Can Bearded Dragons Eat Rhubarb?

Have you ever wondered if it is safe to feed your pet bearded dragon rhubarb? Let’s find out.

Rhubarb contains high levels of oxalic acid, which is toxic to reptiles and can cause symptoms such as lethargy, weakness, tremors, seizures, and even death in bearded dragons.

You should avoid feeding rhubarb to your bearded dragon and contact a veterinarian immediately if they accidentally consume it.

What To Do If Your Bearded Dragon Eats Rhubarb

When it comes to the bearded dragon diet, rhubarb is a big no-no.

But what happens if your beloved pet has already taken a bite of the forbidden fruit?

The best course of action is to give your bearded dragon water as soon as possible after consuming rhubarb. Encouraging your bearded dragon to drink plenty of water or to feed them some romaine for 2-3 days may help flush out their system.

It is recommended to avoid feeding rhubarb to your bearded dragon since it contains oxalic acid. If your bearded dragon accidentally consumes it, contact a veterinarian immediately.

It’s also important to make sure the rhubarb isn’t still present in their enclosure; remove any remaining pieces and check regularly for further contamination just in case.

How To Prevent Your Bearded Dragon From Eating Rhubarb

To prevent your bearded dragon from eating rhubarb, check out these tips:

  • Make sure all rhubarb plants or items containing rhubarb are out of reach of the bearded dragon. This means keeping them up high on shelves or in cupboards where they won’t be able to get access to them.
  • Check for signs of any rhubarb plant or products around the house before letting your bearded dragon roam free.
  • Create a safe area for your bearded dragon with no potential sources of rhubarb nearby. If possible, set up an enclosure outside that contains only edible foods approved by experts like veggies and fruits specifically meant for beardies.
  • Provide plenty of toys and activities so they don’t become bored and look for other things to eat!

Is Rhubarb Toxic To Bearded Dragons?

While rhubarb may be edible for humans, it can potentially have some serious negative side effects on a bearded dragon’s health if consumed in large quantities or fed too frequently.

Bearded dragons are toxic to rhubarb for the following reasons:

  • Rhubarb contains oxalic acid which can cause kidney damage and other issues over time if ingested regularly by your beardie.
  • Rhubarb also has high levels of calcium oxalate crystals which are very hard for most reptiles (including beardies) to digest properly. As such, any ingestion of these substances could lead to an impaction or blockage in their digestive tract leading to further complications.
  • There is also the potential risk of introducing bacteria from raw foods into your reptile’s system which could ultimately make them sick and even kill them if not treated promptly.

In light of this information, it is generally advised against feeding your bearded dragon rhubarb due to its inherent risks associated with consumption.

The Health Risks Of Feeding Rhubarb To Your Bearded Dragon

Rhubarb contains high amounts of oxalic acid which binds with calcium and makes it difficult for a reptile’s body to absorb the necessary amount of calcium from food sources.

This can lead to serious health issues such as metabolic bone disorder (MBD).

Here are three things that pet owners need to consider when feeding their bearded dragon:

  1. Bearded dragons should not eat any kind of rhubarb or food products that contain rhubarb in them.
  2. Feeding too much fruit can also cause MBD due to the high sugar content found in some fruits combined with low calcium levels.
  3. A healthy diet for a bearded dragon should include fresh vegetables, insects, small amounts of fruit, and a commercial calcium supplement added to its meals.

Therefore, it’s important for pet owners to do their research before adding new foods into their beardie’s diet so they don’t unknowingly harm their beloved pet and put it at risk.

Treatment For Bearded Dragons Who Have Eaten Rhubarb

If your pet has ingested rhubarb, there are some steps you should take to ensure their health and safety.

Look closely for any signs of distress or illness. Signs such as vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, and diarrhea could suggest they’ve been poisoned by the rhubarb. If so, contact a veterinarian right away.

Offer plenty of fluids to help flush out any toxins in the beardie’s system. Water is best but if necessary electrolyte solutions may also be beneficial.

Provide lots of greens in their diet—like kale and collard greens—to help detoxify their body from any potential poisoning effects from the rhubarb plants.

Alternative Feedings

Let’s take a look at some alternative feedings for your scaly friend.

  • A few favorites that bearded dragons love include collard greens, endive, dandelion greens, carrots (shredded or chopped), sweet potatoes (cooked), turnip tops, kale, squash and spinach.
  • Fruits like applesauce or diced peaches make great occasional treats as long as they’re cut into small pieces for easy digestion.
  • In terms of proteins, crickets and mealworms are always popular choices among beardies. You can also give wax worms and superworms when feeding your dragon on occasion.
  • Try offering cooked lean meats like chicken or turkey (without bones). Fish such as tilapia or cod should only be given every once in awhile due to their high mercury content.

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Rhubarb Leaves

Rhubarb leaves contain oxalic acid, which can cause problems if ingested in large amounts. If your bearded dragon eats too many of these leaves, it could lead to health issues like kidney stones or other urinary tract problems.

The oxalic acid can interfere with calcium absorption and cause metabolic bone disease.

There is a potential risk of pesticide exposure from commercial sources of rhubarb leaves due their use as an ornamental plant in gardens and yards.

Rhubarb leaves can make a nutritious treat for your beardy every once in awhile but just remember to keep an eye out for any adverse reactions they might have after eating it!

Conclusion

It is not safe for your bearded dragon to eat rhubarb. Not only can this cause health issues that may be irreversible, but the acidity of the plant can also damage their delicate digestive system.

If you think your bearded dragon has eaten any part of the rhubarb plant then seek professional veterinary advice immediately.

Though some owners might attempt to feed rhubarb leaves to their beardies as a rare treat, there are safer alternatives such as kale, collard greens and turnip greens that provide similar nutritional benefits without risking harm.

As with all foods fed to our beloved pets, it’s important to exercise caution when introducing something new into their diet.