Can Bearded Dragons Eat Chard? | Safe Leafy Greens? 2024

Bearded dragons eat insects, vegetables, and fruits, which new pet owners often ask, ‘Can bearded dragons eat chard?’ However, we always explain to these owners that it is better to look for the answer by finding out more about your dragon pet. The more you know what they require, the better you will be able to decide what to feed them and what to avoid.

Moreover, what every vegetable offers is also something pet owners must know. If you do not have a lot of knowledge of the various veggies and what they hold, now is a good time to start! Every vegetable has numerous nutrients and you must know what is in the chard and whether it suits bearded dragons or not.

What Is Chard And What Does It Contain

Chard is a leafy green vegetable that is quite famous in the Mediterranean region. This veggie is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants along with fiber. This low-calorie vegetable has very few sugars and carbs in general. Bearded dragons can have chard because it has a lot of good nutrients and all of these suit dragons.

However, how much of this vegetable can these reptilians have? And how much will be healthy for them? Chard is rich in vitamin A, which is excellent for bearded dragons but not if they have it every day. Vitamin A causes toxicity and if it is over-consumed, they will feel sluggish and unwell.

Chard also has a high amount of Vitamin C which can cause unhealthy results, which will lead to serious issues. All vitamins are good for all living creatures, but in excess, the same vitamins can become toxic. One good nutrient that suits bearded dragons is calcium, and chard is abundant in this element. In 100 grams of chard, there is more than 50 mg of calcium, which is great news for all pet owners because calcium is not very high in a lot of vegetables.

Many vegetables that have calcium also have a high phosphorus content. If phosphorus is high in any food, it becomes unfavorable for bearded dragons because this element does not let the body absorb calcium, and if bearded dragons cannot absorb calcium, their bones become soft and the deficiency can lead to Metabolic Bone Disease. This disease can lead to death as the bearded dragon becomes unable to move.

The amount of phosphorus in chard is 33mg per 100 grams. This quantity is not too less, but since it is less than calcium that is a good thing. However, the ideal calcium-to-phosphorus ratio must be 2: 1 or 1:1. If there is more phosphorus than calcium, the vegetable is not good for bearded dragons.

While chard has a good calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, it is not 2:1, which means that dragons cannot have this daily. Chard has a high water content also, which is not always suitable for bearded dragons as their bodies are adapted to arid zones and dry climatic conditions. Swiss chard can be fed to bearded dragons, but it should be in small amounts and not even every day. Moreover, You can read about giving bearded dragons Blackberries to eat next.

How Often Can Bearded Dragons Eat Chard

Bearded dragons can have chard every fortnight or once a week at the maximum. When you feed this vegetable to your bearded dragon, make sure that you cut it so small that it does not become difficult to swallow.

Bearded dragons need to have cut-up vegetable that is chopped to a size smaller than their eyes. If you give them large chunks of chard, they may get stuck in the intestines, causing impaction. It is hard for bearded dragons to have regular bowel movements if this happens. Moreover, the impaction is a state of chronic constipation, which means that the dragon will not be able to eat properly either. The result of severe impaction is paralysis of the lower body. Check out Can Bearded Dragons Eat Apricots, you may also need to read this.

Which Other Greens To Give Bearded Dragons

Bearded dragons can have numerous green vegetables that have ideal quantities of vitamins, calcium, and phosphorus. These vegetables include turnip greens, mustard greens, collars, alfalfa, and squash. These vegetables are good for bearded dragons as they provide good nutrition and fiber.

Fiber is an essential component of vegetables that we did not discuss earlier. This component makes every vegetable easy for bearded dragons to digest without the dangers of impaction. Moreover, fiber cleans the system and you will see your bearded dragon remain healthy and happy!

Green vegetables and fruits are the main sources of calcium, and vitamins along with some essential minerals. Bearded dragons also eat insects and that makes it easier for them to fulfill their protein requirements. However, vegetables are an essential part of their diet and they must eat the ones that suit their needs the most. Also, check Can Bearded Dragons Eat Rosemary.

Frequently Asked Questions

What will happen if my dragon pet eats chard daily?

There will be no harmful effects of chard except that an overdose of vitamins can cause toxicity that can result in irritable bowels, poor movement, and sluggish nature in dragons. If you want to see your bearded dragon active and happy, you should remove chard from their daily diet and replace it with a vegetable that has lower phosphorus and water content along with lower vitamin levels.

Can I give chard to my pet dragon once a month?

Yes, chard can be fed to bearded dragons occasionally as it is a tasty veggie and bearded dragons can enjoy it. Look for vegetables that are high in calcium, and fiber and add them to the daily diet of your pet while an occasional treat of chard will be acceptable.

Conclusion

Bearded dragons can eat chard but that cannot be a daily vegetable due to its nutritional value. Bearded dragons may experience an overdose of vitamins with chard, while their daily calcium and fiber requirements might only be fulfilled marginally. Moreover, the high water content of chard makes it an unfavorable vegetable for daily use. Pet owners can add many other green vegetables to the daily palate of their bearded pets and see them thrive.