I was on my usual weekend morning running routine at the time farmer’s market is generally open in my neighborhood. I thought why not get some fresh veggies for the weekend cooking routine to keep it healthy. When I saw a farmer selling Parsley, I thought why not buy them and use it to garner dishes to make the presentation even better.
When I went home and started putting Parsley in refrigerator, my pet bearded dragon had a shiny eyes gazing into the Parsley bunch. I didn’t know if Parsley was safe for bearded dragons, so I started the deep research. This article was born out of that research.
Can bearded dragons eat parsley? Yes, bearded dragons can eat Parsley but they need to eat it in moderation only twice or thrice a week. Parsley is a very common herb that’s recognized for its nutritional value. It contains minerals such as calcium, potassium, manganese and iron; vitamins like A, C and K; and the antioxidants luteolin, kaempferol, quercetin and apigenin.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Parsley – My Bearded Dragon Ate Parsley – Can Bearded Dragons Have Parsley
Let’s deep dive much more into Parsley for Bearded dragons in this article.
What Is Parsley?
Parsley is a useful herb that can be grown in the garden or as a houseplant. There are two types of parsley: curly and flat-leafed, also called Italian parsley, which is what we use for cooking.
Curly leaf parsley has a stronger flavor which makes it perfect for garnishing dishes—just a little bit adds color and flavor.
Parsley is very good for you, it contains vitamins A and C as well as iron, flavonoids , lutein, calcium , carotenoids, selenium and other healthy nutrients .
Parsley Piert (Petroselinum crispum) is an annual herb in the family Apiaceae.
Parsley is native to Mediterranean region and Western Asia. It is a biennial or short-lived perennial plant, with a slender, erect stem that typically grows 2–2.5 meters tall.
The leaves are trifoliate, with finely divided, linear (long and thin) lobes. The ultimate leaf segments are 1–2 cm long, with flowers that bloom in umbels on large compound cymes.
How Is Parsley Used In Food?
Parsley is widely used to flavor food as a garnish while cooking. It has a particularly attractive green color and somewhat subtle flavor. Add finely chopped parsley to soups, sauces, and stews right before serving.
When chopped up in a food processor, it is an excellent addition to mayonnaise or salad dressings.
It can be stirred into butter to form compound butter or mixed with wine vinegar (or ouzo) as a marinade for meat.
It is also eaten raw in salads or on cheese plates and frequently used to top pizzas.
Parsley History And Medicinal Use
Parsley has also been used as a medicinal plant for many centuries. The Greeks believed that it offered protection against evil spirits, while the Romans ate parsley as a symbol of remembrance.
The Arabs carried bunches of parsley onto the battlefield, believing it to bring courage. It is also known as a breath sweetener and tea made from its leaves was used for many respiratory ailments.
How To Grow Parsley?
Parsley grows easily from seed or transplants. Sow seeds directly into the ground in spring, 1/2″ deep and 3′ apart. Parsley grows well in all types of soil, but prefers a full sun location.
It is a slow grower and can take 2 months to germinate, so be patient. Weed regularly, especially when young for best growth. I water mine from the bottom due to sandy soil and it does great. Fertilize a few times during the season and pinch back occasional plants to encourage lush growth.
Parsley can also be grown in containers indoors, just keep it well watered. It will live for at least 6 months as a houseplant, even overwinter in zone 7b if given proper care. Parsley is harvested as needed.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Parsley?
Yes! but in moderation. Amongst the greens that are suitable for bearded dragons, parsley is one of the best choices and it’s not even a reptile plant! That’s right; Parsley can be used as food or decoration for other types of animals too.
Early research indicated that parsley was primarily used for medicinal purposes, however; recent studies show otherwise.
It is actually a great source of vitamin K (fatal for humans if not in the balanced amount) and vitamins B6, C and A, as well as few minerals like potassium.
There are only two bad ingredients in the list; oxalic acid and coumarin (also toxic for humans, in larger amounts). So it is okay to feed your pet with parsley as long as you’re not adding a lot of extra additives. And guess what; You can also eat parsley!
How Can Bearded Dragons Eat Parsley?
It might be a bit confusing, but it’s definitely a great addition to the diet. There are few ways in which you can use this as an ingredient, so let’s discuss them.
