Nutritious Salad for Your Bearded Dragon: What to Put and What to Avoid

Learn what to put and what not to put in a salad for your bearded dragon. Discover how to provide a balanced diet for your pet reptile.

What to Put in Salad for Bearded Dragon

Dark Leafy Greens

If you want to offer your bearded dragon a healthy and nutritious salad, then dark leafy greens should definitely be at the top of your list. Some great options to consider include kale, collard greens, and mustard greens.

These types of greens are packed with vitamins and minerals that can help support your pet’s overall health. For example, kale is a great source of calcium, while collard greens contain high amounts of vitamin K.

Vegetables

In addition to dark leafy greens, you can also incorporate other veggies into your bearded dragon’s salad to add even more nutritional value. Some good choices include carrots, bell peppers, and squash.

It’s important to choose a variety of vegetables so that your pet gets a range of nutrients in their diet. You can even mix up the preparation methods by offering some raw vegetables and some cooked.

Fruits

Fruit is another great addition to a bearded dragon’s salad. Apples are an excellent source of fiber and vitamin C. Berries are packed with antioxidants that can help protect against disease.

Mangoes contain high amounts of vitamin A which helps support good vision and healthy skin. Just make sure to avoid citrus fruits like lemons or oranges since they can harm the digestive system.

Protein Sources

To round out your bearded dragon’s salad, you should also consider adding some protein sources such as insects like crickets or mealworms. These provide essential amino acids that help support tissue growth and repair in your pet’s body.

Depending on the size of your beardie you may need bigger prey items such as roaches or super worms if they’re adults already.

What Not to Put in Salad for Bearded Dragon

Citrus Fruits (Lemons, Oranges)

Citrus fruits like lemons and oranges are a big no-no when it comes to feeding bearded dragons. These fruits are high in citric acid, which can be harmful to the digestive system of bearded dragons.

It can also cause an upset stomach and diarrhea, leading to dehydration. In addition, the high sugar content of citrus fruits can lead to obesity and other health problems in bearded dragons.

Avocado

While avocado is a healthy food for humans, it is toxic to many animals including bearded dragons.

Avocado contains persin which can cause heart failure, respiratory distress and other serious conditions in your pet reptile. Even the smallest amount of avocado can harm your beardie, so always avoid feeding them this fruit.

Spinach and Other High Oxalate Foods

Although spinach is known as a superfood for humans due to its high nutritional value, it’s not recommended for bearded dragon salads.

Spinach contains a high amount of oxalates that can bind calcium and prevent its absorption by the body, leading to metabolic bone disease and other health problems. Other foods that contain high oxalates include parsley, beet greens and rhubarb.

Processed or Sugary Foods

Beardies should never consume processed or sugary foods such as candy bars or potato chips. Such foods can quickly lead to obesity and other health issues such as fatty liver disease which could shorten their lifespan significantly.

Stick with fresh whole foods instead that provide all the nutrients they need without any artificial additives or preservatives.