When consumed in large quantities, soybeans (edamame) can cause rabbits to have digestive issues. Rabbits often experience gas buildup after eating edamame.
Additionally, edamame contains starch, lectins (carbohydrate-binding proteins), and phytoestrogen, a hormone disruptor.
There are 14,2 carbohydrates in 100g of edamame.
However, rabbits should consume 78 g of starch daily, meaning they can survive on starch alone.
Rabbit bucks have also been reported to have reduced testicular function and libido after exposure to phytoestrogen.
Alternatively, lectins can cause rabbits to have digestive issues since these proteins are resistant to digestion and stable in acidic environments (such as a rabbit’s gut).
Rabbits should not consume edamame. Do not intentionally give it to them.
Let me clarify why rabbits can’t eat edamame now that I’ve summarized it:
Is edamame an intentional food for rabbits?
The rabbit would consume edamame, given the opportunity. Edamame has sweet skin, but rabbits love sweet things.
Your rabbits must not be able to reach your edamame if you store it in a place where they cannot reach it.
It is becoming increasingly difficult for gardeners to keep eating edamame because of the number of wild rabbits that enjoy eating them.
Can rabbits eat edamame?
Edamame does not contain enough starch, lectins, or hormone disruptors to be safe for rabbits.
Providing your rabbit with large amounts of legumes, such as edamame, can make him sick.
Rabbits should not be overfed edamame.
When you feed rabbits a large amount of edamame, you run the following risks:
Problems with reproduction
Phytoestrogens are found in edamame. Soy products, such as edamame, contain phytoestrogen, similar to estrogen.
As a result of this study, rabbits consuming phytoestrogen-rich diets have reduced libidos and testis functions.
However, according to the study, consuming phytoestrogen has not affected rabbits’ fertility.
Problems with digestion
Lectins are also abundant in edamame. A lectin is a protein that binds to carbohydrates in plants to defend them.
Proteins thrive in acidic environments, so your rabbit’s gut may have difficulty digesting them.
Irritable bowel syndrome
A rabbit’s diarrhoea can often be caused by eating the wrong food or changing their diet too quickly.
The first and second boxes could be checked by providing a lot of edamame.
Stasis of the digestive system
High-carb and starch-rich edamame can also cause gastrointestinal stasis in rabbits.
An unhealthy diet that is high in carbohydrates and low in fibre can cause GI stasis in rabbits.
If not treated immediately, it could result in painful gas, eventually leading to death and organ failure.
In the case of gastrointestinal stasis, the following symptoms are present:
- Feeling down
- The posture that is hunched
- The bruxism syndrome
- Anorexia/decreased appetite
If you observe these symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.
The obesity epidemic
Foods high in starch can also lead to obesity in rabbits.
The most prone to obesity are rabbits kept on low-fibre, high-carb diets.
As an alternative to edamame, here are some healthy options.
Edamame can be substituted with the following leafy greens and vegetables:
- The spinach leaf
- Cauliflower
- Peppers in green colour
- Herba basilica
- Peppermint
- Radish, clover, and alfalfa sprouts
- (Tops of beets)
- Lettuce
- (Edible flat peapods)
- Leaves of peppermint
- Broccoli
- Asparagus
- Grass
- Leaflets of peppermint
- Tops of carrots and carrots
- Arugula
- Leafy raspberries
- Grass of wheat
- Lettuce
- Fresh cilantro
- Flowers and greens of dandelion (pesticide-free)
Questions and Answers (FAQ)
When rabbits consume edamame, is it a cause for concern?
In general, rabbits do well if they are strictly fed edamame.
Rabbits that have eaten edamame should feed grass to keep them healthy.
When your rabbit eats edamame, how should you react?
Make a note of any changes in the way they behave or their poop.
As well as feeding them hay, ensure you provide plenty of water. Water is just as important as hay for them.
Veterinarians should be consulted if their poop changes.
In conclusion
As well as starch, edamame contains proteins called lectins (which attach carbohydrates to proteins) and phytoestrogens (hormone disruptors).
Due to lectins found in edamame, rabbits often experience gas buildup after eating them.
Also, edamame’s phytoestrogen content has been found to reduce rabbits’ sexual function and libido.
The starch content of edamame per 100g is 2.8g. Starch is not necessary for rabbits, however.
