Bearded dragons have a versatile diet that includes insects, vegetables, and fruits. Many fruits fall into the category of being safe for bearded dragons to eat. For example, bearded dragons can eat tomatoes safely and in small portions, as well as most other fruits. However, you do have to be careful when you feed tomatoes to your bearded dragon. There is a proper way to serve them, and the frequency needs to be sparing. If you want to know more about how to serve tomatoes to a bearded dragon, their nutritional benefits and risks, and what your other options are, keep on reading. How to Serve Tomatoes to Your Dragon and How Often Tomatoes are not the best treats for your bearded dragon, but they can have them and stay healthy if they do not eat them often. You should avoid giving tomatoes to your bearded dragon more than once a month. Credit: MabelAmber, Pixabay You can serve raw tomatoes to your bearded dragon, but they should get only a quarter of tomato once a month at the most. When you prepare it, wash it thoroughly to get rid of any damaging chemicals. Remove the seeds and pulp from the interior; the seeds can contain harmful toxins dangerous to small reptiles. Cut a quarter of the tomato off, and then cut this into tiny bite-sized pieces to make them easy to chew. Nutritional Benefits of Tomatoes for Bearded Dragons Tomatoes have minor health benefits for bearded dragons. They contain vitamins A, C, and K.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is beneficial for a bearded dragon. The proper amount in their diet can help strengthen them and increase the functionality of their immune system. It also improves their vision, growth rate, and reproductive viability.
Low Oxalate Content
Tomatoes have a low oxalate content. Oxalate functions in the same way that phosphorus does in bearded dragons and can cause issues. Therefore, fruits that contain less oxalate are better for dragons.
Low Sugar Content
Out of all the fruits that you can give your dragon, tomatoes are among the ones with the lowest sugar content. That means that your dragon’s heart health is promoted even while getting a tasty snack.
Risks of Feeding Your Bearded Dragon Tomatoes Credit: yophoto90, Shutterstock The risks of feeding tomato to your bearded dragon can often make it seem more dangerous than it is worth. However, it is up to you as their owner and the overall balance of their diet.
Vitamin A Toxicity
As much good as vitamin A can do in a bearded dragon’s systems, too much of something is always bad. If your bearded dragon is getting too much vitamin A-rich food, they can actually overdose on the vitamin. It will induce swelling, weight gain, dehydration, and an overall decrease in energy. If you stick to the recommended feeding amount and frequency, however, you will not be in danger of causing an overdose in your dragon.
Phosphorus Overload
Phosphorus and bearded dragons do not mix well. Phosphorus binds with calcium inside a dragon’s body and doesn’t allow the latter element to be absorbed into their bloodstream. Calcium is essential to the high-functioning of a bearded dragon, and they cannot thrive without it. Consuming too many foods with a high phosphorus content can result in the development of metabolic bone disease. The condition can end up paralyzing and killing your dragon if left untreated. Dragons should only eat foods with a calcium to phosphorus ratio of 1:1 or 2:1, with calcium being more prominent than phosphorus. The phosphorus in tomatoes outweighs the calcium by almost six times, completely disqualifying it from being a frequently fed treat.
Digestive Issues Due to Acid Content
Digestive issues can happen if you feed your bearded dragon too much tomato. They have a high acid content, which is generally not recommended. They are considered “citrus” fruits. Much like those of oranges, limes, or grapefruit, the acid levels in tomatoes can cause unnecessary digestive problems.
Can Bearded Dragons Eats Leaves and Stems From Tomato Plants? No, bearded dragons should not eat the stems or leaves of a tomato plant, and they shouldn’t nibble on the vines or flowers either. This plant is part of a poisonous family called nightshade. All the tomato’s elements apart from the fruit contain toxic alkaloids that can quickly kill your dragon. Other Fruits and Vegetables That Are Safer for Bearded Dragons Than Tomatoes You may have decided that it is not worth it to give your beardie a taste of tomato. Take heart knowing that there are plenty of alternative fruits and vegetables that you can try instead. These include:
Squash
Apples
Mango
Bell peppers
Green beans
Sweet potato
Zucchini
Cabbage
Kale
Collard greens
Turnip greens
Remember that healthy fruits and vegetables, especially dark leafy greens, should be a staple of your beardie’s diet. To ensure that they are getting the right amount and frequency of feeding, make a feeding schedule. Feeding them the best food of the proper amount is a great way to be a responsible dragon owner. Related Reads:
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cherries? What You Need to Know Can Bearded Dragons Eat Brussel Sprouts? What You Need to Know! Can Bearded Dragons Eat Grass? What You Need to Know!
