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Can Bearded Dragons Eat Bell Peppers?

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Bearded dragons are omnivorous and they love eating fruits, vegetables, and insects of all kinds. Plants like spinach, strawberries, tomatoes, bananas, Grapes, Apples, Carrots, cucumbers, and bell peppers are part of their diet. Bell peppers or sweet peppers are a colorful way of adding flavor and nutrients to your bearded dragon’s diet. Your dragon loves to eat it. But are they safe for your bearded dragon? Can a bearded dragon eat bell peppers? And are bell peppers beneficial for your bearded dragon? These are many questions that come to mind when an owner wants to feed bell peppers to his bearded dragon.

In this article, all your questions will be answered. Following are some questions about bearded dragons and bell peppers:

To find out, “Can bearded dragons eat bell peppers?” let’s have a look at the nutritional info of bell peppers.

What Are The Nutrient Values Of Bell Peppers?

Bell peppers have many nutrients that can be beneficial for bearded dragons. The key nutrients of red bell peppers are as under:

Key Nutritional Information of Red Bell Pepper per 100 grams (3.5 oz.) :

  • Water: 9 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 65 grams
  • Total Fat: 13 grams
  • Total Protein: 9 grams
  • Fiber: 1.2 grams
  • Calcium: 6 milligrams
  • Phosphorus: 27 milligrams

The nutritional value of green, yellow, and orange bell peppers is similar to that of red bell peppers.

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Bell Peppers?

The short answer is:

  • Yes, bearded dragons can eat bell peppers.
  • No, they cannot eat bell peppers daily/ all the time.

So, you can feed any type of bell peppers to your bearded dragon in moderation, once a week.

There are very few differences between types of bell peppers, while Green and yellow bell peppers are healthier, however, all types are safe for bearded dragons.

Most bearded dragon owners confuse peppers and bell peppers. They think that if bearded dragons can eat bell peppers, they can also eat other types of peppers. But this is not the case.

Only Bell Peppers are safe for your bearded dragons, other types of peppers are not safe for them.

The main reason behind that is bell peppers don’t contain capsicum like other peppers. Due to capsicum, all other peppers are too hot and are not easily eatable, even for humans. That is the reason, other hot peppers are not recommended for your bearded dragon.

But what if your bearded dragon doesn’t like bell peppers? Actually, it is completely fine. Every bearded dragon is unique and they are choosy in their food. If your bearded dragon doesn’t like bell peppers, you can offer him anything else. Don’t force him to eat bell peppers.

How Often Can Bearded Dragons Eat Bell Peppers?

Bell peppers are crunchy, colorful, tasty, and good for your bearded dragon’s health. If you want to add this to your bearded dragon diet, it’s perfectly fine to do so but only in moderation. Bearded dragons can’t eat bell peppers daily/ all the time/ as much as they want. Bearded dragons can safely eat bell peppers once a week.

Bearded dragons can eat bell peppers no more than once a week.

There are many reasons for limiting their quantity but the main reason is that they don’t contain enough calcium for them to ever be a staple food.

Are Bell Pepper Bell Peppers Good For Bearded Dragons?

So, bearded dragons can eat bell peppers but are they good for your dragon? What are bell peppers’ benefits for your pet dragon? To know this let’s have a look at the nutrient and their benefits that your dragon can get from eating bell peppers:

  • Antioxidants: They strengthen the immune system, and digestive health, and prevent/ reduce inflammation.
  • Vitamins A and C: These vitamins boost the immune system, reproduction, vision, and growth. 
  • Vitamin B6: This plays an important role in the creation of red blood cells.
  • Vitamin E: This prevents inflammation and builds up damaged cells.
  • Vitamin K1: This assists in blood clotting and increases bone strength.
  • Folate: This is compulsory to keep cells and tissue healthy. 
  • Potassium: Good for a healthy, strong heart. 

Bell peppers are also a good source of water due to their high contact, i.e. red bell peppers contain 92% water. Giving an occasional treat of bell peppers to your bearded dragon will keep him hydrated and healthy. They also provide a good amount of the fiber that’s needed to maintain a good digestive system.

Why Can’t Bearded Dragons Eat Bell Peppers As A Staple?

Bell peppers have many minerals and vitamins which are good for your bearded dragon. However, your bearded dragon needs a diet that is calcium-rich for his good health, and bell peppers are not a good source of calcium, that is one of the reasons bearded dragons can’t have bell peppers all the time as a staple food. The lack of calcium can cause many problems for your bearded dragon including metabolic bone disease (MBD).

Following are the reasons why bearded dragons can’t have bell peppers every day, as a staple vegetable:

Not Much Calcium:

Bell peppers are a poor source of calcium which is essential for the overall well-being of your bearded dragon. The deficiency of calcium can cause many health issues in bearded dragons. Their bone can be broken, their tissues can tear apart, and they can even suffer from metabolic bone disease (MBD).