There is one thing that your bearded dragon would love more than anything else; Using it as a decoration. All you have to do (once the growing period ends) is lightly trim the edges of the leaves, so they will be some what smaller than the palm size when put in together. Use them to decorate your backpack, bag or anything else that can hold a bunch of parsley leaves. You can also use them as ‘shield’ for other decorations; like Glowing sticks .
Another great idea would be serving it fresh! You can use them as salad or side dish (done in small doses). Just make sure you remove the leaves from the stems, they might be a choking hazard for your pet.
Parsley is a great ingredient for making food for your bearded dragon . The juices of parsley help with digestion and there are also many benefits for your bearded dragon in general. But remember to keep the stems out of his food, because they might cause choking in case he tries to eat it whole.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Raw Parsley?
The better question would be “can bearded dragons eat raw anything?”, because it can be pretty dangerous to give them something you haven’t cooked first.
Bearded dragon, as well as other reptiles, can and should eat raw food too. If you want to feed your bearded dragon with parsley in this form, make sure that the leaves are fresh and you wash them thoroughly. Also, make sure there are no parts of the stems left on the leaves.
Bearded dragons can eat parsley when it’s fresh, but that doesn’t mean you should use it as a staple in his diet! It is still better to cook it before feeding your bearded dragon with any kind of vegetable or flower.
If you want to make sure that there are no pesticides on the fresh parsley, buy it from a nearby supermarket or don’t use it at all until you trust your supplier.
There are many ways in which you can serve raw parsley for your bearded dragon; You can just chop the stems/leaves of fresh parsley and give it to him as is, put them in his water bowl or mix them with other ingredients.
It’s important that the leaves are fresh and you wash them thoroughly before feeding your pet with raw parsley. If your bearded dragon doesn’t like eating those fresh leaves directly, make sure he has access to clean water at all times.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cooked Parsley?
Cooking parsley is a great way to make it edible for your bearded dragon. Just like with humans, there are many health benefits in cooked food. So cooking the parsley is a great way of adding more vitamins and minerals that come from nature into our diet.
If you’re going to cook the parsley yourself, make sure you use clean pots and add the parsley near the end of the cooking process, because there is a high risk that it gets overcooked when you cook it with other ingredients. You can also just lightly fry chopped parsley in olive oil (don’t forget to wash it before) and mix it with your bearded dragon’s favorite food. Just make sure you don’t give it too often.
If you can, buy the parsley that’s already cooked and just let it sit as an ingredient in your bearded dragon’s food bowl.
Remember; Cooking the parsley is a great way of making it safe for your bearded dragon to eat, but it doesn’t mean you have to make him eat it!
Some bearded dragons just don’t like the taste of cooked foods, because they are used to eating fresh leaves. Just make sure your pet has access to other fresh greens so that his diet is as varied as possible.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Frozen Parsley?
We can’t say that frozen food is a bad thing and you should never use it in case of bearded dragons, but it’s not optimal either.
If you want to feed your bearded dragon with frozen parsley, make sure the leaves are still fresh and you have washed them thoroughly before putting them into the freezer. And please remember to change the frozen parsley as soon as possible, because it’s not going to stay fresh food in the freezer forever!
Bearded dragons can eat frozen parsley as a part of their diet or for an occasional treat. Just like with other foods you feed your pet with, ensure that there are no pesticides on the parsley before putting it into the freezer and that you serve it as soon as possible.
Make sure your pet has access to fresh parsley all the time and generally try to feed him with fresh ingredients, because frozen food is not going to make his diet more diverse; this could lead to health problems in the long run.
If you decide that your bearded dragon needs some kind of frozen food on a regular basis, make sure that it’s not the only source of nutrients in his diet!
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Parsley Leaves?
Yes, they can! You just need to make sure you wash the leaves properly before feeding your bearded dragon with them.
Chose the freshest parsley you can find and use a strainer. When washed properly, put it into a food processor and chop it thoroughly with some water until you get smooth paste which is going to be sort of a soup.
You can feed your bearded dragon with this paste, just like with other greens or you can mix it with some of his favorite fruits or vegetables (make sure there are no pesticides on those ingredients!).
Parsley leaves are rich in fiber so make sure you give them to your pet only as an occasional treat. If he eats too many parsley leaves, they could irritate his stomach.
