Can a bearded dragon eat arugula? In short, yes! In this post we’ll dive into how much arugula a beardie can eat and what the health benefits are of these leafy vegetables for bearded dragons. We’ll also go over the health benefits of arugula and how it should be included as a part of your bearded dragon’s diet.
Straight To the Point: Can Bearded Dragons Eat Arugula?
Yes. Bearded dragons can eat arugula, and in fact, it’s one of the best greens for your dragon. Arugula is also sometimes referred to as rocket salad. Arugula can play an important role in your beardies’ diet, and be a staple food that you feed daily. Arugula is a leafy green vegetable that is filled with nutrients and has amazing health benefits.
Our bearded dragon Bill, loves arugula. It’s one of his favorite leafy greens to eat! I would say it’s his second runner-up, second only to kale. He eats it on a daily basis, and the kids absolutely love to feed him!
Nutritional Benefits of Arugula
Arugula gives a natural boost to a bearded dragon’s immune system because these healthy greens contain all of the following essential vitamins:
- Good source of Calcium
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin K
- Iron
- Folate
- Potassium
- Magnesium
- Good source of fiber
Arugula Advantages for a Bearded Dragon
Dietary Fiber:
Fiber aids in digestion and can help your bearded dragon stay healthy. Other dark leafy greens such as kale, collard greens, swiss chard, as well as squash, peas, bell peppers, sweet potato, and carrots, contain plenty of fiber and can also keep your pet dragon’s diet strong.
Calcium:
Calcium helps the body use and store energy. Arugula contains calcium which is needed in your dragon’s diet. Your beardie needs to get enough calcium in order to keep its teeth, muscles, and bones healthy. With insufficient calcium intake, your dragon can develop metabolic bone disease. This disease can cause pain, broken bones, and other issues. In order for the calcium your bearded dragon consumes to absorb in their body, you also need to make sure the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio is at least 1:1 or 2:1. Phosphorus blocks the absorption of calcium which is what makes watching the ratios for your bearded dragon important. Arugula’s ratio is 3:1! This is another reason why it’s a good choice for your bearded dragon.
Water:
Just like humans, water is a crucial part of a bearded dragon’s diet. Did you know that some beardies don’t even recognize standing water as water that they can consume? Due to this reality, it is even more important to be feeding your bearded dragons food with high water content. Not consuming enough water can cause serious health issues such as dehydration. Arugula has a high water content at roughly 19.7 grams for half a cup. The best way to add even more water to their leafy greens is to mist it with water. We do this in our home every time we feed Bill!
How To Prepare Arugula For Bearded Dragons
We like to fill a small container with arugula and spray/mist it with water. For young bearded dragons, you may need to tear or chop the arugula into smaller pieces. We sometimes top it with other diced fresh vegetables, freeze-dried dubia roaches (because you cannot legally get live Dubias in Florida, where we live), and occasionally some calcium powder. We also sometimes top it with dandelion greens, or even meal worms.
Arugula for Bearded Dragons
In conclusion, bearded dragon owners can feel comfortable feeding their bearded dragon arugula. This nutritious food is a healthy part of a balanced diet for beardies, a great source of calcium and contributes to a delicious salad for your beardie!
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