Can Dogs Eat Beans? Yes, in moderation: Safe Amount by Weight

In moderation

Yes, in moderation

most plain cooked beans are safe for dogs in small amounts, including black, kidney, pinto, lima and garbanzo beans. They provide fiber and protein. Avoid raw kidney beans, baked beans, chili beans and refried beans.

Beans for dogs at a glance

Can dogs eat it?	In moderation
Calories	About 14 kcal per 1 tablespoon cooked plain beans
Main benefit	Good source of fiber and plant protein
Main risk	Raw or undercooked kidney beans contain lectins that cause severe vomiting
Puppies?	In tiny amounts once on solid food; puppies have sensitive stomachs

How many beans can a dog eat?

Vets recommend keeping all treats under 10% of daily calories. One 1 tablespoon cooked plain beans has about 14 kcal. The chart shows the most a typical spayed or neutered adult dog could have in a day if beans were the only treat.

Dog weight	Daily treat budget	Max beans per day
10 lb (4.5 kg)	35 kcal	2 × 1 tablespoon cooked plain beans
20 lb (9.1 kg)	59 kcal	4 × 1 tablespoon cooked plain beans
40 lb (18.1 kg)	98 kcal	7 × 1 tablespoon cooked plain beans
60 lb (27.2 kg)	133 kcal	9.5 × 1 tablespoon cooked plain beans
80 lb (36.3 kg)	166 kcal	11 × 1 tablespoon cooked plain beans

Benefits and risks

Benefits

Good source of fiber and plant protein
Contain vitamins and minerals such as folate and potassium
Filling and low in fat

Risks

Raw or undercooked kidney beans contain lectins that cause severe vomiting
Baked, chili and refried beans contain sugar, salt, garlic and onion
Can cause gas and loose stool

How to feed beans to your dog

Use plain cooked or no-salt canned beans, rinsed
Mash or serve a spoonful mixed into food
Start small to avoid gas

What if my dog ate too much beans?

Eating more than the recommended amount usually causes nothing worse than an upset stomach: soft stool, gas or vomiting. Skip treats for the rest of the day, keep fresh water available and call your vet if vomiting or diarrhea lasts more than 24 hours or your dog seems unwell.

Planning treats? Check your dog's full daily needs with the dog food calculator or dog calorie calculator.

Beans and dogs: FAQ

Can dogs have beans?

Yes, most plain cooked beans are safe for dogs in small amounts, including black, kidney, pinto, lima and garbanzo beans. They provide fiber and protein. Avoid raw kidney beans, baked beans, chili beans and refried beans.

Can dogs eat baked beans?

No. Baked beans are high in sugar and salt and often contain onion or garlic.

Can dogs eat green beans?

Yes. Green beans are a great low-calorie treat for dogs.

Can puppies eat beans?

Yes, in very small amounts once they are eating solid food. Puppies have sensitive stomachs, so offer a tiny piece and stop if you see loose stool. Most of their calories should come from a complete puppy food.

More "can dogs eat" guides

Browse lists: human foods dogs can eat · foods dogs can't eat

Sources

This guide is general information for healthy adult dogs. Dogs with medical conditions (such as diabetes, pancreatitis, kidney disease or food allergies) may need different advice from their vet.

Can Dogs Eat Beans?