Never give your bearded dragon greens that have been treated with pesticides or were grown in spoiled soil! This means you should buy organic produce if you are going to make fresh food for your pet.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Parsley Stems?
It is generally safe to feed bearded dragons with parsley stems, but remember; they are not going to contain as many nutrients as the leaves.
Bearded dragon’s food should be always rich in fiber and low in phosphorus; it helps with digestion, absorption of iron and calcium from other foods and so on. Don’t worry though! The stems of parsley contain plenty of fiber and only little phosphorus.
You should let them sit in the fridge for a couple of days before feeding your pet with them, because fresh stems are not always rich in nutrients. After that, chop the stems finely and use them just like you would do with any other part of this plant.
If you decide to feed some part of the parsley plant to your bearded dragon; don’t use those parts that grow along vertical stems (you can identify them easily, because they are not attached to the rest of the stem in any way). They might be a bit hard and not as nutritious as other parts of this green.
Bearded dragons can eat parsley stems on an occasional basis. They are not really necessary; you can feed your pet with other, more nutritious foods to keep his diet as varied as possible.
The minerals that the stems contain are not going to hurt your bearded dragon in any way (just like they won’t hurt a human being), but it’s always better and safer to use them as an occasional treat.
If you decide to feed your bearded dragon with parsley stems, make sure you don’t overdo it. Parsley stems are not going to hurt him in any way, but they can be hard for his stomach to digest and sometimes even a choking hazard. He might experience some problems if he eats too many of them.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Parsley Stems?
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Parsley Everyday?
You might have noticed that the answer to this question is pretty much the same as in the previous one. It’s important to follow it if you decide to feed your bearded dragon with parsley, because overfeeding him with this green plant can be really dangerous for his health.
The only difference here is that there are many people who believe that parsley is a terrific choice for an everyday meal.
If you follow this diet plan on a regular basis, your bearded dragon will get enough nutrients to stay healthy and he will not be overfed as some pet owners happen to do sometimes (that’s how they kill their pets).
So if you’re thinking of feeding your bearded dragon with parsley, make sure you let him eat a certain amount of it on a daily basis.
If he eats more than recommended, the calcium and phosphorus from parsley will build up in his body and that’s going to end with health problems like bone diseases or even death!
Just like when choosing any food for your pet, always make an educated guess and never overfeed him with parsley or any other food for that matter, because it can be dangerous to his health.
Bearded Dragons Can Eat Parsley in Winter?
Yes, they can! You do not need to leave any greens outside during winter just because your bearded dragon happens to like them. In fact, some green plants can be pretty hard to find during winter time.
So, if you have a chance to buy some parsley in the middle of winter; don’t hesitate and do it! You can always store them in your refrigerator and use them whenever you want.
Can Bearded Dragon Drink Parsley Juice?
Yes, they can drink it too. Some pet owners say that they usually feed it to their bearded dragons as an additional nutritious supplement.
It’s always important to notice that just because something can be good for your pet, doesn’t mean he should eat it in huge amounts of course! When using parsley juice as a food supplementation, make sure you don’t overdo it.
In other words, it’s not something that you should feed your bearded dragon with every day. It’s simply a nutritious treat.
How Much Parsley Is Too Much For Bearded Dragons?
This is one of the most important things you should pay attention to.
Just like with any other food you feed your bearded dragon, too much of anything can be dangerous for his health!
Overeating parsley will cause harm to your pet in the long run and that’s something you want to avoid at all costs.
A good idea will be to feed your bearded dragon with parsley 2-3 times per week.
You can always mix it with other foods so he doesn’t get bored. It’s also important you follow the recommended dose of food and never provide too much!
Overfeeding your pet might cause serious health problems in the long run, so make sure not to do it! Again, parsley will not hurt your bearded dragon in any way, but you have to take into account that some people who feed their pets with parsley experience some digestion problems (they happen to be too rich for a bearded dragon).
If you are one of them, just start with small amounts and gradually increase the dose.
Parsley Nutritional Information For Bearded Dragons
Parsley is the best source of vitamin C for your bearded dragon. It also contains a lot of calcium and phosphorus which are essential elements of their bones and overall health.
You can always mix it with other food or provide it as an additional nutritious supplement to make sure your pet will get enough nutrients to stay healthy (supplementation should be done once per week).
