Can Bearded Dragon Eat Arugula? TopFlight Dubia Answered
Posted by Elijah White on Apr 5th 2024
A pet lover always wants to keep their pet happy. Seeing an unhealthy bearded dragon is of great pain for any owner. The first significant step in keeping your exotic friend in shape is providing them with nutritious, balanced food.
The beardie’s diet is an essential point of discussion to ensure that the pet always remains fit. A responsible bearded dragon lover must wonder: What can bearded dragons eat? Can they eat Arugula?
TopFlight Dubia is here for you; their expert opinion will keep your beardie in shape.
Arugula For Bearded Dragons
Arugula is a nutrient-rich green leafy vegetable. It contains essential elements like calcium, potassium, and folate. It’s also a great source of Vitamins like A and K.
So, the question remains: Can bearded dragons eat Arugula?
TopFlight Dubia experts answered: YES.
Remove the stems of the Arugula and cut them into small pieces before feeding them to your pet.
Essential Facts:
Biological Name - Eruca vesicaria
Other Names - Rocket, eruca
Habitat - Southern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East
Nutritional Value Of Arugula
Here is the nutritional breakdown of raw Arugula per 100g:
Energy: 105 kJ (25 kcal)
Carbohydrates: 3.6 g
Sugars: 2.0 g
Dietary fiber: 1.6 g
Fat: 0.6 g
Protein: 2.6 g
VITAMINS
|
Vitamins |
Quantity |
%DV (percent daily value) |
|
Vitamin A equiv. |
119 μg |
13% |
|
beta-Carotene |
1424 μg |
13% |
|
lutein zeaxanthin |
3555 μg |
|
|
Vitamin A |
2373 IU |
|
|
Thiamine (B1) |
0.044 mg |
04% |
|
Riboflavin (B2) |
0.086 mg |
07% |
|
Niacin (B3) |
0.305 mg |
02% |
|
Vitamin B6 |
0.073 mg |
04% |
|
Folate (B9) |
97 μg |
24% |
|
Vitamin C |
15 mg |
17% |
|
Vitamin E |
0.43 mg |
03% |
|
Vitamin K |
108.6 μg |
91% |
Source: USDA (U.S Department Of Agriculture)
MINERALS
|
Minerals |
Quantity |
%DV† (percent daily value) |
|
Calcium |
160 mg |
12% |
|
Copper |
0.076 mg |
08% |
|
Iron |
1.46 mg |
08% |
|
Magnesium |
47 mg |
11% |
|
Manganese |
0.321 mg |
14% |
|
Phosphorus |
52 mg |
04% |
|
Potassium |
369 mg |
12% |
|
Sodium |
27 mg |
01% |
|
Zinc |
0.47 mg |
04% |
Source: USDA (U.S Department Of Agriculture)
NOTE: Arugula is also a rich source of water.
Balancing Dragons Diet With Arugula
The calcium-to-phosphorous ratio of Arugula is 3:1, which is appropriate for bearded dragons.
This fiber-rich green is ideal for your pet but beware of feeding it too much. A high percentage of Vit A can lead to Vitamin A toxicity.
Hence, balancing your pet's diet with Arugula is a must. The right frequency of feeding is twice a week.
Wash it, chop it, & serve it.
Precautions: Every 100g of Arugula contains 7mg of oxalates, slightly more than the recommended amount. This could lead to improper digestion and stomach upset. Hence, it is advisable to consume it two times a week.
The Right Way To Serve Arugula To Bearded Dragon
Experts mainly prefer baby Arugula because the peppery and spicy flavor is less intense than mature leaves. Here are the easy steps to follow:
- Remove the stems to avoid choking.
- Wash the vegetable as it helps to remove unnecessary chemicals that may be found on the surface.
- Cut it into small pieces for smoother digestion.
- See your beardie in an excellent mood for having a balanced diet.
The Final Take
Feeding the ideal diet is a wish of every responsible pet owner.
The experts at TopFlight Dubia have done extensive research and ensure you that feeding Arugula occasionally will improve the health of your bearded friend.
The tips and advice in the guide will keep your bearded dragons happy and healthy.