Bell peppers can offer some excellent benefits to your bearded dragons but they lack calcium, which is one of the reasons they are worth as a staple diet.

Poor Calcium To Phosphorus Ratio:

Bell peppers have a very high amount of phosphorous in them, it is almost twice the amount of calcium. While phosphorous can bind with calcium and stop its absorption into bearded dragon’s bloodstreams. If you regularly feed any food to your bearded dragon that is phosphorous rich, your bearded dragon will suffer from calcium deficiency which can even kill your dragon.

Green and yellow bell peppers contain twice the phosphorous whereas red bell peppers contain 3x times more phosphorous than calcium. To be on the safe side, the recommended ratio of calcium to phosphorous is 1:1 or 1:2, and bell peppers exceed it, making it not worthy of a staple diet.

A poor calcium-to-phosphorous ratio makes bell peppers not good as a staple diet for bearded dragons.

The most common and deadly condition that bearded dragons face due to a deficiency of calcium is metabolic bone disease. This disease directly attacks your dragon’s bones and its skeletal system, causing paralysis and wrapped limbs. To prevent your bearded dragon from MBD, always give your dragon calcium and vitamin D3 supplements once a day.

Vitamin A Toxicity:

Bell peppers are full of vitamin A which boosts your dragon’s immune system, improves their eyes, and reproductive system, and helps them to grow well. At the same time, an overdose of vitamin A can cause toxicity, which will result in weight loss, lethargy, and swelling. Especially, if you are giving your dragon a vitamin A supplement and you are also feeding him bell peppers, there are high chances of vitamin A toxicity.

Overdose of vitamin A can cause hypervitaminosis (Vitamin A Toxicity) in bearded dragons which will result in weight loss, lethargy, loss of appetite, and swelling.

Although the risk of vitamin A toxicity is not too high, it’s worth mentioning, especially if your bearded dragon is already on vitamin A supplements. If your bearded dragon is already consuming the Vitamin A supplement, you need to limit the consumption of bell peppers.

As compared to green or red peppers, red peppers are high in vitamin A. Generally, green and red peppers are considered safer for your bearded dragons.

Green and yellow bell peppers have 200-370 IU and red bell peppers have 3,131 IU of vitamin A, so red peppers can be more dangerous for your pet dragon. If you are using a beta-carotene (a natural form of vitamin A) supplement, you need to be careful while giving bell pepper to your dragon.

High Oxalates:

Like phosphorous, oxalates also prevent the absorption of calcium in bearded dragon’s bloodstreams which can lead to many health issues.

100 grams of bell peppers contain 100 mg of oxalates, which is very high and its continuous consumption can cause calcium deficiency in bearded dragons.

You can reduce the effects of oxalates by limiting the amount of bell peppers that you will feed your bearded dragon. The safe amount is 10 grams of bell peppers or 10 mg of oxalates for bearded dragons.

Digestive Issues:

If your bearded dragon has a sensitive digestive system, he might face digestive issues after consuming bell peppers.

Feeding a large amount of bell peppers can lead to diarrhea, bloating, or other gastrointestinal disturbances in some bearded dragons.

So, it is recommended to introduce bell peppers gradually into your pet dragon’s diet.

Allergic Reactions:

Very few bearded dragons can have allergic reactions when they consume too many bell peppers. If you observe any sign of allergy like swelling, itching, or respiratory distress, immediately discontinue feeding bell peppers to your bearded dragon.

Individual Variations:

Every bearded dragon is different and unique, some may like bell peppers while others may dislike them or even face health issues after eating them. It’s normal for them and it’s according to their tolerance level for their diet. So, whenever you feed them anything new, including bell peppers, always observe them for any signs of discomfort or health issues.

High Water Content:

Bell peppers are made of 92% water. This high water content can cause diarrhea in bearded dragons, which will lead to dehydration—a vicious cycle. 

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Bell Peppers Stems?

The stems of bell peppers are tough and fibrous and they are quite difficult to digest for your bearded dragon. This is the reason, why removing the stems of bell peppers is recommended before feeding it to your bearded dragon.

Feeding stems are not recommended as they can cause many digestive issues in bearded dragons including gut impaction.

Feeding stems can cause constipation as well as gut impaction in bearded dragons which is a very severe form of constipation and happens when something tough stuck in the bearded dragon’s digestive tract.

Can Bearded Dragons Have Bell Pepper Seeds?

Bell pepper seeds pose a choking hazard for bearded dragons as they are difficult to swallow.

The tiny seeds can stuck in your dragon’s throat, which is why it is recommended to remove them before feeding bell peppers to your bearded dragon.

Can Bearded Dragons Have Bell Pepper Skin?

Although the skin of bell peppers is safe for bearded dragons to eat, but it’s difficult to digest. So, it depends upon the health of your dragon. If your dragon is already suffering from constipation, then you should remove the skin of bell peppers, otherwise, you can feed the skin to bearded dragons.

