Can dogs eat yardlong beans? A yardlong bean is basically a Chinese green bean, also known as an asparagus bean due to how long it is. But are yardlong beans safe for dogs to eat?
The short answer is yes, yardlong beans are safe for dogs to eat. Just like green beans, they are a highly nutritious option as either a treat or a homecooked part of your dog’s daily meals.
As always, though, you must run any kind of addition to your dog’s diet by your veterinarian. Here is what you should know about why yardlong beans are an exceptionally healthy additive to your dog’s diet and “well-bean.”
How Are Yardlong Beans Good For Dogs?
Any form of green bean, in either raw or cooked form, is safe and nutritious for dogs.
They’re low in calories and fat, and it’s easy to set a few aside when you’re already making them for the rest of your family. Plus, they’re loaded with all the good stuff; cell-protecting and immune-boosting antioxidants, beta-carotene, vitamin C, B1, B2, and folate.
These nutrients are a great combination for fostering healthy red blood cell production that prevents our dogs from suffering things like anemia, with further protection against viral infection and cancer.
Now, your dog may, or may not, take to the taste of raw yardlong beans. But, even if they don’t, cooked yardlong beans are easy to incorporate into food, so they get the benefits while hardly noticing the taste.
It’s always important to feed your dog the right kind of cooked beans, though.
How Can I Safely Give Yardlong Beans To My Dog?
If you’re looking to incorporate yardlong beans as a snacking treat, on top of what you give them with high-quality dog food, moderation is important. Treats of any kind, healthy or not, should only comprise about ten percent of your dog’s diet.
Furthermore, yardlong beans are a fiber-rich food. Dietary fiber is great for dog digestion, but too much can lead to stomach upset and diarrhea.
Yardlong beans are easier digested by your dog when cooked; steamed, or boiled, without any kind of seasoning added. Under no circumstance should you give your dog any kind of green bean from a can. They’re loaded with additives that are not good for dogs.
Fresh yardlong beans, simply boiled or steamed, and cut into small pieces, are the best serving options. However, they can be eaten raw, as well. Just be more mindful about portions, and keep an eye on how well your dog digests raw yardlong beans.
All this being said, there is absolutely nothing toxic about the yardlong bean. It’s safe and easy on you with preparation, and it allows your dog to enjoy something the rest of your family does.
Have you tried incorporating yardlong beans into your dog’s diet? Do they like cooked beans better than raw? Let us know in the comments below.
