Pinto Bean
38 foods contain this ingredient
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About Pinto Bean
Pinto beans are a legume added to some dog foods to supply plant protein, fiber, and carbohydrate.
Pinto beans are a plant-based source of digestible carbohydrate, fiber and modest protein commonly used in dog foods and some cat formulations to add bulk, texture and plant protein. They provide soluble and insoluble fiber and micronutrients such as folate and potassium, but their protein is lower-quality for obligate carnivores, can cause gas or digestive upset if not properly cooked/processed, and their carbohydrate content should be considered for pets with weight or blood sugar issues.
Related ingredients
- Derived from
- pinto bean seed (Phaseolus vulgaris)
- Primary role
- plant protein and fiber source, grain alternative
Why it's used
Formulators use pinto beans and similar pulses to build texture and caloric structure in kibble while contributing fiber, folate, and potassium, often as part of a grain-free recipe. Cooking and processing are needed to break down naturally occurring anti-nutritional compounds and make the starch and protein digestible.
Common concerns
- FDA dilated cardiomyopathy investigation The FDA's investigation into non-hereditary DCM in dogs found that the large majority of implicated diets were grain-free and that most contained peas and/or lentils prominently, with legumes including beans raised as a possible contributing factor; the agency has stated the issue is likely multifactorial and has not established a direct causal mechanism.
- High-inclusion formulas versus incidental use A controlled feeding study in healthy Labrador Retrievers found that grain-free diets with high legume inclusion reduced urinary taurine excretion over 30 days, though whole-blood taurine was not lowered and the dogs showed no cardiac changes of concern; the authors called for further investigation. That is a different situation from beans appearing as a minor ingredient.
- Digestive tolerance Improperly cooked or processed beans are more likely to cause gas or digestive upset, which is one reason pulses are typically extensively cooked before inclusion in commercial pet food.
Also relevant
Legumes have a long history of use in pet food and are not something regulators have told owners to avoid entirely, the concern raised in FDA communications centers on diets where legumes are a dominant ingredient rather than an incidental one.
2 sources cited
Common Questions
What category is Pinto Bean?
Pinto Bean is categorized as a vegetable ingredient in the KibbleLab database.
Is Pinto Bean part of an allergen group?
Yes. Pinto Bean is grouped under the Legumes allergen group in the KibbleLab database.
Which foods contain Pinto Bean?
38 foods in the KibbleLab database contain Pinto Bean, including Orijen.
Foods with Pinto Bean
Alphabetical by brand. Scores run 0 to 10, higher is better, on published veterinary science.
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