I wanted to cook clean and exercise to have a toned body and prepare for the upcoming summer season at beach. I frequent to the farmer’s market on weekends to get the best fresh spinach from them and cook it immediately. While I was cleaning the spinach, my bearded dragon kept looking at the spinach leaves as if he wanted to taste them once. That prompted me to stop and research, is spinach safe for bearded dragons?
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Spinach? No, bearded dragons should not eat spinach as it attaches to calcium and creates a calcium deficiency problem in bearded dragons if it is feed frequently.
Let’s see how much spinach is safe for bearded dragons at a time, how often can bearded dragons eat spinach and what symptoms to watch out for if bearded dragon eats too much spinach.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Spinach – My Bearded Dragon Ate Spinach – Can Bearded Dragons Have Spinach
What Is Spinach?
Spinach is a leafy vegetable that belongs to the Chenopodeaceae family. It is grown in temperate climates across the world and originated from ancient Persia (modern-day Iran).
Spinach was introduced to Europe by Arab traders via North Africa, where it spread rapidly due to its popularity among Islamic physicians who recommended consuming spinach as a tonic.
Spinach History
Spinach was introduced to Europe by Arab traders via North Africa, where it spread rapidly due to its popularity among Islamic physicians who recommended consuming spinach as a tonic.
In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, Popes Innocent VIII and Clement VII issued edicts forbidding the eating of spinach because they believed that this plant acted as a contraceptive.
In 1797, German chemist Erhard Adolf von Berkel began using spinach in the production of iron-rich green paint, and this discovery helped pave the way to its use as a food colorant especially in paints used for military camouflage during World War II.
How To Grow Spinach?
Spinach is hardy and easy to grow. It can thrive in most temperate climates, as long as the ground does not become waterlogged. The plants require a lot of nutrients from the soil, especially nitrogen compounds that are found abundantly in animal manure.
The best time to plant spinach is during October or November because it will grow quickly and produce a crop that can be harvested before the first frost.
You will need to plant it between rows of other, slower-growing crops as spinach grows very fast and needs space to do so. It is best not to follow with a slow growing vegetable like peas after you have planted your spinach, but rather something such as radishes that can be harvested a few days after planting.
Spinach Nutrition Facts
Spinach is low in calories and high in dietary fiber, folate (vitamin B-13), thiamine (B-complex vitamin), riboflavin (B-complex vitamin) and iron. The dark green leaves are also a good source of vitamin A, vitamin C and calcium.
One cup of raw spinach contains:
25 calories
0g of fat
16% RDA for Vitamin A, or 180mcg
35mg of dietary fiber (14%)
44% RDA for vitamin C, or 70mg
Choline: 15.0 mg
Riboflavin: .040 mg
Niacin: .050 mg
Vitamin B-12: 0.30 mcg
Iron: 15.0mg (50%)
Folate, also known as vitamin B-13 or cobalamin: 20% RDA, or 180mcg
Thiamine, also called thiamin hydrochloride: .030 mg
Vitamin E, or alpha-tocopherol: 0.20mg (15%)
Zinc: 20% RDA, or 15.0mg
One cup also contains 12 grams of carbohydrates and protein in the form of trace amounts derived from incomplete digestion of proteins found in leaves. This spinach also contains other valuable nutrients, including carotenoids and flavonoids.
Spinach Health Benefits: What Is Spinach Good For?
Spinach is considered to be one of the world’s healthiest foods, rich in nutrients such as protein, dietary fiber, folate (vitamin B-13), thiamine (B-complex vitamin), riboflavin (B-complex vitamin) and iron. The dark green leaves are also a good source of vitamin A, vitamin C and calcium.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Spinach?
No. your pet Bearded Dragon should not eat spinach because it creates a binding effect with calcium and leads to calcium deprivation for bearded dragons if spinach is fed frequently.
How To Feed Spinach to A Bearded Dragon?
Spinach can be fed to bearded dragons rarely in small limited quantities but it should never make up more than 25 percent of the diet.
You can cook spinach by adding it to boiling water before steaming the leaves for two minutes. This will soften the leaves and release their flavor, but they are also good eaten raw in salads or as a topping for sandwiches.
How Much Spinach Can Bearded Dragons Eat At Once?
Spinach should be fed sparingly and in limited quantities as it is a poor source of nutrients for bearded dragons.
How Can You Tell If Bearded Dragons Have Eaten Spinach?
You will not be able to tell if your bearded dragon has eaten spinach as it is a very common vegetable, but you could notice some changes in their behavior such as lethargy or a sudden reduction in appetite.
