Why are beans unsafe?

[Boz]

Before I knew much about rabbit nutrition, during the summer the rabbits would get many different veggies and fruits including raspberries, apple wood/leaves/blossoms, peas, tomatoes (not the leaves), clover, grass, dandelions and "best of all", green/wax beans.

Yep, we used to feed beans. (bad mommy) They LOVED them and we'd give them leaves, stems and all. Never had a problem. When they moved inside the house I started to learn more about nutrition and diet and now I read they can't have beans and that they are unsafe. Domino has had many beans in her life (she used to be outside) and she never had a problem.

So my question, why are green beans unsafe? What is it about them that makes them bad? Or when the sites below refer to "beans" they are not talking about green/wax beans?
http://www.mckellier.com/archives/images/2006/RabbitMenu.pdf
http://earthhome.tripod.com/saferab.html

Thanks!

 

[pamnock]

There are a number of toxins in raw beans that could be harmful if consumed in mega amounts. The "toxin" they are referring to in the raw green and yellow beans is most probably "lectins" that can cause damage to the intestinal wall and interfere with nutrient absorption. Raw beans also contain trypsin inhibitors and numerous other "toxins". Raw beans in moderation are most likely harmless.

Pam

 

[Boz]

Thank you!

 

[tonyshuman]

Goodness! I didn't know that! My guys don't like them and my man does, so they go more in our belly than the bunny dish, but I had no idea! I thought it was just the sugar in them that could cause gas, same reason many people say don't feed cabbage, broccoli, etc.

 

[Boz]

Yeah, I was thinking that too! I didn't know it was more then that.

We must have not fed enough to harm because 2 years later, Domino is still here (it's been two years since she's been outside).