Bearded dragons have managed to retake the title of the most commonly kept pet reptile in the world due to there being so many new bearded dragon keepers out there with the popularity of bearded dragons really booming right now.
As with all pets, people are always wanting the absolute best possible quality of life for their bearded dragons so we constantly see people reaching out and asking a wide range of questions about caring for their pet bearded dragons.
The most commonly asked questions that we see time and time again from the bearded dragon community is for advice on what their pets can and can’t eat so we always try to answer as many of these as possible.
Todays article is going to be taking a look at if bearded dragons can eat spinach or not. Partly due to seeing so many people asking about feeding their bearded dragons spinach and partly due to spinach having advantages and disadvantages to it.
Is Spinach Poisonous To Bearded Dragons?
The first and most obvious question that needs to be answered is if spinach is poisonous or not to bearded dragons?
The simple answer here is no, spinach isn’t poisonous to bearded dragons however that doesn’t necessarily make it a good food item for them to be eating on a regular basis.
While spinach itself may not be poisonous, it does contain a high level of oxalates which can bind with calcium in your bearded dragons gut and make it unavailable for absorption.
This means that if you are feeding your bearded dragon spinach on a regular basis, there is a good chance that they could develop calcium deficiencies which can lead to all sorts of health problems down the road.
We advise against feeding your bearded dragon spinach or any other food items high in oxalates on a regular basis.
What Are The Benefits Of Feeding Bearded Dragons Spinach?
While there are some pretty big disadvantages to feeding your bearded dragons spinach, there are also some advantages that come with it as well.
The biggest advantage of feeding your bearded dragon spinach is that it is an extremely nutrient dense food item. This means that it contains a wide range of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that can be beneficial for your bearded dragon.
Another big advantage to feeding your bearded dragon spinach is that it is an excellent source of both soluble and insoluble fiber.
This type of fiber is important for bearded dragons as it helps to keep their digestive system running smoothly and can also help to prevent problems such as constipation.
The final advantage of feeding your bearded dragon spinach is that it is a very low calorie food item. This means that it can be beneficial for bearded dragons who are either overweight or obese and are looking to lose some weight.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Feeding Bearded Dragons Spinach?
Now that we have looked at some of the advantages of feeding your bearded dragon spinach, it’s time to take a look at some of the disadvantages.
As we briefly touched on earlier, the biggest disadvantage of feeding your bearded dragon spinach is that it contains a high level of oxalates.
These oxalates can bind with calcium in your bearded dragons gut and make it unavailable for absorption which can eventually lead to calcium deficiencies.
Another big disadvantage of feeding your bearded dragon spinach is that it is a very low calorie food item. While this may seem like a good thing, it actually isn’t.
Bearded dragons rely on calories to help them maintain their body temperature as they are cold blooded creatures. If they aren’t getting enough calories from their food, they can actually start to experience problems such as weight loss and a decrease in activity levels.
The final disadvantage of feeding your bearded dragon spinach is that it is a very tough food item for them to digest. This means that it can actually cause problems such as intestinal blockages if they eat too much of it.
How Much Spinach Should You Feed Your Bearded Dragon?
Now that we’ve answered the question of if bearded dragons can eat spinach and looked at some of the advantages and disadvantages of doing so, it’s time to take a look at how much spinach you should be feeding your bearded dragon if you do decide to include it in their diet.
The general rule of thumb here is to only feed your bearded dragon spinach in moderation. This means that you should only be feeding them small amounts of it on occasion and not giving it to them on a regular basis.
A good starting point for feeding your bearded dragon spinach would be to offer them a couple of leaves worth once or twice a week. If they seem to enjoy it and don’t have any problems digesting it, you can slowly start to increase the amount that you feed them.
Just remember to keep an eye on them and make sure that they aren’t eating too much spinach as this can cause problems such as intestinal blockages.
If you are ever in doubt about how much spinach you should be feeding your bearded dragon, it is always best to err on the side of caution and give them less rather than more.
What Nutritional Values Does Spinach Offer Bearded Dragons?
Now that we have answered the question of if bearded dragons can eat spinach, it’s time to take a look at what nutritional values this leafy green vegetable has to offer them.
As we briefly touched on earlier, spinach is an extremely nutrient dense food item. This means that it contains a wide range of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that are essential for bearded dragons.
Some of the most important nutrients that spinach contains for bearded dragons include Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Folate, Potassium, and Calcium.
Vitamin A is important for bearded dragons as it helps to keep their skin and scales healthy. It is also essential for their vision as well as their immune system.
Vitamin C is another important nutrient for bearded dragons as it helps to keep their immune system functioning properly. It can also help to reduce stress levels and improve the absorption of other nutrients.
Vitamin K is important for bearded dragons as it helps with blood clotting. This means that it can help to prevent excessive bleeding if your bearded dragon is injured.
