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The quick answer: Not recommended.
Technically, a cat can eat beans, but they are not necessary for a cat to get the nutrients they need and could potentially cause digestive troubles.
Benefits of beans
There can be some benefits to feeding beans to cats, but you should speak with your veterinarian before changing your cat’s diet.
Beans are high in fiber and low in calories. In some special cases, the extra fiber may help with digestive issues, and beans can help as part of a weight loss plan. Again, don’t change your cat’s diet without first consulting your vet. Drastically changing your cat’s diet can cause problems with digestion and malnutrition.
Hazards of giving beans to cats
As an obligate carnivore, your cat’s digestive system is well-equipped to process meats but not much else. Humans can benefit from the nutrients and proteins found in beans, but a cat’s digestive system cannot process these the same way we do. Feeding beans to your cat could cause tummy troubles like vomiting, gas, and diarrhea.
Plain, cooked beans are the safest to share with a cat. Never feed raw beans or those that contain added salt, sweeteners, or spices, such as baked beans, canned beans, and refried beans.
Beans as a treat
For most cats, if they like beans, then you can give them one bean as an occasional treat. Plain, cooked beans like green beans, black beans, and pinto beans should be safe to share with your cat if she likes them. If your cat comes running for beans, it should be safe to share one to three beans with her.
