Introduction
What vegetables can bearded dragons eat? Can bearded dragons eat kale, celery, and other plants? As reptile owners, we need to understand what our pets eat. We all know that their diet can make a massive impact on their overall health and happiness. But with so many veggies to choose from, coming up with the appropriate bearded dragon diet can seem a bit overwhelming.
Like any other pet, bearded dragons need good nutritious diets to stay healthy and live a long lifespan. With the right foods, we can maximize our pet’s lifespan, increase their activity level, and help keep their colors vibrant.
We are conscious that some keepers want to know more foods that our little pets can eat to mix up their lizards’ diets. Because of that, we pronounced to give you the idea of feeding kale to your beardie. Below, you will see all the benefits of eating kale and how much you can feed your beardie.
After that, you will find a well-detailed section that explains the ideal bearded dragon diet. Here, you can conveniently put together a feeding plan that works for you and your little pet. So, we highly recommend reading all sections.
Having enough knowledge of what bearded dragons can eat is not as challenging as you need. All you need to know is the nutrient and quantity of a particular food. Alright! So, without further ado, let us jump into our comprehensive guide.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Kale?
Over the years, reptile experts and owners have had different opinions on whether our little beardies can safely eat kale. You may find sources that say this food is high in oxalates, so your pet should not eat it at all. On the other hand, you might find a different source that says the complete opposite – kale is low in oxalates, so it is safe for your bearded dragon to eat. What is the truth? Can bearded dragons eat kale?
Well, this superfood for people has been raising lots of concern when it comes to our little beardies. With its oxalates, goitrogens, and Vitamin A content, many beardie keepers wonder if they should feed it to their pet or find another leafy green instead. Well, here’s what you need to know.
Kale’s oxalate content
While this element is safe in small doses, it is not good for bearded dragons, especially every day, because it can prevent the reptile’s system from absorbing calcium into the bloodstream. Over time, it can also deplete our pets’ existing calcium supply, causing a fatal condition called metabolic bone disease or MBD.
If your bearded dragon gets this illness, you will notice that he or she will suffer from swollen or deformed limbs, difficulty moving, and lethargy. In severe cases, bearded dragons can also become paralyzed or even die. Hence, it is crucial to guarantee that your little pet will not consume too many oxalates to prevent this disease and strengthen the bones.
Oxalates may not be a serious issue to some bearded dragon owners, but we need to know how many oxalates can a bearded dragon take. Here is the good news. According to the USDA, 100 grams of kale only has 20 milligrams of oxalates, which is very low, meaning it is safe for bearded dragons if eaten in moderation. Also, the idea of kale having too many oxalates is only a myth.
So, when it comes to oxalates, kale is not that unsafe for bearded dragons. However, you should not feed it to your pet every day but every other week instead.
Kale’s goitrogens
Most bearded dragon owners also worry about kale’s goitrogens content because this substance can negatively impact our pets’ thyroid. Remember that too much goitrogenic food can cause enlarged thyroid and start malfunctioning in producing hormones.
Luckily, we found out that kale has low goitrogen, meaning we don’t have to put it off-limits for bearded dragons. We can say that a little bit would not be harmful.
Kale’s Vitamin A
The last concern is Vitamin A. If your bearded dragon is taking a multivitamin supplement, you may want to be cautious with feeding kale since it can put your pet at risk for Vitamin A toxicity. This illness can cause weight loss, dehydration, swelling, and lethargy. However, bearded dragons who do not receive much Vitamin A cannot develop hypervitaminosis A, but you should be aware of it as a bearded dragon owner.
Nutrients of Kale for Bearded Dragons
Kale is insanely nutrient-dense and can surely give lots of vitamins and minerals to your cute little beardie. So, what are the nutrients of kale for bearded dragons?
- Vitamin A and C – are important for preventing stomatitis and respiratory tract infections. Also, Vitamin A and C are the keys to a healthy vision, reproduction, growth, and immune system.
- Vitamin K – helps bearded dragons regulate blood clots.
- Potassium – aids muscle function, lowers water retention and prevents kidney problems.
- Manganese – prevents inflammation and ids metabolism.
- Magnesium – promotes muscles and brain health.
- Calcium – is vital for bone and overall health.
Tip: Best calcium supplement here.
Kale is a good source of vitamins and minerals for baby and adult beardies, making it a good weekly staple food. Since it has low oxalic acid and goitrogens, our pets can benefit from kale calcium for bone development. Also, kales do not have much protein, which can prevent adult beardies from becoming overweight.
How Much Kale Can Bearded Dragons Eat?
Bearded dragons can eat 20 grams of kale every week. It is unsafe to feed it every day due to its oxalic acid content. Once a week or occasionally should be perfectly fine.
While kales are good as a weekly staple food, you need to remember that they can hinder calcium absorption if eaten every day. If your little pet eats too much, it can affect the thyroid gland, kidney, and liver. Hence, always ensure that you limit vegetables with goitrogens, such as broccoli, Bok choy, and spinach.
Tip: Best calcium with Vitamin D here.
Conclusion
Can bearded dragons eat kale? Yes, our little dragons can eat a maximum of 20 grams of kale per week. This veggie is indeed a good source of vitamins and minerals for bearded dragons of all ages. Remember not to feed your pet kales daily since its goitrogens can damage thyroid glands, liver, and kidneys.
