One of the most common questions I get from new owners is what greens can bearded dragons eat?
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- Benefits of feeding greens
- 5 best greens for daily consumption
- 5 best greens for occasional feeding
- What to do if your dragon won’t eat greens?
It’s essential to ensure they receive a balanced and nutritious diet. This is especially true regarding their greens, as they are essential to a bearded dragon’s diet. Each green has its own unique nutritional benefits! We’ll look at the best greens to feed your bearded dragon on a daily and occasional basis.
What's In This Guide?
Bearded Dragon Greens Feeding Chart
| Lifestage | Feeding Frequency |
|---|---|
| Hatchlings | Daily mix of greens + live food daily |
| Juvenile (2-6 Months) | Daily mix of greens + live food every other day |
| Adult | Daily or every other day + live food 2-3x per week |
Best Greens For Bearded Dragons: Daily Consumption
Dandelions
Dandelions are a great choice for a bearded dragon’s diet as they are nutritionally beneficial for several reasons.
- Dandelions are a good source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, C, and K, as well as calcium, fiber, and iron.
- Dandelions are low in phosphorus and high in calcium, making them an ideal food for maintaining a healthy calcium-to-phosphorus ratio. We can see the ratio of calcium to phosphorus for dandelions as 5:1, 5 times as much calcium which is fantastic!
Dandelion Feeding Tip: To safely feed dandelion we must talk about sourcing it, as you will most likely need to collect it from the wild! This is ok, so long as you follow a process.
Collect it from somewhere safe, far from pesticide use, if possible away from pollutants such as beside a busy road, and finally, avoid routes where pets like dogs might have urinated on them!
Lastly thoroughly wash them off with tap water & offer whole to adults, they can be torn up a bit for younger dragons.
Arugula (Rocket)
Arugula (sometimes referred to as Rocket) is a great choice for a bearded dragon’s diet due to its high nutritional value.
Arugula is a leafy green rich in vitamins and minerals similar to Dandelion, including vitamins A, C, and K, as well as calcium, fiber, and iron. In terms of the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, arugula is quite balanced, making it a suitable food for bearded dragons.
Arugula has a calcium-to-phosphorus ratio of approximately 1:1, making it a good choice to support a healthy diet. However, it’s important to note that while arugula can provide a significant source of nutrients, it should not be the only food offered to bearded dragons, a range is always key!
Arugula Feeding Tip: Arugula is an easy to prep and feed green, I would always ensure to wash it due to the small risk of pesticide use. Otherwise, this can be offered whole or loosely chopped (not diced up tiny!).
Mustard Greens
Mustard greens are a nutritious feed for bearded dragons because they especially contain a good amount dietary fiber. They are a rich source of vitamins A, C, K, and B6, as well as minerals such as iron, calcium, and magnesium.
Mustard greens have a calcium-to-phosphorus ratio of about 1:1, which is relatively balanced like arugula, so once again this can be used often, so long as it is part of a wider diet!
Mustard Greens Feeding Tip: Mustard greens can be a little larger than arugula, sometimes with thicker stems, so I would make sure to appropriately cut this up so that your dragon does not choke. From wild observations, we can see that dragons tend to focus on softer leafy veg & flowers!
Chicory Greens
Chicory greens are a nutritious option for bearded dragons. These greens contain vitamins A, C, and K, & minerals such as calcium, iron, and potassium. Their calcium-to-phosphorus ratio is 1:3, which might seem inappropriate with what we have learned, but it isn’t as bad as other options!
Chicory Greens Feeding Tip: So use this as part of a mixed feed offering, the way chicory is shaped lends well to cutting it into appropriately sized slices, & offering the smaller leaves whole.
Plantain Leaves
Plantain leaves are a nutritious option for bearded dragons as they are a good source of vitamins and minerals. These leaves contain the same nutrients & minerals as chicory & arugula. Plantain leaves have a calcium-phosphorus ratio of 1:1, so can be used quite often alongside a wide range of other greens.
Plantain Leaves Feeding Tip: Depending on the age of the dragon, these can be provided whole or chopped into smaller pieces or slices & mixed into a bowl of other greens!
Best Bearded Dragon Greens: Occasional Consumption
Pro-Tip ⚡
Occasional consumption means feeding these greens once or twice per week alongside the daily greens listed above.
