The following are a few things to consider when deciding on a vegetable diet for your bearded dragon. Cut the vegetables into small bite-size pieces so that your beardie will be able to easily grab them. Keep in mind that some vegetables will make your beardie irritated if they are too slimy. Avoid giving your beardie cactus or cucumber as these do not stick to its tongue. You can also hand feed your beardie vegetables, but be aware that if you do this, your beardie will bite you may accidentally feed it to his friend!
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Carrots
You can feed your dragon carrots as a regular part of their daily vegetable diet. To prepare them, slice them thinly, cover them with water, and place them over medium heat. Cook them until they’re soft and easily stabbed with a fork. Alternatively, you can place them in their food bowl. Make sure they’re small enough to comfortably fit in their mouths.
Although the carrot tops are not toxic to your reptile, they can be difficult to chew. If you have trouble getting your dragon to eat carrots, try cutting them into thin strips instead. Sliced carrots are easier for your reptile to digest and may even prevent them from choking. Carrots are an excellent vegetable to include in your bearded dragon’s diet, but remember to feed them sparingly, and only in moderation.
Dandelion leaves
If you have a terrarium bearded dragon, you can include dandelions in his diet by placing them in the dish along with other vegetables. This way, your beardie will get the benefits of fresh, natural-looking leaves. If your beardie isn’t interested in greens, you can add some bee pollen to the mixture. Depending on the size of your beardie’s vivarium, you may have to replace his or her food dish every day.
Other vegetables for your beardie include bok choy and spinach. Despite the high oxalates, these vegetables are rich in vitamins, fiber, calcium, and other nutrients. If you want to include more vegetables, try serving dandelion leaves along with escarole and endive. These two greens are both high in calcium and can be added to your beardie’s salad.
Endive
Endive is a common leafy green vegetable that you can feed your bearded dragon. It is low in calories but high in nutrition, so it is a healthy choice to include in your beardie’s diet. It contains good amounts of Vitamins K, A, and C. Endive is also low in oxalates, so you can safely feed it as part of a balanced vegetable diet.
However, the leaves of endive can be very bitter and may cause intestinal discomfort in your beardie. If you plan to feed endive to your beardie, be sure to remove the outer leaves and limit it to occasional treats. You can purchase endive at a local farmer’s market or grocery store. Remember to remove any bitter outer leaves before feeding them to your beardie. If your beardie develops an allergy to endive, consult a veterinarian immediately.
Blueberries
Including blueberries in a bearded dragon’s vegetable diet can have several benefits. While blueberries are a good source of vitamin K, manganese, fiber, and carbohydrates, they also contain high amounts of phosphorus, which can make your beardie sick. This is because phosphorus binds with calcium in the bloodstream, preventing it from being absorbed. Blueberries can also be high in phosphorus, so it is best to limit the amount that you offer your beardie.
If you choose to feed your beardie blueberries, it is important to thoroughly wash the fruit before serving it. After washing the berries, place them in a strainer and pour cold water over them. This will remove any dirt or manure that may have gotten into them. Once clean, blueberries should be kept in the fridge for a week or two. Make sure you mix them in with other foods before serving them to prevent picking them up.
Tomatoes
The main component of a bearded dragon vegetable diet should be a healthy salad consisting of mostly greens. When serving tomatoes to your dragon, make sure to remove the skin and seeds and chop the flesh into cubes. Tomatoes do not contain much dietary calcium and should be served as a salad topper rather than a main ingredient. Tomatoes can be mixed with other vegetables to add variety to your beardie’s diet.
Tomatoes are high in beta carotene, a phytonutrient that promotes heart health and immune system. They also contain essential vitamins such as Vitamin A and C, as well as folate. A quarter-cup of ripe tomatoes a month should be sufficient. Since tomatoes contain less sugar than other fruits and vegetables, they can be used as occasional treats. In addition, they are low in sugar and are good for heart health.
