In this short article, we will answer the question “Can bearded dragons eat broccoli?”, discuss the care you should take when giving broccoli to bearded dragons and will also discuss their eating habits.
Can bearded dragons eat broccoli?
Yes, bearded dragons can eat broccoli. Once or twice a month, bearded dragons can securely eat a small amount of broccoli. For both people and bearded dragons, broccoli has a number of health advantages when consumed in moderation:
- Vitamins A and vitamin C, which support growth, reproduction, eyesight, and the immune system
- Vitamin K1 promotes bone health and controls blood coagulation.
- Potassium controls blood pressure, supports muscle function, guards against kidney issues, and reduces water retention.
- Fibre, which encourages a quick and easy digestion
- Folate, which supports the maintenance of tissue and cell health
- Iron, which aids in maintaining enough blood oxygenation
- The mineral manganese promotes metabolism and reduces inflammation.
Raw broccoli contains 90% water, making it a fantastic vegetable for hydrating your bearded dragon. Unfortunately, there’s more to giving broccoli to your bearded dragon than that. These are a few of the things you need to think about.
Not enough calcium and too much phosphorus. When it comes to phosphorus to calcium ratio, broccoli does not fall within the healthy range for routine ingestion, as is the case with many fruits and vegetables.
Bearded dragons may typically eat foods on a daily basis that have a phosphorus to calcium ratio of 1:1 or greater in favour of calcium (depending on everything else is served with the food).
It is not safe for your bearded dragon to eat foods that do not fit within this range on a daily basis.
Calcium cannot be taken into the bloodstream because of phosphorus. This reduces your beardie’s calcium intake over time since the body starts removing calcium from the bones.
This leads to metabolic bone disease, which is a terrible experience for both you and your beardie. If left untreated, it twists, alters, and even debilitates the limbs, which might result in the death of your dragon.
No bearded dragon guard wants to witness that happen to their pet! The good news is that by feeding your dragon a balanced diet and calcium supplements, you may easily prevent MBD.
The problem with oxalic acid.
Oxalic acid, which is found in broccoli, can be fatal to bearded dragons because it practically has the same consequence as an excess of phosphorus:
MBD is the result of its binding with calcium and preventing that essential mineral from being assimilated into the body. Oxalic acid might potentially result in kidney stones in your bearded dragon.
How should a bearded dragon be fed?
The bearded dragon is an animal that consumes both vegetables and insects for food. The bearded dragon’s dietary needs vary depending on its age; typically, newborns and juveniles require 75% insects and 25% vegetables.
The ratio should be reversed at the adult stage—75% vegetables and 25% insects. A portion of proper and balanced food is the key to a healthy animal. Feeding fruit or insects a lot of fat is not a good idea.
Choose insects over tenebrious and zoophobia, such as cockroaches, crickets, and grasshoppers. Calcium should be placed on your pet’s diet.
What is a bearded dragon?
The Bearded Dragon derives its name from its capacity to widen its throat when it senses danger or territoriality. The throat also darkens, giving the appearance of a beard.
Australia, specifically Central Australia, is home to this species. It has a flat body covered in tiny spines, a triangular-shaped head, and a tail that is nearly the same size as its body.
Red is one of the most valuable hues that are replicated in captivity among many others. Additionally, it replicates “SilkBack,” which has no thorns, and “leatherBack,” which has no thorns on its back.
Its typical size is around 40 cm, but it can grow to be as large as 60 cm when the tail is added.
Between 15 and 20 years is the typical lifespan of a bearded dragon. This expectation can be realized. Being a diurnal lizard, the bearded dragon only spends its time active during the day.
Mostly terrestrial, they land on a variety of rocks to warm up as rapidly as they can. He enjoys scaling tall trees that can hold his weight.
The Bearded Dragon is one of the greatest species of reptiles for pets since it has one of the lowest rates of aggressiveness toward humans and is highly resilient. However, there are aggressive species and there are always exceptions to the rule.
Conclusion:
In this short article, we answered the question “Can bearded dragons eat broccoli?”, discussed the care you should take when giving broccoli to bearded dragons and have also discussed their eating habits.
