Greens that are good for bearded dragons

Do you want to know the best greens for bearded dragons to include in your bearded dragon’s vegetable mix or salad more often or daily? We have ten best and ten worst greens to feed this agamid lizard.

However, before we look at these greens, ensure these pets have a wide variety, including feeder insects you give them.

• Overview
• What makes greens best for bearded dragons
  • 1. Nutritional composition
  • 2. Oxalate levels
  • 3. Calcium to phosphorus ratio
  • 4. Goitrogens levels
  • 5. Tannins
  • 6. Some chemical compounds
• Best greens for bearded dragons
• Summary
  • 1. Dandelion greens
  • 2. Endive/Escarole
  • 3. Kale
  • 4. Fresh alfalfa (not sprouts)
  • 5. Mustard greens
  • 6 Bok Choy
  • 7. Arugula or rocket
  • 8. Watercress
  • 9. Turnip greens
  • 10. Prickly Pear
• 10. Worst greens for bearded dragons      
• Vegetable feeding tips

Overview

While in their natural habitats, bearded dragons feed on both animals and plant materials, i.e., invertebrates, small vertebrates, greens, flowers, and fruits.  Some of the vegetables and plants they eat include dandelion greens, clovers, Xanthosia spp., kangaroo grass, clover, and so on.

Similarly, in captivity, they need to eat these foods. Greens (leafy vegetables, flowers, herbs, and other plants) are an essential part of your dragon’s diet. And depending on their age, they comprise 20 to 80% of this lizard’s food intake (babies eat less and adults eat more).

We know there are over 100 different greens that are safe for this pet. Not all can form a daily dietary part of these semi-arid and arid reptiles. The vegetables we know as ‘healthiest’ may not be as healthy to these agamid lizards.

Here is what makes greens healthiest and not so healthy to your bearded dragons:

1. Nutritional composition

When picking the best vegetables for bearded dragons, always look at their nutritional composition and choose nutrient-dense foods. You want to pick foods rich in vitamins, minerals, micronutrients such as antioxidants and other nutrients.

Did you know that some nutrients such a vitamin D3 and calcium need to be supplemented in these reptile’s diets as they are vital and may not get enough from their diets?

2. Oxalate levels

Oxalates, including oxalic acids, affect the absorption of some nutrients, especially calcium and, to a smaller extent, magnesium.

When you feed your bearded dragons with diets high in oxalates, it will bind with calcium in their digestive system forming indigestible and insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which will then be passed through feces.

When this happens, calcium bioavailability goes down, i.e., oxalates, negatively affecting absorption and proper calcium utilization.

Studies have shown that vitamin A may lower the effect of oxalates, this happens to a small extent, and excessive vitamin A isn’t good as it competes with vitamin D3 in lizards.

Also, oxalates are associated with the formation of kidney stones, i.e., insoluble calcium oxalate crystals.

The only benefit associated with calcium oxalate crystals is cleaning the digestive tract as they are passed out. However, the adverse effects outweigh this benefit.

Therefore, always consider the oxalate levels of any greens you give your bearded dragon and moderate those that are high in oxalates.

Some of the vegetables high in oxalates include

• Rhubarb
• Spinach
• Swiss chard
• Beets
• Potatoes
• Parsley
• Pokeweed
• Okra

3. Calcium to phosphorus ratio

An ideal bearded dragon diet should have a calcium to phosphorus ratio (Ca:P) of 1.5-2:1, withegg-bound ones requiring a much higher calcium ratio to phosphorus. Therefore, the best greens for bearded dragons should have their calcium to phosphorus close to this ratio or higher and never vice versa.

Since calcium and phosphate inversely affect each other, too much phosphorus will raise phosphate levels, resulting in decreased blood calcium levels.

In these reptiles, low calcium and other factors such as deficiency of vitamin D3 (helps in calcium absorption) and inadequate UV light may contribute to hypocalcemia (low calcium in the blood).

Bearded dragons not getting enough calcium, UVB light, or vitamin D3 may suffer from musculoskeletal disorders and diseases, including metabolic bone disease (MBD).

Also, calcium deficiency may cause secondary nutritional hyperparathyroidism, among other issues. On the other hand, an excessive amount is detrimental to these reptiles.

4. Goitrogens levels

Another consideration is the goitrogen levels that a specific vegetable has. Goitrogens are substances known to marginally suppress thyroid glands’ proper function and cause symptoms that mimic iodine deficiency. Should your pet eat diets high in goitrogens daily, it may suffer from hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroidism will result in enlarged thyroid glands, among other health issues, requiring diagnosis and treatment.

Some of the greens high in goitrogens include:

• Brussels sprouts
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Horseradish
• Broccoli
• Bok choy
• Collard greens
• Rapeseed
• Kale
• Kohlrabi
• Rutabagas
• Mustard greens
• Spinach
• Swedes
• Turnips

Unless fed on diets that only have goitrogens every day, these greens are unlikely to cause any effect on your pet. Don’t altogether avoid them but make them part of your bearded dragon’s balanced diet.