Kale
Kale is a leafy green vegetable that should only be fed to bearded dragons occasionally because it is high in oxalates. Oxalates are compounds found in certain plants that can bind with calcium and reduce its absorption in the body. Feeding too much can lead to a calcium deficiency, leading to health problems such as metabolic bone disease.
Kale Feeding Tip: Due to the shape of kale, I would recommend chopping it into smaller chunks & slices appropriate to the size of the dragon.
Spinach
Spinach similarly to kale, is leafy and has higher amounts of phosphorus & oxalates so would be best fed occasionally every few feeds, or in small amounts.
Spinach Feeding Tip: Spinach comes as easy-to-serve leaves, so these can usually be fed whole, except for hatchlings or young juveniles, where it should be chopped up or only smaller leaves offered.
Broccoli
Broccoli is also as nutritious as the above greens, however there are a couple of reasons to keep it to occasional feeding, firstly it is also high in oxalates, secondly it is known as a cruciferous vegetable meaning it is associated with problems such as gas & bloating.
Broccoli Feeding Tip: A fantastic way to prepare broccoli is to cut the heads of the florets thinly, leaving you with tiny bits that you can easily mix throughout a larger veg feed!
Brussels Sprouts
Like broccoli, brussels sprouts are a type of cruciferous vegetable that should only be fed to bearded dragons occasionally. They contain high levels of oxalates, which can bind to calcium in the digestive tract and prevent its absorption.
Brussels Sprouts Feeding Tip: Never feed brussels sprouts whole as they present a significant choking risk, what you can do it cut off the base of the sprout, then either chop the rest or separate the smaller leaves to spead into a veg feed.
Bok Choi
Bok choy, also known as Chinese cabbage, is a type of leafy green vegetable that can be fed to beardies as part of a balanced diet. However, like other greens, it should not be the main staple food and should only be fed occasionally due to very high oxalates.
Bok Choi Feeding Tip: Bok choi is fun to feed as you have two parts to offer, the whiter base of the green can be finely chopped up and mixed into veg feeds, and the green leaves can be offered whole or ripped into appropriate sizes.
Benefits Of Feeding Greens To Your Beardie
The problem of live food
One of the biggest problems I have seen in lizard care, especially bearded dragons, is the overuse of live foods such as crickets, locusts, mealworms & morioworms/superworms.
The issue here is that these insects are not very similar to the insects bearded dragons hunt in the wild, and the amounts we tend to feed are way higher than what they would find in the wild!
Hydration
One of the most important benefits of feeding greens to bearded dragons is hydration. Bearded dragons are mostly desert dwellers and a lack of water sources characterizes their natural habitat. By providing your bearded dragon with various greens, you can ensure that they get the hydration they need to stay healthy and active.
The moisture content in greens can help to hydrate your pet and prevent dehydration & common problems like impaction.
Additionally, providing your bearded dragon with a water dish for drinking is important, but the greens in their diet can provide an extra source of hydration. Keeping your bearded dragon hydrated is crucial for their overall health and well-being, so be sure to include a variety of greens in their diet to support their hydration needs.
Fun Fact
While many hobbyists will claim that bearded dragons don’t use water bowls, or obtain all of their moisture from food, the truth is rather different!
Wild observations have shown that they do enter temporary & permanent water sources to hydrate, and one of their most common ways is waiting for the morning dew, which is air moisture condensing onto spinifex grass & other plants, then lapping this up! Deserts are wetter than we assume!
Control of nutrition
Bearded dragons are omnivores and require a balanced diet that includes both plant and animal matter. Greens provide a wealth of vitamins and minerals that are crucial for your bearded dragon’s health. By providing a variety of greens, you can ensure that your bearded dragon gets all the nutrients they need to grow, develop, and thrive.
Control of calcium, phosphorus & oxalate amounts
When it comes to feeding greens to bearded dragons, it’s important to consider the levels of calcium, phosphorus & oxalates in the greens you provide.
Phosphorus and calcium are two minerals that are essential for a bearded dragon’s health, but the ratio between the two is just as important. An imbalanced ratio can lead to health problems like metabolic bone disease. Oxalates are compounds found in some greens that can interfere with the absorption of calcium, so it’s important to choose greens that are low in oxalates.
