Bearded dragons can safely eat a wide variety of vegetables that should make up a significant portion of their diet, especially as adults. Here is a comprehensive list of vegetables suitable for bearded dragons:
- Leafy greens: kale, collard greens, turnip greens, mustard greens, bok choy, dandelion greens, spring greens, chicory, endive, escarole, Swiss chard
- Squashes: butternut squash, yellow squash, acorn squash, spaghetti squash, pumpkin
- Other vegetables: asparagus (raw), celery, peeled cucumber, yams (raw), zucchini (raw), okra (raw), radicchio, bell peppers (raw), cabbage (raw), artichoke heart, carrots, parsnips, cooked lentils, green beans, peas, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kohlrabi, mushrooms, parsley
- Herbs and plants: basil, cilantro, parsley, clover (pesticide-free), mint leaves, rose petals
Vegetables should be chopped into small, manageable pieces for easy eating. Some vegetables like lettuce are mostly water and not very nutritious, and spinach contains oxalates that can bind calcium, so they should be avoided or fed sparingly. Avoid toxic plants such as avocado and onion. Overall, vegetables should make up about 75-80% of an adult bearded dragon's diet, providing essential nutrients and calcium for healthy bones and immune function
