Bearded dragons are omnivorous lizards that require a varied diet to stay healthy. While they get most of their nutrition from insects, they also need leafy greens and vegetables to thrive. Feeding your bearded dragon salad is an excellent way to provide the vitamins, minerals and fiber they need.
Can I feed my bearded dragon salad?
Yes, bearded dragons can and should eat salad. Leafy greens and veggies are an important part of a balanced bearded dragon diet. Salad should make up about 20% of their total food intake.
Greens provide hydration as well as essential vitamins like vitamin A, vitamin C, and calcium. They also aid digestion and provide fiber. A salad-based diet can help prevent obesity and other health issues in pet bearded dragons.
What greens can I feed my bearded dragon?
Good salad choices for bearded dragons include:
- Kale
- Collard greens
- Mustard greens
- Turnip greens
- Dandelion greens
- Endive
- Escarole
- Arugula
- Watercress
These greens provide an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Kale, collard greens, and mustard greens are especially nutritious options. Rotate between different greens to provide variety.
What vegetables can bearded dragons eat?
In addition to leafy greens, the following vegetables make good bearded dragon salad ingredients:
- Bell peppers
- Carrots
- Sweet potatoes
- Summer squash
- Green beans
- Broccoli
Chop vegetables into small pieces to prevent choking. Cooked veggies are easier to digest. Vegetables provide valuable vitamins A, C, K, B6, and folate.
Fruits to include in bearded dragon salad
Small amounts of certain fruits can also be added to bearded dragon salads. Good fruit options include:
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Apples
- Melons
- Mango
- Strawberries
Fruits are high in natural sugars so they should be fed sparingly, no more than twice a week. Chop all fruits into bite-sized pieces first.
What not to feed bearded dragons
Some greens and veggies should be avoided or limited in a bearded dragon’s diet. Do not offer:
- Lettuce (contains no nutrition)
- Spinach (binds calcium)
- Avocado (potentially toxic)
- Onions
- Garlic
- Large amounts of starchy veggies like peas, corn, potatoes
Iceberg lettuce and spinach provide minimal nutritional value and can cause diarrhea. Avocados contain a toxin called persin. Onions and garlic are too harsh on their digestive system.
How often to feed bearded dragon salad
Offer fresh salad daily so it comprises about 20% of their diet. Remove any uneaten portions after a few hours to prevent spoilage.
Baby dragons 6-12 months old should get salad 3-5 times per week. Juveniles 12-18 months can have small salads daily. Adults over 18 months should get salad daily.
Make sure your dragon always has access to fresh, clean water to stay hydrated.
Salad preparation tips
Here are some tips for preparing healthy salads for your bearded dragon:
- Wash all vegetables thoroughly.
- Chop greens and veggies into bite-sized pieces.
- Mix in a variety of greens and veggies for each salad.
- Lightly steam tougher veggies to soften them.
- Top salad with calcium powder 2-3 times a week.
- Avoid iceberg lettuce and spinach.
- Never feed insecticide-treated greens.
Sample bearded dragon salad recipes
Try these tasty salad blends your dragon is sure to love:
Fruit salad
- Chopped kale
- Sweet potato cubes
- Shredded carrot
- Diced apple
- Blueberries
Veggie medley
- Chopped collard greens
- Sliced bell pepper
- Green bean pieces
- Grated zucchini
- Melon cubes
Tropical treat
- Chopped mustard greens
- Mango chunks
- Sweet potato cubes
- Squash slices
- Carrot shreds
Get creative and come up with your own salad mixes too. Just stick to the bearded dragon approved ingredients list.
Bearded dragon salad FAQs
Can I feed my bearded dragon lettuce?
Iceberg lettuce is a poor choice since it contains almost no nutrients. Romaine, green leaf, and red leaf lettuces have more nutritional value. But they still lack the vitamin and mineral content of better greens like collard, mustard, and turnip greens.
Is cucumber good for bearded dragons?
Yes, cucumbers are non-toxic and provide hydration. Peel thick-skinned cucumbers and chop or grate into small pieces. Feed cucumber as an occasional salad ingredient, not daily.
Can I feed my bearded dragon cabbage?
Cabbage is safe for bearded dragons but should only be an occasional salad ingredient due to its higher goitrogen content. Goitrogens may impact thyroid function if overfed. Plus, some dragons may find cabbage hard to digest.
Is tomato safe for bearded dragons?
Tomatoes contain solanine, a compound that is not highly toxic but can cause digestive upset. Chopped tomato should only be fed occasionally and in small amounts. Cooked tomato is easier to digest.
Can I feed my bearded dragon grapes or raisins?
No, grapes and raisins should not be part of a bearded dragon’s diet. While not toxic, their high sugar content can cause diarrhea. Their flesh and skin are also hard for dragons to digest.
How do I get my bearded dragon to eat greens?
If your dragon is reluctant to eat salad, try the following tips:
- Mix greens in with favorite vegetables or fruits
- Lightly dust greens with calcium powder to boost taste
- Offer a variety of textures – chopped, shredded, whole leaves
- Hand feed greens to encourage interest
- Set a good example by eating salad in front of your dragon
Conclusion
A nutritious salad packed with leafy greens and veggies is an essential part of a balanced diet for bearded dragons. Make sure to feed a variety of healthy salad ingredients and avoid lettuce, spinach, onions and other foods that can cause digestive problems. A daily salad will provide your beardie with hydration plus important vitamins, minerals and fiber to support good health.