Can Bearded Dragons Eat Asparagus? 6 Benefits | Full Guide

As pet owners, we all habitually share every food we enjoy with our pets. However, first, we all see if it is safe because as long as it’s safe, it is healthy. As you know, bearded dragons are omnivores creatures that can eat plants and animals. These reptiles can eat various vegetables, including broccoli, bell pepper, cabbage, carrot, etc. But can a bearded dragon eat Asparagus? 

Asparagus is a vegetable with an odor as strong as its flavor. Asparagus is a very healthy vegetable for us, so it should be okay to feed your dragon as well, right? Asparagus is a safe vegetable for bearded dragons and can be a tasty treat for your beardie. 

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Asparagus?

Yes, bearded dragons can eat Asparagus. It is perfectly safe for bearded dragons to eat. According to some research, many experts have suggested that bearded dragons can eat Asparagus. However, 

 there are still many things to consider before feeding it to your beardies.

How Often Can Bearded Dragons Eat Asparagus?

There is no accurate answer to this question. However, to be on the safer side, feeding once every 2-4 weeks is good. Providing a small amount is fine for a bearded dragon. You should add other healthier greens or insects to the beardies’ salad, and it will make sure to balance your beardies diet.

6 Benefits of Asparagus for Bearded Dragons

Bearded dragons’ health can easily get affected when fed unhealthy foods. Therefore, it is essential to give them the right food that is good for their health. Asparagus has many benefits, and below is the information you need to know about Asparagus.

Asparagus contains several good nutrients and some that are harmful to bearded dragons. Let’s talk about each of the nutrients in detail.

1: Improve Immune System

Asparagus contains antioxidants, and vitamin C. Vitamin C develops a more robust and healthier immune system. These protect a bearded dragon from diseases and keep it healthy and safe from inflammation. 

2: Strengthen Kidney function

Asparagus contains potassium, which strengthens the bearded dragon’s kidneys and aids muscle function.

3: Hydrates Bearded Dragon

Asparagus contains 92% water content which is suitable for a bearded dragon. It keeps the bearded dragon hydrated. 

4: Boosts Digestion

Asparagus has a low fiber content suitable for a bearded dragon, and it promotes a healthy digestive system and keeps them free from constipation. However, it should be separate from the regular diet of bearded dragons.

5: Builds Blood and Damaged Cells

Asparagus is rich in Vitamin E, preventing inflammation, building up damaged cells, and regulating blood clotting.

Asparagus also contains Vitamin K, which helps in regulates blood clotting. Apart from that, folate facilitates tissue growth and cell function.

6: Make Strong Muscles

Protein is essential for bearded dragons; there should be 80% protein-rich foods in a beardies diet. Protein strengthens a bearded dragon’s muscles.

3 Risks of Feeding Asparagus to Bearded Dragons

As you that, asparagus is safe to feed to your bearded dragon. However, you must ensure you provide your bearded dragon asparagus occasionally. Apart from health benefits, there are a few risk factors.

1: Oxalates Stops Calcium Absorption

Many people are not aware of oxalates. Oxalates are organic compounds found in plants, and asparagus contains a moderate amount of oxalates, approximately 130mg per 100g. Oxalates are not good because they stop minerals such as calcium from being absorbed in the body. Bearded dragons need high amounts of calcium to be healthy and function properly. Consuming food with high oxalates stops calcium use in the body.

Asparagus only contains 1.9mg of oxalates when boiled. However, it is also unsafe because it loses water-soluble vitamins and nutrients while cooking. 

2: Low in Calcium

As a bearded dragon owner, you should know that your pet needs enough calcium to be healthy. According to some experts, you should feed your beardie leafy greens and vegetables high in calcium to your bearded dragon. If we talk about Asparagus is not a vegetable that is high in calcium, it contains 24mg of calcium per 100g. This ratio is low from other nutritious greens, such as kale, which has 254mg of calcium per 100g.

Baby bearded dragons need calcium-rich food, which helps them grow appropriately and strengthens their bones.

3: Too Much Water Causes Diarrhea

Water is the most constituent found in Asparagus. Bearded dragons require water to stay hydrated. However, as you know, too much water is harmful. Feeding Asparagus daily will cause problems for your reptile. Too much water can cause digestive issues in bearded dragons, such as Diarrhea. Feeding once or twice a week will be fine. Therefore, Asparagus should be a small part of their diet. It would help if you provided Asparagus to your bearded dragon occasionally and in moderation.

How to Feed Asparagus to Your Bearded Dragons

Preparing food for bearded dragons is a simple task. However, you need to remember a few things and follow them. Here are some of them:

Make Sure to Wash Thoroughly

Bearded dragons can have serious problems when they ingest foods containing pesticides and other chemicals. Therefore, you must wash the veggies thoroughly before making a salad for your reptile.

Chop Finely to Avoid Choking

Bearded dragons have small mouths and do not chew their food correctly, and these creatures can easily choke when offered large chunks of food. Therefore, always chop the Asparagus into small pieces before putting it in the salad. 

If you need clarification about how small the pieces should be, don’t worry. You should never give your reptile foods larger than the distance between their eyes, and the size between their eyes is the correct size of food they can eat without choking.

Feed Raw Asparagus

Some bearded dragon owners feed cooked Asparagus to their reptiles. Cooking helps in getting rid of oxalates. However, it is not a good idea. Because asparagus contains vitamins and nutrients in the cooking process, asparagus loses the nutrients and vitamins. So, quit feeding cooked Asparagus to your bearded dragon. Make sure to mix raw Asparagus with healthy green vegetables and fruits.

Conclusion

Now that we know the answer, can bearded dragons eat asparagus? We can now conclude that bearded dragons can eat asparagus because it is safe. It offers some health benefits for your bearded dragon. However, apart from benefits, it can also be detrimental to their health if they are overfed. It contains several oxalates and a high concentration of phosphorus compared to calcium. Therefore, feeding in moderation is essential. You should provide it once or twice weekly as a salad mixed with healthy fruits and veggies. This way, it will be beneficial.

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