Updated: August 11, 2022 by Kristen Chapple
Green beans are a good source of proteins and we know that cats require a lot of proteins to have a healthy life. Since there are many different types of beans it is better to consider each on their own qualities and merits. So today we want to answer the question: can cats eat green beans? Many of the things discussed here apply to beans in general but let us focus on these primarily.
Nutritional Value
Beans have a lot of proteins as we already mentioned but the also have significant quantities of fiber, iron, magnesium, calcium and the vitamin B6. All of there are required by your cat and thus they can be used as treats to give your pet a vitamin boost.
Since they are a source of proteins that isn’t as high in fat as regular meat they are also a way to help an obese cat lose some weight. The ASPCA says that they are completely harmless for the cat but this doesn’t mean that you should exaggerate the amounts.
Possible Problems
As is the case for us, beans cause a lot of digestive distress and gases so this can become painful or at least uncomfortable for your cat too. These should be seen as occasional treats instead of important parts of their diet and should be offered gradually to ensure that no problems arise.
Among the versions you can find on the market cats are fine to eat the fresh ones or the frozen kind but the canned green beans might cause problems.
Canned beans usually contain a lot of salt to make them taste better to us but cats are much less tolerant to salt than we are. Too much salt can poison your pet and lead to very serious issues. To solve this matter rinsing the beans might be a solution but the interior of the peas will still have too much salt so it is better to buy some frozen or fresh ones and cook them yourself
Diet Plan
If you heard about beans as a weight loss plan then it is better to consult a veterinarian for a more detailed and safe schedule. Among the things that they might recommend aside from beans is to increase the fiber in their diet that can ferment easily and exercise is also very important in those situations.
Even if we mentioned the important things that green beans offer to your cat there are also many other nutritional elements they require which cannot be found in beans not to mention the fact that too many vegetables will certainly cause some digestive issues for your furry friend.
Short Answer:
Yes they can eat a few as a treat and they contain several nutritional elements that your cat requires.
