Refried beans are a traditional Mexican dish cooked with mashed beans. This dish has become popular among many Latin American countries and makes the perfect side dish for almost any Mexican food. Refried beans can also be used as a filling for burritos, dolloped on top of nachos, and spread over pieces of bread and tostadas.
Refried beans are available in cans, which means that preparing them will be a breeze. But are these reasons enough for you to give some to your dogs? Will your pets enjoy this Mexican staple as much as humans do? This article will provide all the answers to these questions.
Your dogs should never be given or fed refried beans. This Mexican dish is made of mashed beans that have been cooked twice and flavored with tons of spices, herbs, and seasonings. Giving refried beans to your fur babies is a big no-no because of these reasons:
High Fat Food
To make them rich and creamy, refried beans use excessive amounts of canola oil and other high-fat ingredients. Dogs’ stomachs aren’t built to digest these ingredients, which is why feeding them even a small amount of refried beans can trigger digestive issues, such as bloating and diarrhea. Over time, a high-fat diet can also lead to pancreatitis among dogs.
Dense Calories
Refried beans are high in calories, and incorporating them into your dogs’ diets can cause several health problems. Too many calories can lead to excessive weight gain and obesity, which can increase your dogs’ risks of many health problems such as diabetes and cancer.
High in Sodium
Dogs need sodium in their diets, but their daily kibbles are enough to meet this requirement. And because refried beans use a lot of sodium to create that traditional savory flavor, feeding this dish to your dogs will exceed their body’s daily sodium requirement. As a result, your dogs can experience dehydration and, in worse cases, kidney damage and sodium poisoning.
Some of the common signs of excessive sodium in your dogs’ diets are excessive thirst, loss of appetite, vomiting, loss of appetite, dry gums, and diarrhea.
Contains Toxic Ingredients
Refried beans usually contain ingredients that are toxic to your canine companions. For one, this Mexican dish heavily uses onions and garlic for additional flavor. Aside from these, refried beans also use cayenne, chili powder, paprika, cumin, and jalapeños to make the dish spicier. All of these ingredients are harmful to dogs and can cause diarrhea, vomiting, stomach upset, and abdominal pain.
What Should You Do When Your Dogs Eat Refried Beans?
If your dogs only had a few bites of refried beans, they should be okay. However, if they consume a lot in one sitting, reach out to a vet immediately. Ensure to provide all of the necessary information about the incident, like the amount of refried beans your dogs ate and if they manifest any symptoms.
What Kind of Beans Can Dogs Eat?
Fortunately, some beans are actually dog-friendly. Instead of giving your fur babies refried beans, feed them the following instead:
Cooked Lima Beans
Cooked lima beans are an excellent source of plant-based, fat-free fiber, which can enhance your dogs’ diets. The fiber content of cooked lima beans can prevent your dogs’ blood sugar levels from rising too quickly after eating and help maintain healthy bowel movements.
Green Beans
Green beans are full of essential vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins A, B, C, K, protein, iron, and calcium. Green beans are also low in calories, making them one of the best snacks for overweight or obese prone breeds.
Kidney Beans
Kidney beans are one of the best sources of antioxidants for your fur babies, which can lessen their risk of developing cancer. Kidney beans are also low in fat, help maintain healthy cholesterol levels, and contain fiber and protein.
Black Beans
Black beans are healthy for your dogs because they contain vitamins C, K, and manganese. This variety of beans is also packed with protein and fiber that work together to regulate your dogs’ blood sugar, strengthen their immune systems, and burn more fat in their bodies.
Garbanzo Beans or Chickpeas
If you want your dogs to build more muscles, incorporate garbanzo beans into their diets. Garbanzo beans have protein, which is an important ingredient in building stronger and healthier muscles in canines. Garbanzo beans are also full of different vitamins and minerals, such as folate, manganese, iron, selenium, and phosphorus.
Can Dogs Eat Raw Beans?
No, you should never feed your dogs any raw beans. Raw beans can become a choking hazard and cause intestinal blockages, especially when given to small breed dogs or puppies. When feeding beans to your dogs, soak them in water first or cook them. The softer the beans are, the easier it’ll be for your fur babies to chew and digest them.
Refried Beans Are For Humans Only
Never feed your dogs with refried beans as doing so will take a toll on their health. To ensure that your fur babies stay happy and healthy, look for healthier alternatives and consult your vet if they ate refried beans without your consent.