Bearded dragons are one of the most popular reptile pets in the world and I’m sure you bought your beardie for a reason or another.
When you buy a pet, it’s very important to take care of them properly so that way they can live longer and healthy lives. When everyone buys a vegetable or fruit at a supermarket, you can’t avoid to think if this fruit or vegetable is safe for my pet beardie.
Can bearded dragons eat cabbage? Yes, bearded dragons can eat cabbage in moderation. If you want to give your bearded dragon some cabbage make sure that they are completely gone within 20 minutes and at least 12 hours apart from any other food serving. Cabbage should never be given to a baby or juvenile bearded dragon since it can make them quite sick from the glucosinolates.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cabbage – My Bearded Dragon Ate Cabbage – Can Bearded Dragons Have Cabbage
Let’s dive deep in detail about bearded dragons and cabbages and see how cabbage can both help when eaten in moderation and affect when overeaten.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cabbage?
Are you thinking about feeding your bearded dragon some cabbage? While it may be safe to feed him/her a little bit, long term cabbage consumption is probably not the best idea for a number of reasons.
Cabbages are part of the Brassica family which includes Brussel sprouts, broccoli and mustard greens for example. These plants contain glucosinolates, which are considered to be toxic in large quantities.
One thing to keep in mind when feeding your bearded dragon vegetables such as cabbage is that too much of anything is never good so you should avoid feeding him/her large amounts on a regular basis since it might have an adverse affect on his/her overall health.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Red Cabbage?
The answer to that question is pretty simple: YES! Red Cabbage IS good for your bearded dragon! Red Cabbage is a good source of Vitamin C and fiber.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Napa Cabbage?
Bearded dragons can eat Napa cabbage. Napa Cabbage Is good for your bearded dragon when eaten in moderation! Napa Cabbage is a good source of Vitamin C, fiber and other nutrients.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Purple Cabbage?
Yes bearded dragons can eat purple cabbage, but only once in a while. Purple Cabbage is high in fiber and Vitamin C.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cabbage Everyday?
Cabbage is also a very low nutritional food product for bearded dragons, so it’s not something you should necessarily feed him/her every day.
Instead, try to use cabbage as more of a treat since they are high in vitamins K and C as well as dietary fiber.
You may even want to treat your bearded dragon with a small amount of cabbage once every two weeks, but it’s not going to provide him/her with the necessary nutritional value he/she needs on a daily basis.
While cabbage is considered toxic in large amounts, there are still various online sources that claim it is safe to feed your bearded dragon quite a bit of cabbage as long as you get him/her about an hour away from food.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cabbage With Skin On?
Unfortunately, we do not recommend feeding your bearded dragon cabbage with the skin on since that means the toxins will be contained in the peel also. It has already been boiled so it won’t poison him/her directly however peeling is an instinctual reaction for most animals when eating a new food and if they learn to automatically peel all vegetables then eventually they may refuse to eat any that aren’t peeled.
If you do want to feed your bearded dragon cabbage, then you should remove the skin first or at least until s/he gets used to it and stops trying to peel it off so often.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cabbage Frozen?
Yes, you can feed your bearded dragon frozen cabbage but just like with any other vegetable in the long run it probably won’t be beneficial for him/her to eat large amounts unless you want to end up with a picky eater who refuses to eat healthy food.
Although cabbage is a good source of dietary fiber, vitamins A and C and calcium it doesn’t contain enough nutrients to really make it worth eating on a regular basis.
Bearded dragons that have been fed cabbage frequently may not be interested in eating other vegetables and they might start refusing their regular greens like kale, dandelion, clover or romaine lettuce so it’s just better for everyone involved if you avoid feeding your dragon a lot of cabbage.
So what about the claim that feeding your bearded dragon frozen cabbage will help her/him shed? The truth is that all the nutrients contained in vegetables should be enough for your bearded dragon to shed, but if you want to feed small quantities of it every now and then go ahead. Just don’t get carried away since too much frozen cabbage is not a good idea.