If the leaves are left uneaten, then they will start to decompose and could cause an unpleasant smell.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Spinach Everyday?
If bearded dragon is fed spinach daily, then it creates a huge health issue with calcium deficiency and makes your pet unhealthy. Therefore, it is prudent as a pet owner to choose food that’s healthy for pet dragons.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Spinach Every Other Day?
It is still not advisable to feed your bearded dragon spinach every other day because of the binding effect that occurs from eating it.
Spinach is not a high quality food for bearded dragons and should be fed very sparingly, but it can still make up 25% of the diet.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Spinach Every Week?
No. It is best never to feed your bearded dragon spinach as its binding effect leads to calcium deprivation if eaten too often.
How Often Can Bearded Dragons Eat Spinach?
Spinach is not a good food for bearded dragons, so it is best to avoid them totally. If at all you want to give, make sure they are less than one fourth of their daily diet and the next time you fed them spinach is really far apart in feeding frequency
How Can Bearded Dragons Eat Spinach?
Spinach can be cooked and eaten in various ways. The leaves can also be thrown into salads or used as a topping for sandwiches, they are easy to cook by adding them to boiling water before steaming the leaves for two minutes.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Frozen Spinach?
You can feed your pet Bearded Dragon frozen spinach if he/she is not too old and it does not contain a huge amount of salt.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Dried Spinach?
Spinach dried will be difficult for bearded dragons to chew, so they should only eat fresh or cooked spinach leaves. Frozen strips of spinach are also a good option for regular adult bearded dragons.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Canned Spinach?
It is advisable to avoid feeding your pet anything tinned, as its contents may have been heated and might be harmful or even fatal to the animal. It is also not safe if it contains any alcohol because it can lead to intoxication.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Popeye Spinach?
No, the spinach is far too toxic for bearded dragons to eat as it has been linked with irritability and even fatal paralysis in some cases. The leaves are very high in oxalic acid which makes them harmful to animals that consume them on a regular basis or in large quantities.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Baby Spinach?
If you are careful to only feed it in limited amounts, then your bearded dragon can eat baby spinach as long the leaves have been thoroughly washed and they do not contain any pesticides or other chemicals that may harm them. It is best if you buy it fresh from a store and not canned or dried.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cooked Spinach?
Yes, bearded dragons can consume cooked spinach if it has been thoroughly washed then boiled for two minutes in water before being steamed for another two minutes with the leaves intact. Spices such as salt and pepper may be added to make it more appetizing.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Raw Spinach?
No, it’s bad for their health and could cause an unpleasant smell if they are left inside the enclosure with the spinach that is not eaten up. It may also lead to diarrhea or other illnesses because of its high oxalic acid content.
If a bearded dragon eats some spinach, a lot of water should be given as it binds with calcium and can lead to calcium deficiency.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Spinach?
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Purple Spinach?
No, although some people might think that Bearded Dragons can eat purple spinach. It is not recommended as it has been linked with irritability and even fatal paralysis in cases where they have consumed regularly or in large quantities. The leaves are also very high in oxalic acid which makes them harmful to animals who consume them on a regular basis or in large quantities.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Red Spinach?
No, they should not eat red spinach as it is bad for their health. They should also not be given any kind of orange or pink vegetables because these can cause the same problems and should only consume greens that are green in color. If a bearded dragon eats some spinach, make sure to give them plenty of water which binds with calcium and creates lack of calcium in their body.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Spinach With The Stem?
Yes, as long as the leaves have been thoroughly washed and they do not contain any pesticides or other chemicals that may harm them and given in really limited quantity.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Spinach With The Leaves?
Spinach with just its leaves can be fed to your pet Bearded Dragon as long the leaves have been thoroughly washed and they do not contain any pesticides or other chemicals that may harm them and it is limited to one fourth of the pet dragon’s diet.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Spinach With The Stem And Leaves?
Yes, spinach with just its stem and leaves can be fed to your pet Bearded Dragon as long the stems have been thoroughly washed and they do not contain any pesticides or other chemicals that may harm them. Make sure it is of miniscule quantity when you feed them, otherwise they can’t eat it.
What Can Bearded Dragons Eat Instead Of Spinach?
There are many leafy greens and vegetables such as kale, collard greens, dandelion leaves, mustard greens, beet tops and salad mixes for your bearded dragon to eat instead of spinach. They are also very high in vitamins and minerals that are essential for your pet’s diet.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Spinach Raw Or Cooked?
