Can Bearded Dragons Eat Parsley? Yes, Certainly, parsley is a healthy addition to a bearded dragon’s diet. The bearded dragon will benefit from some parsley in its diet. The vitamin A, C, and K content of parsley are particularly high. Bearded dragons benefit from using parsley in their diet because it is a strong source of vitamins A, C, and K.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Parsley?
Certainly, parsley is a healthy addition to a bearded dragon’s diet. The bearded dragon will benefit from some parsley in its diet. The vitamin A, C, and K content of parsley are particularly high. Bearded dragons benefit from using parsley in their diet because it is a strong source of vitamins A, C, and K.
Some bearded dragons may benefit from the protein in parsley. Young dragons require more of it to reach their full potential as quickly as possible, but pets of all ages can benefit from regular consumption.
Parsley Nutritional Information
As you can see from the table below, parsley is an excellent source of several important nutrients for bearded dragons. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the industry standard bearer in the field of nutritional food research, has provided us with the data we used.
As you can see from the table below, parsley is an excellent source of many essential nutrients for bearded dragons. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is the authority on food nutrition, thus their data is what we used.
Nutritional Information of Parsley Per 100g
| Name | Amount | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Water | 87.71 | g |
| Energy | 36 | Kcal |
| Protein | 2.97 | g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.79 | g |
| Carbohydrates, by the difference | 6.33 | g |
| Fiber | 3.3 | g |
| Sugars | 0.85 | g |
| Calcium, Ca | 138 | mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 58 | mg |
| Sodium, Na | 56 | mg |
| Vitamin C | 133 | mg |
| Iron, Fe | 6.2 | mg |
| Vitamin D (D2+3) | 0 | µg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.09 | mg |
| Vitamin A | 421 | µg |
| Vitamin E | 0.75 | mg |
| Vitamin K | 1640 | µg |
Parsley Is High In Calcium
Parsley scores high on the nutrient scale, especially when it comes to calcium. Bearded dragons need a lot of calcium to stay healthy, and a diet lacking in this mineral can lead to metabolic bone disease and other serious health problems.
When doing research for this piece, we once again came across an article by Pet-MD that explained how a lack of dietary calcium or vitamin D3 is one of the leading causes of metabolic bone disease in reptiles.
We recommend checking out this post, which provides a straightforward guide to the effects of calcium on your bearded dragon if you’re still confused about the topic. The ratio of calcium to phosphorus in a diet is also crucial.
If a food is high in calcium but also has a significant amount of phosphorus, the calcium will not be absorbed and the food will be useless. It appears that there is an abundance of calcium relative to phosphorus, as seen in the table above.
Parsley Is Very High In Oxalates
There are compounds called oxalates, and parsley has a lot of them. Greens and vegetables manufacture oxalates as a defense mechanism while they’re still developing. Oxalates inhibit the absorption of minerals like calcium by binding to them, and they have been linked to the development of kidney stones.
Even VCA hospitals, in their article on bearded dragon nutrition, make this very argument. To find out how many oxalates parsley has in comparison to other greens, we visited oxalates.org. Since kale and spinach are also thought to have a lot of oxalates, we compared the three.
Parsley Oxalates per 100g
| Name | Oxalates Per 100g |
|---|---|
| Parsley | 1700 mg |
| Spinach | 970 mg |
| Kale | 20 mg |
Parsley has a lot of oxalates, which implies that the calcium in it might not be absorbed since the oxalates will bind to it. Even while experts claim it’s safe, you should exercise caution before giving parsley to your bearded dragon daily.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Parsley
We discovered that VCA-Hospitals recommends a diet high in plant-based items, including parsley, for your bearded dragon. While this is a reliable source, there is one important consideration you should make before giving parsley to your bearded dragon daily.
Summary
Bearded dragons benefit from using parsley in their diet because it is a strong source of vitamins A, C, and K. Some bearded dragons may benefit from the protein in parsley. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is the authority on food nutrition.
Pros of Parsley for Your Bearded Dragon
In little doses, the beneficial components in parsley can have a big impact. Some of them are:
Calcium
There is a lot of calcium in parsley. Parsley is rich in calcium; in fact, 100g of the herb provides 138mg of the mineral. Calcium’s benefits extend far beyond merely bolstering bone health. Therefore, you can reduce the likelihood of MBD in your bearded dragon by introducing parsley to its diet.
Vitamin A and C
Vitamins A and C are two of the most important nutrients in the human diet because of their roles in enhancing the immune system and ridding the body of harmful free radicals. Vitamin A is safe for pets, but only in small doses, so watch how much you give yours.
