Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cabbage?
Bearded dragons require a varied diet to thrive. This should include greens and vegetables that are low in both fat and sugar content.
Raw cabbage can provide your pet with essential vitamins, such as Vitamin C, A and fiber; plus it contains calcium in abundance! But be wary that raw cabbage may contribute to goitrogenicity if consumed regularly as an additional food source.
Green and napa cabbage provide moderate levels of calcium for reptiles. You can incorporate both into a balanced diet alongside other leafy greens like bok choy which has an ideal calcium to phosphorus ratio.
Though all varieties of cabbage are relatively low in fat content, it is still wise to limit how often your reptile feeds on it as this could easily lead to obesity in them. They are also relatively low in sugar content - beardies should get their necessary fat and sugar needs through high quality insects or other sources in their diets.
Savoy
Bearded dragons are omnivorous reptiles, yet require a substantial portion of plant-based foods for healthy development and growth. Leafy greens provide abundant essential vitamins and nutrients - these should make up a good part of their diet; some examples include collard greens, turnip greens, kale, bok choy and alfalfa hay or chow.
Prior to feeding a bearded dragon cabbage, it is crucial that it is thoroughly cleaned in order to eliminate residue and debris that could potentially cause digestive issues down the line. You should also remove stalks as these tend to be too tough for most dragons to chew through and digest.
While most varieties of cabbage are safe for beardie reptiles, savoy cabbage contains lower levels of calcium and more phosphorus compared to its counterparts - which could put your reptile at risk of metabolic bone disease if eaten frequently.
No matter which variety you opt for, it's essential that you give it in small doses. Cabbage contains low amounts of fat and should make up no more than 30% of their diet. Combine cabbage with other high-protein veggies as well as various insects for a complete and balanced meal.
Napa
Napa cabbage (also referred to as Chinese cabbage) provides an ample source of calcium per serving and should be introduced gradually into your reptile's diet for best results; excess consumption could result in bloat.
As a rule of thumb, raw greens and vegetables should account for 80% of your bearded dragon's diet, as these provide essential vitamins and minerals. They should also be combined with foods that provide an appropriate balance of proteins, carbs and healthy fats.
Collard greens, mustard greens, bok choy, turnip greens, alfalfa hay or chow, kale, parsley Swiss chard watercress clover savory kohlrabi and red cabbage can also be included as food sources in your beardie's diet. However, all foods should be thoroughly washed first to prevent choking hazards; and placed into shallow clean dishes so your beardie can easily eat from them.