Pro-Tip ⚡
Working out the ratios of these minerals seems complex, but the work has already been done! What you need to know is how those ratios work.
If a ratio says 1 to 1 or 1:1 ratio of calcium to phosphorus, this means that there is about the same amount of each mineral in the food.
We want to find foods with more calcium than phosphorus. So 3:1 calcium to phosphorus tells us that there’s 3 times the amount of calcium – fantastic!
A better understanding of wild ecology
One of the biggest & most damaging mistakes bearded dragon keepers tend to make in my experience, is not looking at how these wonderful animals actually live in the wild.
We humans are so likely to make assumptions or take the first answer we find online as gospel when the truth may be much different! It is best, where possible, to rely on wild observations & apply those to our husbandry if possible. You may see the emphasis on this quite a lot in this article!
Bearded Dragon Not Eating Greens?
If a bearded dragon is refusing to eat vegetables, there are a few things you can try to encourage them to start eating again:
- Variety: Offer a variety of vegetables to see if your bearded dragon will eat something different. Reptiles can show boredom when certain foods are offered too often; consider shaking this up & offering a range, keeping in mind what we have discussed above!
- Presentation: Experiment with the way the greens are presented to the bearded dragon. Some bearded dragons prefer their greens chopped, while others may prefer them whole.
- Supplementation: If your bearded dragon is not getting enough nutrients from their diet, you can try supplementing their food with a multivitamin powder or a calcium supplement.
- Nothing: If your dragon is an adult, this can be completely normal. I have read in published research that dragons are most likely to eat well in early spring, reducing gradually & refusing entire feeds by midsummer & autumn, this actually makes perfect sense if we look at their wild ecology! So long as the dragon is not dropping weight or losing condition this should not be concerning as they prepare for brumation.
It’s essential to be patient when trying to encourage a bearded dragon to eat.
Important
If your bearded dragon continues to refuse food, significantly drops weight or shows signs of illness, it’s best to consult with a veterinarian who specializes in reptiles!
FAQs
How often should I feed my bearded dragon greens?
The most important thing I believe you should keep in mind when working out how often to feed is the life stage of your dragon & the amount of live food offered!
Hatchling: Daily with a mix of appropriately chosen greens and daily appropriately sized live food with supplements.
Juvenile: (~2-6 months), daily greens can continue, but avoid overfeeding insects here! Reduce insect feeds to every other day at the later stage of a juvenile’s life.
Adult: Daily greens can still continue, sometimes skipping to every other day. Place a huge focus once again on not overfeeding live foods!
Are any greens toxic to bearded dragons?
While many greens are nutritious for bearded dragons, some types of greens can be toxic and should be avoided. These include:
Rhubarb: The leaves of this plant contain oxalic acid, which can be toxic to reptiles and cause kidney damage.
Nightshade plants: These plants, which include tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers, contain solanine, a toxic alkaloid that can cause digestive upset, weakness, and even death.
Avocado: Avocados contain persin, a fungicidal toxin that can cause digestive upset and potentially other harmful effects in reptiles.
Brassica family plants: These plants, which include kale, collard greens, and broccoli, contain goitrogens, compounds that can interfere with thyroid function. They should be fed in moderation.
FAQs
What is a bearded dragon's favorite vegetable? ›
There are numerous plants, fruits and vegetables that are safe and healthy for bearded dragons to eat, but some favorites include squash, collard greens, bell peppers, mustard greens and seedless watermelon. Of course, it's best to mix up your bearded dragon's diet every once in a while.
What is a bearded dragons favorite meal? ›Vegetables - Veggies should make up 25% of a young bearded dragon's food and half of an adult's. Favorites include kale, collard greens, mustard greens, zucchini and shredded carrots. Make sure to remove any vegetables that have not been eaten so they do not go bad inside their habitat.
What do bearded dragons like the most? ›Bearded dragons eat a diet of live insects and vegetables. They need a wide variety of safe plants and vegetables, as well as the correct supplements.
Can bearded dragons have thyme? ›With Vitamin C and antibacterial properties, thyme can boost your dragon's immune system.
What greens can bearded dragons eat everyday? ›- Cactus pad, or prickly pear (2.3 to 1). This desert delicacy is high in calcium and rich in antioxidants, fiber, and Vitamin C. ...