Protein
Bearded dragons require a high-protein diet, and parsley provides that. The protein needs of young dragons are greater than those of mature dragons so that the former can develop more rapidly.
Sugar-Free
Parsley’s low sugar content and lack of effect on weight gain are two of its main benefits. Fatty liver disease, which hinders the liver’s ability to filter the blood, can be avoided by putting parsley in your bearded dragon’s diet.
Fiber
Parsley has a high fiber content because of its inherent makeup. The fiber content of parsley is 3.3g per 100g. Your bearded dragon’s stomach will settle down after this. In addition to controlling bowel water content, fiber also aids in preventing diarrhea and constipation.
Because the waste is eliminated more quickly, your pet is less likely to develop colon cancer.
Cons of Parsley for Your Bearded Dragon
Parsley Contains Oxalates
Oxalates are a type of plant defense mechanism that helps the plant survive and thrive during growth. They are prevalent in many foods, especially leafy greens. However, when these oxalates interact with calcium, they can become less effective, preventing the body from receiving all the vital minerals.
Most people don’t feed their bearded dragon parsley because of the high levels of oxalates it contains. However, keep in mind that giving your pet an excessive amount of parsley might significantly reduce the amount of calcium they can absorb.
The result can be brittle bones and a disorder called metabolic bone disease (MBD). Loss of bone calcium due to metabolic bone disease in bearded dragons leads to skeletal degeneration and fragility.
However, most authorities advise supplementing their diet with calcium powder to improve calcium absorption.
How can I feed my bearded dragon parsley?
If you have a parsley plant on your windowsill and you want to harvest some, you should give it a good scrub before using it. The best way to ensure that the greens and vegetables you’re about to include in a salad are clean and free of bacteria is to wash them thoroughly.
In addition, Pet-MD suggests that all greens be finely diced into proper-sized bits. We also advise doing this and using parsley to make it a breeze. If you take a pair of scissors to the leaves, your dragon won’t be able to tell what it’s eating.
The leaves can be included in a nutritious salad, perhaps with the addition of some fruit for variation. The experts at VCA-Hospitals suggest that your bearded dragon’s diet should consist primarily of parsley.
But this would go counter to the oxalate-related research we discussed. Try to stick to basic staples that you know for a fact are safe for your beardies to eat regularly, and supplement their diet with some parsley once a week or once a month.
In this method, you can provide your pet with the health benefits of parsley without worrying about giving them too many oxalates or causing them to overeat.
Here are some suggestions for giving parsley to your bearded dragon:
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Fresh parsley, either home-grown or purchased organically, is ideal for feeding your bearded dragon.
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Even if you raised your parsley at home, you should give it a thorough washing to get rid of any dirt or pesticides.
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Roughly chop
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Combine with various salad greens and fruit.
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No more than once every two weeks
How Often Can a Bearded Dragon Eat Parsley?
Experts like VCA-Hospitals prescribe parsley as a plant-based food that makes up a major percentage of your beardy’s diet, therefore this is a tricky topic to address. However, the data we found from oxalates.org showing the significant number of oxalates it contains would seem to disprove that.
As many times as they wish to eat it, Parsley needs to be bearded dragons once or twice a week or once or twice a month in modest quantities. This vegetable’s oxalates are especially damaging because they bind to calcium and inhibit its absorption.
While oxalate levels are low in kale and spinach, parsley has an astounding 1700mg per 100g. Although parsley is rich in calcium, the oxalate it contains renders it insufficient for bearded dragons.
Furthermore, bearded may develop hypervitaminosis A if they take in too much vitamin A. Care must be taken when feeding your lizard friend Parsley to avoid the risk of overfeeding.
What Other Greens to Feed Bearded Dragons Instead Of Parsley?
Bearded dragons are omnivores, so you can skip the parsley if you don’t want your pet to have its fill of healthy greens. Here are some great options for your bearded dragon to eat in place of parsley.
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Bok Choy
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Greens from a dandelion patch
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Chestnut chard
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Mustard greens
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Kale
Since all of these greens have higher calcium content than phosphorus, bearded dragons may rely on them as a calcium source. This is a positive thing, as bearded dragons don’t have any problems absorbing calcium.
Can Baby Bearded Dragons Eat Parsley?
Bearded dragons of any age can eat parsley, but as we’ve already covered, you should still exercise caution. You probably already know that parsley has a lot of calcium, but you might not know that it also has a lot of oxalates.
