Can rats eat beans?

Not raw. Raw or undercooked kidney beans contain phytohaemagglutinin, a lectin that causes severe digestive illness. Properly cooked beans, lentils and chickpeas are a good protein treat.

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Serving

Never raw

How to prepare

Soak 5+ hours, then boil 30 minutes — or use rinsed, unsalted canned beans

Benefits

Properly cooked beans, lentils and chickpeas are a good protein treat.

The details

To cook dried beans safely, soak them for at least five hours, then boil for 30 minutes. Slow cookers don't get hot enough to destroy the lectin. Rinsed, unsalted canned beans are already cooked and are the easy option. The PDSA lists lentils, beans and chickpeas among suitable occasional treats.

What to do if your rat ate it

Call a vet straight away — ideally one who treats exotic pets — and don't wait for symptoms. Rats can't vomit, and the RSPCA warns that even a small amount of something harmful can kill them. Tell the vet what your rat ate, roughly how much and when, and bring the packaging if there is one. Don't try home remedies or human medicines: the RSPCA warns these are very dangerous to rats.