Can Bearded Dragons Eat Edamame?

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can bearded dragons eat edamame

Bearded dragons are omnivores, which means they eat a combination of plant and animal foods. 

So can bearded dragons eat edamame? Yes they can, although it should not make up a large portion of their diets. Indeed, soybeans do not contain many nutrients.

Furthermore, there is some concern that overfeeding bearded dragons edamame may cause obesity. They could  develop health problems associated with obesity, such as fatty liver disease.

Nutritional information about edamame

 

Edamame is high in protein, vitamin K, thiamin, riboflavin, magnesium, and phosphorus.

It also contains fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and phytochemicals that may provide additional benefits to humans and animals.

 

However, edamame also contains goitrogens which can inhibit the function of the thyroid gland if eaten in large quantities.

Goitrogens may also interfere with the absorption of iodine, which can lead to thyroid damage . This could also potentially cause a variety of health problems for bearded dragons.

 The daily recommended intake of goitrogens for humans is approximately four milligrams, which is about two servings.

However, pet dragons may consume more than this amount without showing any signs of adverse side effects. Indeed, the exact dosage at which goitrogens become harmful is unknown.

 

How to feed your bearded dragon with edamame

 

Edamame can be fed to bearded dragons whole or mashed.

Don’t cook it in oil or butter before being served to the pet. Doing so adds extra calories and may cause weight gain.

See also  Can Bearded Dragons Eat Violets?

When feeding edamame to your dragon, make sure there are no stems attached to the beans. These will cause intestinal obstruction if eaten.

Also, you don’t need to chop edamame into small pieces because it is soft and easily broken apart by feeding utensils.

There is some concern that feeding pet dragons high amounts edamame may lead to fatty liver disease. Note that there is no scientific proof of this.

 

Can I feed my bearded dragon green beans?

 

While edamame may be fed to pet dragons, it is essential to keep in mind that not all soybeans are healthy treats for reptiles.

Green beans or snap beans should not be fed to dragons. They contain anti-nutrients that reduce the absorption of nutrients from foods.

However, offering these beans to an omnivorous pet may benefit because they are high in fiber and low-calorie.

While green beans should not be fed to bearded dragons, whole edamame is a healthy treat that many owners choose to offer their pets regularly.

If you want to serve your dragon this food, remember to limit the amount it eats.

Indeed,  too much may cause weight gain. If you are worried about offering edamame to your dragon, speak to a professional reptile veterinarian for more information.

You may also want to check our article answering the question: can bearded dragons eat zucchini skin?

 

Summary

Edamame is a type of soybean, but it can be safely fed as a treat to bearded pet dragons as long as the serving sizes are limited. Overfeeding edamame may lead to weight gain, weakening your dragon’s bones and making it more prone to other health problems.

See also  Can Bearded Dragons Eat Garlic? (The Risks!)

 

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