Can Cats Eat Beans? The Answers Are Really Surprising

Can cats eat beans? Are you thinking of feeding your cat with beans? If yes, then this article will help you to provide the answers to your queries. Cats like to eat everything that you offer them but would it be a good option to feed beans to them?

Beans are a good source of protein, vitamin, and other nutrients for human beings. Can it be for the cats too? Can cats really eat beans? Which type of beans will be good enough and in what quantity? Do all these questions pop up in your mind? If yes, then you are in the right place. Read this article!

I fed Oscar, my cat, with beans a while ago. After she ate beans, I wondered if I should’ve treated her with beans at all. This was when I conducted a research on this topic and got the solution to it. Now, I’m writing this blog post to clear your doubts about the same issue.

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Do You Know The Fun Story About Beans?

There are various facts associated with beans, some of these are mentioned below. It would be interesting to know these facts:

  • There is a day dedicated to beans, known as National Bean Day, which is celebrated on the 6th of January every year. The day was kept to remember the death ceremony of Gregor Mendel who experimented with beans and peas throughout his life and revolutionized the understanding of genes. 
  • Jack, a famous fairytale character, has climbed on a beanstalk rather than any normal tree as the tallest bean plant was recorded at 45 feet height.
  • During an archaeological dig, some 1500 years old beans were discovered. A curious researcher planted them and they grew back!
  • In ancient Greece, colored beans were used to elect representatives.
  • Beans can be used for different purposes apart from eating, such as bean bags are available in the market.

What Are The Nutritional Benefits of Eating Beans?

can cats eat beans
  • There are many varieties of beans available in the market today, such as navy beans, chickpeas, black beans, green beans, and kidney beans to name a few. The common thing that can be found in these beans is all these have good nutritional value.
  • Beans contain a good amount of Calcium, Iron, Potassium, Magnesium, Folate, Vitamin C, and Vitamin A. Due to their high-nutritional value, adding them to your diet could be beneficial for your overall health as well as will reduce risk of certain diseases like various cancers, obesity, and heart diseases.
  • Beans are a good way to consume healthy nutrients. Beans are packed with vitamins, proteins, minerals, and many dietary fibers. These beans are naturally gluten-free and have low calories. Thus, there are many benefits that are associated with beans in general.

Can Cats Eat Beans?


My friend’s cat Derby likes to eat beans, mixing them with tomato sauce. I have not noticed any signs of illness in him since a long time. It is safe to feed cats some beans as a treat if they like to eat them but not as a replacement to their diet.


As beans are loaded with a high amount of protein, they can be fed to your feline friends but only in a certain amount. You should limit the quantity as cats are obligate carnivores and, thus, their digestive system could not digest beans in large amounts.


Beans are quite heavy to digest due to their nutritional values, which makes it difficult for cats to digest them. Feeding beans to cats in a larger amount could lead to digestive distress and produce excess gas (flatulence) in their stomach. This would be painful and uncomfortable for cats in general. It is best to feed them in minimal quantities only.


Are beans good for cats?

Yes, beans are good for cats in order to provide them with some nutrients, like protein, fiber, etc. The only thing to keep in mind is that to give them beans in just a small amount.

Are Beans Harmful To Cats?

No, beans are not harmful to your cat. Studies have not shown any signs of considering beans toxic for cats. The quantity of beans should be smaller in order to serve them to cats. High quantity would result in health issues, like gas or other respiratory problems.

Can Cats Eat Canned Beans?

The answer to this question is a big NO. The problem with canned beans is that they are very saline to taste. They usually contain a high amount of salt, which makes it a bad choice. One box of canned beans contain one gram of sodium that is too much in terms of cats’ tolerance to sodium. It is not going to work just in case you are thinking of washing off salt from canned beans. It is still going to be too much salty for cats.

Cats are generally allergic to sodium and feeding them canned beans would result in some health issues. Therefore, it is best not to opt for canned beans.

Can Cats Eat Baked Beans?