- Collard greens (14.5 to 1). ...
- Dandelion leaves (2.8 to 1). ...
- Endive or escarole (1.9 to 1). ...
- Mustard greens (2.4 to 1). ...
- Turnip greens (4.5 to 1).
Best fruit for bearded dragons
Grapes (not green ones) Apples. Berries (raspberries, blackberries, blueberries)
Bearded Dragon Diet Plan
Since they are omnivores, they eat both plants and animals and can dine on a wide range of food, from live mealworms, kingworms and crickets to greens such as parsley and kale and vegetables like pepper and sweet potato. You can even give them limited amounts of fruit.
If you are going to make your dragon a salad, you could opt for arugula, kale, and collard greens instead of a romaine lettuce spring mix. Your beardie will enjoy more nutrients in the same amount of food. The other reason that romaine is not a great staple green for bearded dragons—it's not rich in calcium.
How many times a day do bearded dragons eat? ›How often should I feed my bearded dragon? Most young bearded dragons should eat once or twice daily, while older lizards may only eat every 24-72 hours, depending upon each pet's individual appetite.
What calms a bearded dragon? ›Give your dragon a nice warm bath, followed by cuddles in a soft towel. Simply pause as much noise as possible to give your dragon some quiet time. Try turning off the lights until your dragon is more calm (of course you wouldn't want to leave the tank like this for too long so your dragon doesn't get too cold).
What do bearded dragons like in their cage? ›
Low humidity.
Beardies like and require a bright light above their tank, which will keep them warm and alert. Also, they require an additional UV light source – UVA and especially UVB light is necessary for proper metabolism and bone development of your pet.
You can offer basil once a week for your dragon.
It makes a fragrant, flavorful addition to your reptile's salad. Along with calcium, basil has several benefits: Vitamins A, C, E, and K for vision, the immune system, and healthy cells and blood. Antioxidants for a healthy immune system.
Pro Tip: Although bearded dragons can usually munch on cilantro leaves whole, it's safer to chop them up to prevent any chance of them lodging in your beardie's throat. Basil, fennel, lavender, and thyme are some other herbs bearded dragons can eat.
What herb Can a bearded dragon eat? ›Homegrown Herbs (oregano, cilantro, parsley, rosemary, etc.) Herbs are GREAT options for bearded dragon tanks because bearded dragons typically enjoy munching on them and they're also easy to grow.
What greens can Beardies not eat? ›Avoid vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, and romaine as too much can be harmful, or they offer limited nutritional value. Bearded dragons will also eat fruits like apples, strawberries, watermelon, and peaches. Aside from delicious fruits and vegetables, dragons will eat just about any insect that moves.
Can bearded dragons eat celery everyday? ›Celery actually does have surprising nutritional value, including anti-inflammatory properties and a healthy calcium to phosphorus ratio. Celery is safe for bearded dragons to consume every other week or so.
Can bearded dragons have carrots everyday? ›Bearded dragons can eat carrots once or twice a week, but not every day. Carrots aren't on the menu in bearded dragons' natural habitat (Australian deserts), but they do offer some great nutritional benefits: Vitamin A and beta carotene, which promote healthy skin, a healthy immune system, and good vision.
What is the healthiest fruit for bearded dragons? ›The following list of insects, vegetables and fruits are good choices to include in your bearded dragon's diet: Dubia roaches, earthworms, crickets and superworms. Apples, blueberries, peaches, strawberries and watermelon.
Do Beardies like bananas? ›You may be surprised to hear that dragons actually enjoy eating the banana peel as well as the fruit, and it adds a little extra nutrition to the treat. So you can slice the banana up with the peel and place the pieces in your dragon's food bowl alone or with some other fruits and veggies in a colorful, healthy salad.
What fruit is toxic to bearded dragons? ›Fruits like oranges, tomatoes, lemons, limes, grapefruit, pineapple, tangerines should never be fed or given rarely. The acidity in these fruits can be very high and can seriously upset the balance of the digestive tract. This can cause digestive problems such as runny stools for your bearded dragon.
Do bearded dragons need to eat bugs everyday? ›
Adult bearded dragons typically need a live insect feeding once a day or once every other day. It's up to you and your beardie's vet to determine the best feeding schedule for your reptile friend.