To be on the safe side, it is recommended to peel the skin off of the bell peppers before feeding it to your bearded dragons.

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Green Peppers?

Green bell peppers are actually yellow or red bell peppers but they are not yet ripe. As green peppers are underdeveloped, they are less in nutrients as compared to other bell peppers. For example, red bell peppers have more vitamins A and C than green bell peppers. But, still, they are good for your bearded dragon and your dragon can eat them. They are just a little less in nutrient value as compared to other bell peppers.

Bearded dragons can safely eat green bell peppers in moderate quantity, i.e. once a week.

If you want to give more nutrients to your bearded dragon, don’t go for green bell peppers. Anyway, it’s up to you.

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Red Peppers?

Red bell peppers are fully ripened, so they contain maximum nutrients for your bearded dragon. Your bearded dragon can eat red bell peppers but again in moderate quantity.

Your bearded dragon can eat red peppers in moderate quantity, i.e. one meal in a week.

As this form of bell pepper is nutrient-dense, you also need to observe your dragon, maybe he’s showing signs of vitamin A toxicity.

Can Bearded Dragons Have Yellow Peppers?

Yellow peppers are in between red and green peppers and your bearded dragon can also eat them safely in moderate quantities.

A bearded dragon can also eat Yellow Bell Peppers safely, once every week.

What Color Bell Peppers Can Bearded Dragons Eat?

This question is already answered. Your bearded dragon can eat all kinds of bell peppers, i.e. yellow, red, or green in moderate quantity. All bell peppers have approximately has same nutrient value.

Red Bell peppers are recommended for bearded dragons as they contain maximum nutrients and are fully ripened.

Can Baby Bearded Dragons Eat Bell Peppers?

Now this is an important question. If you are taking care of a baby bearded dragon, can he have bell peppers?

Baby bearded dragons can have bell peppers but in moderate quantity, once a week or even less.

Baby bearded dragons are fragile and they need to be introduced to bell peppers gradually. The bell peppers are high in nutrients, especially Vitamin A, and can cause vitamin A toxicity. So, whenever you feed your baby bearded dragon bell peppers, always observe them and if they are showing any sign of discomfort, call your vet.

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Hot Peppers?

Bearded dragons cannot eat any type of pepper which contains capsaicin. It can be irritating to their digestive system. All hot peppers like pobalano, chilli or jalapeno peppers contain this substance, so bearded dragons cannot eat hot peppers.

So:

  • Bearded dragons cannot eat pobalano peppers.
  • Bearded dragons cannot eat chilli peppers.
  • Bearded dragons cannot eat jalapeno peppers.

Cooked Vs Raw Bell Pepper, Which Is Best For Bearded Dragons?

Bearded dragons can eat cooked as well as raw bell peppers. While cooked peppers are easy to eat, they lack nutrients and water content.

Raw bell peppers are more suitable for your bearded dragon as they are more healthy for them. The choice is yours.

How To Prepare Bell Pepper For Bearded Dragons?

Bell peppers need to be prepared before feeding them to a bearded dragon. Following are simple steps that will help you to prepare bell peppers to feed them to your bearded dragon:

  • Choose organic bell peppers.
  • Rinse them thoroughly to eliminate contaminants and protective chemicals.
  • Discard seeds, steam, skin, and white parts to prevent digestion issues.
  • Slice it into small chewable pieces, to avoid choking hazards.
  • You can also lightly steam them to increase their softness.
  • Offer them as a treat.
  • Monitor your dragon for any bad reactions.
  • You can mix bell peppers with other veggies for a balanced meal.

Only feed 10 grams of bell pepper to your bearded dragon in a single serving, once a week.

How Bearded Dragons Eat Peppers?

Whenever you wonder, how bearded dragons eat peppers? The answer is simple, you can feed them raw bell peppers or cooked bell peppers. You can mix them with other veggies to make a balanced salad. But always offer bell peppers in moderate quantity as a treat only.

Here are some fun ways to offer peppers to bearded dragons:

Make a Salad:

A regular bearded dragon salad can become boring for him. You can mix different colors of bell peppers to make them more yummy and colorful.

Blend it Up:

Who doesn’t like a morning smoothie? Just blend some yogurt, spinach, and bell peppers and give a tablespoon to your bearded dragon. It’s a good snack for your bearded dragon. To make it healthier, you can also add calcium powder to it.

Utilize it as a Treat:

Whenever you feel like your bearded dragon is getting bored from his regular diet or when you want to handle your bearded dragon, offer him a small piece of bell pepper as a treat to make him happy.

 

Bell peppers are a rich source of nutrients and your bearded dragon will be happy to eat them. They lack calcium so, you need to keep a balance and offer them bell peppers in moderate quantity. 10 grams of bell pepper, once a week is recommended and your bearded dragon will love this treat.

If you have more questions related to bearded dragons, feel free to contact us.

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