According to an article published in Exotic Nutrition such foods as lettuce, pea pods and Romaine lettuce should be fed after thawing but that’s about as far as the list of vegetables goes. If you want your bearded dragon to shed on time then feed him/her plenty of calcium dusted crickets (chitin is an excellent source of dietary calcium for reptiles) and he/she will be shedding in no time.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cabbage Raw?
Yes, you can feed your bearded dragon raw cabbage but only in small amounts. If you give him/her too much he/she might over-consume the glucosinolates and his/her appetite won’t be very healthy for a while. If you want to give your bearded dragon some fresh food then dandelion or romaine lettuce are much better choices.
Bearded dragons should be fed leafy greens on a daily basis if possible, but don’t go overboard. If your bearded dragon is eating plenty of vegetables then he/she really shouldn’t need any other food sources so it’s best to avoid feeding him/her too many high calorie foods with little or no nutritional value.
One of the main reasons people give their bearded dragons cabbage is to help them shed but in most cases this isn’t necessary if you are feeding a well-balanced diet. If your bearded dragon is shedding properly then there’s no need to rush out and buy fresh food just so he/she can shed quickly, although it can’t hurt.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cabbage Cooked?
Yes, it is safe to feed cooked cabbage to your bearded dragon since you would have already removed the carcinogenic glucosinolates that are found in raw cabbage.
If you feed your bearded dragon too much or if he/she somehow manages to eat some of the leaves without peeling them then s/he might become ill so it’s best to avoid feeding him/her too much.
Bearded dragons can eat cooked cabbage but just like with any other vegetable you should feed it in moderation and only occasionally since a diet rich in greens is the key to good health for your beardie.
If you want to give your bearded dragon some extra fiber and potassium you can include steamed cabbage in his/her diet but don’t overdo it since just like with any other vegetable too much of a good thing can cause health problems.
Bearded dragons come from the arid desert regions so they are fairly used to eating vegetables which means that if you offer them a variety of greens it shouldn’t be hard for them to transition from their diet in the wild to a more varied and healthy diet.
How Often Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cabbage?
When to Feed Your Bearded Dragon Cabbage Ideally your bearded dragon should be fed a small bit of cabbage once or twice a week so long as it isn’t the only vegetable that you give him/her and the amount is not too excessive.
If you are able to feed your dragon fresh food on a daily basis then there’s no need to go out and buy frozen vegetables in the first place.
If you do decide to purchase some frozen cabbage, then don’t feed your dragon too much since it can be very fatty. It might also make him/her feel unhealthy if given in excess so keep that in mind when feeding your dragon any kind of fresh or frozen vegetable.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cabbage Leaves?
It’s probably better if you avoid them entirely but a few now and then is unlikely to cause serious health problems. If you do choose to feed it to your dragon rotate it with other vegetables so that they don’t start hating all veggies in general, and remember moderation is key!
How Many Cabbage Leaves Can A Bearded Dragon Have?
The answer is probably not very many for the simple fact that just like with any other food item it will depend on variety and size of the vegetable. One or two baby Brussels sprouts or one small cabbage leaf is probably a good limit to start.
Cabbage contains folic acid, B vitamins and vitamin C which are all beneficial nutrients for your bearded dragon but in moderation especially if he/she is not used to eating it.
One of the main problems with ingesting too much cabbage will definitely be gas and bloating since it contains sugar, starch and fiber. If your bearded dragon is prone to bloating from other veggies you should always be careful with cabbage and adjust the amount slowly over time so as not to upset his/her stomach.
Cabbage is a good source of vitamin A which is important for eye and bone growth but too much of it may lead to a toxic build up over time.
So before rushing out and getting your dragon a head of cabbage consider the following: it isn’t a great idea to feed your bearded dragon large quantities of cabbage for extended periods of time, moderation is key. We recommend that you avoid feeding any type of Brassica family vegetables altogether due to the toxicity risk.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cabbage Seeds?