Raw spinach can’t be fed to your pet, it may cause diarrhea or other illnesses because of its high oxalic acid content. Can Bearded Dragons Eat Spinach Cooked? Yes, as long the leaves have been thoroughly washed and they do not contain any pesticides or other chemicals that may harm them and given in really limited quantity.
Do Bearded Dragons Like Spinach?
No, bearded dragons don’t like spinach. It is not recommended as it has been linked with irritability and even fatal paralysis in cases where they have consumed regularly or in large quantities. The leaves are also very high in oxalic acid which makes them harmful to animals who consume them on a regular basis or in large quantities.
Can You Feed A Bearded Dragon Spinach?
No, they should not eat spinach as it is bad for their health. So, as a pet parent, it is your responsibility not to feed them something that’s detrimental to their health.
What Can Bearded Dragons Eat Other Than Spinach?
Bearded dragons should not eat spinach because it binds to calcium and leads to calcium deficiency if eaten too often. It is best that bearded dragons are fed other greens such as kale, mustard greens, turnip tops, dandelion greens, and collard greens.
How Can I Tell If My Bearded Dragon Is Suffering From A Calcium Deficiency?
Signs of a calcium deficiency for bearded dragons include an increased appetite, decreased activity levels, softening bones that can be felt upon palpation (feeling with the hands) or seen when they press their backbone against the skin, depression and sloughing of nails.
Additionally, female bearded dragons will show an increased ovary size as a result of calcium deficiency in females. Males are less likely to have this symptom but may display abnormal behavior such as pacing up and down and refusal to eat.
How Can I Prevent My Bearded Dragon From Suffering A Calcium Deficiency?
To prevent calcium deficiency in bearded dragons, feed them a varied diet that includes fresh greens such as kale, mustard greens, turnip tops, dandelion greens and collard greens mixed with fruits like apples or oranges.
Other greens such as kale, mustard greens, turnip tops, dandelion greens and collard greens should be fed to your Bearded Dragon in limited quantities.
Can Bearded Dragons Have Spinach?
No, spinach is not a food that bearded dragons should be fed because it binds itself to calcium and can make pet dragon deficient in calcium when given too often. One fourth of their diet should consist of fresh leafy greens like kale, turnip tops, mustard greens or collard greens.
What To Do If Bearded Dragon Ate Too Much Spinach?
If you notice that your pet has eaten too much spinach, play close watch on them. They may have increased appetite and decreased activity levels or a hard time chewing their food.
Too little calcium in the diet can lead to bone deformities such as softening bones which can be felt upon palpation (feeling with the hands) or seen when they press their backbone against the skin.
Keep in mind that female bearded dragons will show an increased ovary size as a result of calcium deficiency in females and males are less likely to have this symptom but may display abnormal behavior such as pacing up and down or refusal to eat due to lack of calcium.
If you notice any signs, it is best to call your veterinarian.
If your bearded dragon already ate too much spinach, you can give them a special drink made for them with water and calcium powder as a quick home remedy. You will need to feed it twice daily until their symptoms resolve.
How To Prevent Bearded Dragons From Eating Too Much Spinach Again?
To prevent your bearded dragon from eating too much spinach again, you can give them a varied diet that includes fresh greens such as kale and mustard greens.
Kale is one of the healthiest vegetables to feed your Bearded Dragon because it contains iron which provides energy for their muscles and brain function. Eating healthy foods will keep them strong so they can avoid eating spinach again.
Can Spinach Kill A Bearded Dragon?
Spinach does not typically kill bearded dragons, though eating too much of it can lead to calcium deficiency which can be fatal. If you notice that your pet has eaten spinach in excess or is showing signs of a calcium deficiency (excessive appetite, decreased activity levels and softening bones when palpated (felt with the hands) ), call your veterinarian.
Final Verdict On Can Bearded Dragons Eat Spinach
We can conclude that most bearded dragons should not eat spinach because it binds itself to calcium and could lead to a fatal calcium deficiency if bearded dragons eat it too often.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Spinach – My Bearded Dragon Ate Spinach – Can Bearded Dragons Have Spinach
It is best to feed them greens like kale, mustard greens, turnip tops, dandelion green or collard greens as they provide iron for their muscles and brain function while also keeping in mind that females will show an increased ovary size as a result of calcium deficiency in females.
Males are less likely to have this symptom but may display abnormal behavior such as pacing up and down or refusal to eat due to lack of calcium.
If you notice any signs, it is best to call your veterinarian.
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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