There are several dogs that love eating their vegetables. As a Pug parent, you should know which vegetables are safe for Pugs and the types of foods Pug like to eat. So can Pugs eat green beans? Well, let’s find out everything you need to know.
Can Pugs Eat Green Beans?
The short answer is “Yes” Pugs can eat green beans. This vegetable is packed with health properties such as magnesium, vitamins, and fiber that are known to be beneficial to your dog’s physical health.
They can make a great treat, snack or even a part of their overall diet.
*This page contains affiliate links to products I recommend. If you purchase something from this page, I may receive a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you.
Are There Any Benefits To Feeding Green Beans To Pugs?
You may have heard about the Green Bean Diet for dogs, which is known to help dogs lose weight.
Many pet owners have realized the nutritional benefits of feeding green beans to their four-legged friends.
Let’s take a closer look at why green beans are beneficial for Pugs.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that aids in the activation of your dog’s blood clotting capabilities. In addition, it is crucial in the strengthening of your dog’s bones, teeth, and other biological processes.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an important antioxidant that helps protect your pooch from harmful free radicals. It is also known to help reduce inflammation and cognitive aging.
Vitamin A
This vitamin is an essential fat-soluble vitamin that helps support vision, bone growth, reproduction, and immune response in dogs.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 Fatty Acids have a wide range of positive effects on your dog’s health from reducing inflammation, strengthening of the immune system, brain development in puppies, and heart health benefits.
Calcium
Calcium is a vital mineral for supporting strong teeth and bones, building muscle, and helping their blood clot properly.
Protein
Protein plays a vital role in your dog’s overall diet. This nutrient has several roles in a canine’s health from building and repairing muscles and other body tissues, and it contributes to healthy hair and skin.
In general, this vegetable is an excellent source of nutrients that can have several positive benefits for both you and your pooch!
Fun Green Bean Facts
Fresh green beans contain a small amount of toxicity called metabolites. This toxic is produced by plants to protect themselves from bacteria, insects, fungi, and other predators. Don’t worry, you won’t die from eating it.
There are two types of green beans and they are bush and pole.
Green beans are the third most popular vegetable grown in backyard gardens after peppers and tomatoes.
This vegetable grows quickly and only requires 45 days from planting to harvesting.
This healthy veggie contains nutrients that help prevent cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes.
Nutritional Facts
One standard cup of raw green beans:
- Zinc: 0.24 mg
- Calcium: 37 mg
- Phosphorous: 38 mg
- Iron: 1.03 mg
- Potassium: 211 mg
- Magnesium: 25 mg
Are Green Beans Safe For Pugs?
This veggie is low in calories and contains several nutrients and vitamins that are beneficial for your pooch.
Digestive Problems Can Be Common
The most important thing to remember is moderation. If your Pug eats too many green beans they may experience an upset tummy and flatulence, which is a result of too much fiber.
If you’re new to feeding your Pug green beans, start off slow and always monitor your dog for any adverse reactions.
What Types of Green Beans Can Pugs Eat
If you love cooking then you know that green beans can be purchased and cooked in several different ways. Let’s take a look at what types of green beans are safe for your pet.
Cooked
Yes, you can saute, boil, bake, or steam the beans. Cooked green beans are okay to feed to your Pug as long as you don’t add any spices or flavors.
In fact, many commercial dog foods contain cooked green beans, because they contain essential minerals for overall health.
Raw or Frozen
Yes, Pugs can eat raw or frozen green beans. You can cut them up in small pieces and mix them in with your dog’s regular dog food.
That being said, cooked green beans are better as cooking them helps destroy the lechitins, which is a harmful protein in some beans like kidney beans. Plus cooking them will make the veggie soft and more more edible.
Canned
Avoid feeding your dog canned vegetables of any kind as they contain added salt and preservatives that contain no nutritional benefit for your pooch.
If you opt for canned green beans, make sure they do not contain any sodium or other additives that can be toxic to your pooch.
How Can I Feed My Pug Green Beans?
There are a few ways to introduce your Pug to vegetables. Below are some fun and not so fun ways to add them to your dog’s diet.
Interactive Toy
Pugs have a tendency to eat fast, so why not make them work for the toy. After all, it will slow down their eating and help them burn calories while working to get their treat.
You can place 1-2 pieces of bite-size green beans inside of this Dogzilla Knobby Treat Ball and let them do the work of getting to the toy.
Adding It To Their Food
Cut up small bite-size pieces and add it directly to their regular dog food. This works great if your dog doesn’t necessarily like the taste of the vegetable but you want to get the benefits and they can stand to lose some weight.
After all, green beans are known to make your dog feel fuller which can lead to weight loss over time.
Training
Pugs can be stubborn and are more likely to learn quicker when there are treats involved. You can use small pieces of green beans instead of regular dog treats that may contain more calories.
Just make sure to cut them into small bite-size pieces so your puppy doesn’t choke.
How Much What Should You Feed A Pug?
The answer will vary from person to person. One of the things to remember is that your dog’s snacks or treats should NEVER consume more than 10% of your dog’s regular diet.
If you’ve never fed your Pug vegetables you may want to consult with your vet before adding it to their diet.
Alternatives To Green Beans For Pugs
Even though Pugs love to eat, some may or may not like the taste of green beans.
If you have children who hate eating their green beans and do anything to avoid eating it, you’ll understand why your pup doesn’t care for them either.
The great thing is there are other healthy veggies you can give to your Pug. I have no doubt that your dog won’t mind eating some of these others that will benefit them as well.
Final Word On Feeding Pugs Green Beans
Pugs can safely eat green beans and they have tons of nutritional benefits for your pup. Just make sure you’re feeding your Pug limited quantities to avoid any digestive issues.
You will definitely be happy with the added energy and weight loss your Pug experiences from adding green beans to their diet.
Just remember a healthy diet only works if it is used in moderation accompanied by regular physical activity!
References and Further Reading
Dr. Axe – Rebekah Edwards – Green Beans Nutrition Helps You Fight Cancer And Improve Digestion
Centre for Food Safety – Natural Toxins in Food Plants
Pub Med – The Function and Metabolism of Vitamin K
NCBI NLB – Safety Evaluation of Vitamin A In Growing Dogs