Can Bearded Dragons Eat Peas?

Bearded dragons are a popular pet choice among reptile enthusiasts, and they require proper care and nutrition to stay healthy. One common dietary question that arises is whether or not bearded dragons can eat peas. In this article, we will explore the topic of feeding peas to your bearded dragon in order to answer this question and provide information on how best to feed them if you choose to do so.

We’ll look at the nutritional content of peas, how often they should be fed, and potential health risks associated with their consumption. After reading this article, you should have all the information necessary to make an informed decision about including peas as part of your beardie’s diet!

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Peas?

The short answer is yes, bearded dragons can eat peas. However, it’s important to note that peas should not be the main component of their diet and should only be fed as an occasional treat.

Nutritional Content of Peas

Peas are a great source of vitamins A, C, K1, and B6 as well as essential minerals like magnesium and potassium. They also contain dietary fiber which can help with digestion in reptiles. Peas are low in fat and provide a good amount of protein for your beardie’s diet.

How Often Should You Feed Peas To Your Bearded Dragon?

Since peas should not make up the bulk of your beardie’s diet, they should only be fed occasionally (no more than once or twice a week). Additionally, peas should only ever be given in small amounts – no more than one tablespoon per feed.

Potential Health Risks Associated With Feeding Peas to Your Beardie

• Choking Hazard: Be sure to chop the peas into very tiny pieces before feeding them to avoid any choking hazards.
• Gastrointestinal Issues: Feeding too many peas may cause digestive upset so it’s best to limit their consumption accordingly.

The Benefits of Feeding Your Bearded Dragon Peas and Carrots

Bearded dragons are omnivorous reptiles, meaning they eat both plants and animals. Though a varied diet is important for bearded dragons to stay healthy, peas and carrots can be especially beneficial. Here are some of the benefits associated with feeding your bearded dragon these two vegetables.

Nutrition

Peas and carrots are rich in essential nutrients that a bearded dragon needs for optimal health. Peas contain vitamin A, C, K and B6 as well as calcium, zinc, iron and magnesium. Carrots provide large amounts of beta-carotene (vitamin A) and other vitamins such as vitamin C. Both also offer dietary fiber which aids digestion.

Variety

Adding peas or carrots to your bearded dragon’s diet can help add variety to their meals while still providing the nutrition they need. This helps prevent boredom from eating the same foods over and over again.

Digestion

Feeding your beardie peas or carrots may also help improve their digestive health by adding bulk to their diet. The extra fiber provided by these vegetables can aid in digestion as well.

Fun To Eat

Peas and carrots can also be fun for your beardie! These crunchy vegetables provide them with something else to chew on besides insects. Plus, the bright colors make it more enjoyable for them.

Avoid Feeding Bearded Dragons These Vegetables

Bearded dragons are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals. They typically enjoy a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables as well as insects like crickets and mealworms.

However, there are some vegetables that should be avoided when it comes to feeding your bearded dragon. These can cause health problems if consumed in large quantities or over an extended period of time.

1. Spinach

Spinach is high in oxalic acid which can interfere with the absorption of calcium in your bearded dragon’s diet. This can lead to health issues such as metabolic bone disease.

2. Beet Greens

Beet greens contain high levels of oxalic acid, just like spinach, which can interfere with calcium absorption leading to metabolic bone disease.

3. Broccoli

Broccoli contains compounds called goitrogens which block the thyroid from absorbing iodine correctly. This can result in stunted growth and other health problems for your bearded dragon.

4. Cabbage

Cabbage also contains goitrogens, similar to broccoli, so it’s best to avoid feeding cabbage to your beardie.

5. Kale

Kale is a popular vegetable, but it’s not suitable for bearded dragons due to its high oxalic acid content. Again, this could lead to metabolic bone disease if ingested too often.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while there are some benefits to adding peas to a Bearded Dragon’s diet, it should be done in moderation as part of an overall balanced diet. Peas can provide valuable nutrition for these reptiles and can help provide variety in their meals. However, overfeeding them can cause problems such as weight gain and intestinal blockages. Therefore, it is important to feed your bearded dragon the right amount of peas to ensure their health and wellbeing.