Folate is an important nutrient for bearded dragons as it helps with the development of their nervous system. It can also help to prevent birth defects in baby bearded dragons.
Potassium is an important nutrient for bearded dragons as it helps to regulate their fluid levels. It is also involved in muscle contraction and nerve function.
Calcium is an important nutrient for bearded dragons as it helps to keep their bones and teeth healthy. It is also involved in muscle contraction, nerve function, and blood clotting.
As you can see, spinach is a very nutritious food item for bearded dragons. However, it is important to remember that they should only be eating it in moderation as it can cause problems if they eat too much of it.
When feeding your bearded dragon spinach, it is always best to err on the side of caution and give them less rather than more.
How To Prepare Spinach For Your Bearded Dragon!
Now that we have answered the question of if bearded dragons can eat spinach and looked at some of the nutritional values that it has to offer, it’s time to take a look at how to prepare it for your bearded dragon.
The first thing that you need to do is wash the spinach leaves thoroughly. This will help to remove any dirt, grit, or pesticides that may be on them.
Once the spinach leaves are clean, you need to chop them up into small pieces. This will make them easier for your bearded dragon to eat and digest.
You can either feed your bearded dragon the spinach raw or cook it before giving it to them. If you choose to cook the spinach, you need to make sure that you don’t overcook it as this can reduce the nutrient content.
One of the easiest ways to cook spinach is to steam it. To do this, you just need to place the spinach leaves in a steamer basket and put them over a pot of boiling water.
Leave the spinach in the steamer for 3-5 minutes or until it is cooked to your liking. Once it is cooked, you can then chop it up into small pieces and give it to your bearded dragon.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Raw Spinach?
As we have already touched on, bearded dragons can eat both raw and cooked spinach. However, there are some benefits to feeding them raw spinach instead of cooked spinach.
One of the main benefits of feeding bearded dragons raw spinach is that it contains more vitamins and minerals than cooked spinach. This is because cooking Spinach can cause some of the nutrients to be lost.
Another benefit of feeding your bearded dragon raw spinach is that it is easier for them to digest. This is because their digestive system is not as efficient at breaking down cooked food.
The final benefit of feeding bearded dragons raw spinach is that it is more enjoyable for them to eat. This is because they can taste all of the different flavors that are present in the leaf.
Can Spinach Help With Metabolic Bone Disease In Bearded Dragons?
One of the most common health problems that bearded dragons face is metabolic bone disease. This is a condition where the bones become weak and can even break.
There are a number of different causes of metabolic bone disease, but one of the most common is a lack of calcium in the diet. This is where spinach can help.
As we have already mentioned, spinach is a good source of calcium. This means that it can help to prevent or even reverse the effects of metabolic bone disease.
Another way that spinach can help with metabolic bone disease is by providing vitamin A. This vitamin is involved in the absorption of calcium and can help to prevent the condition from developing.
The issue is that too much spinach can actually increase the chances of your bearded dragon getting MBD.
Do Beardies Like Baby Spinach?
Bearded dragons generally prefer to eat baby spinach over full-grown spinach. This is because it is easier for them to digest and has a softer texture.
In addition, baby spinach usually contains more vitamins and minerals than full-grown spinach. This means that your bearded dragon will be getting more nutrients from eating it.
If you can’t find baby spinach, you can also give your bearded dragon chopped up full-grown spinach. However, you may find that they don’t eat as much of it as they would baby spinach.
Alternatives To Spinach For Bearded Dragons!
If you can’t find spinach or your bearded dragon doesn’t like it, there are a few other greens that you can give them. Some of the most popular options include:
- Kale
- Mustard Greens
- Turnip Greens
- Collard Greens
These greens are all good sources of vitamins and minerals and can offer similar health benefits to spinach.
It is important to remember that greens should only make up a small part of your bearded dragon’s diet. The majority of their diet should be made up of insects such as crickets and mealworms.
Do Bearded Dragons Eat Spinach In The Wild?
Now that we have looked at both the advantages and disadvantages of feeding your bearded dragon spinach, you may be wondering if they actually eat it in the wild or not.
The answer to this question is a bit complicated as there isn’t a whole lot of research out there on the subject.
However, from what we do know, it is believed that bearded dragons in the wild do consume small amounts of spinach on occasion if they can find it.
Conclusion!
In conclusion, it is safe to say that bearded dragons can eat spinach, both raw and cooked. There are a few benefits to feeding them raw spinach instead of cooked, such as more vitamins and minerals, easier to digest, and more enjoyable for them to eat. If you are looking for an alternative green for your bearded dragon, there are a few other options out there such as kale, mustard greens, turnip greens, and collard greens.
Just remember that greens should only make up a small part of their diet and the majority of their diet should be made up of insects.
Thanks for reading! We hope this article has helped you to better understand whether or not bearded dragons can eat spinach.