What weird foods can bearded dragons eat? ›In the wild, Bearded Dragons mainly eat animals, they make up about 75% of their diet and can include crickets, cockroaches, worms and even small creatures such as mice however mice aren't fed to bearded dragons kept as pets. Greens, vegetables and limited fruit make up the other 20% to 25% of their diet.
Can bearded dragons have tomatoes? ›Can bearded dragons eat tomatoes? As is the case for many fruits, the answer is qualified. Yes, bearded dragons can safely eat tomatoes...but only a small amount served once a month.
How often do you bathe a bearded dragon? ›As a general rule, bath time three times a week should be sufficient to keep your dragon clean and hydrated. If your dragon absolutely hates baths, then once a week may be a reasonable goal. If your dragon can't get enough bath time, you may want to do it more frequently, maybe even once a day.
What is the best time to feed a bearded dragon? ›As soon as you get your bearded dragon, no matter their age, their first feeding of the day must always be 2 hours after their lights first are turned on. Similarly, their last feeding needs to come at least two hours before the lights are turned off for the day.
How often should a bearded dragon poop? ›Baby bearded dragons that are 3 months old or younger usually poop one to three times a day because their diet is rich in proteins. A young bearded dragon (4 to 18 months old) will have a bowel movement every day or so, while you can expect those older than 18 months to poop 1-7 times a week.
What is the fastest way to hydrate a bearded dragon? ›- Have a soaking dish in your dragon's enclosure so that they can soak anytime.
- Add Reptile Electrolytes to the soaking dish.
- Offer your Bearded Dragon a warm soak in a tub with added electrolytes once every 7-10 days.
The best nighttime heat source for a Bearded dragon is a ceramic heat emitter, as this emits no light and can be thermostatically controlled to maintain a set temperature that should still be lower than during the day.
How can I quickly hydrate my bearded dragon? ›- Offer water or diluted electrolyte solutions such as sports drinks, Pedialyte or Ricelyte near the reptile's head for easy, convenient drinking.
- Use an eyedropper or needle-less syringe to drip water onto the reptile's snout. As the reptile licks the moisture off, continue offering drinks in this way.
Crickets are a very popular feeder insect for Bearded Dragons, nutritionally they offer a good amount of protein and calcium, and they are widely available at pet stores and online retailers.
What is a bearded dragons favorite toy? ›
Multi-tunnel toys with distinct paths to enjoy are best. You can use a cat wand to encourage exploration. Some owners even like to toss a few food items in the tunnels for their beardie to hunt.
What do bearded dragons do all day? ›Unlike lizards who are active at night, bearded dragons are awake during the day. They often like to climb branches and sit on logs to bask in the sun. As a result, they make great pets for people who want to interact with their pets during waking hours.
Do bearded dragons like to get wet? ›Bathing your bearded dragon is important for several reasons. Hydration is one of the biggest ones. Many beardies don't like drinking from bowls, but will happily slurp up their bathwater. Baths are of course also important for hygiene.
What do bearded dragons need on the bottom of the tank? ›Safe Substrates For Bearded Dragons
Paper Towels – Pros: Cheap, easily changed. Cons: Not the most natural looking substrate, and you may have to change them often. Newspapers – Pros: They're free, easily changed, and more absorbent.
Bearded dragons are cold-blooded, so it's important to use lukewarm or warm water (between 90 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit is a good rule of thumb). Cold water will make your dragon sick. If you let your dragon swim outside in a lake, pond, or a kiddie pool, it's still important to monitor the temperature.
Can bearded dragons eat zucchini? ›Bearded dragons can eat raw zucchini. Although you can serve them cooked food, bearded dragons really do not need to eat cooked zucchini, since cooking does deplete the already relatively low nutritional value. Plus, out in the wild bearded dragons would be eating raw vegetation anyway, so they are used to it.
What leaves are toxic to bearded dragons? ›- Boxwood.
- Buttercup.
- Wild Daffodil.
- Elderberry.
- Holly.
- Hydrangea.
- Iris.
- Ivy.
Bearded dragons can have cucumbers every other week or so.
