Contrasting information on Okra?

[Beecheykeen]

Hey guys, I was reading through the nutrition charts here, and the nutrition chart that's also posted on Henry's Pets website, and the Henry s chart says to avoid okra, when the 3rd nutrition chart here lists okra as a good source of a calcium veggie. I have some okra and almost gave some to Icarus. I'll just ask straight out, should I let her have a few slices of Okra, or no? Thanks for any input from the pros here.

[Mel1959]

I think the confusion may have come from the belief that okra is part of the nightshade family of vegetables. In my research I only found one of about five articles that considered okra a nightshade vegetable. Nightshade vegetables contain alkaloids that can cause digestive upset, so they are listed in the do not feed list for squirrels. Common nightshade vegetables are eggplant, white potatoes, peppers and tomatoes.

Okra might contain some of the same alkaloids, but is not as widely accepted as a nightshade vegetable as the others I’ve listed.

[Charley Chuckles]

I do give tomatoes, not daily but is that still ok?

[Beecheykeen]

I think the confusion may have come from the belief that okra is part of the nightshade family of vegetables. In my research I only found one of about five articles that considered okra a nightshade vegetable. Nightshade vegetables contain alkaloids that can cause digestive upset, so they are listed in the do not feed list for squirrels. Common nightshade vegetables are eggplant, white potatoes, peppers and tomatoes.

Okra might contain some of the same alkaloids, but is not as widely accepted as a nightshade vegetable as the others I’ve listed.

Ahhh ok. Hmm, in the wild, ca ground squirrels eat Jimson weed seeds which are poison was to us, but I don't know about night shade....but then again they also eat rattle snake skin to become immune to their venom :yuck. Surely okra doesn't get worse than that haha. Thanks dude! I'll do some research as well now that I have an idea of what I'm learning.

[Charley Chuckles]

I went back to the chart answered my own question, tomatoes are on 3rd category 👍

[Charley Chuckles]

I have always wondered if they can have sprouts? I found these yesterday. Broccoli and clover sprouts.
Are these good for squirrels? I see my wilds eat sunflower sprouts that fall and plant themselves :dono
317479

[Beecheykeen]

Maybe it depends on the squirrel. My little icky tends to throw up when she has tomato's, which she just eats again as it stays in her cheeks...bleh!

[Beecheykeen]

I have always wondered if they can have sprouts? I found these yesterday. Broccoli and clover sprouts.
Are these good for squirrels? I see my wilds eat sunflower sprouts that fall and plant themselves :dono
317479

Oh and I'd say the clover should be fine, because red clover is a good wild food for squirrels. Unless there are other clovers to be weary of?

[CritterMom]

I would be careful with sprouts - not because the sprouts themselves are bad in any way, but the way they are grown and packaged leaves them wide open to all sorts of molds and other things that will make you or your squirrel sick...

Okra. Have you ever eaten okra? My father's side of the family was from Georgia, so I have. It is the only vegetable I know of that makes it's own snot. I think it is on the list for "excessive yuckiness".

[Charley Chuckles]

I would be careful with sprouts - not because the sprouts themselves are bad in any way, but the way they are grown and packaged leaves them wide open to all sorts of molds and other things that will make you or your squirrel sick...

Okra. Have you ever eaten okra? My father's side of the family was from Georgia, so I have. It is the only vegetable I know of that makes it's own snot. I think it is on the list for "excessive yuckiness".

Thanks, and the sprouts were not a hit anyway :shakehead 😆

I so agree with okra gag me 🤢 :yuck

[island rehabber]

Alright you okra-haters, you just never had my mom's jambalaya. Okra with shrimp, red & green bell peppers, garlic and rice and tomato ....for an Italian-American she made an awesome jambalaya. Somehow the okra loses some of its slimyness this way :grin3

[RockyPops]

I may be wrong but I thought the nightshade plant problems were with the plant (greenery) itself and not necessarily the fruit.

On the other hand, I had chickens once that ate every single green leaf off of about 6 18" tall tomato plants in one day. Nothing left but skeleton. I was worried a bit but no side effects ever showed up.

[Mel1959]

No, it’s the fruit/vegetable too. Many people have digestive issues after eating night shade veggies.