Can cats eat green beans? You may wonder if this food is appropriate for them after they spark up her curiosity.
They’re small, vibrant in color, and easy to chew on. What else could a cat want? Especially if she’s used to you sharing food with her.
These small beans belong to the Legume family and carry a surplus of health benefits with them. They have been used in cuisines all over the world because of their superpowers. However, we know that cats are built differently than humans, and that there are certain risks involved in feeding them human foods.
Being a cat parent, it’s hard to resist the soft meow coming from these greedy monsters. Still, a responsible owner will ask themselves “Can cats eat green beans?” before offering her some.
Are green beans healthy for cats?
These are known to be a powerhouse of nutrients for humans. Besides, they’re cheap and can be found in almost every store, frozen or fresh. They can be prepared in many ways, and enrich our everyday meals.
Green beans can be found in salads, casserole, or really anything else you can think of! Steamed or boiled they are perfectly safe for your pet to eat. This is only if you serve them plain without any seasonings and spices.
Felines are obligate carnivores, which means they must consume meat in order to thrive. Green beans, on the other hand, have a wide range of nutrients that can be beneficial.
If you must give your cat legumes, do it just once or twice a week. These should not be your cat’s primary source of nutrition even though cats can eat green beans.
Health benefits of green beans
These legumes are low in calories and contain many important nutrients that provide several health benefits. Green beans are filled with antioxidants, including vitamin C, flavonols, quercetin, and kaemferol.
These antioxidants are known for lowering the risks of certain conditions. They can reduce cell damage and help your cat live her best life.
1. Vitamins and minerals
Green beans are abundant in vitamin K and calcium. Felines need these nutrients on a daily basis, as they are necessary for keeping her strong and healthy.
They’re especially important for her bones and teeth, since they lower the risk of fractures. If you have an active furkid that’s jumping and climbing trees all day, these are extremely important for her.
Iron is a necessary mineral for red blood cells, which transport oxygen from the lungs to all other cells in a feline’s body. Lack of this supplement in their diet can lead to anemia, a condition marked by fatigue, weakness, and lightheadedness.
Green beans are a great complement to your cat’s immune system. Cats can and should eat green beans because they’re high in vitamin C, which aids in immune system support. This legume can help her meet the daily vitamin C requirements.
Another vitamin found in abundance in green beans is vitamin A. This vitamin deficiency could result in eyesight difficulties. Since cats are nocturnal animals we want to avoid these difficulties as much as possible.
Another useful nutrient these legumes contain is vitamin E, which has a role of an antioxidant. It prevents blood clots in arteries and has a close bond with vitamin K.
Other health supplements found in green beans include potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, and thiamine.
2. Loaded with protein
Proteins are the most important nutrient for cats’ bodies. It’s essential for your pet’s development, and if she doesn’t receive enough, she will have some consequences.
Animal-derived protein is the best for your feline friend. Other plant-based proteins may be good for your cat’s health, but they are not as effective as animal proteins.
Cats struggle to absorb all of the nutrients from plant-based proteins since their digestive systems aren’t built to break down plant materials. Animal protein, however, contains fatty acids, amino acids, and vitamins that aren’t found in plant sources.
However, green beans are still a great snack full of protein that you can incorporate into your pet’s diet.
3. High fiber content?
This green snack is packed with vitamin C and antioxidants and may aid with constipation relief. The dietary fiber in green beans will help your cat if she has digestive problems.
If your cat is overweight, this digestive stimulation could help her drop a few pounds. A small amount of these legumes weekly will fill her tummy due to the nutritional fiber they contain. Aside from that, it’s a low-calorie snack!
Fiber also aids in the control of cholesterol levels. High cholesterol levels can be a leading cause of heart disease. It also increases the risk of heart strokes. So, a cup of green beans daily can be beneficial to your furbaby.
Can cats eat raw green beans?
Yes, cats can eat raw green beans but may not be a fan of them. The texture of boiled green beans is often more enticing to our furry friends. Raw ones are harder to chew and digest. These could cause disturbances in your cat’s tummy!
Besides, if your pet’s gobbling down her food, these may be a potential choking hazard. Raw, plant-based foods could cause gastrointestinal upset that will result in diarrhea and vomiting.
This little, round food may seem unappealing to your pet. Since green beans aren’t a necessary element of your cat’s diet, that’s perfectly fine.
What about canned green beans?
Green beans in a can are cooked, mushy, and ready to eat. They are, on the other hand, off-limits to felines. The salt content of these canned legumes is significant, to say the least.
Sodium is toxic to your pet’s health. Excess levels of this mineral can lead to salt toxicity. These can result in vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst, and urination.
Sugar, in addition to salt, is commonly included in canned beans, and it should not be included in your cat’s diet. If you’re going to give your cat green beans, make sure you only put a few fresh ones in her wet food.
Possible drawbacks of cats eating green beans
Just like chickpeas, green beans are packed with nutrients, but can’t replace meat in any way.
Despite all of the vitamins and minerals listed above, you should introduce this snack only on a weekly basis. Your cat isn’t poisoned by these legumes, but she can’t digest plant-based foods adequately.
Constipation, diarrhea, and even vomiting are all symptoms of improper digestion in cats. If your cat can’t digest food, she won’t obtain any of the nutrients she needs.
So, while cats can eat green beans, they can’t digest them properly. Food that hasn’t been digested can cause digestive issues and nutrient loss.
Furthermore, too much dietary fiber can be harmful to your cat. Although it can aid with constipation, it can also be the cause of constipation if ingested in high amounts. Isn’t it ironic? Green beans include dietary fiber, which can induce diarrhea and stomach ache.
Also, green beans contain a certain amount of carbs. Carbohydrates, like fiber, aren’t a vital part of your cat’s diet. The enzymes required for carbohydrate digestion are in little supply in cats.
As a result, these nutrients can build up in her organism. Excess carbohydrates are deposited as fat, leading to obesity.
Cats are quick-moving creatures who don’t fare well with extra weight. It can also cause feline diabetes and have a bad impact on their joints.
Final words
Cooking the green beans without any additional spices is recommended. Cooked legumes, like lentils and green beans, are more easily consumed, swallowed, and digested by cats.
Seasonings like ginger, turmeric, and garlic are frequently used when preparing beans. While turmeric can be healthy to cats, garlic is extremely toxic to them, so make sure to stray away from these.
Keep an eye out for indicators of gastrointestinal issues such as abdominal pain, gas, bloating, and diarrhea. If any of these occur, make an appointment with your veterinarian right away.
The main point is that cats can eat green beans in moderation. A weekly snack can be beneficial to her health because of all the healthy nutrients they contain. Protein found in green beans, although plant-based, can be a great addition to her dish.
