In addition to eating vegetables and fruits, bearded dragons should also consume insects, worms, and water. The exception to this rule is spinach, which interferes with the absorption of calcium in reptiles. Oxalic acid, found in spinach, binds with pepsin and prevents calcium from being absorbed. Other plant matter containing high amounts of calcium will not interfere with reptiles’ absorption of the mineral.
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Leafy greens are a good source of calcium for bearded dragons
Asparagus and broccoli are both edible and healthy for humans, but they’re bad for your bearded dragon, because they have high levels of oxalic acid. Those compounds can interfere with calcium absorption, leading to metabolic bone disease. Instead, give your beardie broccoli or kale, which have the right calcium-to-phosphorus ratio. Leafy greens also contain vitamins and minerals, including calcium, magnesium, potassium, and folate.
Other foods that contain calcium are beans, which are a part of the Fabaceae family. You can feed your beardie one or two cups of these vegetables once or twice a week. However, you should not feed your beardie beans regularly, as they contain a high phosphorus-to-calcium ratio. You can also feed your beardie greens immature bean pods.
Calcium powder
One of the most basic things to know about bearingded dragons is the amount of calcium they require. Without calcium, your beardie can suffer from a variety of health problems, including behavioral changes and weakness. In some extreme cases, your beardie may even experience seizures or constipation. If you have a beardie that lacks calcium, you need to make sure to provide it with enough calcium supplements. Here are some tips to follow:
Zoo Med Calcium contains 38-43% calcium per kilogram and is lead-free and phosphorus-free. Many other calcium products contain oyster shell calcium, which can be detrimental to your beardie in the long run. Make sure to choose a brand that is lead-free and free of impurities. Some calcium powders are also grey in color, which is an indication of impurity. If you want to make sure your beardie gets the right amount of calcium, you can try a few different brands.
Liquid calcium supplement
The best way to feed your bearded dragon the best calcium source possible is to make sure that it gets the supplement in its food. However, it is not wise to bury salad in calcium powder as it will not be very digestible to your beardie. The best solution is to choose the right liquid calcium supplement for your beardie. In addition, you should make sure that your beardie is eating a healthy diet that is rich in calcium.
There are several ways to give liquid calcium to your beardie. There are some guidelines for different brands, but generally speaking, you need to spray it directly onto your beardie’s food and allow it to sit for a few seconds before removing it. You can also use it on crickets, mealworms, and greens. The ratio of calcium to phosphorus in your beardie’s diet is approximately 2:1.
Calcium with vitamin D3
As bearded dragons are adapted to living in the wild, they get a greater supply of calcium. Supplementing calcium can help prevent metabolic bone disease and keep your beardie healthy. Your beardie also gets Vitamin D3 from exposure to sunlight and UVB lighting in its tank. Just be sure to protect your beardie from windows, as this can burn its skin. So how can you provide enough calcium to your beardie?
The best calcium powder for beardie dragons is Rep-Cal. It has the same fine milled consistency as vitamin D3, and it coats feeders evenly. It is free of artificial ingredients and sugars. It is also phosphorus-free. Remember that calcium and vitamin D3 are not substituted for each other. Keep these two essential vitamins in mind to give your beardie the best health.
