The answer is a resounding yes! Green beans make the perfect treat for the bearded dragon.
Bearded dragons are omnivorous, meaning they eat a combination of both plants and animals. They enjoy eating a wide variety of foods. So some owners wonder, can bearded dragons eat green beans?
Green beans are a very popular vegetable that many people around the world enjoy. They are often served steamed, sauteed, or even boiled. The beans can be quite delicious and offer a wide range of vitamins and minerals. The same thing applies to bearded dragons. However, before you go out and stock up on green beans for your pet bearded dragon, there are some things you should know. Check out the vegetable list for bearded dragons.
What Valuable Nutrients Are in Green Beans?
One cup of green beans provides your bearded dragon with more than half of its daily recommended intake of Vitamin A. In addition, one serving supplies the lizard with 32% of its daily Vitamin C, 15% of its daily dietary fiber, and 12% of its total fat requirement.
Bearded dragons also need a certain amount of calcium in their diets to ensure proper bone development. One cup of steamed green beans contains about 3 grams of calcium, 19 milligrams of magnesium, and 23 milligrams of phosphorus.
When deciding how many beans you should feed your dragon each day, keep in mind that all values are based on a one-cup serving size. If you feed more or less than the amount it will alter the nutritional content.
What Are The Benefits of Feeding My Bearded Dragon Green Beans?
Green beans are a great treat for bearded dragons because they offer the reptile a nice change of pace from their traditional diets. They are also an easy vegetable to digest, meaning your pet lizard will not have to work very hard to get them down.
Bearded dragons benefit in many ways when you start feeding them green beans, including…
- A strong immune system
- Healthy reproductive systems
- Developed muscles and bones
- Increased levels of energy
- Improved digestion
What Are The Risks of Feeding My Bearded Dragon
While not everyone believes that there are any risks associated with feeding green beans to bearded dragons, some believe that this veggie is just too starchy for these lizards. Stating that green beans can cause the bearded dragon to develop other health problems, including…
- An increase in weight
- The development of an unhealthy gut microbiome
- A slower metabolism
But just because some believe there are risks associated with feeding green beans to your lizard does not mean the veggie should be omitted from its diet. Instead, make sure you feed your pet a wide variety of food items. Also, make sure that at least half of these foods are derived from plant-based sources.
Vegetables List
Alternative Foods for Bearded Dragons
Because green beans are not the only healthy food for bearded dragons, there are many other options you can offer your pet to ensure it gets all of the nutrients it needs. Some tasty suggestions include…
- Turnip greens
- Cabbage
- Asparagus spears
- Plantain leaves
- Parsley
- Collard greens
- Endive
- Kale leaves and stalks
- Romaine lettuce (not iceberg)
- Broccoli florets and stalks (steamed or cooked until soft)
How Can I Give My Bearded Dragon Green Beans?
You can feed your bearded dragon fresh or frozen green beans in a variety of ways. One way is to place one or two handfuls of beans on top of its salad mixture so it can begin eating them right away. Another way is to steam the green beans and serve them with other healthy items to create a nutritious salad for your lizard. You can even place raw, washed green beans in a dish and allow your pet to eat them at its leisure.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Green Beans? – The Conclusion
The answer is yes, bearded dragons can eat green beans. As long as you feed your pet a balanced diet that includes other healthy food items, including fresh greens and vegetables, steamed or boiled grains, nuts and seeds, your bearded dragon should be just fine with its occasional serving of green beans.
But remember that giving your lizard too much of any one particular vegetable could upset the balance of nutrients it needs to stay healthy. And since some experts believe there are risks associated with feeding these veggies to your pet lizard, always speak to a trusted veterinarian before adding more than two servings of raw or cooked vegetables to their weekly menu.