If you’re a bearded dragon owner looking to spice up your pet’s diet, you may be wondering what herbs are safe for them to eat. The good news is that bearded dragons can safely enjoy a variety of fragrant, flavorful herbs that will stimulate their appetites and provide nutritional benefits.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Parsley, cilantro, basil, mint, oregano, rosemary, thyme and dill are examples of safe, healthy herbs for bearded dragons when fed in moderation.
Understanding a Bearded Dragon’s Dietary Needs
Nutrients they require
Bearded dragons need a balanced diet containing calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D3, vitamin A, and protein for proper growth and health. Calcium and phosphorus keep their bones strong while vitamin D3 aids calcium absorption. Vitamin A maintains healthy skin and eyesight.
Protein provides essential amino acids for building muscle.
Ideal vegetable-to-insect ratio
The recommended vegetable-to-insect ratio for adult bearded dragons is 70% vegetables and 30% insects. Vegetables provide vitmains and minerals while insects offer protein. Baby dragons require more insects as they grow quickly. An ideal ratio for juveniles is 30% vegetables and 70% insects.
Importance of variety
Feeding a diverse range of vegetables and insects ensures dragons receive complete nutrition. Variety also prevents them from developing a preference for certain foods, potentially leading to selective eating.
Some nutritious staple feeder insects include crickets, mealworms, dubia roaches and black soldier fly larvae. Leafy greens, squash, bell peppers and other veggies should also be rotated.
| Age | Ideal Veggie Ratio | Ideal Insect Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Baby | 30% | 70% |
| Adult | 70% | 30% |
Best Herbs for Bearded Dragons
Parsley
Parsley is an excellent herb to feed bearded dragons due to its high vitamin A, vitamin C, and calcium content. It also contains antioxidants that support their immune system. Feed parsley sparingly 2-3 times a week as too much can bind calcium absorption.
Rinse thoroughly and chop finely before serving.
Cilantro
Cilantro is a leafy green herb that is safe for bearded dragons to eat in moderation. It provides nutrients like vitamins K, C, A along with antioxidants. Cilantro has a strong smell so some dragons may avoid eating it if the scent is too potent.
Introduce it slowly mixed with other veggies and monitor if your bearded dragon likes the taste.
Basil
Both fresh basil and dried basil are considered excellent supplements for a bearded dragon’s diet. This highly aromatic herb offers great nutritional value including flavonoids, vitamin K and A, potassium, calcium, magnesium and more.
It tastes pleasant and most dragons enjoy munched basil leaves as treats.
Mint
Fresh mint leaves can be offered to bearded dragons for added flavor and nutrition a few times monthly. Spearmint and peppermint are harmless varieties you can use. Mint provides great antioxidants, vitamin A, calcium, phosphorus etc.
But only feed it sparingly as excessive mint may cause upset stomach.
Oregano
With its potent flavor and aroma, oregano makes a healthful addition to a bearded dragon’s diet when given properly. It contains fiber, vitamins A, C, E, K, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron and has one of the highest antioxidant levels among herbs.
Both fresh and dried oregano can be given but only in light quantities as appetizing treats.
Rosemary
Rosemary is another aromatic herb safe for bearded dragons to eat. Its needle-like leaves and flowers carry essential phytonutrients, flavonoids, vitamins, minerals. Known for its savory taste, most dragons relish munched rosemary florets. Feed sparsely few times a month.
It may cause diarrhea if overfed.
Thyme
With its earthy, herbal taste, thyme can tempt a bearded dragon’s appetite effectively. This Mediterranean herb offers vitamins A, C, fiber, iron, calcium, potassium as nutrients. Use both fresh and dried forms in moderation as occasional treats. Too much thyme may upset the digestive system.
Dill
Both dill weed leaves and flowers are excellent supplements to add into a bearded dragon’s salad bowl. These provide great vitamin A, calcium and antioxidant support. Most dragons find the tangy, anise-like flavor of dill irresistible. Offer 1-2 times weekly for flavor and nutrition enhancement.
How to Safely Feed Herbs to Your Bearded Dragon
Herbs to avoid
There are a few herbs that should be avoided when feeding your bearded dragon. According to the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV), herbs high in oxalates like parsley, kale, spinach and chard can bind calcium which lizards need for strong bones and egg production.
Additionally, toxic herbs to avoid include foxglove, hemlock, nightshade, milkweed and mushrooms.
Serving size guidelines
As a general rule, vegetables and fruits should make up 20% of an adult bearded dragon’s diet and 80% should be live feeder insects according to Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital. For a juvenile dragon, this ratio should be 50% vegetables/fruit and 50% insects since they are growing rapidly.
A good serving size reference is pieces the size of the space between your dragon’s eyes.