Yes, but just like with cabbage it’s best to feed them sparingly since your dragon will need greens that don’t contain many seeds in order to get the nutrients he/she needs from it.
If you decide to feed your dragon cabbage seeds make sure that they are free of pesticides by buying organic or growing them yourself at home.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cabbage Flowers?
Since cabbage flowers contain many seeds, and a lot of fiber you should probably avoid feeding them to your bearded dragon.
If you have some in your garden feel free to feed him/her a few every now and then but keep the quantity under control since over time they may cause intestinal blockage as well as weight gain which is not what we want.
In general, it’s best not to feed dragons flowers since they aren’t rich enough in nutrients compared to the leaves and the stalk so you’ll have to make sure that your dragon gets enough nutrients from other foods he/she eats separately.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cabbage Peel?
Birds and humans usually avoid eating cabbage peel since it is high in fiber and cellulose which isn’t good for our digestive system.
But, if you really need to get rid of some leftover cabbage and don’t know what else to do with it, then you can feed it sparingly to your bearded dragon but make sure that he/she doesn’t eat too much of it.
Are Cabbages Good For Bearded Dragons?
Unlike other leafy vegetables such as Romaine lettuce, cabbage is high in both fiber and cellulose which means that your bearded dragon will need to spend more time digesting it.
When dragons eat plants with a high fiber content, they often consume large quantities of water which makes them susceptible to bloating (gas) because the gas has no where to go.
While cabbage is healthy for your dragon, you should never feed them large amounts of it because if they eat too much of it over time there’s a risk that they may develop digestive problems such as constipation and/or diarrhea.
Cabbage contains vitamin A which is essential for bone growth but it also contains vitamin C, K and folic acid which are all beneficial nutrients for your bearded dragon.
It contains many necessary vitamins but the high sugar content may be harmful in large quantities so feed it to your dragon sparingly.
If you decide to feed it to your pet make sure that you only give him/her small pieces since cabbage is very fibrous and can take a while to digest.
Cabbage, just like broccoli and other vegetables in the Brassica family should be fed sparingly since there is a high risk of intestinal blockage when dragons eat too many seeds at once.
Do Bearded Dragons Like Cabbage?
Bearded dragons love cabbage since it’s an excellent source of many essential vitamins that they can’t get from the other vegetables you feed them.
Cabbage is rich in vitamins C, E and K which are all necessary for bone growth while vitamin A is important for eye and bone development as well as appetite encouragement.
So, if you want your bearded dragon to grow strong and healthy feed him/her cabbage regularly.
If you have some leftovers, put them in your refrigerator for later since they will last longer than other vegetables so that way you won’t have to throw them away.
Dragons love the taste of cabbage so it shouldn’t be too hard for you to get them accustomed to eating some of it every now and then.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Eating Cabbage For Bearded Dragons?
Cabbage is rich in vitamins A, C and K which are all essential for the development of your bearded dragon’s bones and teeth.
Vitamin A not only helps with bone growth but also ensures that you pet has a strong immune system.
The vitamin C content of cabbage will help improve your dragon’s appetite while vitamin K promotes blood coagulation so that your dragon can heal faster.
Cabbage is also high in fiber which ensures that your pet doesn’t suffer from constipation and has a healthy digestive system. The high fiber content of cabbage helps regulate your dragon’s diet so he/she won’t overeat.
When dragons have a healthy digestive system they are able to absorb more nutrients from the food they eat so be sure to feed them cabbage as often as possible.
Cabbage contains folic acid which prevents anemia in bearded dragons and symptoms such as swollen eyelids, lethargy and even stunted growth.
Folic acid is also important for bone development so that way your dragon will grow strong and healthy.
If you want to make sure that your pet bearded dragon is getting enough vitamins from vegetables, then be sure to feed him/her cabbage frequently.
