Bearded dragons have such a varied and diverse diet of different vegetables, fruits, and of course insects. For baby bearded dragons, you are supposed to give them more protein than plant-based food but that doesn’t mean you can’t start experimenting with their side dishes. As for adult beardies, they need plenty of fresh veggies to help keep them strong and healthy.
But the same old greens can get boring after a while and your bearded dragon may get tired of the typical routine. Instead of keeping up with their usual menu, why not try introducing some new and exciting veggies to their dinnertime spread. But what vegetables should you add?
So, can bearded dragons eat carrots? Yes. Carrots are nutritionally dense enough to be considered one of the best vegetables you can give your bearded dragon. They have countless benefits and are incredibly tasty so you’ll entice your beardie’s palate instead of putting them off. But what benefits do they provide and how can your beardie enjoy them?
Nutritional Benefits
There are a lot of vitamins and minerals your little one needs to have proper nutrition and wellness, this means in addition to supplementation you should be paying attention to what veggies and fruits you’re providing to your little buddy. They get their protein from the insects they enjoy, but they need a good amount of the following vitamins and minerals to stay strong:
- Fiber
- Beta-Carotene
- Vitamin A
- Calcium
- Iron
- Magnesium
What carrots can help add to your beardie’s diet are healthy amounts of dietary fiber, Vitamin A, and Beta-Carotene. If you’re feeding your bearded dragon the tops of the carrots as well, those are flush with Calcium, Potassium, and Vitamins A, B6, and C. They look and taste just like other leafy greens to your dragon, so they are a-okay to chop up and add to their salad!
Proper amounts of dietary fiber in your beardie’s routine, helps ensure that their digestion and bowel movements remain healthy. A bearded dragon who lacks fiber may struggle with constipation which can lead to impaction. It can be uncomfortable for your little buddy if they have to struggle with tummy issues, so carrots provide nearly three grams of fiber per hundred gram serving of carrots.
Vitamin A and Beta-Carotene work together to provide a healthy immune system so your beardie can stay strong and well. It can also help it’s skin health and keep their vision crisp and clear so they can catch any of those little bugs that might get loose during feeding. Carrots have great levels of both, with nearly 850 micrograms of Vitamin A and nearly 8300 micrograms of Beta-Carotene per hundred-gram serving.
As for the carrot tops, your little one will delight in their crispy texture and they can actually eat more of the tops than they can of actual carrots due to their safe calcium to phosphorus ratio and non-risk for Vitamin A toxicity. These vegetables are also great as they can satisfy a little of your beardie’s sweet tooth without being high in sugar!
Risks
Though they don’t pose any terribly high threat to your little dragon’s health, their quantity should be monitored. While Vitamin A is incredibly helpful in keeping your beardie’s immune system in tip-top shape, it can also be toxic in large doses. If you are already giving your bearded dragon a multivitamin or any dusting powders with added Vitamin A or Beta-Carotene, you’ll want to limit the number of carrots you add to their bowl on the regular.
How To Prepare
You’ll want to do a deep clean of your carrots as their skin can hold on to a lot of chemicals that can be harmful to your pet. You may even want to remove the skin for added safety if you plan on serving them raw. You can cut them into smaller chunks if you’re going to serve them cooked, but because they are so tough they are better served grated when they are fresh to minimize choking hazards.
You can either hand feed them or you can just add the shredded or soft pieces of carrot to their salad bowl for them to enjoy.
What Else?
While they shouldn’t be eating carrots every day, they can make a truly special addition to their diet. Adding carrots ensures that your beardie is getting adequate nutrition while diversifying their diet so they aren’t bored with the same old salad. We know how important your little buddy is to your daily life so treat them with some carrots, they won’t be disappointed.
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