Carrots are one of the good veggies that boost your immune system, promote good vision, and strengthen your heart and skin. But is it the same case for bearded dragons?
- Do bearded dragons eat carrots?
- Are carrots good for bearded dragons?
- What Are the Nutritional Benefits of Carrots for Bearded Dragons?
- Do carrots cause Vitamin A toxicity in bearded dragons?
- What kind of carrots bearded dragons can eat? (All colors? Raw? Cooked? Baby? Large?)
- Can Bearded Dragons eat carrot’s top?
- How to feed a bearded dragon carrot?
As you already know, bearded dragons should be eating 80% plants and 20% insects. And carrots can be a part of this 80%. Carrots are safe for baby, young, and adult bearded dragons. However, bearded dragons can’t eat carrots all the time. But Why?
Can Bearded Dragons Have Carrots As A Staple?
The short answer is:
- Yes, Bearded Dragons can eat Carrots once or twice a week.
- No, they can’t eat carrots all the time/ every day.
Bearded Dragons are habitants of desert and there are no carrots in deserts. So, carrots are not included in their natural diet menu. That is one of the reasons to avoid feeding carrots to your bearded dragon every day.
Additionally, carrots also fall in safer plants as their calcium-to-phosphorous ratio is 1:1 which falls in the recommended value. More phosphorous can cause calcium deficiency in bearded dragons as phosphorous sticks with calcium and stops its absorption in bearded dragons’ bloodstreams. A deficiency of calcium can lead to many problems and the most severe problem is metabolic bone disease or MBD. Luckily you don’t have to worry about calcium deficiency when feeding carrots to your bearded dragon. To know more about calcium and a balanced bearded dragon’s diet, you can also read the following articles:
Read, “Bearded Dragons, Calcium, and Vitamin D3: Everything You Need to Know”.
Read, “How Do I Give My Bearded Dragon Calcium?”.
Read, “The Comprehensive Bearded Dragon Feeding Guide”.
Even with these many qualities, why can’t your bearded dragon eat carrots all the time? Carrots are not a safe vegetable for your bearded dragon to eat all the time for two main reasons:
- They aren’t calcium-rich vegetables. While eating only carrots, your bearded dragon will face calcium deficiency.
- They contain a lot of vitamin A. And bearded dragons are highly susceptible to vitamin A toxicity.
What Are the Nutritional Benefits of Carrots for Bearded Dragons?
Carrots offer the following great nutritional benefits:
- Carrots contain Vitamin A and beta-carotene. They promote good vision, healthy skin, and a healthy immune system.
- Carrots have a lot of Fiber. Fiber aids digestion and keeps your bearded dragon healthy.
Do Carrots Cause Vitamin A Toxicity in Bearded Dragons?
Carrots contain a high content of Vitamin A. Like humans, Vitamin A is necessary for healthy skin, a strong immune system, and good vision in bearded dragons. But if your bearded dragon is consuming carrots as well as Vitamin A or beta carotene supplements or any multivitamin, there are chances that your bearded dragon might suffer from Vitamin A toxicity. Too much Vitamin A is not recommended for bearded dragons it will cause vitamin A toxicity.
On their own, carrots are quite safe and there are very less chances that they will cause Vitamin A toxicity.
If your bearded dragon is showing any of the following symptoms, he might be suffering from hypervitaminosis A (overdose of Vitamin A):
- Weight loss
- Swelling
- Dehydration
- Decrease in energy
You need to immediately contact your vet if you detect any of the above-mentioned symptoms.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat All Kinds of Carrots?
There are many types of carrots available i.e. baby carrots, streamed carrots, purple carrots, orange carrots, etc. But which is suitable for your pet dragon? Which is healthy?
All colors carrots:
White, yellow, purple, and orange carrots don’t look the same, but they have almost the same nutritional properties, including Vitamin A. So regardless of the type, carrots are safe, once or twice a week for your bearded dragon.
Raw vs cooked carrots:
Carrots are safe, whether they are raw or cooked. Raw carrots have more nutrients whereas cooked carrots are easy to eat and digest for your bearded dragon. So, you can choose the type according to your bearded dragon’s physical activity and overall health.
Baby vs large carrots:
Large, organic carrots are always the preferred kind of carrot for your bearded dragon’s better health.
A lot of bearded dragon owners avoid baby carrots. This is because baby carrots undergo an intensive range of treatments. Amongst them is a chlorine bath which can be toxic for bearded dragons. But baby carrots aren’t completely off the menu. You can feed baby carrots after completely washing off all the preservatives and chemicals from them.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Carrot Tops?
Carrot tops contain oxalates. Like phosphorus, oxalates also tend to bind with calcium and stop its absorption in bearded dragon bloodstreams. Feeding carrot tops can cause MBD as well as kidney stones (if oxalates make their way to the kidneys). So, try to avoid carrot tops. But if your bearded dragon loves it, you can feed it to them only once a month to be on the safe side.
How Can Bearded Dragons Eat Carrots?
If you’re serving raw carrots to your bearded dragon, here’s how to do it:
- Select the carrots that are healthy and don’t show any signs of diseases like rust or pest damage.
- Wash the carrots thoroughly. Remove all dirt and any slimy outer layer.
- Remove the carrot top and any blemishes in the carrot with a knife.
- Instead of making slices, use a grater to grate the carrot into small strings. These strings are easier to eat for your bearded dragon.
- Place the carrots in a shallow bowl with other veggies salad.
- Dust the entire salad with calcium powder.
- Place the bowl of salad in the enclosure.
- Enjoy the view.
If you want to feed cooked carrots to your bearded dragon, you may slice them as cooked carrots are already soft and easier to eat.
If you want to feed carrot tops to your bearded dragon, you can simply wash and grate them into small strings.
If you have questions or would like to give feedback, please contact us.