Yes, a bearded dragon can eat hibiscus because the hibiscus plant contains vitamin A in its leaves which a bearded dragon requires for the maintenance of their eye health. The Hibiscus plant is also rich in vitamin C which is useful for maintaining strong teeth and bones in bearded dragons.
Bearded dragons can safely eat the hibiscus plant as it contains potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, calcium, and some amount of copper and zinc which are very beneficial nutrients. But there are also some health risks of eating the hibiscus plant which you need to take care of. Also, it should not be used as a staple food for bearded dragons.
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Can bearded dragons eat hibiscus flowers?
Talking about the hibiscus flower can these flowers be eaten by bearded dragons? These flowers of the hibiscus-like plant contain a good amount of vitamin A and prove very nutritious for pet dragons but they should not be overly sweet. You can cut them into small pieces and store them in the refrigerator for further use.
Hibiscus flowers are a great source of nutrition and also contain vitamin C and calcium which is an essential nutrients for bearded dragons. These flowers are also a good source of fiber, which can help in the digestion process. But you should not feed only hibiscus flower but in sparing amount added with some other food.
Is the hibiscus flower safe for a bearded dragon?
Yes, hibiscus flowers are safe for bearded dragons in fact these flowers are very beneficial for dragons’ health. You should feed them in small quantity mixed with other food items as flowers contains little amount of oxalates which can cause health problems in some animals in some animals, so it is important to keep an eye on your bearded dragon’s diet and reaction if you are willing to feed him hibiscus flowers to them.
It totally depends upon the number of flowers you are feeding to the dragons otherwise it can cause some health issues in bearded dragons.
What kind of hibiscus flowers can bearded dragons eat?
There are a number of varieties of hibiscus flowers but only a few of them are appropriate for bearded dragons to eat. Hibiscus flowers from tropical areas or from the genus hibiscus roasinensis are fine for them. These hibiscus flowers come under a variety of other names like Chinese rose, China rose, Shoeblack plant, and Rose Mallow. Blue hibiscus is also good for bearded dragons.
But be sure before feeding hibiscus flowers to your bearded dragon that is it safe and appropriate for your pet dragon. Also, make sure to wash the petals and leaves in warm water and it should be pure and organic. You have to be ensuring first that it is free from any kind of pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and fertilizers. Be cautious and do not feed the one obtain from a roadside or backyard.
Does the bearded dragon enjoy eating hibiscus flowers?
There would be no exact answer to this question as bearded dragons can have different tastes. Some might love eating hibiscus leaves and flowers, but some might don’t like its taste. But most of the owners of bearded dragons confirm that their dragons love to eat the hibiscus flowers.
These flowers are very rich in vitamin C, A, and other nutrients, therefore proving a healthy addition to their diet. But you have to make sure to feed only fresh flowers to the dragon as dried ones can cause some problems in their digestive system.
If you are going to introduce a first-time hibiscus flower to your bearded dragon then give only a small piece of it and see how they react. If the bearded dragon seems to like it and feel okay then gradually increase the quantity and size of the piece until the dragon eats it as a part of their daily diet.
How often should feed hibiscus to a bearded dragon?
Moderation of anything is best for bearded dragons whether it is flowers or leaves or something else. You should introduce gradually new things to bearded dragons and keep a check on how they are responding after eating that.
Also, make sure always that there should be a proper balance of plant-based food and animal protein in their diet to keep them healthy. Flowers also create a different thing in their diet as a treat. It should be only given no more than twice a week.
After feeding the flower, monitor the dragon for some time to check whether nothing wrong is happening with them and how they react to the hibiscus flower. Though the hibiscus flower is good for them particular beardies may react to it. If you find any symptoms in them, stop feeding them immediately.
The various symptoms that you can witness after feeding hibiscus to the bearded dragons are:
- Soft stool
- Urination
- Diarrhea
- Changes in general
- Increased activity
- Excessive rubbing of face and mouth
- Change in general respiration
- Hypersalivation
- Weight loss
- Lethargy
- Labored breathing
- Excessive water drinking
Hibiscus is generally safe for most beardies but there are some situations where it won’t be agreeable to the beardies system. It is better to feed hibiscus to mature beardies rather than juveniles as baby dragons require more protein and meat when they are first starting out and also many factors like temperature, health status, size, age, water consumption, etc contribute to bearded dragon’s ability to tolerate the consumption of hibiscus.
Health risks of hibiscus
There are some things you need to be aware of while letting bearded dragons eat hibiscus.
- Hibiscus should not be fed alone to the dragon as overconsumption can lead to stomach issues like obesity.
- Feeding a high amount of hibiscus can interfere with the breeding cycle of the dragon due to some hormones present in it.
- Feed only flowers, petals, and sometimes leaves to the bearded dragon and feed only n small quantity because it can cause intestinal upset when consume in a large amount.
Overall there are no major issues with feeding hibiscus to the dragon and these small problems can be sorted by giving a small amount and occasionally to them.
Final Thoughts
Bearded dragons have a wide range of varied foods to be happy, healthy, and active all the time also they are hardy eaters that devour their food easily. Similarly, hibiscus can become a part of their diet if fed in the proper amount as a treat occasionally.
It is safe and healthy for dragons but should be served fresh and free from pesticides. If something wrong happened due to hibiscus, immediately stop feeding dragons. Be sure to always consult a vet before making a change in the dragon’s diet.
