Can Hedgehogs Eat Green Beans?

Can Hedgehogs Eat Green Beans?



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Green Beans

Green beans, also referred to as snap beans or string beans, are a great source of fiber, folic acid, vitamins A, C, and K, as well as other nutrients, and they share the same nutritional advantages as okra. Before the beans have a chance to grow, bean farmers harvest green beans while they are still in their pod. Green beans come in more than 130 different types. They are a good source of vitamins A, C, and K. However, canned beans should be rinsed and drained to lower the sodium content.


Beans have a wealth of health advantages. All types of fruits and vegetables should be consumed to lower the risk of developing a variety of harmful health disorders. More plant-based diets, including green beans, may reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Fruit and vegetable consumption also supports more energy, and general weight loss, which makes it normal to question if pets can consume fruits and vegetables, and enjoy their benefits just like humans. This article discusses the benefits and risks of feeding green beans to hedgehogs.

CAN HEDGEHOGS EAT GREEN BEANS?

Yes, hedgehogs can eat cooked green beans. Giving raw green beans to small animals like hedgehogs would not be a smart idea because raw green beans are even difficult for humans to digest. It is only after carefully cooking green beans that they can be given to hedgehogs for consumption. Green beans provide very few calories. They have significant levels of sugar as well, but they are also extremely strong in dietary fiber. In addition to being a good source of vitamin K, green beans also contain small amounts of vitamins A and C, which makes them a great addition to a hedgehog’s diet.

Hedgehogs

WHAT NUTRIENTS CAN BE FOUND IN GREEN BEANS?

The table below shows the nutrients contained in 100 grams of green beans according to the USDA’s database.

NUTRIENTS

QUANTITY

Water

90.3 g

Energy

31 kcal

Protein

1.83 g

Fat

0.22 g

Carbohydrate

6.97 g

Fiber

2.7 g

Sugar

3.26 g

Calcium

37 mg

Iron

1.03 mg

Magnesium

25 mg

Phosphorus

38 mg

Potassium

211 mg

Sodium

6 mg

Zinc

0.24 mg

Copper

0.069 mg

Manganese

0.216 mg

Selenium

0.6 µg

Vitamin A

35 µg

Vitamin B6

0.141 mg

Vitamin C

12.2 mg

Vitamin K

43 µg

Green Beans

BENEFITS OF FEEDING GREEN BEANS TO HEDGEHOGS.

Green beans may have few calories, but they are packed with vital nutrients that have several positive health effects, which include the following.

  • Green beans have protein in them: Hedgehogs need protein to keep their muscles, skeleton, and internal organs healthy. Developing and maintaining a strong immune system also depends on protein. Because they lack at least one essential amino acid, plant proteins are not complete proteins. However, plant proteins are still advantageous as they might be joined with other proteins to create full proteins. 
  • Promote bone health: Green beans are a good source of calcium and are high in vitamin K. These vitamins and minerals play a crucial role in developing and keeping strong, healthy bones and lowering fracture risk.
  • Aids the maintenance of good heart health: Green beans are rich in fiber, which is an essential nutrient for many reasons and can improve a hedgehog’s heart health. By reducing a hedgehog’s level of bad cholesterol, the soluble fiber in particular may assist to improve the health of the hedgehog’s heart.
  • Preserve Gut Health: The fiber content in green beans aids in maintaining a healthy and effective digestive tract. However, some types of fiber can be detrimental to a hedgehog’s health if they have a digestive issue like irritable bowel syndrome, causing gas, bloating, and discomfort in their intestines. The signs of digestive issues may be lessened if hedgehogs consume green beans.
  • They contain vitamins A and C: Vitamin A is a group of vitamins, not a single vitamin. It belongs to a class of substances called retinoids. Hedgehogs can develop a healthy vision as a result of vitamin A consumption. Green beans are also a great source of vitamin C. Antioxidants and vitamin C works to strengthen the immune system of a hedgehog.
  • They are rich in Iron: Iron is a crucial component of red blood cells, which carry oxygen from the lungs to all other cells in a hedgehog’s body. This means that iron may help with anemia. Anemia, which is characterized by exhaustion and weakness, can result from insufficient iron intake. A good source of plant-based iron that can assist to guarantee a hedgehog gets the amount of iron it needs to prevent anemia is green beans.
  • Prevention of cancer: Green beans contain chlorophyll, which may help to inhibit the formation of cancer tumors. The presence of chlorophyll in green beans helps to lower a hedgehog’s chance of developing cancer. 
  • Green beans may help manage diabetes: In hedgehogs with diabetes, green beans may have a positive metabolic impact. Even though vegetables are generally nutritious, it is advisable for hedgehogs with diabetes to avoid eating vegetables with higher starch content. Green beans are a perfect complement to a diabetes diet because they are non-starchy and have fewer carbohydrates. Consuming green beans may help diabetic hedgehogs reduce their blood sugar levels and decrease their chance of developing heart disease.

RISKS OF FEEDING GREEN BEANS TO HEDGEHOGS.

Even though green beans are a healthy vegetable, there are a few things to be aware of before including them in a hedgehog’s diet. Green beans and other varieties of beans possess a type of protein called lectins. They certainly offer some advantages, but can also upset a hedgehog’s stomach. Green beans must be fully cooked to inactivate lectins. Additionally, they have phytic acid, which can bind to specific minerals and inhibit a hedgehog’s body from consuming them. Before adding green beans to a hedgehog’s diet, it is advisable to check with a veterinarian whether it has a mineral deficiency. 

CONCLUSION.

Green beans are another nutritious delicacy for hedgehogs. Before feeding these vegetables to hedgehogs, they must be washed, cut into smaller pieces, and cooked without oil or salt. Similar to other hard vegetables, giving hedgehogs raw green beans may increase their risk of choking. Green beans contain vitamins A and K, folate, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium among other minerals that are essential for hedgehogs, but the most crucial factor in preventing disease and achieving good health for them is their general diet or eating pattern. A varied diet is preferable to one that focuses on a single meal as the secret to good health.


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