Bearded dragons are herbivorous and they live mostly on different kinds of vegetables and greens. Now, this often causes much confusion to the bearded dragon owners, especially the first-timer. Those pet owners do not understand which ones are good for the bearded dragons and which ones are not.
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Is thyme safe for a bearded dragon?
Thyme is considered one of the safe options among herbs for bearded dragon. This aromatic herb is full of vitamin C and thus it will keep the immunity level of the bearded dragon high.
Also, it is a rich source of vitamin A that takes care of the eyesight. The vitamins are needed for the overall goodness of bearded dragons.
If you count the other goodness offered by thyme, then there are many to offer. It is a rich source of minerals like copper, iron and manganese. All these minerals help in boosting the health of various organs and body parts of the bearded dragon.
Along with that, thyme contains fibre, which is not much helpful for bearded dragon. But when it comes to other nutrients that it consists of, thyme seems to be a rather beneficial herb for bearded dragon. This can be a part of the meal of the bearded dragon thrice a week.
Why all greens are not good for bearded dragons?
The reason behind this confusion is, not researching enough about the diet of the bearded dragon. You cannot feed this reptile pet any and every green as there are certain ingredients present in a certain amount which may become harmful for the reptiles like bearded dragons.
Azalea, apple, baneberry, belladonna, avocado are some of the fruits which are toxic for bearded dragons. These are otherwise not so harmful and some of them are actually nutritious for humans.
But there are differences between our physiology and the system of bearded dragons. They cannot digest everything that is good for us. So to provide the nutrition, we must be aware of the right kind of greens that will help them in growth.
Which foods are liked by bearded dragons but should never be fed?
As we have mentioned the names of some plants which are harmful to the bearded dragons, chances are, that they will not attempt to eat those ones when found before them. So that way they are protecting themselves from falling sick from those plants.
But there are some items that are much liked by bearded dragons, and they would love to eat them if provided. Lettuce tops the list of such food. Bearded dragons actually love to gorge on lettuce but it is not least advised to give them lettuce.
Lettuce:
Lettuce is something they just love, but it does not contain any nutritional value that can help the bearded dragon. Along with that, this herb also sometimes causes diarrhoea in bearded dragon, so you should better avoid it.
Avocados:
Though not all bearded dragons love this fruit, some of them may prefer to eat it. But oxalic acid is present in this fruit in a high amount, which can make the bearded dragon sick. Oxalic acid is not a helpful ingredient for bearded dragons, and if fed regularly, this ingredient will be stored in the system of bearded dragon and will cause toxicity, which is fatal for this reptile pet.
Rhubarb:
This is a fatal herb for the bearded dragon and you should always consult a vet if your bearded dragon consumes this one. Make sure to give the pet some water immediately after it has ingested this herb.
Spinach:
Otherwise considered harmless and much beneficial for humans and many other vegetarian creatures, spinach is much harmful to bearded dragons, due to the calcium-binding property of this green. Consumption of this vegetable will not cause immediate toxicity but it will prevent the absorption of calcium in the body of the bearded dragon. This will result in metabolic bone disease and that means weakness of the bone structure.
However, you can offer this vegetable in moderation to your pet and the amount should be a few pieces in a month. That way the bearded dragon will get the goodness of spinach and will not be harmed by its side effects.
Beetroot tops:
This vegetable is rich in multiple ingredients like vitamin A and magnesium, but it does not classify as a helpful vegetable for the bearded dragon. However, you still can offer this to the bearded dragon in the same amount ad way as the spinach.
What are safe herbs for bearded dragons?
There are some herbs which are safe for the bearded dragons, and they can have these herbs in regular amount. Herbs like oregano, cilantro, or rosemary are always safe for bearded dragons. Also, you can feed rosemary to your bearded dragon when it is provided in a finely chopped and fresh state.
These herbs should always be fresh as bearded dragons prefer to eat their food in that form only. They should be able to munch on the leaves and enjoy the crunch.
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