Featured image: Lernestorod, Pixabay
Bearded dragons have a versatile diet that includes insects, vegetables, and fruits. Many fruits fall into the category of being safe for bearded dragons to eat. For example, bearded dragons can eat tomatoes safely and in small portions, as well as most other fruits.
However, you do have to be careful when you feed tomatoes to your bearded dragon. There is a proper way to serve them, and the frequency needs to be sparing.
If you want to know more about how to serve tomatoes to a bearded dragon, their nutritional benefits and risks, and what your other options are, keep on reading.
How to Serve Tomatoes to Your Dragon and How Often
Tomatoes are not the best treats for your bearded dragon, but they can have them and stay healthy if they do not eat them often. You should avoid giving tomatoes to your bearded dragon more than once a month.
You can serve raw tomatoes to your bearded dragon, but they should get only a quarter of tomato once a month at the most.
When you prepare it, wash it thoroughly to get rid of any damaging chemicals. Remove the seeds and pulp from the interior; the seeds can contain harmful toxins dangerous to small reptiles.
Cut a quarter of the tomato off, and then cut this into tiny bite-sized pieces to make them easy to chew.
Nutritional Benefits of Tomatoes for Bearded Dragons
Tomatoes have minor health benefits for bearded dragons. They contain vitamins A, C, and K.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is beneficial for a bearded dragon. The proper amount in their diet can help strengthen them and increase the functionality of their immune system. It also improves their vision, growth rate, and reproductive viability.
Low Oxalate Content
Tomatoes have a low oxalate content. Oxalate functions in the same way that phosphorus does in bearded dragons and can cause issues. Therefore, fruits that contain less oxalate are better for dragons.
Low Sugar Content
Out of all the fruits that you can give your dragon, tomatoes are among the ones with the lowest sugar content. That means that your dragon’s heart health is promoted even while getting a tasty snack.
Risks of Feeding Your Bearded Dragon Tomatoes
The risks of feeding tomato to your bearded dragon can often make it seem more dangerous than it is worth. However, it is up to you as their owner and the overall balance of their diet.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is beneficial for a bearded dragon. The proper amount in their diet can help strengthen them and increase the functionality of their immune system. It also improves their vision, growth rate, and reproductive viability.
Low Oxalate Content
Tomatoes have a low oxalate content. Oxalate functions in the same way that phosphorus does in bearded dragons and can cause issues. Therefore, fruits that contain less oxalate are better for dragons.
Low Sugar Content
Out of all the fruits that you can give your dragon, tomatoes are among the ones with the lowest sugar content. That means that your dragon’s heart health is promoted even while getting a tasty snack.
- Vitamin A
Vitamin A is beneficial for a bearded dragon. The proper amount in their diet can help strengthen them and increase the functionality of their immune system. It also improves their vision, growth rate, and reproductive viability.
- Low Oxalate Content
Tomatoes have a low oxalate content. Oxalate functions in the same way that phosphorus does in bearded dragons and can cause issues. Therefore, fruits that contain less oxalate are better for dragons.
- Low Sugar Content
Out of all the fruits that you can give your dragon, tomatoes are among the ones with the lowest sugar content. That means that your dragon’s heart health is promoted even while getting a tasty snack.
Vitamin A Toxicity
As much good as vitamin A can do in a bearded dragon’s systems, too much of something is always bad. If your bearded dragon is getting too much vitamin A-rich food, they can actually overdose on the vitamin. It will induce swelling, weight gain, dehydration, and an overall decrease in energy. If you stick to the recommended feeding amount and frequency, however, you will not be in danger of causing an overdose in your dragon.
Phosphorus Overload
Phosphorus and bearded dragons do not mix well. Phosphorus binds with calcium inside a dragon’s body and doesn’t allow the latter element to be absorbed into their bloodstream. Calcium is essential to the high-functioning of a bearded dragon, and they cannot thrive without it. Consuming too many foods with a high phosphorus content can result in the development of metabolic bone disease. The condition can end up paralyzing and killing your dragon if left untreated. Dragons should only eat foods with a calcium to phosphorus ratio of 1:1 or 2:1, with calcium being more prominent than phosphorus. The phosphorus in tomatoes outweighs the calcium by almost six times, completely disqualifying it from being a frequently fed treat.
Digestive Issues Due to Acid Content
Digestive issues can happen if you feed your bearded dragon too much tomato. They have a high acid content, which is generally not recommended. They are considered “citrus” fruits. Much like those of oranges, limes, or grapefruit, the acid levels in tomatoes can cause unnecessary digestive problems.
