Can Bearded Dragons Eat Green Beans? 2 Benefits | Full Guide

Bearded dragons are reptiles that are originally from Australia. They inhabit the hot deserts and woodlands in that areas. In recent generations, these lizards have become domesticated and a common sight in many households. It is essential to feed your bearded dragon and know their food types. What can they eat? Can bearded dragons eat green beans? Do they need fruits? What does a regular diet look like for these creatures? As their primary caretakers, we should be able to give our pets the right foods to nurture their health and well-being.

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Green Beans?

Yes, bearded dragons can eat green beans, which is a great addition to their diet and brings some texture to the plate because they are crunchy and juicy. This veggie is best served raw to bearded dragons. Cooked or canned green beans are not recommended because cooking them can kill all the nutrients in them. Feeding bearded dragons canned green beans is a big no-no. Because canned foods are highly processed, this also kills their nutrients. Canned foods also have traces of BPA (bisphenol-A). They also have high amounts of preservatives, sugar, and sodium content that are not healthy and can upset the reptile’s stomach and cause serious issues. 

How Often Can Bearded Dragons Eat Green Beans?

Bearded dragons can eat green beans 2-3 times per week only. Feeding this veggie alone will not fulfill a medium-sized creature’s nutrition requirements, as they need sufficient amounts of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats to fuel their body. 

Bearded dragons are omnivores, which means they eat plant and animal-based foods. So, you can also feed them insects. 

You can feed your bearded dragon other fruits veggies and insects to give them a balanced meal. These include grapes, cantaloupe, peas, papaya, mealworms, dragonflies and more.

2 Benefits of Geen Beans For Bearded Dragons

1: Fiber Maintains Good Gastrointestinal Health

Greens beans are abundant in fiber. It is a needed supplement by the body to have good gastrointestinal health. It slows down the digestion process and gives a feeling of satiety to the animal. It also increases the good bacteria present in the gut.

2: Vitamins and Minerals Boost the Immune System

Greens beans have vitamins A, C, K, and B, calcium, magnesium, and iron. Along with beta-carotene and folic acid. Vitamins C and K boost the bearded dragon’s immune system. 

The body uses magnesium for muscle function, iron for good blood health, and Folic acid to aid the healthy cells in the body. Calcium is the most vital nutrient that bearded dragons need every day. 

Calcium helps the growth and development of bones, joints, and muscle tissues. This lack can cause a calcium deficiency, further escalating into Metabolic Bone disease (MBD). This severe illness affects the reptile’s bones and causes disfigured limbs; in some cases, your pet could become paralyzed. 

1 Risk of Green Beans For Bearded Dragon

1: High Traces of Vitamin A Can be Poisonous

Too much vitamin A can become poisonous and toxic to the body. Excess vitamin A does not allow the calcium to get absorbed into the bones, creating a lack of vitamin C in the body. It can further lead to your reptile getting MBD. Don’t feed foods that have a lot of vitamin A. Give these to them 1-2 times per week in small quantities, and don’t overfeed them. Mix it with a few other fruits, veggies, and insects to get variety in their diet. 

How to Prepare Green Beans for Your Bearded Dragon?

Source Good Quality Green Beans

It is essential to get fresh veggies for your bearded pet dragon. They will be more flavorful and healthy. Always check if there are going brown or shriveled, or flimsy. It indicates that they are becoming old, so don’t buy them. Get the bright green beans that are firm. 

If you can source organic, chemical-free green beans, this would be great since the pesticides used to grow plants are not used here.

Wash the Green Beans

Wash the green beans thoroughly in water. Get a portion of the beans and soak them in warm water for 30 minutes. It will help eliminate the pesticides if any, and any dirt on it. Then wash them under running water. After this, place them on a kitchen towel and gently pat the green beans dry. 

Cut the Green Beans

After you wash them, cut the green beans into 2-inch long pieces. It will make it easy for the bearded dragon to pick up and chew without it being too big or too long. They are also no risk of them choking on the green beans.

Cook the Green Beans (Optional)

After washing and cutting the green beans, there are two ways you can cook them. The 1st way is to cook it in an open pan. Remember, do not use oil/grease or flavoring like salt; bearded dragons do not need it. Such artificial substances can upset their stomach and cause problems. 

The 2nd way to cook green beans is to boil them. Add the washed and cut green beans in boiling water and let them cook for 5 mins. Again, don’t use salt or anything else. 

Be mindful not to overcook the green beans. Don’t cook them for more than 5 minutes. This way, the green beans still have a bit of crunch.  

Conclusion

Among all the foods these lizards can eat, green beans are one of them. Bearded dragons can eat green beans, which are safe to consume. But keep giving them this particular food in small portions only 2-3 times per week. Too many green beans can cause a build-up of vitamin A, which could lead to future troubling health issues. 

Remember calcium; it is one of the things they need and must get every day from their diet. If you cannot support this, you can sprinkle a measure spoonful of calcium power on their food before feeding them. If unsure, it is always best to consult a veterinary professional about everything related to a bearded dragon’s diet and how to give them supplements. 

Always give your different pet foods, so they are exposed to lots of nutrients daily, which will allow them to get all the supplements their body needs. Having a balanced diet is key for longevity. 

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