Have you ever tried lima beans? They are a type of legume that originally came from South America. You may know them by their slew of other names including butter bean, sieva bean or wax bean.
Multiple names aside, they are a very healthy vegetable protein source for humans.
And, if you are a dog owner, it is likely that your dog is eagerly waiting under the table to eat whatever you are having.
When you prepare lima beans, a question emerges… can dogs eat lima beans?
This article will uncover whether lima beans are safe for dogs to eat. You’ll also learn the potential health benefits as well as precautions to take if your dog has lima beans.
Can Dogs Eat Lima Beans?
The short answer is yes. Dogs can eat lima beans, they are safe for dogs.
This may come as a surprise since a lot of our food is not suitable for dogs. Such food includes grapes, onion and chocolate. But lima beans are not one of them.
In fact, lima beans are quite nutritious for our furry pups. We will go into more detail below.
Benefits of Lima Beans for Dogs
Lima beans are rich in a number of minerals and vitamins. First and foremost, lima beans make an excellent source of plant-based protein. Protein is an essential nutrient that can contribute to muscle development and tissue repair. For dogs, it is arguably one of the two most important sources of nutrition.
Additionally, lima beans are rich in the following nutrients:
- Fiber: helps solve dog鈥檚 digestive problems. Foods rich in fiber such as lima beans can help against bowel movement problems.
- Iron: a mineral that helps in carrying in the hemoglobin of red blood cells.
- Folate: an essential vitamin that helps in preventing things such as fatty liver.
- Potassium: can keep your dog鈥檚 bones strong and healthy. This makes lima beans a good food for older dogs.
- Manganese: a mineral that promotes metabolic functioning and good bone health.
Lima beans are also low in fats which can be good for dogs. Therefore, this food is recommended for diabetic dogs.
Precautions of Feeding Lima Beans to Dogs
Despite their nutritional content, there are some precautions against feeding lima beans to your dogs.
First, do not feed uncooked or raw lima beans to dogs. Dried lima beans are hard and difficult to chew. Dogs may harm their teeth by biting into them.
Second, lima beans with too many seasonings such as salt can be harmful. It is best to serve lima beans plain and cooked to dogs.
Third, it is recommendable to serve them with meat-based protein and other vegetables. Too much fiber can make your dog gassy. And no one wants to be around a very gassy dog 馃槈
In conclusion, if you choose to feed your dog(s) lima beans, that can be nutritionally beneficial, as long as you do so in moderation and with proper preparation.
Learn More About What Human Foods Are Healthy or Harmful for Dogs
This article is part of our special series of articles about “What Human Foods Can Dogs Eat?”聽
How about a different type of bean? Up next, find out Can Dogs Eat Black Beans?
