Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cabbage? Cabbage is a great source of vitamins and minerals for humans, but can it provide your Bearded Dragon with similar health benefits? The answer may depend on what kind you give them.
Celery root (the part beneath the leaves) contains many valuable nutrients such as protein or calcium—important ingredients in strengthening bones over time!
It also offers iron that helps maintain red blood cell functionality; plus vitamin B6 will help keep energy levels steady while avoiding harmful sugars from forming depending on the beauty of your own zone.
But remember this vegetable isn’t always tasty so consider serving it alongside something more flavorful before giving in to temptation herself.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cabbage?
Yes, bearded dragons can eat cabbage. Cabbage is a good source of vitamins and minerals, and it is also low in calories.
Bearded dragons should only eat small amounts of cabbage, however, as it can cause gastrointestinal distress.
It may sound strange to give your pet a vegetable, but there are many vegetables that can be beneficial for them.
Let’s take a look at the risks involved with feeding our lizards certain foods and see if we should avoid these or not!
Benefits Of Feeding Cabbage To Your Bearded Dragon
Cabbage may not be the most exciting vegetable, but it’s actually quite healthy and nutritious for Bearded Dragons.
Four types of this macronutrient can be found in the West: red/green cabbages with Savoy or Napa ungas being two options worth considering depending on your tastes.
Red Cabbage
The red cabbage is not just a side dish for dinner, it’s actually one of the most nutritious vegetables you can give your pet.
Red Cabbage lacks sugar and fat which are both bad news when it comes to keeping animals healthy.
Not only does this type contain plenty of vitamins A & K but also contains potassium along with other essential nutrients such as manganese or magnesium – all needed by their systems in some way shape or form (even if they don’t know exactly how yet).
In fact, there were over 100 studies done on how incredible these plants really are.
Downside Of Red Cabbage To A Bearded Dragon
- Red cabbage is low in calcium and other essential nutrients.
- Red cabbage can cause digestive upset in bearded dragons.
- Red cabbage may contain harmful bacteria that can make your bearded dragon sick.
- Red cabbage can contain harmful pesticides that can be toxic to your bearded dragon.
Green Cabbage
The health benefits of eating green cabbage are great, but the goitrogens in this variety can interfere with your lizard’s thyroid function. 19% higher than red!
You should only feed sparingly and monitor how much they eat total each day- if it becomes too high then remove some from their diet or find another source for fresh produce instead like fruits (but not grapes).
Downside Of Green Cabbage To A Bearded Dragon
Green cabbage is a popular vegetable for many reasons. It is high in vitamins and minerals, low in calories, and has a crunchy texture that many people enjoy.
However, there are some downsides to feeding green cabbage to your bearded dragon.
Green Cabbage Is Low in Protein
Protein is an essential nutrient for bearded dragons, and green cabbage is relatively low in protein compared to other vegetables. If you feed your bearded dragon a diet that is too low in protein, they could develop health problems such as stunted growth, muscle wasting, and organ damage.
Green Cabbage Contains Oxalates
Oxalates are compounds found in plants that can bind to calcium and other minerals in the body, making them unavailable for absorption. This can lead to deficiencies of these minerals, and in severe cases, kidney stones.
May Cause Gastrointestinal Distress
Some bearded dragons may experience gastrointestinal distress when they eat green cabbage. This may include symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation.
If your bearded dragon experiences any of these symptoms, stop feeding them green cabbage and consult a veterinarian.
Contains Goitrogen
Goitrogens are compounds that can interfere with the functioning of the thyroid gland. This can lead to goiter, which is an enlargement of the thyroid gland. In severe cases, goitrogens can cause hypothyroidism, which is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones. If you suspect that your bearded dragon has hypothyroidism, take them to a veterinarian for treatment.
Savoy Cabbage
Green cabbages look similar to savoy cabbages, but they have wrinkly leaves and have less vitamin C.
It also contains higher amounts of fiber and protein than its more renowned counterpart; however, these benefits come at the expense of any gastric upset or toxicity risks associated due to their high acidity levels (which may cause discomfort when ingested by dragons).
In contrast, red veggies like pepper have far better nutritional profiles including significant amounts involving calcium which can be harmful in large quantities so avoid these too unless absolutely necessary.
Downside Of Savoy Cabbage To A Bearded Dragon
- Savoy cabbage contains goitrogens, which can interfere with the production of thyroid hormones. This can lead to a condition called hypothyroidism, which can be fatal in bearded dragons.
- Savoy cabbage is also high in oxalates, which can bind with calcium and other minerals in the gut and prevent their absorption. This can lead to deficiencies in these vital nutrients, which can be detrimental to a bearded dragon’s health.
- The high water content of savoy cabbage can also cause problems for bearded dragons. Too much water can lead to dehydration and gut impaction, both of which can be fatal.
- Finally, savoy cabbage is a member of the brassica family, which includes other vegetables like broccoli and Brussels sprouts. These vegetables contain compounds that can interfere with the absorption of vitamins and minerals. Therefore, it is best to avoid feeding savoy cabbage to dragons.
Napa
Napa cabbages have thinner, more lettuce-like leaves than other varieties. It is also sweet and mild in flavor with some reports of being able to taste the calcium content!
The goitrogens are low enough that you can give your lizard this variety without worrying too much about their diet though they still need plenty else aside from meat or animal products if desired for optimal health benefits like proper bone development while maintaining strong teeth throughout thistle soothing Aluminum.
Cabbage is a great healthy and safe snack for your Dragon. All four varieties contain high amounts of water and fiber with loads of antioxidants that keep you up to date on what’s going on in the body.
