Refried beans are cooked and mashed beans often served as a side accompanying meal or rolled into a bean burrito.
The beans are usually boiled, then mashed into a paste, and fried or baked.
This meal is a traditional Mexican staple which has become popular in many American households; in fact, about 19.18 million Americans consume baked beans.
No doubt if you own a dog as a pet, chances are your dog might chew onto one of these, or you might feel like pampering your dog to some friendly human meal treat and thus feed its some.
This might get you to ask the questions: can dogs eat refried beans?
This article explores everything you should know about this human meal, letting you know if it is safe to feed it to your pooch.
Can Dogs Eat Refried Beans?
There are various legumes, and some are safe for dogs to consume while others are not.
Do refried beans fall into the safe category? Can dogs have refried beans?
Realistically, dogs can eat refried beans, but this doesn’t mean you should feed them to your dog.
As a responsible and caring dog owner, you shouldn’t feed it to your dog.
Refried beans are one of the most common processed beans available, but they contain a lot of preservatives that can be harmful to a dog’s health.
Also, they are a lot difficult for dogs to digest.
Are Refried Beans Good For Dogs?
Many assumed refried beans are just beans grounded into a smooth paste; however, there’s more to it.
Refried beans contain all kinds of flavors and spices to help give them an extra sweet taste.
These added spices include canola oil, cumin, chili powder, and garlic which are not beneficial to a dog’s health.
Also, refried beans contain sodium, and dogs do not need much sodium in their meal; otherwise, they may develop issues with their urinary and digestive system.
This is why they are not suitable for dogs.
Are Refried Beans Bad For Dogs?
Refried Beans in themselves are not harmful to a dog. The ingredients and spices mixed with it makes it unsafe for dogs to eat.
Garlic is toxic to dogs’ systems, as with cumin. Chili powder is too spicy, and dogs’ digestive systems are sensitive to spicy meals.
There’s also the issue of too much fat which can result in pancreatitis.
Are Beans Good For Dogs?
Refried Beans not being safe for your dog to eat doesn’t mean beans generally are not good for dogs’ consumption.
There are other types of beans you can add to your dog’s diet or serve as a treat. If anything, legumes, in general, offer many nutritional benefits to dogs.
They are a good source of carbohydrates and vitamins.
Here’s the nutritional value of legumes (179g)
| Nutritional Info | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 249 |
| Total Fats | 0.6g |
| Sodium | 11mg |
| Potassium | 1004mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 45g |
| Dietary Fiber | 11g |
| Sugars | 0.6g |
| Protein | 17g |
| Calcium | 12% |
| Iron | 37% |
Beans or legumes hold a lot of nutritional benefits to dogs, but you need to know the type of legumes safe for dogs to eat.
Beans dogs can eat includes:
- Kidney beans
- Pinto beans
- Soya beans
- Green beans
- Lentils
- Garbanzo beans
- Lima beans
- Butter beans
The fact that some beans are safe for dogs to eat does not mean you should feed them indiscreetly to your canines.
You should feed your mutt moderately as even excessive consumption of beans can result in digestive complications.
Beans not safe for dogs to eat include:
- Raw red kidney beans
- Baked beans
- Refried beans
- Chili beans
- Coffee beans
- Canned beans
- Fava beans
The Danger of Beans to Dogs
As mentioned earlier, some beans are safe for dogs consumption while others can be harmful.
Some of the detrimental effects from feeding large quantities or the wrong legumes to your dog are stated below:
- Loose Stool and Diarrhea: This is usually a result of dogs excessively consuming too many beans.
- Allergic Reaction to Beans: Although some kinds of beans are safe for dogs to eat, some dogs are nonetheless intolerant to beans.
The aftermath symptom of a dog being allergic to beans include lethargy, diarrhea, nausea/vomiting. If you suspect your dog is allergic to beans, it is best you don’t feed it.
- Gastrointestinal Discomfort: This is also a result of too much consumption of beans.
My Dog Ate Refried Beans; What Should I Do?
If your dog has unintentionally eaten refried beans, you should watch out for symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
If you notice any strange behavior or sign of pain, take them to the vet immediately.
However, it shouldn’t be a big deal if it is just a small bite of refried beans.
If you’re unsure of the quantity your dog has consumed, you should take your dog to the vet to be on the safe side.
FAQs
Are canned beans safe for dogs?
Beans should be fed to dogs moderately to avoid gas and constipation. Canned beans should not be fed to dogs as they contain preservatives and seasonings.
Can dogs eat bean burritos?
Dogs should not eat bean burritos. Beans burritos are are filled with ingredients that are toxic to dogs, even if they’re healthy for humans.
Can dogs eat Heinz beans?
No, your dog should not eat Heinz beans; they contain a considerable amount of sodium and sugar that is too much for a dog.
They can have a small quantity as there would be no harm in that, but it would be wise to avoid feeding it to them.
Are canned kidney beans good for dogs?
Canned beans are not exactly toxic to dogs. They won’t immediately make your pooch fall sick, but they’re not healthy for canines consumption.
They contain preservative, chemicals and sodium, which are not good for a dog’s digestive system.
Safely dried beans soaked and cooked will serve as a better alternative.
Can I give my dog canned black beans?
Yes, you can feed black beans to your dog but in a limited amount. It is best if you incorporate a small quantity of it in other food you give to them.
However, it would be best to stay clear of canned black beans or black beans cooked with spices or seasonings.
Can dogs have raw beans?
Not at all. Dogs should not be fed beans raw as they contain toxins harmful to their health.
It is best to soak beans in water for a long while or cook them before feeding them to your dog.
Final Thoughts
Refried beans or baked beans should never be fed to your furry friend.
The ingredients all mixed up in it are sensitive to a dog’s digestive system.
If you must feed beans to your dogs, there are other kinds that are safe for dogs to eat as long as they are fed moderately.
Do well to remember not to feed your dog raw or dried beans; at least have them soaked in water for a reasonable time before feeding to your dog, or have them cooked without adding seasoning, salt, and other spicy ingredients.
Also, it is worthy to note that before adding new food to your dog’s diet, you should seek a recommendation from a vet as some food deemed safe for dog consumption might not be safe for some particular dogs with certain illnesses.
E.g., feeding even the safe kind of legumes to a diabetic dog may result in further health complications.
Hopefully, you know better now than to feed refried beans to your dogs.
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Reference: Statista
