Can Dogs Eat Mung Beans?
There are many foods and special supplements besides your dog’s normal dog food or treats that it can enjoy!
Of course, you should always do the proper research or have a chat with your vet before you implement anything new into your dog’s diet, but lots of things out there can be beneficial to your dog’s health. Mung beans are one such food item.
Can dogs eat mung beans?
Yes, dogs can certainly eat mung beans! They are not toxic to your pet and will not cause stomach issues or other such reactions like some other foods would. Of course, if you overfeed your dog mung beans, you may run into digestion issues and an upset stomach, but the same is to be said of any food if your pet eats too much of it. Mung beans can be fed to your dog as a treat– they have a nice, crunchy texture that your pet will enjoy when raw– or as an additive to their regular food at mealtime.
Many people haven’t even heard of mung beans before, but they can be a valuable source of many different nutrients, and can be easily added to your dog’s food at mealtime. Read on for more information on mung beans and their unique set of benefits.
What Are Mung Beans?
Mung beans are plants that are part of the legume family. They are small, mostly round green beans that look similar to green peas. For the most part, they are harvested in parts of East, Southeast, and South Asia– because of this, they can be found in types of Asian cuisine. Mung beans can be used in either sweet or savory dishes. They are also packed with vitamins and nutrients such as potassium, iron, and vitamin A, B, C, and E, so they can help with a variety of deficiencies in the body.
Related – Can Dogs Eat Edamame? Can Dogs Eat Cumin?
Can Dogs Eat Mung Beans?
Yes, dogs can certainly eat mung beans! They are not toxic to your pet and will not cause stomach issues or other such reactions like some other foods would. Of course, if you overfeed your dog mung beans, you may run into digestion issues and an upset stomach, but the same is to be said of any food if your pet eats too much of it. Mung beans can be fed to your dog as a treat– they have a nice, crunchy texture that your pet will enjoy when raw– or as an additive to their regular food at mealtime.
Benefits of Mung Beans
Mung beans boast a variety of benefits to your dog’s body and overall health, as they are chock-full of nutrients and vitamins. Take a look at some of mung beans’ great benefits below.
Protein
When you think of protein, you typically think of meat, and that is certainly true– meat is the best protein option for your pet. However, mung beans are also a great source of plant based protein, so they can be used as a supplement in your dog’s diet. Of course, mung beans should not be used as a replacement for meat entirely in your dog’s diet– rather, it should be treated as an add-on.
Fiber
Shoots and legumes are high in fiber, as well, which can help your dog with digestion and bowel movements. A high fiber diet can assist in regulating the digestive system and can also keep your dog strong and healthy.
Iron
Iron is a key component in the human diet as well as in a dog’s diet. Iron directly affects our energy, so if your dog is low on iron, it may act listless and lethargic. Luckily, mung beans are a source of iron, too! Iron is crucial to the day to day workings of your pet’s body, and is required for red blood cells to carry the oxygen throughout the body so that the cells are able to produce energy.
When Feeding Your Dog Mung Beans
It is important to make sure that you are not doing too much too fast when you introduce mung beans to your pet. You should start out by feeding your dog a very small amount of the mung beans or sprouts and watch to see if your dog reacts poorly to them. If not, you can then begin to work up to larger increments. It is recommended that you stick in the ¼ cup range of raw sprouts for every 40 pounds of weight.
You can either feed your dog the raw sprouts, or you can introduce cooked mung beans instead. If you want to cook them for your dog, you should boil them on the stovetop for 45-60 minutes, and then you can take them off the burner and drain the water. Mash the cooked mung beans with a fork so that they resemble mashed potatoes, and then either servie on their own or mix them into your dog’s food at mealtime.
It is important that you do not buy frozen or canned mung beans that may have added salt or other ingredients for flavor, as this could affect your dog’s health or cause a dangerous reaction to an unsafe ingredient. In the same vein, do not add anything when you are cooking mung beans for your dog– even if you think your pet would appreciate a little extra flavor!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my dog eat mung bean sprouts?
Yes, your dog can eat mung bean sprouts. In fact, bean sprouts have a host of health benefits for you and for your pup! They are a great source of vitamins A, B, C, and E, and can support cell growth, aid with certain allergies, strengthen your dog’s immune system, and more.
How do you cook mung bean sprouts for dogs?
Your dog can eat mung bean sprouts either raw or cooked. If you would like to cook them, you should boil them for about 45-60 minutes. Make sure that you do not add any additional ingredients like seasonings or sauces. Then, once boiled, you can mash the beans up with a fork and serve to your pet.
Are mung beans poisonous?
No, mung beans are not poisonous or toxic to your dog. That being said, it is recommended that people who are especially at risk from foodborne illnesses, like children or anyone with a weakened immune system, should avoid eating raw sprouts of any kind.
What animals eat mung beans?
Many different animals can be fed mung beans, and it can greatly benefit their health. Wild animals like groundhogs or woodchucks eat bean sprouts and mung beans as part of their natural diet.