Do you use canned or frozen green beans? It seems so much more cost effective (and healthier) to use frozen green beans, but do you need to cook them before feeding? I fed my previous lab canned green beans, but have been feeding my current lab frozen. I usually just thaw them out, and only keep a few days worth of the thawed in the refrigerator.
Thoughts?
I use frozen. In the summer, I feed them frozen. In the winter, I thaw them in the microwave with a bit of water. I only thaw what I’m going to feed immediately.
doesn’t matter- the dog isn’t getting any nutrition from the beans, their primary purpose is to make the dog owner feel better about feeding the dog a tiny amount of real food.
I buy giant cans at BJs and keep it in the fridge.
[QUOTE=wendy;7362697]
doesn’t matter- the dog isn’t getting any nutrition from the beans, their primary purpose is to make the dog owner feel better about feeding the dog a tiny amount of real food.[/QUOTE]
Not always. I have a lab with the quintessential bottomless pit stomach. He is also kept at a very VERY good weight. To keep his shape he only get 2 cups of quality kibble per day. I had stopped feeding him beans for about a year (on the advice of an ER vet), and had constant trouble regulating his stool afterwards. He was having trouble with his anal glands, constipation etc. After consulting my regular vet, he told me to restart the beans. It was an instant fix. So…it isn’t ALWAYS to just soothe the owners’ soul 
canned here, mostly because the dog would destroy my house to get to anything she deemed food if she got only the 1c of kibble a day.
I have feed fresh raw beans, and frozen right from the freezer. I don’t feed many at a time, just a few, so my boy doesn’t mind eating them frozen.
I don’t usually buy canned beans.
[QUOTE=Mali;7362839]
Not always. I have a lab with the quintessential bottomless pit stomach. He is also kept at a very VERY good weight. To keep his shape he only get 2 cups of quality kibble per day. I had stopped feeding him beans for about a year (on the advice of an ER vet), and had constant trouble regulating his stool afterwards. He was having trouble with his anal glands, constipation etc. After consulting my regular vet, he told me to restart the beans. It was an instant fix. So…it isn’t ALWAYS to just soothe the owners’ soul :)[/QUOTE]
wendy seems to believe feeding kibble to dogs or cats is akin to animal abuse. To her Kibble is not “real food” and hence her comment.
I buy them bulk frozen, thaw in warm water, and keep in fridge, usually enough for a week, for 3 dogs. They get about a cup per feeding.
It adds fiber to their diet as well.
Word of caution on canned beans: watch the sodium content. Usually canned beans have a very high SODIUM %, which can be dangerous for dogs.
[QUOTE=fiddleandco;7364192]
I buy them bulk frozen, thaw in warm water, and keep in fridge, usually enough for a week, for 3 dogs. They get about a cup per feeding.
It adds fiber to their diet as well.
Word of caution on canned beans: watch the sodium content. Usually canned beans have a very high SODIUM %, which can be dangerous for dogs.[/QUOTE]
Thats true, I always paid extra for the reduced sodium ones
[QUOTE=fiddleandco;7364192]
I buy them bulk frozen, thaw in warm water, and keep in fridge, usually enough for a week, for 3 dogs. They get about a cup per feeding.
It adds fiber to their diet as well.
Word of caution on canned beans: watch the sodium content. Usually canned beans have a very high SODIUM %, which can be dangerous for dogs.[/QUOTE]
That’s exactly what I’ve been doing (only just a few days worth at a time). I wasn’t sure if I could cause problems if I didn’t cook off the beans a little. I guess they are blanched anyway before they are flash frozen…
I always bought the reduced sodium bean when I purchased canned beans for the old dog.
Thanks!
wendy, do you get up every morning with a bad attitude, or is is just during the winter?
I buy the huge cans and wash and drain them well. With seven Chihuahuas it lasts a long time and is cheaper and healthier than corn-based treats for sure.
Frozen here (less sodium), from Costco. My dogs dig them - I use them as treats (carrot bits too) and I give it to my oldie as a source of fiber and to make him feel more full, as he’s on a diet.
