Can Bearded Dragons Eat Spinach? | Nutritional Advice 2024

No doubt, the health benefits of spinach are spectacular. We can eat spinach every day for health benefits because of the amount of fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. But bearded dragons have different nutritional needs. Too much spinach can make them ill, even kill them. Can Bearded Dragons Eat Spinach? And if so, how much?

Spinach can be eaten by bearded dragons. It should, however, only be fed occasionally and sparingly. Because spinach has a high level of oxalates that binds to calcium and prevent it from being absorbed, and so along with some other reasons, one should not feed his pet unknowingly.

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Spinach

Nutrient Values Of Spinach

Discover why spinach is a risky green for your bearded dragon and some of the nutrients it contains. You can see values per 100 g of raw spinach in the table given below:

Nutrient Values
Energy 23 kcal
Water 91.4 g
Protein 2.86 g
Fat 0.39 g
Carbohydrates 3.63 g
Sugar 0.42 g
Fiber 2.2 g
Calcium 99 mg
Phosphorus 49 mg
Iron 2.71 mg
Vitamin C 28.1 mg
Vitamin A 469 µg
Magnesium 79 mg
Potassium 558 mg

Health Benefits Of Spinach

Although some dragon keepers do not feed their pets spinach at all because they do not trust the outcomes, spinach is okay on rare occasions (maybe once a month or so). If your bearded dragon has health concerns, you should consult your vet. The following are some of the nutritional benefits of eating a little spinach every now and then:

Health benefits of spinach

It is the same for bearded dragons. Therefore, spinach can be considered a healthy treat since it is low in calories, sugars, and fat. Despite its low pH, spinach contains a high amount of water, making it an excellent source of additional hydration. In addition to providing adequate fresh water, any water content should be considered a bonus.

Bearded dragons require calcium to survive. Their diets can be severely deficient in calcium, especially for younger bearded dragons. There is a condition known as metabolic bone disease (MBD) in bearded dragons caused by a calcium deficiency. In terms of potassium content, spinach contains significantly more than bananas, a fruit known for its high mineral content. What are the benefits of potassium? Fluid levels, muscle activity, and kidney function are all regulated by potassium.

Spinach contains many vitamins, such as vitamins A, B-6, and C. Humans have many health benefits associated with vitamin A. In addition to supporting healthy vision, growth, and development, and preventing certain types of cancer, it helps to maintain a healthy immune system. The brain develops with it and the nervous and immune systems remain healthy with it. Moreover, it helps to regulate body weight and maintain brain health.

The vitamin C that is found in body tissue contributes to its growth, repair, and maintenance. This nutrient also aids in the absorption of iron, maintains a healthy immune system, and promotes bone health. Despite its high concentration of minerals and antioxidants, spinach can help reduce cholesterol and prevent heart problems. Also, they help to keep the tissues in your beardie’s body strong and healthy.

What makes spinach such an unappealing food for bearded dragons? With all those health benefits, why are bearded dragons told to avoid it? The answer is very simple. The oxalates. Furthermore, you can also read Can Bearded Dragons Eat Broccoli.

Why Can’t They Eat Spinach All The Time

Although spinach has so many incredible benefits for bearded dragons, it does have one fatal flaw: it is abundant in oxalates. Oxalates, as you might already know, can be deadly for bearded dragons because they prevent calcium from being absorbed into the body, which is essential to the animal. A dragon’s limbs can become subluxated or paralyzed when they suffer from metabolic bone disease (MBD).

Why Can’t Bearded Dragons Eat Spinach All The Time

Interestingly, a moderate amount of spinach will not be harmful at all if your dragon does not consume too many foods high in oxalates, and if you provide regular calcium supplements. When fed too much or too often, spinach can actually kill a dragon regardless of whether they are taking calcium supplements. In addition, other oxalate-rich greens, such as Swiss chard, carrot tops, and beet greens, are also beneficial.

The high levels of Vitamin A and beta-carotene in spinach do not make it a suitable vegetable for your bearded dragon. The risk of this is slightly lower than that of oxalates, but you should be aware of it. Also, a measured amount of Vitamin A is actually healthy for a dragon.

Conclusion

When it comes to spinach, you might want to choose another vegetable to share with your bearded dragon. You shouldn’t worry about giving them one leaf of spinach if you must. But don’t let it become a habit. While in moderation it’s non-toxic and won’t cause any ill effects, it can be detrimental to health over the long run because it blocks calcium. Therefore, bearded dragons consume spinach occasionally, but we recommend that you avoid it if you can. Give your bearded dragon some other options when you are giving him greens.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Spinach Kill a Bearded Dragon?

Spinach leaves have no toxic effects on bearded dragons, so consuming them will not harm them. Oxalates, however, are a major concern when it comes to spinach. The long-term effects of these compounds are severe health concerns due to their interference with calcium absorption.

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Raw Spinach?

Spinach is safe to eat for bearded dragons in very small amounts, but it is better avoided completely. Spinach contains several compounds (oxalates) that inhibit calcium absorption, which causes a calcium deficiency.

Do Beardies Like Baby Spinach?

Yes, baby spinach is just like regular spinach, so if your beardie enjoys one, they will enjoy the other. The bearded dragon isn’t a picky eater after all! The oxalic acid in spinach is not recommended for pets.

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