Can Cats Eat Green Beans?

Can Cats Have Green Beans?

The fat cat is a common cartoon symbol. You see them on t-shirts with clever phrases or giggling about a lazy fat cat down the street. Everyone knows Garfield loved his lasagna – we will get to, can cats eat lasagna in another post.

Even though it has become a clever icon among cat lovers, overweight cats can pose serious problems to their short-term and long-term health. No more chasing mice and potentially a much shorter life.

Some have found ways to help their cats lose weight. A common method is by feeding them more vegetables, like green beans. However, we should start with.. Can you give your cat green beans?

Answer: Yes, and the ASPCA agrees! Green beans are great for cats actually! They have a good serving of protein, making them perfect for cats and their high protein diet. They also provide a good source of fiber to help cats lose a bit of that pudge.

Health Benefits

Cats are carnivores, which means they need a diet that mainly consists of proteins. However, if your cat is a little bit more squishy than they should be you may want to consider more vegetable treats, like green beans. Green beans are high in protein and low in fat. For this reasons cat’s are able to consume some of these veggies and it will, in fact, help with their diet.

Not only can the veggies help cats keep the weight off but it will help strengthen their immune system. Green beans will also give your cat a good dose of fiber, magnesium, iron, vitamin B6, and calcium. It is true your cat can get all the nutrients they need from their food, but these vitamins can be especially helpful if your little guy ever needs bit more strength.

When it comes to beans, each one is going to be different. So just because your cat can eat green beans does not mean they are going to be able to consume every type of bean. Fortunately, green beans have plenty of protein. This is especially beneficial for those carnivores cats.

Things to keep in mind

Some cats can have sensitive stomachs, for this reason, you should first try out a few small pieces with your cat to see how he reacts. If he dislikes the green beans or has painful gas as he is trying to digest them, you should consider another treat.

When it comes to choosing which green beans are going to be best for your cat there are a few options. Fresh green beans without a doubt will be the best. If frozen they can be just as good but may become a bit wilted or lose some of their nutrients depending upon how long they were frozen and how you defrost them. The third option you should certainly stay away from is canned green beans.

Canned green beans have high amounts of sodium, which can be terrible for your cat. You could rinse the beans after removing them from the can, but there will still be residue salt in the beans. This includes seasoned beans or beans that come in bags preseasoned. Cats are fairly simple and some plain fresh beans will do just fine. If there is too much seasoning, milk, or butter, you could actually be harming their digestive system or helping them gain weight.  It is really best to just buy raw green beans.

If you are wondering how many green beans you should give your cat, three or five will be just fine. It may not seem like a lot, but for their tiny bodies, it is plenty. You want to make sure you do not overdo it with the fiber, otherwise, kitty will be having some digestive issues.

If your cat is struggling with their weight, be sure to consult your vet and talk about green beans and other healthy options that can help your cat shed the pounds. Green beans should not be the only thing you rely on to help your cat lose weight. By arranging a plan with your vet you will be allowing your cat the chance at a happy and healthy life. An overweight cat can mean a very unhappy cat, while significantly shortening their lift.

Final Thoughts

Green beans can be an excellent treat for your pet, especially if they are starting to gain a bit more fluff around the middle. Be sure to wash some fresh raw greens and only give them three or five. Overdoing it on the green beans can risk giving your cat too much fiber and upset their tender bellies.