Yes, your bearded dragon can eat radishes. We suggest you feed them in moderation though. How much is too much? It depends on the age, size and activity level of your dragon. Although there are no toxic components in radishes, they should be fed judiciously to prevent stomach upset from eating too many.
On the flip side, the sugar content and starchy component of radishes can be poorly tolerated by lizards that already have diabetes or other non-hormonal metabolic issues. So it is also important to avoid overfeeding radish greens to such animals.
Feeding just a few leaves occasionally will not harm your pet. We recommend offering them towards the end of your dragon’s regular salad feeding time, for example. Offer only a couple of large-sized radish leaves and let your lizard chow down on them while you watch.
Please understand that we are suggesting you feed this leafy green vegetable in moderation and out of sight of most lizards so they do not become too dependent on the delicacy and even become aggressive with their keepers for more food or at feeding time. Check out the vegetable list for bearded dragons.
Valuable Nutrients in Radish Greens
Radishes have a lot of valuable nutrients for your bearded dragon. These include:
- Vitamin C
- Thiamine
- Riboflavin
- Niacin
- Folate
- Iron
- Phosphorus
- Magnesium
- Zinc
- Copper
- Potassium.
Radishes also contain ascorbic acid. Vitamin C is essential for healthy skin and connective tissues in your pet dragons. It can help to strengthen its immune system as well. They also contain manganese which helps the body metabolize proteins, carbohydrates and fats.
Calorie Content of Radish Greens
Radishes are low in calories for the most part, although they do have some calories. A one-cup serving of raw radishes contains 49 calories. This is relatively low when compared to other vegetables such as broccoli which contains 74 calories per cup. Radishes are also low in fat, saturated fat and cholesterol.
Unfortunately, radishes do contain a higher than average amount of sugar.
Benefits of Feeding My Bearded Dragon Radish Greens
Yes. Radish greens are an excellent source of calcium and contain many other nutrients that your bearded dragon needs to stay happy and healthy.
Not only do they provide a very high amount of calcium, but the fact that they’re easy for your beardie to eat means he’ll be munching on them without assistance from you – which is always a plus.
Free feeding radishes can help you establish a more direct line of communication with your pet as it will allow him to start understanding what kind of food you prefer giving him. You may use this as an opportunity to begin working with your beardie to teach it how much food he is allowed per day.
Risks of Feeding My Bearded Dragon Radish Greens
Sugar is the biggest culprit in regards to feeding radish greens to a bearded dragon. If you feed your beardie too many radishes, it may start showing signs of dietary issues that can be very hard to correct.
If your bearded dragon has not eaten other greens yet, then giving him radish greens can lead to an upset stomach. This is why it’s so crucial for you to know your beardie well enough to be able to tell what behavior means he is not enjoying his food. If you suspect that your beardie’s tummy is feeling off after eating the radishes, take them away and try again later on.
If it seems like your beardie isn’t interested in their flavor, you could always try mixing them with other leafy greens such as collard greens or dandelions that are high in calcium levels but milder in flavor than radish greens. You may also soak the leaves overnight before feeding them to help reduce the taste.
Vegetables List
- Can Bearded Dragons Eat Collard Greens
- Can Bearded Dragons Eat Corn
- Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cucumber
Alternative Foods for Bearded Dragons
If you’re not interested, or your bearded dragon isn’t interested, don’t worry. There are plenty of other alternative foods that are comparable to the radish.
- Collard Greens
- Dandelions
- Endive
- Lettuce
- Romaine Lettuce
- Watercress
Yes, radish greens are an amazing source of calcium for your bearded dragon. Just be sure to keep the amount that you give them at a limit and to look out for signs that they aren’t enjoying their food. If it appears as though they’re not eating the radish greens, try feeding them an item from the list above.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Radish Greens? – The Conclusion
Radish greens are an excellent source of calcium for your bearded dragon. Keep the amount you feed them at a limit and be sure to look out for signs that they aren’t enjoying their food. If it appears as though they’re not eating the radish greens, try feeding them an item from the list above.
Lastly, the sugar content of radishes can lead to obesity. Make sure to monitor that for your bearded dragon.