Chopping herbs for easy eating
Chopping up herbs into bite-sized pieces will allow your bearded dragon to easily consume them. Using clean scissors, herbs like cilantro, basil, dill and mint can be snipped into small pieces. Whole leaves may be too large and difficult to chew. Pieces around 1 cm squared are ideal.
You can put the chopped herbs in a shallow feeding dish in your dragon’s habitat.
Combining with other vegetables
For added nutrition and variety, herbs can be combined with other chopped vegetables that bearded dragons enjoy according to the Bearded Dragon Guide. Some good options include:
- Bell peppers – red, yellow or green
- Sweet potato
- Carrots
- Green beans
- Squash like butternut or acorn
Create a mixed chopped veggie bowl to stimulate your bearded dragon’s appetite. Just be sure to remove uneaten portions within 24 hours before they spoil.
| Vegetable Mix Ideas | Herb Pairings |
|---|---|
| Chopped bell peppers and carrots | Basil or cilantro |
| Diced sweet potato and squash | Dill or mint |
By following these tips on avoiding toxic herbs, proper sizing, chopping and combining, herbivorous reptile owners can safely add herbs to give their pet dragons some added green goodness!
Watching for Adverse Effects When Feeding Herbs
Allergy symptoms
Like humans, bearded dragons can develop allergies to certain herbs. Allergy symptoms to watch out for include excessive head shaking, eye rubbing, skin irritation, and redness around the mouth. If you notice any of these symptoms after introducing a new herb, discontinue feeding immediately and monitor your dragon closely.
Some common herb allergens for bearded dragons are cilantro, parsley, and basil. It’s best to introduce new herbs slowly and in small amounts to gauge tolerance.
Indigestion
Eating too much of certain herbs at once can lead to indigestion in bearded dragons. Symptoms may include lack of appetite, lethargy, and infrequent bowel movements. Herbs that are more likely to cause indigestion when overfed include cilantro, parsley, dill, and basil.
Moderation is key – start with just a small pinch of any new herb. Gradually increase portion sizes over a few weeks as your dragon’s tolerance builds.
Changes in droppings
Some herbs can cause mild changes in a bearded dragon’s droppings – this is normal as long as the changes are temporary. For instance, consuming a lot of parsley may turn the droppings dark green. Eating cilantro could result in runnier stool.
As long as these changes resolve within a day, there’s no need for concern. However, prolonged loose stool or drastic color changes could indicate a problem. In that case, stop feeding the suspect herb and consult an exotic vet if symptoms don’t improve.
When introducing new herbs, keep an eye out for any of these adverse effects in your bearded dragon. Start slowly with tiny portions, and wait a few days before increasing the amount. This allows time to monitor for allergies or indigestion.
With patience and care, you can safely add a variety of healthy, flavorful herbs to your dragon’s salad bowl!
Frequently Asked Questions About Bearded Dragons and Herbs
Can I give my bearded dragon dried herbs?
Yes, dried herbs can make a nutritious addition to your bearded dragon’s diet. Many owners provide their dragons with a sprinkle of dried herbs like basil, oregano, and parsley. These herbs contain beneficial vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Just be sure to use dried herbs without any added seasonings or salt.
What about herbal plants like dandelion greens?
Herbal plants like dandelion greens are fantastic for bearded dragons! Dandelion greens are packed with vitamins A, B, C, and K. They also provide calcium, potassium, iron, and zinc. Introduce dandelion greens gradually mixed with other veggies. Feed 1-2 times per week as part of a varied salad.
Are fresh herbs better than dried?
Fresh herbs retain more nutrients than dried herbs. So when possible, freshly chopped basil, parsley, cilantro, and mint make an excellent addition. Just avoid large amounts as these strong flavors may put off some dragons. The fresher the herb, the more vitamin C and antioxidants it will provide.
Here’s a quick comparison of fresh vs. dried herbs for bearded dragons:
| Fresh Herbs | Dried Herbs |
|---|---|
| Higher water content – 88-95% | Lower water content – 5-12% |
| More nutrients like vitamin C | May lose some vitamin C in drying process |
| Brighter color | Duller color |
| Stronger flavor | Milder flavor |
The bottom line is both fresh and dried herbs offer benefits. For the highest nutrient content, use fresh herbs when you can. But dried herbs make a fine substitute and are more convenient to keep on hand.
Conclusion
Herbs can be a tasty, nutritious addition to your bearded dragon’s regular diet of vegetables and insects. By choosing herbs like parsley, basil and mint, and feeding them in moderation along with other veggies, you can provide exciting variety while ensuring good health.
Monitor your dragon after initially offering new herbs to watch for possible allergic reactions or digestion issues. With some care and common sense, herbs can safely add flavor and fun to their meals!
