Are you wondering about sharing spinach with your beardie?

Spinach is a superfood known for its vitamins and minerals. Not only Popeye, the sailor man, loved it, but many people love to add it to their diet. 

But when it comes to bearded dragons, many pet parents ask - Can bearded dragons eat spinach?

As a parent, it is important to know what is right for your beardie as it can significantly impact your pet’s overall health and happiness.

Here, TopFlight Dubia will share everything you need to know about spinach for bearded dragons.

Can bearded dragons have Spinach?

Yes, the bearded dragons can have spinach, but it should be served as an occasional rare treat.

Nutrition Presents in Spinach 

Spinach contains various nutrients such as:

Source: 2024, Journal of Food Composition and Analysis

Bearded dragons can benefit from the nutrients and minerals present in spinach, such as: 

• Folate to regulate cell functions and tissue growth 
• Iron helps with the flow of oxygen to the overall body
• Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and beta carotene support your bearded’s immune system, reproduction, vision, and growth.

However, spinach also contains high amounts of oxalates. The oxalate can bind with calcium in a beardie’s body. As a result, it can hinder their ability to absorb calcium into their body. 

How To Feed Spinach to Your Beardie

Spinach can be served in smaller quantities once in a while. But here comes the question of how to feed this veggie to your beloved pet. Let’s know how to add this veggie to a pet’s plate:

• First, make sure to buy fresh spinach. 
• Look for leaves that are dark green and crisp. 
• Avoid yellow, wilted, or limped leaves.
• Consider raw spinach, as it contains more nutrients than cooked spinach.
• Wash the leaves to clear dirt and debris. 
• Chop the spinach into small pieces so that your beardie can eat it easily.
• Mix a small amount of spinach with other leafy greens like collard greens or dandelion greens.

What Other Foods Bearded Dragons Can Eat?

As a query on Reddit, many beardies’s parents share what their pet loves to eat. 

Bearded dragons' diet mostly covers insects like Dubia Roaches and crickets. However, adding greens and veggies is crucial, especially as they age. Let’s know what you can add:

Staples

• Collard greens
• Mustard greens
• Turnip greens
• Dandelion greens
• Arugula

Veggies

• Squash, bell peppers, and zucchini

Occasional Treats

• Carrots, sweet potatoes and green beans

Fruits ( Occasionally)

Various fruits can be added to your pet’s diet, but they should be given once every week or two due to their high sugar content. Some of the fruits are as follows:

• Mango
• Papaya
• Blueberries
• Raspberries

To add variety, you can create a salad by mixing greens, a few veggies, and tiny fruit pieces. Your pet will love the care that you are putting into their diet.

Common Signs of Metabolic Bone Disease

It might not be a big deal if spinach blocks a small amount of calcium. 

However, other factors, such as the right amount of sun or UVB exposure, can cause a vitamin D3 deficiency. 

Calcium can’t be utilized in the same way it should be without vitamin D3. If the calcium is not properly utilized, it can interfere with phosphorus metabolism. 

As you all know, phosphorus naturally binds to calcium, and if your beardie cannot synthesize calcium properly, it will release excess calcium to bind with phosphorus. 

This process can weaken the bones if repeated for a long duration, and it can eventually lead to metabolic bone disease.

Some common signs of MBD are:

• Weakness and Tiredness
• Difficulty Walking or Standing
• Swollen Legs
• Loss of Appetite 

To solve this problem, a few changes to their diet and living conditions can be made. However, discussing this with a vet is essential to ensure your pet's overall well-being.

Conclusion

Spinach is a source of minerals and nutrients. You can share spinach with your pet as a rare treat once in a while. Make sure to cut the spinach into small-sized chunks and mix it with other leafy greens and veggies for variety. Discuss adding new food to your beardie’s diet with a veterinarian

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)