"raw beans?"

[Anamancy]

Hi,
I'm sorry to be dumping questions on you guys when you have no idea who I am, but I wanted to ask about something on the site.

I've been offering my gerbils dried kidney beans and chickpeas as a protein supplement, which they don't usually eat but sometimes do. I noticed in the "food" section of the mongolian gerbils website that "raw beans" are included as toxic material. Does this include the dried kidney beans and chickpeas? I certainly wouldn't want to be poisoning my gerbils.

Happiness to ye!

[paws]

DONT FEED THEM THIS!!!!!!!!!! They will soak up too much water in the stomach, resulting in verysick gerbils! The beans will expand, and the stomach will too. Hope you take my advice!

[Ritzie/Admin]

BE CAREFULL! Don't give your gerbils spinach or cabbage lettuce during winter, because of its high percentage of nitrate. Also you may not give them sorrel and rhubarb, because they can develop kidney stones. Never give them unknown herbs, because they can be toxic. Branches and twigs from trees others than listed above can be also toxic. Plants that are poisonous for sure are: common yew (Taxus baccata), common ivy (Hedera helix), holly (Ilex spp.), azaleas and rhododendrons (Rhododendron ssp.). And at least you shouldn't give your gerbils raw beans or sprouted or green potatoes are toxic too, so never give them to your gerbils!

That is true! I'm not sure if all kind of beans can be poisonous when they are given raw, but personally I wouldn't give them, just to be safe.

The information on toxic food products is taken from gerbil books (on beans), and from websites.

[sandy2]

I give my gerbils dried chickpeas and they are just fine. I don't know about beans.

[Anamancy]

"That is true! I'm not sure if all kind of beans can be poisonous when they are given raw, but personally I wouldn't give them, just to be safe.

The information on toxic food products is taken from gerbil books (on beans), and from websites."

I wasn't trying to imply that I thought you were making the information up, and I apologize if I came across that way.

I'm just the stupid one who isn't exactly sure what "raw beans" means. I'm not familiar with dried beans being referred to as raw.

Thank you to everyone for your help.

[lydia]

Well I'm really pleased you asked this Anamancy.
I was considering offering some of my gerbils beans.
As to dried kidney beans being considered the same as raw,I think they are.By drying,the beans are not cooked in any way,it is cooking that takes the toxins out,to make them suitable for human consumption.
The dried ones are just soaked,before cooking.

I think the best way to regard food for gerbils is,if it is o.k. for you to eat it,it should be o.k. for your gerbils.As long as you don't eat a high sugar and salt diet that is.


Lyd

[sweetie]

Hey Ana,

You are not stupid. You are just asking a question. It is a great question actually!! I thry to give my little ones some plain yogurt if they need extra protien or a grasshopper. Some people feed thiers waxworms(?) or mealworms. Others give them crickets. A proper diet is essential but also the gerbils benefit from variety!!

Thanks for asking . The information is useful to every one. Please consider becoming a member. It's free and every one shares ideas and information. I forgot the best part....Pictures and experiences !!

[doomgerbiluk]

Ana thankyou for the question
I for one had not even thought about whether or not beans where safe (never having given my gerbils them) and it is always good to learn these things.

[paws]

I had only found that out ten minutes before........it is a cooincidence you asked the question while I was re-searching. I was thinking about it too!

[Ritzie/Admin]

Anamancy, your not stupid! You just didn't know, and I also still don't know everything! It is only good that yoy have read some information and that you ask it! That is why I'vmade the website and this forum! So that we all can help each other with our gerbils!

[sweetie]

Peter,

Surely you are being modest! I would be amazed if there is something that you don't know!!

Again, I am very appreciative that you have set up the Forum. It is a great conduit for giving and receiving information.