If you have a pet, one of the things you should be concerned about is their diet. What you feed your pet is vital, especially if it is a pet cat; cats are fragile animals and cannot digest all kinds of food. Green beans are one of the foods we humans eat, but can a cat also eat green beans? Let us find out.
Yes, cats can eat green beans if they are interested in eating greens. However, your cat should only eat cooked or steamed green beans. You can feed your cat beans, but not all types of beans are healthy for cats. It would be best not to feed your cat with any canned beans.
Because there are different beans, you should understand that not all kinds of beans are healthy for your cat. You must know which type of beans your cat can eat so that you do not feed it with what can harm it.
What Vegetables Can Cats Eat?
It is normal for most cats to hate vegetables and scrunch up their noses at the sight of vegetables. This reaction is because cats are obligate carnivores and do not need greens for survival. However, if your cat enjoys eating vegetables, there is no harm in feeding it with some. Not all vegetables are safe for cats; however, there are some that your cat can eat.
There are different theories as to why cats eat greens; some say it helps prevent and cure constipation, others say it helps them throw up to eliminate unwanted contents. Although cats might not need vegetables, it is a source of fiber and helps improve their digestion.
Vegetables are a great source of potassium, vitamins, magnesium, antioxidants, and fiber. These nutrients are beneficial to a cat’s health; they aid digestion and help boost the cat’s immune system. When a cat has a strong immune system, it has a greater ability to fight infections and diseases.
Wheatgrass is one of the vegetables cats can eat; it is a great source of niacin, vitamin E, zinc, manganese, Vitamin B6, pantothenic acid, and riboflavin. This vegetable is regarded as cat grass; it has several benefits to a cat’s health. This vegetable helps with weight loss, enhances fertility hormones, relieves musculoskeletal pain, and amplifies dental health.
Broccoli is another safe vegetable that cats can eat; it is very easy to prepare and tasty. This vegetable contains several antioxidants, which help minimize any cell damage. It is also a good source of roughage as it helps regulate the cat’s bowel movements and ensures the cat has a healthy digestive system.
Carrots are one of the vegetables that cats can eat; it is a great source of vitamin A which is essential for cats. It is also rich in minerals, and cats require lots of minerals to stay healthy. However, it would help if you did not feed your cat with too many carrots. Cats can eat raw or cooked carrots, but it is best to give them cooked carrots to prevent choking.
Cats can also eat spinach; it provides minerals and vitamins and has an inflammatory effect on cats. However, it would help if you only feed your cat with little spinach; when given in large quantities, it can result in serious urinary tract issues because it contains calcium oxalate.
Also Read: Can Cats Eat Peaches? How Do You Feed It?
Are Beans Toxic To Cats?
No, beans are not toxic to cats; however, they can put a strain on your cat’s stomach. Because cats are obligate carnivores, you cannot make beans one of their main diets; cats can eat beans but only in small amounts. When a cat is not used to eating beans, and you make it their main meal, you expose the cat to several health issues.
Some of the health issues a cat is exposed to due to eating a lot of beans are digestive distress, stomach pain, excessive gas, intestinal discomfort, and irritable bowel syndrome. So, beans should be given as an occasional snack to your cat and not as an everyday food.
Canned beans are toxic to cats and should not be fed to a cat under any circumstances. The spices used in canned beans are not considered safe for a cat’s health and diet. Different formulas are used to make canned beans taste better, and these ingredients are unhealthy for cats.
Most times, companies use extra salt to preserve the quality of their canned beans. Salt is bad news for your cat, and when a cat eats a meal high in salt, it can develop several health issues. These health issues include decreased appetite, vomiting, excessive thirst, diarrhea, lethargy.
When preparing beans for your cat, it is best to feed it with freshly cooked beans. First, presoak the beans for a few hours and then boil for about 30 minutes. The type of beans you are boiling determines how long you will boil them. If it is kidney beans, you can boil it for 10 minutes, while black beans will be for an hour.
Once the beans are tender, and the flesh has fallen off, you can feed it to your cat. However, do not add salt or artificial ingredients when cooking. You can also decide to add vegetables like baked carrots, broccoli, and cucumber to the beans while boiling.
Beans contain vitamins, dietary fibers, protein, and minerals. They also help fight inflammation because they contain anti-inflammatory compounds and antioxidants. If your cat is experiencing any form of inflammation, you can feed it with little beans.
What Kind Of Beans Can Cats Eat?
Although beans are not toxic to cats, you must understand that several kinds of beans exist. Not all kinds of beans are suitable for cats; some of them will cause health issues for the cat. Refried beans are a type of bean that cats should not eat because they are high in fats and contain toxic spices like onions and garlic.
Black beans are one of the beans that cats can eat; however, they should be eaten in plain and cooked form. If the black beans are from a can, you should rinse off the excess juice before serving them to your cat. The black beans’ calcium, phosphorus, and iron help build and maintain a cat’s bone structure.
Black beans also contain saponins and quercetin, protecting the heart and lowering your cat’s blood pressure. If your cat has any heart issues, feeding it with black beans will help reduce the cholesterol level in the cat’s blood, as they also contain fiber. Cats can also eat green beans.
Lima beans are another type of bean that cats can eat, especially cooked ones. However, they should be eaten in moderation. Lima beans contain Linamarin, which is harmful to a cat; however, this compound will be removed if you boil the beans for over 10 minutes. So, your cat will be able to eat the beans without any health issues.
Cats can also eat kidney beans; this is extremely safe and great for cats. It is the best kind of beans to feed a cat with. This bean has 127 calories, 22.8 grams of carbs, 67 percent water, and 8.7 grams of protein. It would be best if you never let your cat eat coffee beans or cacao beans because they can cause harm to your cat.
Final Thoughts
Feeding your cat with beans is not hazardous as long as it is in small quantities. You should only feed your cat with the right kind of beans that are beneficial to it so that you do not cause any harm to the cat. It is advisable that you do not make beans a regular diet for your cat and to never give the same type of beans to your cat over and over.
Additional reading: Can Cats Eat Peanut Butter?
Shawn Manaher is a serial entrepreneur but when he isn’t working, he loves dogs. He’s owned different pets over the years, and always gives a part of his heart to each pet.
