Can Bearded Dragons Eat Sweet Potatoes? | Feeding Guide 2024

Bearded dragon owners have to spend some time thinking about their nutrition and a balanced diet plan. If you are also wondering about what to feed the new pet, you might ask about the vegetables and fruits you like. Can bearded dragons eat sweet potatoes?

Let’s find out.

Bearded dragons require more protein and calcium, although vitamins and minerals are essential too. When you plan a diet for your pet dragon, the portion of each nutrient is different in the various age groups. However, once you know what to feed them, the daily drill becomes easier.

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Sweet Potatoes

As far as sweet potatoes are concerned, bearded dragons can eat them regularly as they offer good nutrition. However, that does not mean that you can keep feeding sweet potatoes to your little pet and think that they will grow well.

While sweet potatoes are delicious and nutritious, they do have Vitamin A in large amounts which are good when fed in moderation. You do not want your pet to develop Vitamin A toxicity, as that can cause vomiting, loss of appetite, and a few other disorders.

You can add sweet potatoes to the mix of veggies that you give your bearded dragon, but make sure that the portion is not too large! Pet owners must have more knowledge about each vegetable so they know how much to feed, and what other vegetables to mix with each of them so that the pet grows into a healthy and happy bearded dragon. Also, read Can Bearded Dragons Eat Pumpkin?

The Downside Of Sweet Potatoes As A Daily Fix

Sweet potatoes have all the essential nutrients for a bearded dragon, but there is a slight problem: the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio. While there is a good amount of protein, calcium, and vitamins in this vegetable, the phosphorus amount is high enough for it to be on the controlled food list. Can you feed your pet dragon this vegetable every other day? Sure! But there should be a balance of what you serve so that the weakness of sweet potatoes gets balanced by other vegetables.

Phosphorus is an essential element but for bearded dragons, the ratio of phosphorus to calcium must be such that calcium should be at least one or two times more than the former. If there is higher phosphorus content, it does not allow calcium absorption in dragons.

This can be a dangerous situation for bearded dragons because if they do not get enough calcium they can have weak bones, which results in metabolic bone disease. This disease makes the bones soft and gradually your bearded dragon can slip into paralysis, which can result in death. Also, check kiwi when given as food to bearded dragons.

Bearded dragons cannot express their pain, and they do not lick bones or sniff your food if they are hungry. This means that pet owners have to be more vigilant and aware of their pet’s nutritional requirements. You will have to ensure that your bearded dragon gets enough calcium on a daily basis as it is crucial for them.

The Healthy Side Of Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are very nutritious, which is why a lot of people are turning towards this vegetable as an alternative to potatoes. There is a load of fiber, vitamins, calcium as well as protein in this vegetable. If bearded dragons need any nutrient, it is packed in sweet potatoes.

However, there is a problem with sugars and phosphorus. If you are looking for some nutritious veggies in a mix, you can add a little sweet potato, but it cannot be the main item on their plate. The vitamins that this vegetable is rich in are Vitamins A, B, C, and K. This iron-rich vegetable ensures mental health and good coordination.

How Often Can Bearded Dragons Have Sweet Potatoes

Bearded dragons can have a small number of sweet potatoes every second day, which means you can feed them twice or three times a week. However, the quantity has to be low. If you want to keep the sweet potatoes as an occasional treat, like a fortnightly addition to their dinner, then you can increase it to a few cubes.

How To Feed Sweet Potatoes To Dragons

The fruits or vegetables that you serve the dragon have to be cut into small pieces. By small pieces, we mean something smaller than their eyes! When you cut sweet potatoes, they should be raw because cooking can ruin the taste as well as the nutrients. Many pet owners grate vegetables because it makes them easier to eat. However, if you are not in favor of grating, use a chopper pulse to ensure really small cubes.

Bearded dragons can suffer if they eat bigger size of vegetables. They swallow the vegetable but the semi-solid state of the food gets stuck in their intestines and it can cause impaction. If that happens, your bearded dragon can lose mobility and their hind legs get paralyzed.

Conclusion

Bearded dragons rely on fruits and vegetables along with insects. You can feed them sweet potatoes twice or three times a week and they will thrive. Feeding them vegetables more than that may be a problem! Learn all about the goods and downsides of feeding sweet potatoes to bearded dragons so that you can prepare their diet and ensure balanced nutrition. Also, find out Can Bearded Dragons Eat Potatoes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I peel the sweet potato before cutting it?

You can feed the sweet potato with the peel as it ensures a higher fiber content. Bearded dragons eat very small cubes of vegetables so the peel will not make it unappetizing.

How many sweet potatoes will bearded dragons eat in a day?

Less than one! You must give them only a few cubes as they do not eat a lot. Bearded dragons rely on insects more and their vegetable intake is not very large.