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Kidney Beans and Hamster
Kidney beans contain Phytohaemagglutinin: this is a lectin found in plants. (Lectin's are proteins capable of damaging the intestinal mucosa.) Before they are eaten, the raw bean must be boiled for at least ten minutes to degrade the toxic compound. The lectin Phytohaemagglutinin - found in the bean would otherwise cause severe gastric upset in humans. This compound is present in many varieties, and in some other species of beans. But is especially concentrated in red kidney beans. A toxin that can cause poisoning in hamsters if fed the raw beans. Only cooking will reduce, or destroy most of the poison in the bean. It is not recommended to feed them to hamsters cooked, or uncooked.
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