No, baked beans are way too dangerous for cats. Baked beans contain an artificial sweetener namely, Xylitol. This sweetener is extra dangerous for cats and in any case, if your cat has eaten Xylitol, then you should seek a medical emergency immediately.

Can Cats Eat Kidney Beans?

Yes, cats can definitely eat kidney beans but only in moderation. Kidney beans are a good source of protein and, therefore, they are good for cats too. These beans should be well-washed, cooked, and served with no additional seasoning before letting your cat eat them.

Can Cats Eat Black Beans?

Yes, cats can also eat black beans but these are not fit for regular consumption by your feline friend. These beans are a good source of protein, fiber, folate, iron, and many other nutrients, which make them a great staple food.

Cats do not benefit from these beans as they do not have the ability to absorb these beans. Only meat would suffice their dietary needs. You can still give your cat black beans in a low amount but only fresh and well-cooked ones.

Can Cats Eat Lima Beans?

can cats eat lima beans

Lima beans in the brown pot

Yes, you can give your cat lima beans as long as they are not causing any health-related issue in them. Lima beans are nutritious just like other beans. These beans provide a good amount of protein and fiber.

These beans are hard to digest by cats and cause stomach-related problems like bloating and gas. If your cat has gas problem already, then make sure to just feed them a few beans only. It is recommended never to give raw beans to your cat due to toxic proteins present in them and also, avoid canned lima beans altogether.

My cat Oscar really loves to eat lima beans than the other ones. She often steals them when I do not pay attention. She eats other beans as well but not with much excitement as lima beans.

How To Serve Beans To Your Cat?

can cats eat beans

Firstly, you should start feeding your cat a few beans as a treat and find out whether your cat likes them or not. If it is a success, then you can increase the amount furthermore. You can feed your cats some beans once per week for their nutritional value.


The best thing is to cook beans personally without any seasonings. Canned beans could be harmful to the health of your cat(s). The same thing goes with the baked ones. To prepare beans at home would be the best option. You need to use a kitchen faucet to wash beans thoroughly. So, just boil beans after washing them properly and keep in mind, not to add anything to these beans, such as salt, pepper, onion, garlic, and so on.

Top 4 Best Cat Foods


Below, you'll find the comparison table of top 4 best cat foods which gives you the best choice for your cats easily and quickly:

So, Can Cats Eat Peas and Lentils?

Yes, you can feed your feline friend peas and lentils. Peas and lentils are good sources of minerals, like magnesium, vitamin B-6, and iron. Serving the cat with peas and lentils is good for their well being. The important fact is many commercial foods for cats contain peas. So, you can feed your cat peas for sure.

Just like beans, peas and lentils are hard to digest. Cats cannot digest them easily and it is recommended to feed them in a smaller amount only. Cats can definitely eat them but smaller quantities would be good enough.

I have tried personally to feed my cat peas and no issues came up. My cat altogether enjoyed eating them. It could be big thumbs up for you to go on! Just try to feed your cat some peas.

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Conclusion

Yes, the answer to the main question is definitely a yes. Watch this video to believe this fact:

You can feed your cats with beans but only in moderation. Just a certain amount is good for them. Cats need meat sources to fulfill their protein needs as their digestive systems are evolved to eat meat only.

Serving your cat with beans on a regular basis could be a dangerous threat to their health. So, the question was, can cats eat beans? Yes, they can. While beans are a good means for protein but the digestive system of cats cannot digest them.

The act of feeding beans to cats in excess would result in health issues and cause gas in their stomach. Therefore, cats can eat beans but only in a certain amount. Hope this article helped you in providing an answer!

If you like this article, then please share it with your friends and family. Still haven’t got your answer, just comment below to know more.

Luna Tran
 

My name is Luna and I am a great cat lover and a cat owner of three lovely cats. I have owned many cats till now and have dedicated many years to nurturing and caring cats. Through this blog, I am here to share my knowledge and experience about cats.

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