, such as flatulence and bloat.
As a good source of fiber, a dog’s gut will have to ferment these pinto beans in order to break them down during digestion. This results in the formation of gas as a by-product of digestion, and the more a dog has it, the high the amount of gas formed.
On the other hand, if adequately prepared and served in proper amounts, pinto beans will benefit your dog. Read on to learn the benefits of pinto beans.
How Can I Safely Prepare Pinto Beans For My Dog?
When preparing pinto beans for your furry friend, the idea is to make them as soft as possible and free of any spice.
Here is a step-by-step guide to safely preparing pinto beans for your canine friend.
- Wash the beans thoroughly in water to get rid of any possible preservatives.
- Soak your pinto beans in water overnight before cooking. Studies show that soaking lowers the raffinose content, reducing the chances of flatulence in your pup.
- Boil the beans for as long as possible, so they’re soft enough for your dog. Once the beans are mashable without needing considerable force, turn off the heat.
- Mash the beans and do not add any ingredients for taste. That’s right! No salt, onions, oil, or such things.
- Serve your dog as many tablespoons as recommended. Store the rest in a sealed bowl in the fridge for later.
Are Pinto Beans Healthy For Dogs?
Pinto beans pack lots of essential nutrients for dogs, so they’re beneficial to the dogs’ health in several ways.
Some benefits include cancer prevention, improved digestive health, and a supply of essential nutrients. Also, dogs will enjoy improved skin and coat health from eating these beans. Let’s examine these points in more detail.
Can Prevent Cancer
Pinto beans contain a high quantity of antioxidants, including polyphenols and flavonoids. The most notable among these flavonoids in the legume is kaempferol. Studies reveal that this flavonoid is highly effective in suppressing cancer growth and reducing inflammation.
Meanwhile, senior dogs would also benefit from eating pinto beans because this flavonoid helps reduce oxidative stress, which is more likely with aging.
Enhances Digestive Health
Pinto beans are high in indigestible carbohydrates, also known as fiber, which is good news for your canine friend. These roughages provide nutrition for the healthy bacteria in your dog’s gut, maintaining intestinal health.
Also, the fiber in Pinto beans could help dogs enhance their bowel movement by adding bulk to their stool. So, if your dog is dealing with constipation, this is one meal that could help alleviate the condition.
Improves Skin And Coat Health
Omega-3 and omega-6 acids are crucial for healthy skin and coats for dogs. Thankfully, pinto beans contain generous amounts of these fatty acids. Feeding pinto beans to your pooch helps prevent dry, itchy, and dull skin.
Loaded With Nutrients
You would be surprised at the nutritional information for these unique beans. The pinto bean offers generous amounts of nutrients essential to dogs, such as carbs, saturated fat, vitamins, phosphorus, iron, calcium, protein, and potassium.
Simply put, pinto beans offer a balanced diet with as many benefits as you could get from any single food product.
How Much Pinto Beans Can I Give My Dog?
The amount of pinto beans you should serve your canine friend depends on your dog’s size. Small dogs should not have more than two tablespoons at a time. Large dogs can have up to five tablespoons with their meal.
Generally, ensure the serving is not more than 10% of your dog’s weekly food intake. Avoid making the legume the main serving. It is best to give your pooch pinto beans as a treat or as an addition to the main meal.
Are Refried Pinto Beans Good For Dogs?
Refried pinto beans are not safe to feed to your dogs.
Refried pinto beans contain a generous quantity of spices and unhealthy fats. These include onions, garlic, salt, lard, and pepper. While these ingredients may not be sufficient in quantity to cause life-threatening conditions to your furry friend, their combined effect may be disastrous.
The disadvantages of eating refried beans outweigh the benefits your dog would receive. Moreover, dogs with allergies to one or more of these spices may need emergency medical attention.
Can Dogs Eat Mashed Pinto Beans?
Mashed pinto beans are best for dogs because they provide the most nutrients and reduce the chances of indigestion from a dog’s inadequate chewing.
A dog’s dentition would not allow them to chew the beans in the whole form as people can, which could lead to some digestive issues. As a precaution, mash beans before serving them to your furry friend.
Are Pinto Beans Toxic To Dogs?
Pinto beans are generally not toxic to dogs when cooked and served as recommended.
While pinto beans are naturally healthy, additional ingredients tip the balance in a negative direction. Avoid feeding canned pinto beans to your canine friend as they may contain unsafe or unhealthy ingredients.
Will Pinto Beans Make A Dog Sick?
Your dog may feel sick after consuming pinto beans if they eat more than the recommended amount for their size.
Too many pinto beans can cause gas to accumulate in your dog’s gut, causing inconvenient symptoms. Small-sized dogs would be most prone to this condition than large dogs.
Pinto beans are high in calories. Dogs with low activity levels may risk excessive weight gain if consistently eating these beans. Some exercise is essential to keep this side effect at bay.
The high fiber content of pinto beans can also negatively affect dogs, causing constipation if eating too many. Increasing your dog’s fluid intake may help prevent constipation.
Do Pinto Beans Give Dogs Gas?
One reservation about serving pinto beans to dogs is that beans may potentially cause gas. If dogs eat too much of this lentil, it can lead to the accumulation of much gas in the gut, causing flatulence.
The primary reason your canine is prone to gassiness after eating this legume is the presence of the carbohydrate raffinose in the bean’s outside coating.
Dogs find this carb type difficult to break down. So, the coating passes through to the colon, where the bacteria there digests it and releases gas during the fermentation process.
Gas is not life-threatening to your dog. Your Fido may feel better after letting out the gas. Drinking lots of water also helps your dog get through this phase quickly. But if you don’t want to deal with a gassy dog, reconsider serving beans.
What Beans Are Toxic To Dogs?
Some beans are toxic to dogs due to their natural composition and method of preparation. Toxic beans include:
- Baked beans contain sugar, tomatoes, onions, and garlic.
- Chili beans contain too many spices.
- Fava beans contain phytohemagglutinin (PHA), which may cause diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal discomfort.
- Refried beans contain toxic components after preparation.
- Canned beans contain high sodium and preservatives.
As a general guide, adding spices and other ingredients to beans automatically makes them unsafe for dogs to eat.
