Bearded dragons eat a plant-based diet when they are in the adult stage of their life. Vegetables for bearded dragon can be fed to the dragon as raw vegetables or cooked vegetables. As bearded dragons are from a place where food is sparse, they will feed on anything to sustain and thus is the best animal to be kept as a pet.
A Bearded Dragon is a reptile that is a type of lizard, which has eight different species. All these eight species are commonly called as bearded dragons. Bearded Dragons are reptiles that are found majorly in Australia and areas surrounding that region. These have a scaly skin, and just as the name suggests has a beard like formation out of scales on the under throat part of its face.
vegetables for bearded dragon
Let us first understand briefly the animal’s physical attributes. The bearded dragon uses its beard to scare off any predators that threaten its existence. However, the scaly beard is not sharp enough to do any harm. People around the world keep a bearded dragon as a pet.
The bearded dragon has a triangular face and grows up to 50 to 60 centimeters. They are one of the animals that are very easy to maintain and care for. That is one of the reasons why they are preferred as pets and exhibits in the zoo. Bearded dragon’s food mostly consists of insects and plant-based food.
In the early stage of their lives, they should be fed insects so that they will get enough protein for proper growth. Once they have grown fully, their diet should be plant-based. They also feed on flowers, which is very distinctive because not a lot of animals consume flower as their food. In the following paragraphs let’s see different vegetables for bearded dragon and how each of them helps the bearded dragon for healthy growth.
Plant based diet of bearded dragon
Vegetables for bearded dragon play a very important part of the diet for the bearded dragon. Vegetables for bearded dragon are one of the most essential parts of the diet of an adult bearded dragon. The vegetables that are being fed to bearded dragons can be anything ranging from kale to bell peppers. While feeding, the owner of the bearded dragon should make sure that the vegetables for bearded dragon is soft, so that it will be easy for the animal to consume the vegetables.
If the veggies for bearded dragon are hard, then the owner should cook the veggies so that they become soft. This way, it becomes easier for the bearded dragon to consume them. One major question every owner of a bearded dragon has is what veggies can bearded dragon eat? The following are some of the vegetables for bearded dragon.
Green, leafy vegetables
The veggies for bearded dragon should mostly be leafy and green vegetables because bearded dragons get their nutrition and mineral from the foods they consume. So, the food should contain enough nutrients and water content to give the bearded dragon a balanced diet. Leafy and green vegetables are preferred because they are rich in nutrients.
This leaves us with the question of what leafy greens are good for bearded dragons? Kale is a vegetable that has rich nutritional value. This helps in making the bearded dragon get all its nutrients. Kale is rich in nutrients like protein, vitamin A, C and K and Folate which is a B vitamin. They also have omega 3 fatty acid and has minerals like potassium, phosphorus, zinc and calcium which helps in healthy body growth.
The veggies for bearded dragons should be on the softer side. This raises the question of what vegetables can bearded dragoneat? The vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, asparagus, and peeled cucumber are all vegetables that are packed with healthy nutrients. Carrot is a major water but also contains all the core nutrients, which make it the best food for most of the pets.
Asparagus can be fed raw to bearded dragon. Like carrots, asparagus, too, is packed with essential nutrients. Bell peppers come in different colors, and all of them are suitable to be fed to a bearded dragon. Bell peppers, regardless of their color, contain core nutrients like fiber, protein, vitamins, minerals, fat, calcium, iron, etc.
The veggies for bearded dragons can also include different types of squash. The types of squashes that can be incorporated in a bearded dragon’s diet are butternut squash, spaghetti squash, acorn squash, and yellow squash. Acorn squash is rich in vitamins, fiber, and protein, which are the nutrients that induce healthy body growth.
Butternut squash is not rich in a lot of nutrients but can give enough energy to the bearded dragon. Spaghetti squash is the squash that is packed with core nutrients and thus is the best squash to feed the bearded dragon regularly. Yellow squash is rich in minerals and should be incorporated with other vegetables for bearded dragon so that there will be balanced nutritional content in the food.
Cabbage, radicchio, zucchini, and celery are other vegetables for bearded dragons that need to be fed regularly. Radicchio looks like red cabbage, but it isn’t similar to the cabbage in any other way. They have all the basic nutrients needed for a healthy diet. Cabbage is also a vegetable that contains all the basic nutrients that a healthy diet should have.
Zucchini is given to a bearded dragon in its raw state. Zucchini is a food that is rich in minerals. Celery is rich in minerals and vitamins; therefore, a good portion of this can be incorporated in the diet of the bearded dragon to have a balanced food consumption.