But there are several nutritional benefits from the right amount of cucumber: 96% water, making it a great source of hydration especially if your bearded dragon is dehydrated. Fiber, which prevents constipation.
Bearded dragons can eat bell peppers a few times a week or less. Bearded dragons can get the following nutrients from bell peppers: Antioxidants, which prevent inflammation, strengthen the immune system, and aid digestion. Vitamins A and C, which boost the immune system, vision, reproduction, and growth.
Can bearded dragons eat corn? ›With that in mind, let's find the answer: can bearded dragons eat corn? The quick answer is yes, they can...but they really don't need to. Corn is not exactly harmful in limited amounts, so some Dragon Keepers opt to feed their bearded dragon corn once a month or less often.
Can bearded dragons eat pineapple? ›
Can Bearded Dragons Have Pineapple? Pineapple is an undeniably healthy and refreshing fruit for us people and our bearded dragons, although we can eat it on a daily basis while bearded dragons can safely eat pineapple once or twice a month.
Can Beardies eat scrambled eggs? ›Bearded dragons can safely eat scrambled eggs.
They can also eat hard boiled eggs. Just remember these pointers: Adult bearded dragons should eat no more than half an egg at a time, max. If you're scrambling the egg, don't mix any additional ingredients with it.
Bearded dragons can drink a variety of different liquids, including water, fruit juice, and even reptile milk. Although water is the best choice for most dragons, they will also drink fruit juice and reptile milk if they are offered it.
What vegetables can't bearded dragons eat? ›Avoid vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, and romaine as too much can be harmful, or they offer limited nutritional value. Bearded dragons will also eat fruits like apples, strawberries, watermelon, and peaches. Aside from delicious fruits and vegetables, dragons will eat just about any insect that moves.
What vegetables are poisonous to bearded dragons? ›- Onions and Chives. Onions, raw or cooked, should not be fed to bearded dragons. ...
- Mushrooms. ...
- Leeks. ...
- Garlic. ...
- Rhubarb. ...
- Avocados. ...
- Eggplants. ...
- Iceberg lettuce.
Bearded dragons like apples, strawberries, grapes, melons, peaches, and even raisins.
Can bearded dragon eat scrambled eggs? ›Bearded dragons can safely eat scrambled eggs.
Adult bearded dragons should eat no more than half an egg at a time, max. If you're scrambling the egg, don't mix any additional ingredients with it.
Of the popular salad lettuces, romaine offers the most nutritional value for bearded dragons and humans alike. So if you are going to feed your bearded dragon lettuce, romaine would be the best choice.
Can Beardies eat tomatoes? ›So you may be wondering if you can share this veggie-like fruit with your reptile friend. Can bearded dragons eat tomatoes? As is the case for many fruits, the answer is qualified. Yes, bearded dragons can safely eat tomatoes...but only a small amount served once a month.
What is the healthiest vegetable for bearded dragons? ›| collard greens | beet greens | turnip greens |
|---|---|---|
| alfalfa hay/chow | Bok choy | Swiss chard |
| watercress | clover | cilantro |
| kohlrabi | bell peppers | dandelion |
What should a bearded dragon eat daily? ›
Bearded Dragon Diet Plan
Since they are omnivores, they eat both plants and animals and can dine on a wide range of food, from live mealworms, kingworms and crickets to greens such as parsley and kale and vegetables like pepper and sweet potato. You can even give them limited amounts of fruit.
Bearded dragons can have cucumbers every other week or so.
96% water, making it a great source of hydration especially if your bearded dragon is dehydrated. Fiber, which prevents constipation. Vitamin C, which fortifies your dragon's immune system, vision, reproduction, and growth.
Can bearded dragons eat cheese? The answer is a resounding NO. Bearded dragons cannot have cheese or any dairy, for that matter. Sure, it's a great source of calcium for people who don't have an allergy or lactose intolerance.
Can bearded dragons eat cooked chicken? ›The short answer is no. Chicken is not exactly a safe food for your beardie. A very small piece or two might be fine every few months, but if your bearded dragon eats a lot of chicken, he may become ill or die.
Can bearded dragons eat peanut butter? ›Bearded dragons cannot eat peanut butter as it is too high in protein added sugars and fats. Rather than taking a chance, avoid peanut butter completely to ensure your dragon remains healthy.