Southern Field Peas

[bobby taylor]

Is it ok for squirrels to eat fresh pink eye-purple hull peas? Sally loves them so they are probably not that good for them. She loves the bad foods if and when she can get em.

[CritterMom]

Bobby, those types of beans and peas are considered legumes, like lima beans and black eyed peas and great northern beans - all of those are also legumes. Legumes UNCOOKED are toxic. Please don't feed them raw!

If you go to Google and put in "legume toxicity" you can read all about this. The toxic agent is a protein which is destroyed by cooking.

[bobby taylor]

Thank you so much!! I figured they were probably bad because Sally likes them. I only gave her a few pieces but no more. If I recall okra is ok, isn't it? Really having a time with Sally, she is in heat and driving me crazy. She got out the other day for several days but is back now.

[farrelli]

Okra should be limited. Here's a thread about it:

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?39556-Okra-it-s-bad-for-squirrels

So glad she's back. I'm sure you were very, very worried and heartbroken.

[anniedancer]

Okay - I am confused. Peanuts are a legume. I know they aren't good for squirrels except as a treat...my understanding is it can cause MBD. ( I feed wilds.) Are you saying ALL legumes are toxic? Please explain. Thanks.
Annie

[CritterMom]

Peanuts are a legume but they are cooked - roasted - which renders them edible. They have other problems - aflatoxins from fungal activity and the poor calcium to phosphorus ratio which is the MBD link. Peanuts have many issues!