Artichoke hearts, yams, okra and parsnips are other vegetables that are good for a bearded dragon’s health. All of these should be incorporated in the diet of the bearded dragon in its raw state so as to retain all the nutrients that they are made of. It is a known fact that the nutrient content of food will reduce when it is cooked, So, wherever possible, it is highly recommended that one must feed raw foods to bearded dragons. This will ensure that the pet gets all the nutrients that it needs to have a healthy life.
The above are some of the vegetables for bearded dragon that should be fed regularly. These are not the only vegetables that a bearded dragon can eat, there is more to the list. The owner of a pet bearded dragon should make sure he knows enough information about the right foods to give to the bearded dragon in the right way. Through the above information, we have given our best shot in attempting to answer the questions, what vegetables can bearded dragon eat and what leafy greens are good for bearded dragons?
Foods not be incorporated in a bearded dragon’s diet
Now that we have covered the must-eat vegetables for bearded dragon, let’s see what not to feed bearded dragons? The following six foods should never be given to bearded dragons. Lettuce, beet tops, spinach, fireflies, avocados, and rhubarb are very dangerous to feed a bearded dragon.
Lettuce should not be fed to a bearded dragon because it has no nutritional value, and can cause diarrhea in bearded dragon.
Fireflies are insects that are toxic not just for the bearded dragons but for any reptile.
Avocados contain oxalic acid, which is very dangerous when given in high dosages to a bearded dragon. However, they can be given in small amounts when it is very much needed.
Rhubarb is toxic to bearded dragons. They are so toxic that even if they are fed to the bearded dragons unknowingly, excess water should be given to the bearded dragon. The animal should be immediately taken to a veterinarian before the situation gets out of hands.
Consumption of beet tops and spinach can cause calcium deficiency in a bearded dragon. This deficiency can have a long term effect on the health of the bearded dragon. From the above information, we hope you are now clear and got the answer to the question, what not to feed bearded dragons.
Fruits in the bearded dragon diet
Fruits can also be incorporated in the bearded dragon’s diet. This raises the question of what kind of fruit can bearded dragons eat? Fruits like apples, blueberries, cranberries, melons, grapefruit, etc. can be incorporated in bearded dragon’s diet. The two questions that are very often asked when discussing the diet of a bearded dragon are, can bearded dragons have tomatoes and can bearded dragons eat nectarines?
Both tomatoes and nectarines can be incorporated in the dragon’s diet only in small portions because they can cause health issues when eaten in large quantities. This is the answer for two burning questions that arise in your mind when it comes to feeding your pet – can bearded dragons eat tomatoes and can bearded dragons eat nectarines?
Care for baby bearded dragon
Baby bearded dragon care can be done with a lot of ease than caring for any other pets. This is because the bearded dragons are very easy to maintain. All that the owner needs to do is to feed proper vegetables for bearded dragon, Once the diet is taken care of, the baby grows on without any problem. Next time, when you get a bearded dragon home as a pet, you now know what to feed him and what to keep him safe from. Good luck with your bearded dragon care routine!
Conclusion:
In conclusion, providing a varied and balanced diet is essential for the health and well-being of bearded dragons. Vegetables should make up a significant portion of their diet, and it is important to offer a wide variety of greens and vegetables to ensure they receive all the necessary nutrients. Additionally, it is crucial to avoid feeding them vegetables that are toxic to them, such as spinach or avocado. By following these guidelines, bearded dragon owners can help their pets thrive and live long, healthy lives.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What are the best vegetables for bearded dragons?
The best vegetables for bearded dragons include collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, dandelion greens, and kale. Other good options include butternut squash, bell peppers, carrots, and green beans. It is important to offer a variety of vegetables to ensure a well-rounded diet, and to avoid feeding them vegetables that are high in oxalates, such as spinach or beet greens.
What vegetables are good for bearded dragons?
Bearded dragons can eat a variety of vegetables, including collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, dandelion greens, kale, butternut squash, bell peppers, carrots, and green beans. These vegetables are high in nutrients such as fiber, vitamins, and minerals that are essential for the health of bearded dragons. It is important to offer a varied diet and to avoid feeding vegetables that are toxic to them.
Hi, my name is Idammah, and I am a huge animal lover! I have always had a special place in my heart for pets, especially cats. I currently have a rescue cat named Simba, who has brought so much joy and love into my life. In my free time, you can find me playing with my cats or watching some animal documentaries. When not spending time with my cat, I enjoy writing about my experiences as a pet owner and sharing helpful tips and advice with other pet lovers. I hope to connect with other pet enthusiasts and share our love for animals through this blog.
