Can Dogs Eat Green Beans?
Crunchy, filling and very low in calories, plain green beans are one of the best treats for a dog who needs to slim down. How to serve them, and the versions to skip.
On this page
Yes, dogs can eat green beans, and plain ones are among the best low-calorie treats you can give. The free Dog Toxic-Foods Checker lists plain green beans as Safe: “Low-calorie and filling — a good treat for weight-watching dogs.” The only rule is in the word plain: “no salt or seasoning.”
This page covers why green beans are so useful, how to serve them, and the canned and casserole versions to skip.
Why green beans are a smart treat
Green beans are mostly water and fiber, so they’re filling but very low in calories. That matters, because more than half of U.S. dogs are overweight or obese, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention’s clinic surveys. Swapping some biscuits for green bean pieces lets you keep rewarding your dog without adding much to the day’s total. The AKC also notes they bring vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, C and K, iron and magnesium, though for a dog on a complete diet those are a bonus.
How many green beans to give
The checker’s portion guide: a few pieces — a couple for a small dog, a small handful for a large one. “Low-calorie, a good weight-watcher’s treat.”
- Still count them. Treats of every kind should stay within about 10% of daily calories, the guideline AAHA uses. The free Dog Feeding Calculator gives your dog’s daily number.
- Build up slowly. A big serving of any vegetable can cause gas or loose stools.
- Cut them small for small dogs and fast eaters, so a whole bean can’t be inhaled.
Raw, cooked or frozen?
All three work, as long as nothing is added:
- Raw: crunchy and easy. Wash and trim the ends.
- Steamed or boiled: softer, good for older dogs or dogs with dental issues.
- Frozen: a cheap, cooling summer treat. A few frozen pieces in a bowl keep a dog busy for a while.
Whichever you choose, skip the salt, butter, oil, garlic and onion. Garlic and onion damage a dog’s red blood cells (onion and garlic).
The versions to skip
- Regular canned green beans: the AKC advises against them because of the added salt. If you use canned, pick “no salt added” and rinse.
- Green bean casserole: usually made with onion, cream soup and fried onion topping. Skip it, along with the other holiday sides (stuffing).
- Beans cooked in butter, bacon or garlic: fat and seasoning undo the point of a low-calorie treat.
- Pickled beans: salty and often made with garlic.
About the “green bean diet”
You may see the “green bean diet” suggested for overweight dogs: replacing part of each meal with green beans. Using green beans as treats is a great idea. Cutting your dog’s actual food that much, without a plan, can leave them short of protein and nutrients. If your dog needs to lose weight, ask your vet for a target weight and a safe rate of loss, and use green beans to make the plan easier to stick to.
More low-calorie crunch
Green beans pair well with other plain, low-calorie picks: carrots, cucumber and blueberries. The free food safety chart puts the whole Safe / Caution / Never list on the fridge, and the feeding portion chart helps keep the treat budget honest.
Frequently asked questions
- How many green beans can my dog eat?
- The site's Toxic-Foods Checker suggests a few pieces: a couple for a small dog, a small handful for a large one. Green beans are low in calories, so they're one of the more generous treats, but they still count toward the roughly 10% of daily calories that treats should stay under. A big serving of any vegetable can cause gas or loose stools, so add them gradually.
- Can dogs eat raw green beans?
- Yes. Raw, steamed, boiled and frozen green beans are all fine as long as they're plain. Raw and frozen beans are crunchier, which many dogs enjoy. Cut them into bite-size pieces for small dogs and for dogs that gulp, so a whole bean can't be a choking hazard.
- Are canned green beans okay for dogs?
- The AKC advises against regular canned green beans because of the added salt. If canned is all you have, choose a 'no salt added' can and rinse the beans before serving. Never use beans cooked with butter, garlic or onion, and skip green bean casserole altogether: it usually contains onion, cream soup and fried onion topping.
- Can I put my dog on a green bean diet to lose weight?
- Not on your own. The so-called green bean diet swaps part of a dog's food for green beans, but cutting a meal that much can leave a dog short of protein and nutrients. Using green beans as low-calorie treats instead of biscuits is a great idea; changing the main diet should be planned with your vet, who can set a target weight and a safe rate of loss.
Educational content only — not veterinary or professional behavior advice. Consult your vet, or a certified trainer or behaviorist, for your pet. Read the full disclaimer →