Cats can eat beans, but there are certain restrictions that we’ll go through below. However, unlike us humans, cats don’t benefit from beans being a “protein powerhouse.”
Beans contain a lot of protein, but it’s not the sort your cat needs. Because cats are obligate carnivores, they have specialized dietary needs that can only be met by eating animal protein.
Can cats eat beans ?
Cats cannot replace protein sources like beans and lentils for animal means the way that vegetarians in humans can. But as long as they are provided simple, cooked, and just sometimes as a snack, beans shouldn’t necessarily be dangerous for your cat. If in doubt, check with your vet to see if your cat has any known medical issues (such as pancreatitis) that could be made worse by eating beans.
Chickpeas, can cats eat them?
Garbanzo beans, often known as chickpeas, may be hard for some cats to stomach. In general, no cat’s diet naturally includes beans. It’s likely that your cat won’t experience any problems if it consumes ordinary, cooked chickpeas. However, avoid regularly giving your cat chickpeas.
Can cats eat black beans ?
Black beans are not the ideal choice for a snack, but they are unlikely to hurt your cat if consumed. If you do let your cat eat black beans, be careful to prepare and serve them plain. Make sure to drain any extra fluids off the canned black beans before serving.
Can cats eat re-fried beans ?
If you make your own re-fried beans from scratch and are confident that no other spices have been added, you can give your cat a tiny serving. Re-fried beans from a can, on the other hand, should not be given to your cat as they most likely contain spices like garlic and onion.
If consumed by cats, the allium family of plants, including garlic, onion, and others, can be extremely hazardous. Hemolytic anemia, a fatal illness caused by the breakdown of a cat’s red blood cells, can occur even with tiny doses of garlic powder.
Can cats have green beans ?
Although technically speaking green beans aren’t beans, we’ll overlook it. For cats who truly like to eat greens (most don’t! ), cooked or steamed green beans are an excellent alternative.
Certain vegetables include extra nutrients, fiber, and water that any cat might benefit from, especially if they are experiencing digestive problems. However, avoid serving your cat foods like green bean casserole, which frequently contain ingredients like onion and mushrooms.
Never allow your cat to consume coffee or cacao beans.
Once more, the term “beans” is being used loosely because cacao and coffee beans are essentially seeds. Regardless, you should never allow your cat to consume cacao or coffee beans, whether they are cooked or raw. Cacao or “cocoa” beans also contain theobromine, whereas coffee beans and cacao beans both contain caffeine.
Chemicals of the methylxanthine chemical category include theobromine and caffeine. These ingredients can seriously harm cats and dogs’ health, thus these animals shouldn’t be permitted to consume chocolate.
Particularly theobromine is harmful to your dog/cat in a number of ways: it serves as a stimulant, raising heart rate; it operates as a diuretic, increasing fluid loss from the body; it disrupts the digestive system; and it disturbs the mental system.
Watch out for the following signs of a caffeine or theobromine overdose if you’re concerned that your cat ate cacao or coffee beans:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Increased body temperature
- Increased reflex responses
- Muscle rigidity
- Rapid breathing
- Increased heart rate
- Low blood pressure
- Seizures
- Advanced signs (cardiac failure, weakness, and coma)
Reach out to an emergency veterinary facility as soon as possible if you think your pet may be suffering from an overdose. Cats cannot be safely made to vomit at home, so contact a medical expert right away.
That being said can cats really eat beans, then? Overall, it’s preferable to celebrate National Bean Day alone, away from your furry feline family. While most cats won’t have any problems eating beans, there are much more suitable protein sources for them. Learn more about cat-safe and cat-unsafe human foods – 10 Human Foods Cats Can Eat.
