Introduction
If you are looking for a staple green that is both healthy and accessible for your beardie, you may be having a difficult time. Several vegetables are nutritious for your bearded dragon, but almost every veggie has detrimental issues for your beardie. But, look no more. Mustard greens are here, and they might be the solution to your problems. So, can bearded dragons eat mustard greens?
In this article, we will go over the answer to this question. And a few other key information you need to know before deciding to add this green to your bearded dragon’s diet. Let’s get started.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Mustard Greens?
Mustard greens have grown in popularity over the last few years, and they are considered a great option for health-conscious people. And, this applies to bearded dragons as well.
Bearded dragons can eat mustard greens without experiencing any adverse effects. This green’s great calcium to phosphorus ratio makes it an amazing choice to add to your pet.
Of course, like most greens, there are a few caveats to giving this to your dragon. But, they are few and far between that mustard greens can be added to their staple diets without too many issues.
If you are looking for a staple green to alternate with mustard greens, you can read about dandelions here.
What Nutrients Are There in Mustard Greens?
Mustard greens are great for your bearded dragons. And the nutrients they have been beneficial for your beardies health. Each of these is necessary to keep your bearded dragon healthy and thriving. For each 100g of mustard greens, there are:
- Water: 90.7g
- Energy: 27 Kcal
- Fiber: 3.2g
- Protein: 2.86g
- Calcium: 115mg
- Phosphorus: 58mg
- Iron: 1.64mg
- Sodium: 20mg
- Vitamin A: 3175µg
- Vitamin C: 70mg
- Betacarotene: 1790µg
- Vitamin K: 257.5µg
Pro-Tip: Another way to make sure that your dragons get enough vitamins and minerals, you can give your dragon multivitamins along with their meals.
What Benefits Can Your Bearded Dragon Get From Eating Mustard Greens?
Now that we have established several nutrients in a mustard green that your dragon needs, let’s go over the benefits. Some of these are:
- Great Source of Calcium: This is one of the essential minerals your bearded dragon needs to grow and stay healthy. Without it, your dragon may become ill and suffer from a metabolic bone disease.
- Great Calcium to Phosphorus Ratio: A bearded dragon needs to eat food with the ideal calcium to phosphorus ratio. The ratio needs to be 1:1 or 1:2. Luckily, mustard greens fall right within this ratio, and they are perfect for your beardie.
- Great Source of Vitamin K: These are necessary is supporting their bone health and growth. It helps them heal faster from different wounds. It helps blood clot normally as well.
Are There Side-effects You Need to Look Out for After Your Bearded Dragon Eats Mustard Greens?
Mustard greens are overall well-balanced. They do not have too much or too little of certain nutrients. But, like every other green, they have moderate levels of oxalates in them. Like phosphorus, this binds with calcium and stops it from being absorbed into the bloodstream.
Regardless, the oxalate levels in these are considered moderate. And, several other staple greens have higher oxalate levels. So, it would be best if you didn’t have to worry about any side effects for your bearded dragons. Make sure not to overfeed them, though, and they should be fine.
Pro-Tip: If you are worried about the oxalates in these greens, you can add calcium supplements to their meals.
Do Bearded Dragons Like to Eat Mustard Greens?
Bearded dragons’ preferences don’t vary much. And a general rule of thumb is that they are fans of mustard greens. This is thanks to the distinct and peppery taste of this vegetable. Most greens are bland, and adding mustard greens to their salads makes them more flavorful. Having said this, bearded dragons have different preferences. If you want to feed them mustard greens, it’s better to start them early.
Can Baby Bearded Dragons Eat Mustard Greens?
Yes, definitely. Mustard greens are great for growing dragons. The high calcium content and low phosphorus levels are perfect in helping them grow. Baby bearded dragons need a lot of calcium in the first 12 months of their lives. And, the nutrients in mustard greens will help them grow to their utmost potential.
If you are looking for insects to match with mustard greens, you can get a head start by reading this article on mealworms.
How Often Can Bearded Dragons Eat Mustard Greens?
We’ve established that mustard greens are amazing for your bearded dragon. And that means that these vegetables may be added to your dragon’s staple diets. They can eat this green every day as long as you give it to them in moderation. Make sure to add other greens to their meals to add more variety to their diets.
Conclusion
Bearded dragons need a lot of nutrients to help them grow. They can grow to 90% of their full size in the first year of their lives. That’s why they need a lot of calcium-rich food. Lucky for you, mustard greens are among the best sources of nutrition for beardies.
If you add this to their diet, your bearded dragon will appreciate it. Not only does it tastes great, but it’s also beneficial for them. So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and give your beardie some of these greens.
