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Can Bearded Dragons Eat Green Beans? Facts and FAQs

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If you are a bearded dragon owner, you must know that they are omnivorous and can eat plants, veggies, fruits, and insects. So, you have probably tried many beneficial veggies such as cabbage, bell peppers, dandelion greens, collard greens, etc. But can bearded dragons eat green beans? Are green beans safe for bearded dragons? If yes, how much green beans bearded dragons can eat?

In this article, the following of your questions will be answered:

Green Beans and Bearded Dragons – FAQs

What Is The Nutritional Profile Of Green Beans?

A 100 gram of raw green beans, also known as string beans or snap beans, offer the following nutrients to bearded dragons:

  • Calories: 31 kcal
  • Water: 90.3 g
  • Protein: 1.83 g
  • Carbohydrates: 6.97 g
  • Calcium: 37 mg
  • Phosphorus: 38 mg
  • Vitamin C: 12.2 mg
  • Vitamin A: 35 µg
  • Vitamin K: 14.4 µg
  • Folate: 33 µg
  • Vitamin B6: 0.14 mg
  • Vitamin E: 0.41 mg
  • Beta-carotene: 379 µg

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Green Beans? 

The short answer is:

  • Yes, bearded dragons can eat green beans as a part of a varied diet.
  • No, bearded dragons can’t eat green beans daily as a staple diet.

Green beans are a popular, staple, and nutritious diet for humans. Bearded dragons can also eat them and get many benefits but only in moderation due to the presence of oxalates.

How Often Can Bearded Dragons Eat Green Beans?

Tasty raw green beans offer many nutrients and bearded dragons can eat them in moderation as a part of a varied diet.

A bearded dragon can eat green beans once or twice a week.

To make a well-balanced diet, you can mix green beans with other veggies and fruits and make a yummy salad for your pet dragons. Green beans should not be the primary component of a bearded dragon’s diet.

What Are The Benefits Of Green Beans?

Green beans offer many nutrients, minerals, and vitamins to bearded dragons that are essential to keep your dragon healthy.

Vitamins A, C, and K:

These vitamins are great for bearded dragon’s vision, immunity, and blood.

Folic Acid:

It helps your dragon to promote healthy tissues and cells. 

Fiber:

Fiber ensures smooth digestion.

Calcium:

Calcium is the most important mineral for bearded dragons. It strengthens the bones, muscles, and tissue of your pet dragon. 

Iron:

It regulates a healthy blood flow.

Magnesium:

It is used for muscle and brain development in bearded dragons. 

Potassium:

It helps your lizard dragon retain water, and maintain healthy blood pressure and a strong nervous system which is very important for overall health.  

Protein and Sugar:

Green beans have little protein and sugar, giving your pet dragon the required energy.

Balanced Calcium to Phosphorous Ratio:

Green beans have a balanced amount of calcium and phosphorous. When selecting any food for bearded dragons, its calcium-to-phosphorous ratio is important, and only food that has an equal or higher amount of calcium as compared to phosphorous is considered safe or healthy. The reason is that phosphorous tends to bind with calcium and stops its absorption in bearded dragon’s blood streams which can lead to calcium deficiency and can cause many health issues such as broken tissues or bone or even metabolic bone disease (MBD).

Green beans’ calcium-to-phosphorous ratio is 1:1, which means it has equal amounts of calcium and phosphorous. So, the effect of phosphorous will be minimized by the calcium and will not cause any health issues to bearded dragons.

Why Can’t Bearded Dragons Eat Green Beans Everyday?

So, bearded dragons can eat green beans and green beans have multiple health benefits for bearded dragons. Then why can’t bearded dragons eat green beans all the time?

Oxalates:

The main reason to limit the consumption of green beans is the presence of oxalates in them. They have moderate amounts of oxalates and like phosphorous, oxalates also tend to bind with calcium and stop its absorption in bearded dragon’s bloodstreams.

Green beans are already low in calcium and have a balanced calcium-to-phosphorous ratio. So, there is no calcium available to diminish the effect the oxalates. Hence, to reduce the intake of oxalates, the consumption of green beans is reduced.

While feeding green beans to bearded dragons, consider the other ingredients of salad, and they should be low in oxalates. Also, give your dragon calcium and vitamin D3 supplements to save him from calcium deficiency and to avoid metabolic bone disease (MBD).

Digestive Issues:

Green beans contain dietary fibers which regulate a smooth digestive system. But feeding too many green beans can cause digestive issues such as diarrhea constipation or even gut impaction.

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Raw Green Beans?

Yes, bearded dragons can eat fresh green beans in raw form. Raw green beans are high in nutrients as compared to canned, frozen, or cooked beans.

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cooked Green Beans?

Yes, bearded dragons can eat cooked green beans. Make sure that there are no added ingredients such as oil or spice, it can make your dragon sick. Also, cooked green beans are low in nutrients, so keeping it to raw green beans is a wiser approach.

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Canned Green Beans?

No, bearded dragons can’t eat canned green beans. Canned green beans contain added ingredients and preservatives, which can be harmful to lizard dragons.

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Frozen Green Beans?

Yes, bearded dragons can eat frozen green beans, provided there are no added ingredients. You need to thaw them at room temperature and make sure they are at normal temperature before feeding them to bearded dragons.

How To Prepare Green Beans For Bearded Dragons?

Feeding green beans to bearded dragons is quite easy. Do the following to prepare green beans for bearded dragons:

  • Always select fresh, organic green beans to avoid pesticides, chemicals, and preservatives.
  • Wash them thoroughly to remove dirt, pesticides, and chemicals.
  • Cut off the ends. They can be tough to digest.
  • Cut the beans into smaller bite-size pieces for your bearded dragons.
  • Add them to salads.
  • Serve the salad in a food dish.

Final Thoughts

Bearded dragons can eat green beans in moderation, usually once or twice a week. They are an excellent addition to the dragon’s diet. They provide many essential nutrients and their calcium-to-phosphorous ratio is balanced and falls in a safe range. So, add these nutritious beans to salad and make a balanced diet for your dragon.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.

Green Beans and Bearded Dragons – FAQs

Can Baby Bearded Dragons Eat Green Beans?

Yes, baby bearded dragons can eat green beans. Make sure that they are chopped in very small pieces.

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Green Bean Leaves?

Technically, your bearded dragons can eat them but they are not recommended. It is best to stick to the pods only.

What Part Of The Green Bean Can Bearded Dragons Eat?

Bearded dragons can eat the entire green bean pod, chopped into smaller pieces.

Do Green Beans Need To Be Peeled For Bearded Dragons?

No, green beans do not need to be peeled for bearded dragons.

Can Green Beans Affect The Coloration Of Bearded Dragon Poop?

Yes, sometimes green beans can change the color of the bearded dragon’s poop.

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