A female vet holds a bearded dragon in her palm and pets it, eliciting a broad grin. Bearded dragons, because of their explosive growth in their first few months of life, require a high-protein, high-calcium diet.
Food consumed by a newborn bear should be of the best possible nutritional content, and filler foods should be avoided. In very little amounts and combination with other nutritious greens, parsley can be fed to baby dragons.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Parsley Root?
Bearded dragons may have trouble chewing on parsley roots because of their rough texture. Since they aren’t particularly skilled at chewing tough objects, bearded dragons frequently choke.
Since parsley roots come in direct contact with the earth during their growth, it may be difficult to completely cleanse them of bacteria and toxins before eating them. Bearded dragons will become ill as their bodies absorb the poisons.
Bearded dragons usually stay away from parsley roots due to the two reasons mentioned above. Please don’t give your bearded dragon any roots, as they can’t digest them.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Parsley Leaves, Flakes, Or Stem?
Parsley’s leaves and stems include a variety of nutrients that could be good for your pet. The bearded dragon may eat parsley as long as the leaves and stems are whole. Parsley flakes may be harmful to bearded dragons since they include elements like preservatives.
The parsley leaves and stems should be mixed with other vegetables before being given to your pet. Bearded dragons benefit from a varied diet, and since both the stem and the leaves of parsley are nutritious, feeding them together is ideal.
Summary
Bearded dragons require a high-protein diet, and parsley provides that. The fiber content of parsley also aids in preventing diarrhea and constipation. Fatty liver disease can be avoided by putting parsley in your bearded dragon’s diet.
Are bearded dragons able to eat basil?
Keepers of bearded dragons often hear the advice that these animals must have a diet rich in leafy greens like mustard, collard, and endive. Different rules apply to herbs. They’re nice to have, but not crucial.
Once a week, give your dragon some basil. An aromatic and tasty addition to your reptile’s salad. Basil, which also contains calcium, is beneficial in many ways:
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Vitamins A, C, E, and K promote eye health, immunological function, cell vitality, and hemoglobin clotting
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Vitamins and minerals that support a strong immune system
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It reduces swelling and fights bacteria
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Benefits to digestion (in small amounts)
However, if bearded dragons eat basil regularly, Vitamin A could become a problem. It’s for this reason that basil isn’t a typical ingredient in their diet.
Bearded dragons can develop vitamin A toxicity from eating too many bell peppers or any other food that is high in vitamin A, or from taking a multivitamin or vitamin A supplement. It doesn’t happen often, but it is still important to be wary of the possibility.
Too much basil in the diet of a bearded dragon can also lead to diarrhea and stomach ache due to the plant’s acidity.
Can bearded dragons eat fresh or dried basil?
Dry basil is too potent for bearded dragons, as is the case with all dried herbs; fresh basil is best. Dried basil, for instance, is far more strong and acidic and could cause your dragon gastrointestinal distress. Additionally, fresh basil may be preferred over dried by your dragon.
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Spices, including sweet basil, sold in jars
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Serve Your Bearded Dragon Some Basil
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Preparing basil for your bearded dragon is simple.
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Make sure the new leaves are properly rinsed.
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Reduce their size by chopping or ripping them.
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Mix them in with other greens and veggies, or feed them to your dragon on their own.
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You can sprinkle tiny basil flakes on top of your dragon’s meal without chopping the basil, especially if the leaves are small.
What kinds of meat proteins are appropriate for my bearded dragon?
Grasshoppers, gut-loaded (i.e., fed nutritious food that is then passed on to the lizard) or calcium-dusted crickets and mealworms, spiders, wax worms (sometimes, as they have high fat), silkworms (occasionally), tofu, moths, slugs, and earthworms are all suitable animal-based protein sources.
Owners can cultivate their live prey, like as crickets and worms, or purchase it from local pet stores, bait shops, or reptile breeders. It is not advised to feed bearded dragon insects collected from the wild or a home garden because of the possibility of toxicity from fertilizers and insecticides.
Bearded dragons shouldn’t be fed fireflies since they are harmful to lizards. Pinkie mice and juvenile “fuzzy” mice can be fed in moderation to larger bearded dragons. Always make sure to provide a balanced diet by feeding a wide range of nutritious foods from each of the food groups.
Should I supplement my bearded dragons’ diet with vitamins and minerals?