Can Bearded Dragons Eats Leaves and Stems From Tomato Plants?
No, bearded dragons should not eat the stems or leaves of a tomato plant, and they shouldn’t nibble on the vines or flowers either. This plant is part of a poisonous family called nightshade. All the tomato’s elements apart from the fruit contain toxic alkaloids that can quickly kill your dragon.
Vitamin A Toxicity
As much good as vitamin A can do in a bearded dragon’s systems, too much of something is always bad. If your bearded dragon is getting too much vitamin A-rich food, they can actually overdose on the vitamin. It will induce swelling, weight gain, dehydration, and an overall decrease in energy. If you stick to the recommended feeding amount and frequency, however, you will not be in danger of causing an overdose in your dragon.
Phosphorus Overload
Phosphorus and bearded dragons do not mix well. Phosphorus binds with calcium inside a dragon’s body and doesn’t allow the latter element to be absorbed into their bloodstream. Calcium is essential to the high-functioning of a bearded dragon, and they cannot thrive without it. Consuming too many foods with a high phosphorus content can result in the development of metabolic bone disease. The condition can end up paralyzing and killing your dragon if left untreated. Dragons should only eat foods with a calcium to phosphorus ratio of 1:1 or 2:1, with calcium being more prominent than phosphorus. The phosphorus in tomatoes outweighs the calcium by almost six times, completely disqualifying it from being a frequently fed treat.
Digestive Issues Due to Acid Content
Digestive issues can happen if you feed your bearded dragon too much tomato. They have a high acid content, which is generally not recommended. They are considered “citrus” fruits. Much like those of oranges, limes, or grapefruit, the acid levels in tomatoes can cause unnecessary digestive problems.
- Vitamin A Toxicity
As much good as vitamin A can do in a bearded dragon’s systems, too much of something is always bad. If your bearded dragon is getting too much vitamin A-rich food, they can actually overdose on the vitamin. It will induce swelling, weight gain, dehydration, and an overall decrease in energy.
If you stick to the recommended feeding amount and frequency, however, you will not be in danger of causing an overdose in your dragon.
- Phosphorus Overload
Phosphorus and bearded dragons do not mix well. Phosphorus binds with calcium inside a dragon’s body and doesn’t allow the latter element to be absorbed into their bloodstream. Calcium is essential to the high-functioning of a bearded dragon, and they cannot thrive without it.
Consuming too many foods with a high phosphorus content can result in the development of metabolic bone disease. The condition can end up paralyzing and killing your dragon if left untreated.
Dragons should only eat foods with a calcium to phosphorus ratio of 1:1 or 2:1, with calcium being more prominent than phosphorus. The phosphorus in tomatoes outweighs the calcium by almost six times, completely disqualifying it from being a frequently fed treat.
- Digestive Issues Due to Acid Content
Digestive issues can happen if you feed your bearded dragon too much tomato. They have a high acid content, which is generally not recommended. They are considered “citrus” fruits. Much like those of oranges, limes, or grapefruit, the acid levels in tomatoes can cause unnecessary digestive problems.
Other Fruits and Vegetables That Are Safer for Bearded Dragons Than Tomatoes
You may have decided that it is not worth it to give your beardie a taste of tomato. Take heart knowing that there are plenty of alternative fruits and vegetables that you can try instead.
These include:
Squash
Apples
Mango
Bell peppers
Green beans
Sweet potato
Zucchini
Cabbage
Kale
Collard greens
Turnip greens
Remember that healthy fruits and vegetables, especially dark leafy greens, should be a staple of your beardie’s diet. To ensure that they are getting the right amount and frequency of feeding, make a feeding schedule. Feeding them the best food of the proper amount is a great way to be a responsible dragon owner.
Squash
Apples
Mango
Bell peppers
Green beans
Sweet potato
Zucchini
Cabbage
Kale
Collard greens
Turnip greens
- Squash
- Apples
- Mango
- Bell peppers
- Green beans
- Sweet potato
- Zucchini
- Cabbage
- Kale
- Collard greens
- Turnip greens
Related Reads:
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cherries? What You Need to Know Can Bearded Dragons Eat Brussel Sprouts? What You Need to Know! Can Bearded Dragons Eat Grass? What You Need to Know!
Featured image: Lernestorod, Pixabay
- Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cherries? What You Need to Know
- Can Bearded Dragons Eat Brussel Sprouts? What You Need to Know!
- Can Bearded Dragons Eat Grass? What You Need to Know!
