Can Bearded Dragons Eat Asparagus? TopFlight Dubia Explains
Posted by Jackson Mitchell on Apr 5th 2024
You love your bearded dragon and want to provide the best diet possible to make them healthy and happy. Greens are a critical part of their diet. The greens provide essential nutrients and minerals to bearded dragons.
One of the greens that bearded dragons' parents are considering is dandelion green. But are they safe? Are they truly beneficial?
As a caring beardie parent, you deserve to know the facts. So, here, TopFlight Dubia will share whether dandelion can be fed to bearded dragons or not.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Dandelion Greens?
Yes, bearded dragons can have dandelions every day. They are nutritious food options for bearded dragons.
Nutrients Present in Dandelion Greens
Vitamin A —508 µg
- Supports eyes and prevents eye infections
- Promotes healthy skin and proper shedding
- Strengthening immunity to fight diseases
- Necessary for tissue repair and growth
Vitamin K — 778.4 µg
- Helps with blood clotting
- Strengthen the bones
Magnesium— 36 mg
- Supports bone formation
- Helps with muscle contraction and relaxation
- Aids in metabolism
Potassium —397 mg
- Supports muscle health
- Maintain fluid balance and prevent dehydration
Iron —3.1 mg
- Helps produce hemoglobin to carry oxygen
- Keep the energy levels up
How Do Dandelion Greens Compare to Other Greens in Terms of Ca:P Ratio?
Type of Green |
Calcium-to-Phosphorus Ratio |
Dandelion Green |
2.8:1 |
Collard Green |
9.28:1 |
Mustard Green |
2.3:1 |
Turnip Green |
1.11:1 |
Key Takeaway:
It has a Ca:P ratio of 2.8:1, which is close enough to the ideal Ca:P for the bearded dragon, which is 2:1.
This helps provide enough calcium to beardies and prevents the metabolic bone disease caused by calcium deficiency.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Dandelion Stems, Flowers, and Puffs?
Flowers
Bearded dragons can eat flowers, but they should be offered flowers occasionally.
Stems
It is not recommended to feed dandelion stem to your pet as it contains less desirable nutrients like oxalates. Oxalates can interfere with calcium absorption and potentially affect the digestive system of bearded dragons.
Puffs
Bearded dragons should not eat the fluffy seed heads as they lack nutritional value.
How To Serve Dandelions to Your Beardie?
Let’s know how to feed dandelion greens to your pet:
- Remove the stem first.
- Wash the dandelion leaves to remove any pesticides.
- Cut into smaller pieces.
- Include dandelion leaves with shredded carrots and blueberries.
NOTE: If your bearded dragon doesn’t eat the dandelion leaves first, offer the carrot pieces first, then the leaves. |
Conclusion
Bearded dragons can eat dandelion greens every other week. The leaves can be fed to the beardies. You can also give dandelion flowers to your pet, but only occasionally. You should not consider including dandelion stems in your pet’s diet. When you add dandelion greens to your plate, you can serve it with salad, including carrots.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can bearded dragons eat wild dandelion?
- It is important to know that the area where they grow is free of pesticides and harmful chemicals.
2. How many dandelions can bearded dragons eat a day?
- The number of dandelions depends on the specific requirements of each bearded dragon. But you can give the dandelions several times a week as part of a varied diet.
3. What other greens can be fed to bearded dragons?
- Collard, mustard, and turnip greens are the best options for bearded dragons.