What Are The Health Risks Of Over Eating Cabbage For Bearded Dragons?
While cabbage is a healthy food for your bearded dragon, it contains many seeds which can cause intestinal blockage if your pet eats too much of it at once.
Be careful not to overfeed your dragon with cabbage and always make sure that you give him/her small amounts throughout the day.
The seeds found in cabbage should only be fed to bearded dragons that are at least 6 months old since younger dragons may choke if they eat too many of them.
If you decide to feed your dragon small amounts of cabbage, make sure that he/she eats the actual leaves and not just the seeds.
Be careful not to give your dragon any sweetened cabbage since it can develop a taste for sweet things and be hard to get him/her off of it.
Bearded dragons love cabbage but cabbage can cause intestinal blockage if your pet eats too much of it at once so make sure that you only feed him/her small amounts throughout the day.
If your dragon is younger than 6 months old, avoid feeding him/her cabbage seeds since they can cause intestinal blockage.
If you decide to feed your dragon small amounts of cabbage, make sure that he/she eats the actual leaves and not just the seeds.
Be careful not to give your dragon any sweetened cabbage since it can develop a taste for sweet things and be hard to get him/her off of it.
So, if you want your bearded dragon to develop strong and healthy, feed him/her cabbage regularly.
Small amounts are enough for them so give your pet some cabbage whenever he/she is hungry and see how much healthier they become in no time at all!
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cabbage?
7 Health Symptoms Of Cabbage Overdose For Beardies
These are the 7 health symptoms if your bearded dragon ate cabbage too much
Drooping Eyelids
If your dragon eats too much cabbage, he may suffer from anemia which is characterized by the eyelids dropping down due to low red blood cell counts.
Swollen Eyelids
Too much vitamin K in the diet can cause swelling of the eyelids and other tissues as well.
Lethargy
Vitamin K causes tiredness and lethargy. Overdosing on vitamin K can make your dragon sleepy, lazy and inactive.
Stunted Growth
If your bearded dragon eats too much cabbage (and other vegetables) he/she might develop a taste for them which could lead to stunted growth.
Vitamin K Poisoning
If your dragon eats too much cabbage he/she might suffer from vitamin K poisoning which can lead to death.
When bearded dragons are first born, they produce a substance called prothrombin that binds with calcium in order to make their bones strong and healthy but if there’s an excess of vitamin K, then the prothrombin gets rid of calcium instead and that’s what causes problems.
Dizziness And Confusion
Dizziness, confusion and convulsions are all symptoms of vitamin K poisoning as well.
Gastrointestinal Blockage
Cabbage contains seeds so if your dragon eats too much cabbage leaves (or other food that contains cabbage) it might swell up, fall and become unresponsive.
How Much Cabbage Should I Feed My Bearded Dragon?
For every 30g of body weight you should only give between 0.5 to 1 leaf of cabbage. 0.5-1 Leaf Of Cabbage Per Meal is ideal.
Always monitor your dragon after it eats, and make sure that it is not showing any signs of discomfort or distress (don’t forget about the swollen stomach).
If it behaves strangely you should immediately check if your dragon has eaten too much cabbage and give it some water to drink.
How Should I Prepare Cabbage For Bearded Dragon?
The best way to prepare cabbage for bearded dragons is by blanching it. Blanching means that the food has been cooked in boiling water, which makes it easier to digest and less likely to swell your dragon’s stomach.
How Do I Stop My Bearded Dragon Eating Too Much Cabbage?
To stop your dragon from eating too much cabbage, keep an eye on its behavior (if the temperature falls below 18°C). You can also try removing uneaten cabbage from the enclosure, or just put it in a place that your bearded dragon can’t reach.
Bearded dragons love to climb so if you have a high screen lid then keep this closed as they are not able to climb up and get into places where there is food.
A good idea is to only fill half with plants or substrate as they might not try to climb up as far, and it will prevent them from jumping out of the cage.