When young, bearded dragons’ bones have a greater need for calcium in the food than phosphorus does. Bearded dragons should be given a calcium powder (calcium gluconate, or carbonate) that does not contain vitamin D3 about twice a week, and another calcium powder (calcium gluconate, or carbonate) that does contain vitamin D3 about twice a week.
A general reptile mineral supplement should be sprinkled VERY LIGHTLY on the meal once per week. Bearded dragons can be coaxed into eating their supplements by feeding them with the first few bites of a meal consisting of a tiny amount of a salad or other moist food.
Inappropriate dosing with calcium, vitamins (particularly vitamin D3), and minerals is a typical issue encountered in bearded dragons kept as pets. For information on what supplements could be best for your pet, consult with your vet.
What about water?
Maintain a supply of fresh water in a non-tipping crock. Clean the water bowl often to keep it sanitary and fill it with clean water every day. Many natural bearded dragons don’t seem to realize that a dish of water is there since they acquire most of their hydration from the rain or morning dew on the plants and other food they eat.
Bearded dragons can be kept healthy and well-hydrated in captivity by misting the vegetables they eat. Bearded dragons kept as pets can also be bathed once a week or misted directly with water from a plant mister.
Bearded dragons come in a wide variety of species, each of which may have slightly varied dietary requirements. The best food for captive bearded dragons is a topic of some debate, and our understanding of this issue is still developing.
Bearded dragons have unique nutritional requirements according to their age, size, and health, therefore it’s important to talk to a vet who is experienced with reptiles about what your dragon should eat.
How often can bearded dragons eat spinach?
For this reason, some Dragon Owners avoid giving their pet any greens at all. That’s fine, bearded dragons can mature just fine without spinach. However, in rare situations, spinach should be fine (a few leaves every couple of months).
Of course, you should consult your vet first if your bearded dragon has any preexisting conditions. The benefits to your health from eating spinach on occasion are listed below. Bearded dragons perform poorly on high-sugar diets, therefore aim for low-sugar food.
Bearded dragons can develop fatty liver disease, diabetes, obesity, and potentially fatal heart failure if they are fed excessive amounts of sugar regularly. Since spinach has almost no sugar, it is a good choice for a heart-healthy salad.
Bearded dragons need a diet low in phosphorus and high in calcium, so they shouldn’t eat phosphorus-rich foods very often. Bearded dragons should eat foods with a calcium-to-phosphorus ratio of 1.1 or higher regularly to ensure the calcium and phosphorus levels in their diets are balanced.
The reason for this is that phosphorus stops calcium from being taken into your dragon’s blood by binding with it. Considering how important calcium is to a bearded dragon’s health, the metabolic bone disease (MBD) and even death that can occur from a diet too high in phosphorus is a very real threat.
When it comes to calcium and phosphorus, spinach is a good option because it includes both, but the calcium content is significantly higher. Therefore, it is helpful for bearded dragons, especially in terms of that crucial ratio. So long as that were the only consideration, bearded dragons could happily subsist on a diet of spinach.
Foods rich in vitamins and minerals there’s a good reason why spinach is considered a superfood. It contains several essential nutrients for both dragons and humans.
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Iron, which improves the transportation of oxygen throughout the body
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Folate, a vitamin that controls cell division and tissue expansion
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Fiber, which aids in digestion
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Your dragon’s immune system, vision, reproduction, and growth can all use some reinforcement from vitamins A, beta-carotene, and C.
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To control blood coagulation, vitamin K1 is essential.
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As you can see, your dragon will benefit from eating even a small amount of this lush green.
Is baby spinach safe for bearded dragons to eat?
You may be wondering if the nutritional value of baby spinach differs greatly from that of regular spinach and if this means that your dragon can eat more of it. The truth is that your dragon’s diet, whether or not it includes spinach baby food, needs to be severely restricted.
Baby spinach is safe for bearded dragons to eat, and they only need to do so occasionally.
Why can’t bearded dragons eat spinach leaves all the time?
Spinach has a fatal defect for bearded dragons despite all these benefits because it is high in oxalates. You may already be aware that oxalates pose a serious threat to bearded dragons because they inhibit calcium a vital mineral for the dragon’s health from being absorbed by the body.
Metabolic bone disease (MBD) is a horrible sickness that can result in the distorted and eventual paralysis of a dragon’s limbs if left untreated. It’s fine to feed your dragon spinach on occasion so long as it isn’t getting too many oxalate-rich foods and you’re also giving it calcium supplements.
Overfeeding your dragon with spinach can be fatal, even if you’re giving it calcium supplements. The same is true for Swiss chard, carrot tops, and beet greens, which are all high in oxalate.
