Can Dogs Eat Green Beans? A Low-Calorie Diet Helper

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 17, 20263 min read

Green beans are the poster child for the dieting dog. They are crunchy, cheap, nutritious and almost calorie-free. Many vets suggest them for dogs that need to lose weight. But they are a helper, not a miracle.

Nutrition

Green beans contain fibre, vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin A, manganese and folate. They are very low in calories, around thirty-one per cup, and mostly water. The fibre helps dogs feel fuller. See fibre for dogs.

Green beans and weight loss

You can use green beans in two ways:

• Replace high-calorie treats. Offer a bean instead of a biscuit.
• Bulk up meals. Replace a small portion of kibble with green beans to increase volume with fewer calories.

Do not replace a large share of the diet with vegetables, because this can lead to protein and nutrient shortfalls. Work with your vet on a plan. See how to help an overweight dog lose weight.

Fresh, frozen or canned

• Fresh: Wash, trim the ends and serve raw or lightly steamed.
• Frozen: Plain frozen green beans are convenient, and many dogs enjoy them frozen as a crunchy snack. Avoid varieties in sauces.
• Canned: Choose no-salt-added, and rinse well. Regular canned beans contain high sodium. See salt poisoning in dogs.

How to prepare

1. Wash thoroughly.
2. Trim the stem ends.
3. Serve raw, steamed or boiled without seasoning.
4. Cut into small pieces for little dogs, since long beans can be a choking risk.

How much?

Plain green beans are low in calories, but too many can cause gas or loose stools. Start with one or two for a small dog and a small handful for a large dog, increasing gradually over days. Count them as part of the daily food when used as a meal filler.

What to avoid

• Green bean casserole with onion, cream sauces, salt and fried onions
• Beans cooked with bacon, garlic or butter
• Pickled green beans
• Seasoned or flavored canned beans

Other green vegetables

Other low-calorie options include cucumber and carrots. See cucumber for dogs and carrots for dogs.

Sensitive dogs

Some dogs get gas from fibre. Introduce slowly. If your dog has digestive disease, ask your vet before adding vegetables.

Raw beans

Other beans, such as raw kidney beans, are toxic. Only feed green (string) beans, not other bean varieties unless they are cooked and plain, and ask your vet first.

Green beans in homemade weight-loss meals

Some vets suggest replacing around ten percent of a dog's usual food with green beans by volume as a safe way to add bulk. This should be done only under veterinary advice, using a complete weight-management diet as the base. Keep watching body condition, because even a diet that works can stall, and portions may need adjusting every few weeks. See our body condition score chart.

Preparing in batches

Steam a large batch at the start of the week, cool it, and store it in the fridge for up to four days. Frozen green beans can be given straight from the freezer as a crunchy treat, but supervise small dogs and avoid very long pieces. Beans are best offered plain, with nothing added.

Green beans for dogs with other needs

Because green beans are low in calories and gentle on the stomach, they sometimes feature in diets for dogs with diabetes, where fibre helps smooth blood sugar, or for dogs recovering from stomach upset. In these cases, always follow the plan your vet has set rather than adding your own, since the whole diet has to be balanced. Do not give large amounts to puppies, who need calorie-dense food to grow properly.

The takeaway

Green beans are a safe, crunchy, low-calorie treat that can help with weight management. Serve them plain and use them wisely.

This article is general educational information, not veterinary advice. Every dog is different. If your dog is unwell, or you are unsure about a symptom, diet change or medication, contact your veterinarian.