Keep a watchful eye on your dragon when you put it into the enclosure for feeding time.
If you observe that one side is already full of food before putting in any more then remove some of what it has taken so it doesn’t reach full capacity.
Leave the dragon for a short while after feeding so that it can recover and digest its food.
How Can I Tell If My Dragon Is Stuffed With Too Much Cabbage?
If you feed your bearded dragon in the morning then you might find that it has eaten too much cabbage if your dragon does not eat all its food for the day, or does not want to eat anymore.
Cabbage is full of fiber so bearded dragons usually love to munch on this food because of the rough surface. This “roughness” helps with teeth grinding and prevents overgrowth.
Bearded dragons (especially young ones) usually eat a lot during the first half of the day, and then a little in the second. They might not want to eat at all by mid-afternoon so it is best to remove any uneaten food.
Try giving your bearded dragon more insects or fruit instead of cabbage to get it back into a healthy diet.
Do not force your bearded dragon to eat too much cabbage as you could seriously harm it.
Bearded dragons can’t vomit, so if there is something in their stomach that they cannot digest then the material will just go further down and cause more discomfort for your dragon, or even death.
Beardie Cabbage Food Recipe
Beardie’s taste buds have different preferences, so you can try making a “beardie cabbage recipe” by mixing these ingredients together to create something new and more desirable:
1 Bunch Of Cabbage (washed)
3 Slice Carrots (washed and sliced)
2-5 Small Chopped Mushrooms
1 Inch Of Cucumber (cut into small chunks)
It is best to feed your dragon a mixture of 50% vegetables and 50% fruit, so try adding some apples or grapes. You can also add more fruit such as strawberries, blueberries or bananas.
Make a new mixture every time you feed, and add anything that your bearded dragon seems to like. Remember that fruit is high in sugar, so don’t give too much or it might cause your dragon health problems.
FAQ
What Is Cabbage?
Cabbage is a leafy vegetable that has been cultivated for centuries and comes from the cabbage family.
Beetroot, broccoli, sprouts and cauliflower are other members of this family but each one has different characteristics.
There are many types of cabbage such as red, white, Savoy or Chinese etc. but they all do have a lot of fiber which is good for your bearded dragon’s digestive system.
Cabbage contains a high amount of vitamin C and some B vitamins such as folic acid, niacin, thiamine (B1) and riboflavin (B2). It also has fatty acids such as omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9, which are highly beneficial for your bearded dragon.
Can Bearded Dragons Have Cabbage?
Bearded dragons love cabbage because of its rough texture and they can loosen their teeth while eating it. It is a great food as it also helps with digestion and makes bearded dragons produce more waste than usual.
Some experts believe that too much waste in the enclosure might cause an infection so they recommend only feeding cabbage for lunch.
Bearded dragons can have cabbage, but don’t feed it to them every day because it might cause constipation and indigestion; especially if your dragon is young.
Cabbage comes with a lot of fiber so make sure that you don’t overfeed your bearded dragon as this could cause blockages and lead to serious problems.
What Does Cabbage Taste Like?
As far as taste goes, cabbage is a very versatile food. It can be eaten raw and cooked, or even frozen for future use. If you are not sure about it then don’t be put off by the smell as it has a very mild flavor and is usually sweet.
Be careful though; if you over cook cabbage or add too much seasoning then its natural flavor will disappear!
How Do I Feed Cabbage To My Bearded Dragon?
All you have to do is rinse the cabbage, chop it up into small pieces and feed them to your bearded dragon.
Cabbage can also be blended with other vegetables such as broccoli and carrots so that bearded dragons get a better nutritional value out of it. Make sure that you remove all the large pieces of leaves from the mixture before feeding it to your bearded dragon.
How Do You Choose Cabbage For Bearded Dragons?
When choosing your cabbage always go for the freshest one possible and make sure that it is not wilted or damaged.
