Why
Green beans are low in calories, which makes them one of the easier vegetable treats. Most cats won't be interested, and that's fine.
How to serve green beans
- Steam plain beans and chop them small.
- Fresh or frozen, never canned with salt.
Watch out for
- No butter, garlic or seasoning.
- Stop if your cat gets an upset stomach.
How much green beans can a cat eat?
Treats of every kind should stay under 10% of a cat's daily calories. Here is that daily treat budget by size, and how much green beans it buys if green beans is the only treat that day. Green beans has about 35 kcal per 100 g; 1 cup (125 g) is about 44 kcal.
| Cat size | Daily treat budget | Max green beans a day |
|---|---|---|
| Small cat (6 lb) | 18 kcal | 51 g (half of cup) |
| Average cat (10 lb) | 26 kcal | 75 g (two thirds of cup) |
| Large cat (14 lb) | 34 kcal | 96 g (two thirds of cup) |
Less is better for overweight or diabetic cats. Work out your own cat's numbers with the cat food calculator. Calories: USDA FoodData Central, Beans, snap, green, cooked, boiled, drained, without salt.
Other vegetables: quick answers
| Food | Verdict | Short answer |
|---|---|---|
| Chives | Toxic | No. Chives are an Allium, like onions and garlic. |
| Garlic | Toxic | No. Garlic is in the onion family and is toxic to cats. |
| Leeks | Toxic | No. Leeks are in the onion family and should be kept away from cats. |
| Onions | Toxic | No. Onions damage cats' red blood cells and can cause anemia. |
| Carrots | Safe | Yes, cooked and cut small. Carrots are one of the vegetables vets list as a safe treat. |
| Cucumbers | Safe | Yes. A few small pieces of washed cucumber are a safe, watery treat. |
Rules for any new food
- Plain is the rule: no salt, butter, oil, onion, garlic, sugar or sweeteners. Most of the danger in human food comes from what is added to it.
- Keep all treats under 10% of your cat's daily calories . The rest should come from a complete cat food.
- Check labels for onion and garlic powder, which turn up in stock, gravy, baby food and seasoned meat.
- If your cat has a health condition, such as diabetes, kidney disease or a sensitive stomach, ask your vet before adding any new food.
Frequently asked questions
Are green beans safe for cats?
Yes. Plain green beans are on the vet list of safe vegetable treats.
How much green beans can a cat have?
Treats of any kind should stay under 10% of a cat's daily calories. For an average 10 lb neutered cat that is about 26 kcal a day, or roughly 75 g of green beans if it is the only treat that day.
Sources
- VCA Animal Hospitals, "Can You Feed Pets Certain Fruits and Veggies?"
- Pet Nutrition Alliance, "Calculating Calories Based on Pet Needs"
- USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy (April 2018 release)
Checked October 17, 2026. We are a reference, not a vet: if in doubt, call yours. How we check.