5. Tannins

You have seen recommendations on avoiding giving your reptiles foods that are high in tannins or tannoids. These are nothing other than water-soluble compounds, which can bind with protein and iron in the gut, making them unavailable for absorption. Tannins give the astringent taste and make vegetables and fruits turn brownish when bruised.

Additionally, they can also bind with vitamin B12 forming a compound that is thought to be cancer-causing and may damage your reptile’s intestines.

Some of the foods high in tannins include blueberries, apples, strawberries, grapes,  pomegranates, bananas, apricots, and persimmons

Also, greens (herbs, spices, and vegetables) like rosemary, basil, mint, cloves, thyme, cinnamon, lettuce, rhubarb, and spinach have tannins.

If your bearded dragon has a balanced diet, tannins are not likely to be a problem unless you give only greens rich in tannins.

Doneley et al. (2018) note goitrogens are rarely a problem in reptiles, something that Stahl and Donoghue (2010) concur but recommend limiting diets high in oxalates and goitrogens.

6. Some chemical compounds

Finally, some greens have natural toxins such as cyanogenic glycoside, gossypol, photosensitizers, phenolics, and alkaloids. Some are safe and beneficial in small quantities but may be toxic in large amounts.

However, in large amounts, some of these compounds may be toxic or may cause some cancers. For instance, in large quantities, parsley may cause photosensitization characterized by irritation, pain, redness, and skin swelling. However, in small portions, it is healthy and an excellent source of vitamin A.

Best greens for bearded dragons

You have a rough idea of what criteria we used to come up with the best greens for bearded dragons, i.e., we picked those that are nutritious, have the correct calcium to phosphorus ratio, and are low in oxalates and goitrogens.

Also, we were biased towards vegetables higher in calcium, don’t have tannins or any other chemical compounds deemed dangerous. However, since you dust most diets with vitamin D3 and calcium, we will not emphasize calcium.

Finally, we include some foods with goitrogens if they were very nutritious. Goitrogen may rarely show any effects if these pets eat only such vegetables. Under regular feeding and if you offer a variety of foods, they will not cause any effects.  

So what are some of the best veggies for bearded dragons?

Summary

1. Dandelion greens

Dandelion greens (Taraxacum officinale) or common dandelion greens are a nutritional powerhouse, and one of the greens bearded dragons eat even while in the wild.

This vegetable that belongs to the aster, daisy, composite, or sunflower familyis an excellent source of vitamin A (including beta-carotene), C, E, and K, riboflavin, iron, and calcium. Also, dandelions are a considerable amount of thiamine, vitamin B6, calcium, manganese, and magnesium.

Finally, their calcium to phosphorus ratio (2.8:1) favors this vegetable. It is an excellent source of calcium (187mg per 100g). Its oxalates are not so high, i.e., about 24.6 mg per 100 g.

2. Endive/Escarole

Endive (Cichorium endivia) is another great vegetable from the sunflower family which you can feed your bearded dragon. It is rich in vitamin K and manganese and moderate in vitamin A and vitamin B5.

It has a Ca: P ratio of 1.9:1 and is meager in oxalates (contrary to some older data that claims it is high in oxalates). However, it is not so high in calcium, standing at 52 mg per 100 g but still an excellent vegetable choice.

3. Kale

Please don’t shy away from kale, a Brassica oleracea cultivars in the mustards, crucifers, or cabbage family because it was initially thought to be high in oxalates (something recent studies have found otherwise.

Kale is one of the nutrient-rich vegetables to feed your bearded dragons. It is high in vitamin A, C, K, B6, folate, manganese, moderate thiamin (vitamin B1), pantothenic acid (B-5), vitamin E, iron, magnesium, calcium, and potassium.

Kales has a Ca:P of 4.6:1, is low in oxalic acid, i.e., about 2mg per cup of raw chopped kale (67g) with some sources putting it at 13mg/100g and is high in calcium 254mg per 100g.

The only reason why you shouldn’t make kale the only vegetable that your beardie eats is the fact that it is one of the goitrogenic greens. Fortunately, if these lizards have a balanced diet, goitrogens shouldn’t be an issue.

4. Fresh alfalfa (not sprouts)

Alfalfa or lucerne (Medicago sativa) is another great choice of greens to feed your bearded dragons. It is a good source of vitamin B5, C, K, folate, iron, copper, magnesium, and essential amino acids.

Also, alfalfa has high calcium to phosphorus ratio of about 5:1 and has a negligible amount of oxalates, making it a perfect choice of greens to feed your bearded dragon.

5. Mustard greens

Mustard greens (Brassica juncea) is another great vegetable you should feed your bearded dragons because it is nutritious and has a considerable amount of calcium (115mg per 100g).

