You are eating beans for breakfast; when you look up, you see your cat begging you to give a spoonful of your food. It might come to your mind – does my cat like beans? Or can cats eat beans?
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Can Cats Eat Beans?
Yes, cats can eat beans in moderation. But it depends on the type of the bean and your cat. You can give her beans as an occasional snack. But ensure that you have all the facts before feeding your cat beans.
Not all beans are fine for cats to eat. Baked beans contain xylitol as a sweetener which can cause vomiting and pancreatitis in most felines on average. They also aid indigestion.
The first question that comes to every cat owner’s mind is – are beans dangerous for my cat? No, beans are not dangerous for cats; they have no toxic elements in them. But they can cause your cat to have an upset stomach.
Your feline is strictly a carnivore; you shouldn’t make beans the staple food in her diet. She can eat beans but in small portions. Your cat will have health issues if she is not used to assimilating such food, and you replace beans as the main diet. Some of these health complications are –
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Stomach pain
- Excess gas
- Intestinal discomfort
- Digestive stress
Beans don’t offer any nutritional benefits to cats; the number of beans you see in the cat food is fillers.
Can I Give My Cat Canned Beans?
No, you should avoid feeding your cat canned beans as it is very unhealthy for her diet and health. Canned beans have numerous spices that are only fit for human consumption. They also contain various kinds of additives to make them taste better. These additives are harmful to cats.
Canned beans contain extra salt in them for their preservation. Studies show salt is toxic for cats; a little bit of extra salt in their diet leads to various health problems such as –
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Excessive thirst
- Vomiting
- Decreased appetite
It can also cause coma and even death. So, you should steer away from giving your cat canned beans. If you think rinsing canned beans work – it doesn’t. The salt content is still too high for your cat.
That doesn’t mean you should completely take off the salt from your feline’s diet. Studies recommend cat foods should have 0.2% of salt. A light amount of sodium supports normal growth and development in cats.
How To Serve Beans to My Cat?
Start by giving your cat small amounts of beans, once a week is fine. Keep an eye out for any adverse effects.
Before giving your cat beans:
- Pre-soak them for a couple of hours and then boil for 30 minutes. The beans should be tender, and the flesh should fall off of them.
- Avoid adding any artificial seasonings or salt.
- Don’t throw away the liquid; it is rich in protein and starch.
You can incorporate vegetables like baked carrots, broccoli, and cucumbers with freshly cooked beans. Chop the vegetables into small cubes first to prevent the risk of choking. But, again, moderation is key.
Keep in mind that different beans have different boiling times. For example, kidney beans can be boiled in 10 minutes, while black beans take 60 minutes.
Can Cats Eat All Types of Beans?
No, cats cannot eat all kinds of beans. For example, avoid giving your kitty refried beans as they are rich in fats. Plus, they contain garlic and onion as spices which are very toxic to cats.
Coffee beans can also cause various symptoms like difficulty breathing and increased excitement. Though coffee beans don’t affect all cats, you should avoid them to be on the safe side.
Cocoa beans are unsafe for cats. In addition, chocolates contain theobromine (also present in coffee beans) that can cause seizures, tremors, abnormal heart rhythm, and even death.
Summary
So, to conclude, can cats eat beans? Yes, they can but only in moderation. If your cat can digest beans, you can slowly increase the amount. But you should avoid canned and baked beans. You should also remember certain key points while feeding your cat beans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can My Cat Eat Lima and Kidney Beans?
Your cat can eat Lima beans in small amounts, especially if they are cooked. However, the compound “Linamarin” can cause some difficulties; this complication is prevented if you boil the beans.
Kidney beans are also safe and very healthy for cats.
Can Cats Eat Pinto and Green Beans?
Pinto beans and green beans are healthy for a cat; both are safe to feed in small amounts.
Is it Safe for My Cat to Eat Black Beans?
Your cat can eat black beans. They contain iron, calcium, and phosphorus that help in building and maintaining bone structure. If your cat is suffering from heart disease, the fiber in the beans will reduce the cholesterol amount in her blood.
