Yes, bearded dragons CAN eat rosemary but let’s explore if they really SHOULD. They can also eat a variety of other herbs. In fact, many types of herbs are safe for bearded dragons to eat. However, that doesn’t mean they should be fed to your pet bearded dragon.
The best foods for a captive Bearded Dragons diet are going to be high in fiber and low in fat, protein and phosphorus. Plants for Bearded Dragons should be high in calcium and vitamin A.
Rosemary is healthy but not recommended as a staple food for your pet bearded dragon, since it contains phosphorus at levels that are too high.
Some common herbs safe to feed to Bearded Dragons are hibiscus flowers, rosemary, parsley, mint leaves, basil leaves and dandelion greens. Herbs should only be considered treats rather than regular dietary supplements because of their high-fat content. If an herb isn’t particularly low in protein or fat then it shouldn’t be fed often or in large amounts. Too much protein can cause kidney disease and other issues. Insects make up the majority of the diet for captive Bearded Dragons. Check out the vegetables for bearded dragons.
Valuable Nutrients in Rosemary
A complete analysis of rosemary’s nutritional profile is too lengthy for this post, but a few notable nutrients include:
- Vitamin A
- Iron
- Calcium
- Vitamin C
So can bearded dragons eat rosemary? Yes, they can. And if you’re looking to treat your Bearded Dragons to something new, feel free. Just consider that herbs are not part of the normal diet of wild Bearded Dragons and should only be fed occasionally in small amounts to provide your pet with variety.
Benefits of Feeding My Bearded Dragon Rosemary
Herbs can help aid digestion and detoxify the system after a major meal of insects or other fatty food, so feeding rosemary regularly may improve your Bearded Dragons’ health in the long term.
Other benefits may include providing a more flavorful environment for your pet, as rosemary can have a very strong aroma. So, if you and your Bearded Dragon like the scent (or think it’s funny), by all means, go ahead and feed some rosemary.
How to Feed Rosemary to My Bearded Dragon
If you want to feed your bearded dragon some fresh herbs, make sure they look vibrant and healthy without any signs of mold or rot. Then take a small amount (less than twenty percent at most) and chop them into tiny pieces that are easy for your pet to digest. Reptiles don’t chew their food; they grind it up in their stomachs using teeth-like gizzards. This makes sure vegetation is fully digested and broken down into the nutrients and vitamins your bearded dragon needs to live a healthy life.
Rosemary can be an excellent daily treat for Bearded Dragons. Just make sure it’s very finely chopped and not more than twenty percent of their daily protein intake. It is recommended that you use only fresh rosemary when feeding your pet this herb since dry rosemary doesn’t have near as many benefits and may even cause some digestive upset in reptiles with sensitive stomachs.
Risks of Feeding My Bearded Dragon Rosemary
Bearded Dragons can eat rosemary but there are risks to consider. Rosemary contains high amounts of phosphorus and calcium. Too much phosphorus can lead to bone problems such as calcification, renal failure and other issues. The calcium content in rosemary is also not the best for captive Bearded Dragons, especially when it’s fed on a daily or weekly basis without other sources of dietary calcium available. Both vitamin A and iron toxicity can occur if this herb is fed too frequently.
So should you feed your bearded dragon fresh herbs like rosemary? Of course, they’re good for them and they taste great. Just make sure you don’t overdo it because too much may be bad for their health. As with any other treat or supplement given to your pet, always monitor their behavior after eating rosemary and stop feeding it to them if they show any signs of stomach problems.
List of Vegetables for Bearded Dragons
- Can Bearded Dragons Eat Hibiscus Flowers
- Can Bearded Dragons Eat Jalapenos
- Can Bearded Dragons Eat Kale
How Much Rosemary Should I Feed My Bearded Dragon?
How much rosemary you feed your bearded dragon is dependent on the size of your pet, as well as the concentration of nutrients found in your specific plant. Since rosemary can vary greatly, it’s best to play it safe rather than sorry by following this simple do not feed rule:
Don’t Feed More Than Twenty Percent
Feeding too much rosemary may make up more than twenty percent of your dragon’s diet is dangerous since they don’t eat herbs on a daily basis. To play it safe, only use fresh leaves that are vibrant green and smell nice. Ground or finely chopped rosemary should be fed very sparingly, with no more than one small leaf every five to seven days for adults and one leaf every two to three days for babies under six months old.
Alternative Foods for Bearded Dragons
Some good alternative foods for dragons and their nutritional components:
- Collard Greens ( vitamin A)
- Hibiscus ( beta-carotene, niacin, pyridoxine, pantothenic acid, iron )
- Kale ( vitamin C, K and B6 )
- Dandelion Greens (vitamin A)
- Turnip Greens ( calcium)
- Romaine Lettuce(vitamin A and C)
- Green Beans
- Zucchini
- Parsley
- Escarole
- Bloodworms, Earthworms, Waxworms, or Crickets *make sure they are well-fed before being fed to your pet so there’s no risk of Vitamin B deficiency if you choose this option.
If your Bearded Dragon won’t eat these treats on their own, you can place them in a small container (like an empty yogurt container) with some greens and vegetables. Then put tiny holes in the lid to vent carbon dioxide and place it in your Bearded Dragon’s enclosure to let your pet hunt for their treats.
It is good that you know if Bearded Dragons can eat Rosemary but I suggest you should not feed them this herb since it may contain high amounts of phosphorus which when exceeded, may lead to bone problems such as calcification, renal failure and other issues.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Rosemary? – The Conclusion
So can Bearded Dragons eat rosemary? Well, that entirely depends on the concentration of nutrients such as calcium and phosphorus found in each specific plant. Every situation is different, so it’s best for pet owners to play it safe rather than sorry. Since rosemary varies greatly from plant to plant, feeding your pet more than twenty percent of this herb in their diet is dangerous since they usually don’t eat herbs on a daily basis. Always monitor behavior after eating any treat or supplement given to a bearded dragon and stop feeding them if you notice any signs of stomach problems or lethargy.
If your Bearded Dragon won’t eat these treats on their own, you can place them in a small container (like an empty yogurt container) with some greens and vegetables. Then put tiny holes in the lid to vent carbon dioxide and place it in your Bearded Dragon’s enclosure to let your pet hunt for their treats.
Alternative foods for bearded dragons include Collard Greens, Hibiscus, Kale, Dandelion Greens, Turnip Greens, Romaine Lettuce (slightly), Green Beans, Zucchini Parsley Escarole Blood worms, Earthworms, Waxworms or Crickets.
If you stick with these foods then rest assured that you are giving your bearded dragon an excellent diet. You can also augment this diet with calcium powders like Rep-Cal (all-natural) Calcium Powder supplement which is used by breeders worldwide.