Yes, bearded dragons can eat Brussel sprouts. However, we recommend you serve them to your beardie in moderation.
Brussel sprouts are in the brassica family which also includes cabbage, bok choy and broccoli. These vegetables all contain calcium in varying amounts. However, the phosphorus to calcium ratio in Brussel sprouts is not ideal for bearded dragons.
If you have a young bearded dragon, serving Brussel sprouts on a daily basis may cause digestive issues because it is not very fibrous and can affect their growth. Our dragons prefer their vegetables with
Bearded dragons like to eat vegetables but they require a lot of it due to their low-calorie intake when compared to other animals. With this in mind, moderation is key in your bearded dragon’s diet. Check out the vegetables for bearded dragons.
What Are The Valuable Nutrients in Brussel Sprouts?
Here is a quick breakdown of the nutritional value of Brussel sprouts in 100g servings.
- Calories – 25
- Carbohydrates – 3.3g
- Fiber – 2.5g
- Sugar – 0.71g
- Vitamin A – 28 IU
- Vitamin C – 26 mg
- Folate (B9) – 53 μg
- Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) – 1 mg
- Thiamin (B1) – 0.08 mg
- Iron 0.57mg
Bearded dragons require daily calcium supplementation to ensure their bones are growing properly, however, both calcium and phosphorus must be in proper balance otherwise health issues can occur such as metabolic bone disease
What Are The Benefits of Feeding My Bearded Dragon Brussel Sprouts?
Bearded dragons benefit in these ways when you feed them Brussel sprouts:
- Calcium is an essential nutrient for Bearded Dragons because it helps with digestion, absorption of calcium and bone growth.
- Brussel sprouts are rich in vitamin C which promotes the absorption of iron in the body.
- Vitamin A is used by the body to maintain healthy skin, hair and mucous membranes. This is very important for Bearded Dragons because they can easily get injured due to their spiked skin.
What Are The Risks of Feeding My Bearded Dragon Brussel Sprouts?
The biggest risk when feeding your dragon Brussel sprouts is that phosphorus levels in Brussel sprouts can be high which may cause kidney issues if fed too due to its high-level phosphorus content.
Additionally, if your dragon is being fed daily Brussel sprouts, they may not be getting enough fiber which can result in digestive issues.
It is important to know the benefits and risks of feeding your bearded dragon this vegetable so that you can adjust their diet accordingly.
When serving Brussel sprouts to your Beardie, it is best to steam them first because boiling them will reduce the nutritional value of the vegetable whereas steaming it will ensure all its vitamins are preserved during preparation. When serving it raw make sure to cut them into tiny pieces as well.
List of Vegetables for Bearded Dragons
- Can Bearded Dragons Eat Green Beans
- Can Bearded Dragons Eat Green Leaf Lettuce
- Can Bearded Dragons Eat Green Onions
Alternative Foods for Bearded Dragons
If you want to give your dragon vegetables with similar nutritional value to Brussel sprouts, then consider giving them bok choy and kale since it contains calcium and vitamin A in high amounts just like Brussel sprouts.
Additionally, collard greens also contain these nutrients but in smaller amounts when compared to the above-mentioned vegetables.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Brussel Sprouts? – The Conclusion
Since Brussel sprouts contain calcium and vitamin A in high amounts, they can be included in your bearded dragon’s diet so long as you provide them with the proper nutritional supplements.
Remember that the phosphorus to calcium ratio in Brussel sprouts is very high which may affect your dragon’s growth and development.
Additionally, feeding a young bearded dragon daily Brussel sprouts may cause digestive issues because it does not contain much fiber.
In conclusion, you can feed your bearded dragon Brussel sprouts but make sure to provide them with the proper supplements. If you want other vegetables for your bearded dragons, consider collard greens or kale since they also contain essential vitamins and minerals for their healthy growth.