Let’s take a look at the nutritional table of parsley
Parsley Nutrition Facts
Amount per 100 grams of daily intake value
Vitamin C: 71%
Iron: 13.9%
Calcium: 5.4%
Phosphorus: 4.1%
Vitamin E: 3.5%
Potassium: 2.6%
Folate, DFE : 1.2%
Manganese: 890mg
Sodium: 49mg
Vitamin K: 1.4%
Vitamins and Minerals
Parsley is an excellent source of vitamins C, A and K and also contains decent amounts of B-complex vitamins (especially foliate) as well as vitamin E. It’s also a good source of minerals like calcium, iron and magnesium.
How Do I Prepare Parsley For My Bearded Dragon?
Some pet owners prefer to feed their bearded dragons with fresh parsley, while others (like myself) buy it ready-to-eat and wash them.
It’s important you always pay attention to some precautions before offering it to your pet:
Always wash freshly bought parsley thoroughly when preparing meals for your pet because they might have pesticides and other chemicals.
Do not use vinegar because it will probably be poisonous for bearded dragons!
Also, try to buy organic parsley as much as you can because they don’t have pesticides at all! The best idea would be to grow your own organic parsley and later on provide it raw or even cook it (it’s totally safe).
Can Bearded Dragons Have Parsley?
It’s safe to say that parsley is one of the healthiest foods you can provide for your bearded dragon and it will never cause any side effects.
However, there are some people who experience problems when feeding their pets with parsley. In these cases, I recommend starting with small amounts and gradually increase them until you notice no negative reaction.
Bearded dragons can eat parsley raw, so don’t hesitate to give it to them in this form! They will definitely love it.
Remember that large amounts of fresh food like parsley might cause digestion problems, so keep the quantity you feed in moderation.
Do Bearded Dragons Like Parsley?
Some Bearded Dragons love to eat parsley (mine does)! Check if your pet bearded dragon likes Parsley or not.
Parsley is a food your bearded dragon will definitely like! Don’t forget to mix it with other foods if you want him to get enough nutritional value from it. Also, make sure you always provide small amounts at the time and don’t overfeed your pet because of overeating parsley can cause digestion problems.
Your bearded dragon might like parsley more than he likes other foods (for example: bell peppers, tomatoes and celery), but make sure you provide different food items on a weekly basis to prevent boredom!
Should I Feed Parsley To Bearded Dragons?
Vitamin C is a vitamin that plays an essential role in the metabolism and immune system of every living organism. No wonder bearded dragons love it so much!
Your pet will definitely thank you for giving him this healthy food because it helps with digestion, protects against infections and even improves their teeth and eyesight.
Bearded dragons can eat parsley in moderation twice or thrice a week s a snack, or you can offer it together with other foods for additional nutritional value.
Make sure you always provide small amounts of any food item to prevent overeating problems.
How Often Can Bearded Dragons Eat Parsley?
You should feed your bearded dragon with parsley 2-3 times per week. You can also mix it up with other nutritious foods and provide him with a small portion of them every day (in that case feeding him with parsley will be quite easy).
Final Verdict On Can Bearded Dragons Eat Parsley
Parsley is a great source of vitamins and minerals, so your bearded dragon will definitely love it.
Bearded dragons can eat parsley raw (the best way), but you should always wash them first before feeding them with other foods or vegetables to prevent digestion problems and pathogen transmission risks from Cyclospora.
Make sure you don’t overfeed your pet because of the high amount of vitamins in parsley, it might cause digestive problems .
Feed your pet with small amounts and make sure you provide different food items on a weekly basis to prevent boredom!
In my opinion, your bearded dragon will definitely love parsley and it will be very easy to convince him to eat it if you prepare it the right way (washed and chopped finely). Just remember about moderation and a diversity of food items to ensure your pet not being bored.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Parsley – My Bearded Dragon Ate Parsley – Can Bearded Dragons Have Parsley Stems
If you still have any questions regarding feeding your bearded dragon with parsley, feel free to ask me in the comments section below this article! I will gladly answer them for you! Also, please share this article with other Bearded Dragon owners because I am pretty sure that some of your friends will also be interested in knowing how to feed Bearded Dragon with parsley.
If you want more information on raising bearded dragons or other reptiles and amphibians, don’t hesitate to read my other articles! You will definitely find them very interesting and useful.
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! ❤️
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