Can bearded dragons eat asparagus? Yes, bearded dragons can eat asparagus. This vegetable is packed with nutrition that the beardies can benefit from. Also, the veggie contains a moderate amount of oxalate, and it has more phosphorous than calcium. To prevent and health issues for your beardies, asparagus should only be fed to them on a weekly basis.
Is It Safe For Bearded Dragons To Eat Asparagus?
Asparagus is safe for bearded dragons to eat if it’s in moderation. Too much of this vegetable could harm them.
Asparagus contains a moderate amount of oxalate. This is a compound that’s found naturally in a lot of plants. When there is too much oxalate in the bearded dragon’s system, it actually prevents minerals such as calcium from being absorbed in the body.
Also, asparagus has a low amount of calcium. Bearded dragons need a lot of this mineral in their diet to prevent metabolic bone disease.
To prevent any health issues for your beardie, always feed asparagus to them in moderation.
Is It Healthy For Bearded Dragons To Eat Asparagus?
Asparagus is nutrient-rich, yet low in calories and fat. For that reason, it’s healthy for bearded dragons to eat them. It’s a good source of fiber, folate, and vitamin A, C, E, and K.
Nutrition Facts
Half a cup (90 grams) of cooked asparagus contains:
- Calories: 20
- Protein: 2.2 grams
- Fat: 0.2 grams
- Fiber: 1.8 grams
- Vitamin C: 12% of the RDI
- Vitamin A: 18% of the RDI
- Vitamin K: 57% of the RDI
- Folate: 34% of the RDI
- Potassium: 6% of the RDI
- Phosphorous: 5% of the RDI
- Vitamin E: 7% of the RDI
Source: NutritionData
Below are some of the health benefits of feeding asparagus to your bearded dragons:
Improve Immune System
Asparagus has a good amount of antioxidants and vitamin C. Both of these nutrients help keep your bearded dragon healthy and safe from disease and inflammation.
Help With Digestion
Asparagus is a good source of fiber, which is important for a healthy digestive system. The fiber helps bulk up the stool, which will help move the food smoothly through the digestive tract. Also, fiber helps prevent your beardies from having constipation.
Feeding your bearded dragons plenty of food that contains fiber will keep their digestive system healthy.
Maintain Strong Muscles
Asparagus has a small amount of protein in them. Bearded dragons require protein as part of their daily diet to maintain and strengthen their muscles.
Can Baby Bearded Dragons Eat Asparagus?
Baby bearded dragons can eat asparagus, but I highly recommend that you don’t give them any. While the vegetable is nutritious, it doesn’t have enough nutrition to help the baby beardies grow.
At this age, baby bearded dragons grow very quickly, and they need a lot of food that is high in protein and calcium. For that reason, their diet should consist of 80% live food and 20% veggies.
Instead of feeding them asparagus, there are other vegetables that are better for baby bearded dragons to eat. Some of them are acorn squash, butternut squash, collard greens, and yellow squash.
How Do You Prepare Asparagus For Bearded Dragons?
When it comes to asparagus, you can feed them either raw or cooked. Although, it’s better to feed them raw asparagus since it will have most of their nutrients intact.
Cooked asparagus will lose some of their nutrition. However, cooking the asparagus first will reduce the amount of oxalate in it.
Whether you choose to feed them raw or cooked asparagus is up to you.
Below are some tips to prepare asparagus for your bearded dragon:
- Always buy organic asparagus to feed your beardie. It’s healthy for them and doesn’t contain any chemicals such as pesticides and herbicides.
- If you’re cooking the asparagus, make sure to not use any oil, salt, sugar, or any other seasonings. These ingredients can make them sick.
- After the asparagus is washed or cooked, you will need to cut them into small pieces. Since bearded dragons don’t chew their food, it will prevent them from choking on it.
How Often Can Bearded Dragons Eat Asparagus?
Asparagus isn’t one of the bearded dragons staple food. For that reason, asparagus should be fed to them once or twice a month. Try to spread it out by at least one week in between each feeding.
Also, the asparagus should be served to them in small amounts at each feeding. 1 or 2 pieces of asparagus are plenty for them to enjoy.
Other Vegetable That Bearded Dragons Can Eat
Cucumbers
Cucumber is food that bearded dragons may consume. This vegetable has a low nutritional value, but has a high water content (96 percent) and low calcium concentration. To summarize, cucumbers are low in nutritional content and have little to no nutritional benefit for your dragon.
Broccoli
Bearded dragons can eat broccoli. However, broccoli should not be fed on a regular basis, but only on occasion. Because broccoli is high in oxalate, which binds with calcium, over-feeding broccoli might result in sickness in bearded dragons.
Cabbage
Bearded dragons can eat cabbage. Red or green cabbage, on the other hand, should be fed to your dragon only on occasion and in little amounts. Although cabbage has a significant amount of water, its nutritional value is generally weak, and the calcium to phosphorus ratio is not very favorable.
Conclusion
Asparagus is great for your bearded dragon to eat as a treat. Too much of this vegetable can lead to health issues, so it’s best to feed them a small piece, once or twice per month.