If you see any of the following signs of MBD, please contact your veterinarian immediately:
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Tremors or shaking of the limbs
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Jaw and facial bones become more malleable
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Insufficiency and exhaustion
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Growth Stagnation
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Paralysis
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Legs that are swollen and uncomfortable
This painful illness can be avoided with a healthy diet and calcium supplements. The high levels of vitamin A and beta-carotene in spinach are another reason you shouldn’t make it a regular part of your bearded dragon’s diet.
Even though this isn’t as much of a concern as oxalates, it’s still important to be aware of. Vitamin A is safe for bearded dragons to eat. Indeed, they have dietary requirements for Vitamin A. However, giving your dragon too much Vitamin A through diet or pills might be dangerous.
As a result, your dragon may develop vitamin A toxicity (also called hypervitaminosis A or simply an overdose of Vitamin A).
The signs of this problem include:
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Swelling
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Loss of vitality
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Weight reduction
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Dehydration
Summary
Basil is an aromatic and tasty addition to your reptile’s salad. Bearded dragons can develop vitamin A toxicity from eating bell peppers or other foods high in vitamin A. Too much basil in the diet of a bearded dragon can lead to diarrhea and stomach ache due to the plant’s acidity. Bearded dragons come in a wide variety of species, each of which may have slightly varied dietary requirements.
FAQ’s
1. Can parsley and cilantro be consumed by bearded dragons?
The addition of cilantro to your bearded dragon’s healthy, balanced diet is a great way to spice things up. Cactus leaves, carrots, bell peppers, and yellow squash would all go great in a salad together; you could even throw in some blueberries or strawberry slices for good measure.
2. What human food can bearded dragons eat?
Bearded dragons can consume virtually anything that humans eat. Their diet is compatible with that of humans in that it includes a wide range of plant and animal products. The ratio of calcium to phosphorus in the diet must be kept between 1.5 and 1. Further, if you wish to feed your beardie human food, make sure it is free of oxalates.
3. What herbs can bearded dragons not eat?
The calcium-to-phosphorus ratio of basil is 3:1, which is too high for bearded dragons.
4. Can bearded dragons eat parsley every day?
Parsley is safe to eat and may even have health benefits for bearded dragons, but only in little amounts. Some bearded dragons may benefit from the protein in parsley. Young dragons require more of it to reach their full potential as quickly as possible, but pets of all ages can benefit from regular consumption.
5. What live plants can I put with my bearded dragon?
Plants like mint, basil, oregano, rosemary, hibiscus, kale, and lettuce may all be grown in a vivarium to provide natural food and enrichment for your dragon and give the terrarium a fresh aroma.
6. Can I put a real cactus in my bearded dragon tank?
Bearded dragons feed on Opuntia and other cactus species that are suitable for human consumption. Prickly pear cactus is an excellent alternative for adding some color to the bearded dragon’s tank without introducing any unwanted species. Your pet can benefit from the prickly pear cactus spines by using them as a climbing structure.
7. Are cucumbers safe for bearded dragons?
Once every two weeks is the maximum frequency at which a bearded dragon can safely eat a cucumber. Because it’s composed of nearly all water (96%) it’s great if your bearded dragon has been out in the sun and needs to rehydrate. The apples’ fiber content will aid with regular bowel movements. In addition to bolstering its resistance to disease, vitamin C also benefits your dragon’s vision, progeny, and overall growth.
8. When it comes to food, can bearded dragons consume celery?
Adult dragons should be given a diet rich in vegetables and low in insects. Hello, I was wondering if you could tell me what types of greens are suitable for bearded dragons to eat. You may feed your bearded dragon a variety of vegetables, including bell peppers, cabbage, carrots, celery, kale, and asparagus.
9. Can bearded dragons eat cheese?
Without a doubt, the answer is NO. Cheese, or any other dairy product, is not safe for bearded dragons to consume. Those who aren’t allergic to or intolerant of lactose will find that milk is an excellent source of calcium.
10. Do beard dragons like bananas?
You shouldn’t do it more than once or twice a month. In the lengthy reply, the author explains why bearded dragons can only eat bananas once or twice a month.
Conclusion
Your bearded dragon munching on some fresh parsley is very normal. However, if you’re particularly pleased with the parsley you’ve grown, you may feed it to your dragon. But unless you have a specific reason, we advise avoiding using this plant due to its high oxalate concentration. You can feel free to give your pet everything from worms to maple leaves to carnation petals to a wide array of vegetables.
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