Mustard greens are an excellent source of vitamin A, C, and K, folate, and manganese. This veggie is moderate in calcium, vitamin E, and potassium.

Don’t worry about the calcium to phosphorus ratio because it stands at 2:1, and it is low in oxalates, about 7.7 mg per 100g.

Like any other cabbage, mustard, or crucifer family Brassicaceae, it has goitrogens. However, this should not worry you unless you intend to feed your bearded dragon on exclusively mustard greens, which isn’t recommended. 

6 Bok Choy

Bok Choy, Pok Choi, pak choi, pichay, or petsay (Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis) is another good vegetable that your bearded dragons can have. This Chinese cabbage type is rich in vitamin A, C, and K and has a considerable amount of calcium, folate, and vitamin B6.

Boy choy has 105mg per 100g and is very low in oxalates (1.5 mg per 100g). Although it does have goitrogens, don’t worry about so long as your lizard’s diet is balanced.

7. Arugula or rocket

Arugula or rocket (Eruca vesicaria) is another great veggie for these lizards. It has a fresh peppery taste that is somewhat bitter. It is an excellent source of vitamin A, B, and K and has a significant amount of vitamin C, calcium, magnesium iron, and manganese.

Arugula isn’t very high in oxalates, with some sources quoting 15.1-19.1 mg/100g (2), is high in calcium 160, and has a calcium to phosphorus ratio of 3.1:1, making it perfect for your bearded dragons. However, like most of the members of the cabbage family, it does have goitrogens.

8. Watercress

Watercress or yellowcress (Nasturtium officinale) is one of the crucifers, mustard, or cabbage family greens good for your bearded dragons. This aquatic vegetable is rich in vitamin A, C, and K and is moderate in riboflavin, vitamin B6 manganese, and calcium.

Furthermore, watercress has 10mg of oxalates per 100g (3) making, it is high in calcium and has a favorable ratio of phosphorus to calcium, i.e., Ca:P is 2:1.

9. Turnip greens

As you enjoy your turnips (Brassica rapa subsp. rapa), you can give some turnip greens or tops to your bearded dragons, and they will enjoy each bite. Turnip tops are very nutritious, i.e., rich in vitamin A, C, K, and folate. Also, they have moderate amounts of manganese, calcium, vitamin B6, and E.

Turnip greens have an impressive Ca:P ratio of 4.5:1 and are high in calcium (190 mg per 100g). Despite being a little higher on oxalates (50mg/100g) and have goitrogens, please don’t shy away from them. Just ensure your dragons have a balanced diet.

10. Prickly Pear

Prickly pear (Opuntia) is a genus in the cactus family. Prickly pear pads are a delicacy in various parts of the world, including in Mexico (nopales).

Your bearded dragons can also eat this cactus pad, and they do eat this plant while in the wild. However, it is not the most nutritious, if we were honest, so we listed it last.

Prickly bear is high in sodium and moderate in vitamin C. Its Ca:P is 2.3:1, it has 55 mg of calcium, and its oxalate content varies with age.

Finally, when feeding prickly pear to your bearded dragon, ensure you remove any prickles. Alternatively, you can peel it and cut it into small pieces.

10. Worst greens for bearded dragons      

We have seen some of the best greens for bearded dragons. Let’s look at the worst vegetables, including those that are toxic or poisonous to your reptile.

Vegetable feeding tips

You have some of the best and worst greens for bearded dragons. Here are general feeding tips:

1. Lightly spray or dust them with calcium and vitamin D3. How often you will dust greens with vitamin D3 or calcium depends on their age. Growing youngsters need more often dusting than adults.
2. Offer your bearded dragon a salad mix of several vegetables and keep varying the greens you offer. No one vegetable is good enough, and each does have different nutrients. Mixing and varying will ensure your reptiles get all nutrients they need.
3. Always offer your bearded dragon raw vegetables and not cooked ones.
4. Bearded dragons can eat frozen, dried, or canned vegetables. Frozen greens should naturally thaw first before you offer them. If canned, ensure they don’t have any additives and, if dried, wet them well first.
5. Chop or slice vegetables into small pieces to make eating much more manageable.
6. Invest in a good feeding dish like Fluker’s Food/Water Reptile Corner Bowl or Zoo Med Reptile Rock Food Dish if you use loose particulate substrate like sand to prevent the substrate’s ingestion as they try to eat. Too much ingestion of substrate may cause GI blockages.
7. Remove any uneaten vegetables after 3-4 hours, and don’t leave them overnight or for a long time since they may begin molding.

References

• Doneley, R., Monks, D., Johnson, R. & Carmel, B. (2018) Reptile Medicine and Surgery in Clinical Practice. John Wiley & Sons.
• Stahl, S., and Donoghue, S. (2010) Nutrition of Reptiles. In: Hand MS, Thatcher CD, Remillard RL, et al., editors. Small Animal Clinical Nutrition. Topeka (KS): Mark Morris Institute pp 1237-1249.

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