Bearded dragons are omnivores and will eat greens, fruit, insects, and other foods.
However, the preference for which foods they eat often changes as they grow older.
When you first bring home your new baby bearded dragon, it might not be interested in eating greens.
Getting them to start eating vegetables can be challenging at times, but there are a few ways that you can make it easier on yourself.
Your bearded dragon’s unwillingness to eat greens could mean that you’re not offering them enough variety or the right kinds of food.
Keep reading for more information about how to get your baby bearded dragon to eat greens!
How do I train my bearded dragon to eat greens?
The easiest way to train a bearded dragon to eat greens is by offering them regularly and in small amounts. It’s also important to make sure that the greens you’re offering are high in calcium.
A good place to start is with dandelion greens, which are high in calcium and are also low in pesticide residue.
You can also offer kale, mustard greens, and collard greens, but make sure they’re not the pre-chopped kind that’s coated in pesticides.
Try Different Preparations of Greens
No matter what type of green your bearded dragon is eating, it’s important to always vary the preparation. That way, your dragon will be getting a variety of different nutrients. There are three main ways to prepare greens: steaming, pureeing, and (for bigger dragons) chopping.
In steaming, you’ll just need a pot, water, and whatever greens you’re preparing. You can use any type of greens in this method, although some are better than others. Things like broccoli, kale, and Swiss chard work well.
What you’re looking for is greens that aren’t too fibrous. You want to make sure your dragon can actually eat it. So if you are using something like swiss chard or kale, remove the stems first before feeding them to your dragon.
Tip: Try a Reptile Supplement.
One of the most common issues that can arise when feeding reptiles is that they can develop vitamin and mineral deficiencies. If your bearded dragon is not getting enough calcium in his diet, for example, he is at risk for developing weakened bones and osteoporosis.
In addition to a vitamin or mineral deficiency, bearded dragons that are not receiving enough protein in their diet may also experience stunted growth.
Therefore, if you are having trouble getting your bearded dragon to eat properly or you would like an alternative to the standard crickets and worms, consider adding a reptile supplement to his diet to ensure he is getting all the nutrients he needs.
These supplements are available at most pet stores and can be added to your dragon’s food bowl along with his regular staple of crickets and worms.
FAQ
How do baby bearded dragons eat vegetables?
Baby bearded dragons eat vegetables with the same ease as adults. It takes very little effort to feed them veggies. Just place them in a small container along with a small amount of water.
You may also want to make sure that the veggies are peeled and cut into small pieces. This will make it easier for them to eat.
Vegetables should always be offered separately from crickets or other types of food. Vegetables are more nutritious than insects, which means that they should be the main part of their diet.
They should try to eat at least one or two veggies a day. Adults can eat a few more than that, but it is still important to provide them with a balanced diet.
How old does a bearded dragon have to be to eat greens?
From the time they hatch, it is important to offer your bearded dragon foods that are rich in nutrients. You can start by feeding them crickets, mealworms, and other insects.
As they get older, you can start to supplement their diet with greens. They have to be at least 10 weeks old before they can eat greens because their digestive system needs time to mature.
It’s best to start with green leafy vegetables like lettuce. They may not eat it at first but don’t give up! Once they get used to eating greens, you can try other vegetables as well.
Conclusion
A bearded dragon’s inability to eat greens means it is not getting enough nutrition. Having a low-quality diet can lead to many problems, including weak bones, digestive problems, and even metabolic diseases.
To make sure your bearded dragon is getting the right types of nutrients, you need to offer him the right types of greens. Make sure they’re fresh, steamed, or sautéed and have no pesticides or other harmful chemicals.
If you are concerned by the health of your beardie, seek professional help from a reptile vet.
My name is Brad and I am the main editor of BeardieZilla.com.
The only goal of this site is quite simply to be able to help you. To help you by the means of my experiment, of the relation which I maintain with my bearded dragon as well as some of my knowledge about beardies.
I hope that you will find answers to some of your most pressing questions here.
Thank you for stopping by and enjoy the blog!
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