Cabbage can be stored in the fridge for up to a week so don’t forget to take it out before you feed it to your bearded dragon!
Green leafy vegetables contain a lot of water and will spoil quickly so make sure you check the package to see if it might have gone bad.
This is usually indicated by a mushy or slimy appearance, and sometimes mold can be present as well. It is recommended that you remove any cabbage that is already spoiled to avoid food poisoning for your bearded dragon.
Where Can I Buy Cabbage For My Bearded Dragon?
Most super markets will have cabbage but you might not be able to find the kind that you need for your bearded dragon. When buying a cabbage make sure that it is fresh and free of mold or other signs of spoilage.
How Do You Store Cabbage For Bearded Dragons?
Cabbage can be stored in the fridge for up to a week but it will always taste better when eaten fresh.
Remember that cabbage does not come with packaging so make sure your container is sealed properly or else you risk mold developing on your cabbage which could cause food poisoning for your bearded dragon!
If you are storing it in the fridge then make sure that you place it on the bottom shelf and don’t leave it in plastic bags where it can become damp.
Cabbage comes with a lot of water so it is recommended that you do not put other vegetables next to your cabbage as this might cause them to spoil faster than usual.
If you are freezing extra cabbage then make sure that it is not out of its original packaging and that you do not defrost it at room temperature.
Food poisoning in bearded dragons can be fatal so make sure that you keep them safe by following these tips carefully!
How To Grow Cabbage For Bearded Dragons?
If you want to grow your own cabbage then here are some tips that will make sure it is safe for your bearded dragon:
You need a lot of space for growing cabbage as they mature quickly. It might be best to plant them in rows so that they are easier to maintain and harvest. Consider using an automatic sprinkler system if you do not have enough time to water the cabbage plants.
Seeds should be spread thinly so that they can receive as much sunlight as possible and planted in till soil which is sufficient for their rapid growth. Make sure that you do not plant them too close together or else your bearded dragon might eat your cabbage before it gets a chance to grow properly.
Final Verdict On Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cabbage
Bearded dragons like to eat a lot and so they will need plenty of cabbage to keep them satisfied.
Cabbage is very high in vitamin K which can be toxic for bearded dragons if eaten in large amounts. Therefore, limit the amount of cabbage consumed in any one sitting or else you risk vitamin K poisoning which is fatal to bearded dragons.
It is important to rinse your cabbage before feeding them to your bearded dragon. If you notice any mold growing on it then throw it out immediately!
Be sure that the package doesn’t say “chopped”, as this means that the cabbage has been treated with a residue from pesticides and herbicides.
Don’t feed your bearded dragon cabbage that has wormholes! This is a symptom of food poisoning in bearded dragons and can be fatal.
Make sure that the packaging doesn’t say “tenderheart” as this means it’s been refrigerated and will spoil quickly. Always try to choose the freshest cabbage on offer when buying for your bearded dragon.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cabbage – My Bearded Dragon Ate Cabbage – Can Bearded Dragons Have Cabbage
Be careful that your bearded dragon doesn’t drink the water from the cabbage leaves when eating as this could cause diarrhea, another symptom of food poisoning in bearded dragons.
As long as you follow these guidelines, you can help your bearded dragon to have a healthy diet that will keep them strong and energetic. Remember that even though cabbage is good for your bearded dragon it should not make up the majority of their diet.
Other Bearded dragon food and nutrition content you may want to know
Welcome to Learn About Pet. My name is Rajkumar Ravichandran and I love all pets, travel, and amazing food. I write about my passion and personal experience caring for multiple pets in this blog! ❤️
DISCLAIMER: THIS BLOG OR WEBSITE, "Learn About Pet", DOES NOT PROVIDE YOU WITH MEDICAL ADVICE AND IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS GET IN TOUCH WITH YOUR PERSONAL VETERINARIAN AND USE INFORMATION HERE AS GENERAL ADVICE.
The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary advice, food recommendation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or for pet food related questions.
