Can Bearded Dragons Eat Grass? | Dietary Considerations 2024

Bearded dragons are omnivores that rely on vegetables, fruits, and insects for their daily nutritional targets. They have a sensitive digestive system and may be considered picky eaters due to it. They eat many green, leafy vegetables but can bearded dragons eat grass? The simple answer is yes, sometimes they can. However, there is more to understand this answer. Many pet owners would wonder about grass as an allowed green vegetable since it is growing around and can be free. However, you will have to know what is in the grass and whether that suits the sensitive, and picky eaters in your home.

Bearded Dragon’s Nutrition Requirements

Bearded dragons love insects and since they require a lot of protein and calcium, much of their protein intake is fulfilled by insects. Vegetables and fruits constitute less than 25% of their daily intake. You have to see that the vegetables and fruits that you feed them are according to their nutritional requirements. We stress this because if you feed something that is not according to the bearded dragon’s needs, your pet might fall ill, or may suffer from irreversible diseases.

Bearded dragons require calcium in high amounts, but whatever you give them must have a calcium-phosphorus ratio of 2:1. If you give them any more phosphorus then the calcium absorption will not be good enough. When consumed regularly, such vegetables can cause metabolic bone disease, which means soft bones due to a lack of calcium and this can result in paralysis or death. Also, read Can Bearded Dragons Eat Watercress.

Bearded Dragons Eating Grass

Grass has high fiber and water content and may be a little hard to digest due to its high caloric content. However, bearded dragons, it is not the most suitable of greens. If your pet dragon eats grass it is alright, but do not make it a habit as there is not much that grass offers, and since greens are less than 25% of daily consumption, isn’t it better to give them vegetables that are most suitable for them? The grass is not the most suitable for bearded dragons therefore you can limit it to once in a while.

While it is clear that if bearded dragons eat grass they will not be harmed, it is not a very nutritious vegetable. There are many other options that will ensure your dragon’s health and well-being since they offer more minerals, vitamins, and fiber. Some vegetables are high in calcium and also protein, which makes them more favorable for your pet.

If you are taking your pet dragon outdoors for some fun in the garden, they will try out the grass for sure. It is not harmful and there is no reason to stop them, but owners must know that this feed is not a daily intake item. You shouldn’t think that ‘my dragon liked grass, I should replace the daily vegetables with grass, and it is free too. There! We said it out! You cannot prefer grass over healthier vegetables because the dragon enjoyed eating it once.

The Nutritional Value Of Grass

The grass is high in calories and contains sugars. Moreover, it is high in fiber, and apart from these few nutrients, there is nothing that grass can offer except that the high calories can accumulate! You would not want to see your bearded dragon become weak due to deficiencies while becoming obese due to fat storage.

Bearded dragons have slow metabolisms and sugary foods or high-calorie foods are digested slowly and extra pounds keep stacking in the body. The grass is not the most favored vegetable for bearded dragons since their digestive tract is not as tough as that of cattle. Cows, horses, and goats may love grass because they have a strong gut and can process this hard-digesting food. These reptilians might feed on the grass in the wild, but that does not mean it is nutritious for them.

Wild bearded dragons also get more insects and worms to enjoy so maybe the daily grass feed does not make a difference. Moreover, these wilderness dragons might be walking more and their calorie intake with the grass might work well for them. However, pet dragons have different lives! If they are not feeding regularly, then it may be acceptable but the grass should not replace any other vegetable that has vitamins, minerals, and calcium with protein as well. Have a look at Can Bearded Dragons Eat Snap Peas.

Another Important Precaution

When you take your pet dragon to the garden, ensure that the grass or plants are not sprayed with pesticides or there are no fertilizers in the grass. Many people try to do all they can to maintain their green gardens, but they can be unhealthy for bearded dragons!

Moreover, if you have planted one of those GMO grasses that look greener but have negligible nutrition, the bearded dragon will only be chewing on fiber and there will be nothing that this grass will offer! Wild grass has some nutrition but the aesthetic grass classes are deprived of any nutrient that may be of some good to the bearded dragon. When you feed your bearded dragon, make sure it is something that is adding to its health.

Conclusion

The grass is allowed for bearded dragons but it is not a favorite food due to its low nutritional value and high-calorie count. Pet owners must not feed these greens thinking they are what keep cattle alive! Look for vegetables that are beneficial for your dragon.

Frequently Asked Questions

What will happen if my pet dragon eats grass two days in a row?

Nothing adverse will happen if your dragon pet consumes grass for two consecutive days. However, you should feed it vegetables that have more nutrition. The grass is hard to digest and it might take longer to be processed through the digestive tract. There will be no harm, but there are much better vegetables to feed.

Is grass rich in vitamins?

No, grass has a low amount of nutrients and it is high in fiber and water content. Both of these things can be fulfilled by other vegetables while ensuring that your dragon will get more vitamins and minerals too.