Arugula is a low-calorie green leafy vegetable that you might not think of when it comes to bearded dragons. But is arugula safe for them?
Yes, organic arugula grown in the USA or Europe is perfectly fine for your beardie to eat. You can feed it to them fresh or lightly blanched. They will also love the added benefit of having a lot more energy from eating this nutrient-rich plant. Arugula contains important nutrients like calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamin C and protein.
There are two different types of arugula; one type (Diplotaxis tenuifolia) has slightly reddish veins while the other (Eruca sativa Mill.) has green veins. Both types are much more nutritious than dark green leafy veggies like kale and spinach.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Arugula? Answer: Yes! Feed at least once a week as it has additional benefits for them such as increased energy and staving off metabolic bone disease. It’s also very low-calorie and great for shedding. For the complete list please click here.
Nutritional Components of Arugula
Arugula has a lot of nutrition components in it. It is one of the healthiest foods that your bearded dragon can eat and benefits from being eaten by you too!
Protein: A 100-gram serving contains 1.6 grams of protein which makes up 3% of your bearded dragon’s daily requirement for this nutrient. Proteins are very important in a beardies diet for a number of reasons, but mainly because they help their muscles grow and repair when they are being used so much through exercise or when shedding. Beardies have been known to gain muscle mass when fed arugula regularly.
Calcium: In the same 100-gram serving, there is 33mg calcium which accounts for 5% of your beardie’s daily need for this mineral. Calcium is important for helping your beardie to develop strong bones, muscles and teeth.
Vitamin A: There are 382 IU of vitamin A per 100 grams which makes up 5% of their daily intake. Vitamin A helps them to see properly at night (their vision is greatly reduced without it) and even improves their ability to find food in the wild.
Vitamin C: There is 7mg of vitamin C in every 100 grams which is 1% of their daily requirement for this vitamin. Vitamin C is an antioxidant (antioxidants protect cells from damage by harmful molecules called free radicals). It has powerful anti-inflammatory components.
Advantages of Feeding My Bearded Dragon Arugula
Arugula is one of the healthiest vegetables on this planet for you to feed your bearded dragon. So why not try it out?
It’s Rich in Nutrients: When you consider all the benefits that arugula has, then there is no reason why you shouldn’t try feeding some to your beardie. It contains many vitamins and minerals which will improve their overall health and wellbeing.
They Will Have More Energy: A lot of people make the mistake of thinking that feeding fruits means they will get an instant sugar rush (which they do). But after the initial sugar high disappears, expect them to crash soon afterward. leaving your beardie sluggish. However, feeding them arugula gives them a steady supply of energy from the carbohydrates contained within. This gives them more consistent energy levels throughout the day.
It’s Low in Calories: A 100 gram serving of arugula contains only 18 calories. This makes it a great food for bearded dragons who are trying to lose weight or want their diet to be lower in calories.
They Will Have Stronger Teeth and Claws: Feeding your beardie arugula on a regular basis will help with the wear and tear of their teeth and claws. This is because the calcium in it helps build stronger bones which results in stronger teeth and claws, unlike most other plants which do not contain this mineral.
There Is No Risk of Bacteria or Parasites: Arugula has been eaten by humans for thousands of years and there is no record of anyone getting sick from eating it. You can be sure that this plant is completely safe to eat.
Which Vegetables Bearded Dragons Can Eat?
Disadvantages of Feeding My Bearded Dragon Arugula
It’s Important to Limit the Amount They Get: Arugula does have a lot of nutrients in it, which makes it an excellent food for your bearded dragon. However, too much of a good thing can be bad. It’s important that you limit how much they get and only give them enough so they know it is available to eat (around 2-3 times per week). Forcing or hand feeding them is not recommended as the risk of injury is too high if they feel threatened in any way.
Alternative Foods For Bearded Dragons Arugula
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Kale?
Yes! Feed at least once per week as this vegetable has additional benefits such as increased energy and staving off metabolic bone disease.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Spinach?
Yes! Feed regularly in moderation because it contains high concentrations of oxalates which can make them sick if eaten in excess (only feed when other sources are not available).
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Silverbeet?
Yes! Treat like you would kale and keep the portions small because it contains high amounts of oxalates which are harmful if eaten in excess.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Collard Greens?
Yes! Feed occasionally in small amounts because it contains high levels of calcium which can make them sick if given too much.
Summary
Arugula is a plant that has been used in salads for thousands of years. However, it is now gaining popularity as a vegetable that bearded dragons can eat on a regular basis.
In conclusion, arugula is not toxic to bearded dragons and contains many beneficial vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin C, Iron, Magnesium and Calcium. It also has some fiber which will aid with their bowels while keeping them feeling full.
Please make sure you always research foods before feeding them to your beardie, even if they are safe to eat “most of the time”. Every beardie’s nutritional needs are different so even if it is safe for one person’s dragon it may not be safe for yours.
I hope this article has helped answer the question of “Can Bearded Dragons Eat Arugula?”