Carrots are a great source of vitamin C

Carrots are a great source of vitamin C

Carrots are a great source of vitamin C, which is required for proper eyesight and boosting immunity against infections. On top of it, we all love carrots. Many pet owners might then wonder whether they can enjoy some carrots with their beardies. Humans and bearded dragons have very different diets. Vegetables that are suitable for the pet owner may not necessarily be ideal for the bearded dragon. So, can bearded dragons eat carrots?

Yes! Bearded dragons eat carrots, which is excellent because carrots are available in every part of the world. They are also an unmatched source of vitamin A and Beta-carotene, which is a requirement for bearded dragons. So, if you are looking for a veggie that will boost the immunity in your bearded dragon, carrots are a safe option.

A bearded dragon is definitely one of the easiest pets to feed. Their nutrition requirements are very straight to the point, and they are not what we ell call picky-eaters. A baby beardie requires a balance of 80% insects and 20% vegetable while an adult requires an 80:20 ratio for veggies and insects, respectively. Carrots can be fed to both adults and baby bearded dragons as a vegetable to fulfill the diet requirement. However, there are a few guidelines for feeding carrots that you should adhere to ultimate benefits. Take a look!

Which types of carrots can bearded dragons eat?

Even though bearded dragons are not picky eaters, we still want to ensure that we are paying attention to what we feed them to prevent diet-induced health problems. Can your beardie eat all kinds of carrots, whether purple, carrot tops, baby carrots? Which style of preparation is best for carrots to be eaten by the bearded dragon?

Carrots come in different colors depending on where they are grown. They can be found in purple, orange, red, pink; you name it. Whatever the color carrots still carry the same nutritional value in terms of pf fats, water, vitamins, and so forth. Therefore, you can feed any color of carrots to your bearded dragon.

Raw or cooked carrots? Just like with their human owners, beardies can eat carrots, whether cooked or raw. Unless your bearded dragon has shown some form of preference, you can feed carrots in any form. We would recommend raw carrots; however, cooking carrots makes them lose some nutritional value.

Large and baby carrots can both be fed to bearded dragons. However, large carrots are recommended. Pet stores and vets will also recommend just sticking to the large carrots as baby carrots are not the healthiest. Baby carrots are grown with a lot of preservatives and pesticides, which may be harmful to your bearded dragon. Baby carrots, therefore, need to be washed thoroughly before the feeding of there is no other alternative. They are to be avoided at all costs, though.

Carrot tops, on the other hand, are a treat that your beardie will enjoy eating. They are not the healthiest, however. Carrot tops are oxalates, and like phosphorus, they prevent the absorption of calcium in the bloodstream when fed in excess; however, they can cause metabolic bone disease (MBD). They can also result in kidney stones if they find their way to the kidneys. Carrots tops should only be fed once or at most twice in a month.

How to feed carrots

Since your bearded dragon can eat every carrot type, how do you prepare these carrots for maximum benefits? If you are feeding your beardie raw carrots, here is how to go about it:

Wash the carrots thoroughly- its common knowledge that you should always feed your bearded dragon clean food. For the carrots, wash them thoroughly under running water, preferably. You should also scrub the carrot with a clean vegetable brush to remove the top skin.

Use a grater- you should always ensure that you are feeding your bearded dragon food in small manageable pieces. Avoid chopping the carrots into small pieces as it can cause a choking hazard. You can instead use a large cheese grater or any other grater for that to reduce the carrot into small pieces.

The same procedure of cleaning can be followed when serving cooked carrots. You should always ensure the carrots are extremely clean before boiling them, especially in the case of baby carrots, which contain harmful chemicals and preservatives. You can, however, chop or slice the carrots as they will be much softer while feeding, unlike raw carrots.

If you are feeding carrots tops, simply wash them and chop into manageable pieces. You can serve carrots as a salad or a complete meal.

Carrots as a staple food

Carrots are loaded with nutritional benefits for your beardie, including:

Vitamin A and beta-carotene source- carrots are one of the best sources of vitamin A for your beaded dragon friend. These veggies are also packed with beta-carotene, which promotes healthy skin, a good vision, and of course, boosts immunity against infections.

Fiber- fiber? Why would a bearded dragon require fiber in their diet? Beardies require a certain percentage of insects in their diet, depending on their age. The exoskeleton of the insect may be very difficult to digest. Carrots are a great source of fiber that ensures that the digestive system of the bearded dragon is working at optimum.

Carrots are low in sugar content-this is important because the extremely high sugar content in your beardie causes obesity. Sugar can also lead to tooth decay in beardies as well as rotting teeth and even loss of teeth, which can make it difficult to eat for them.

Source of calcium and phosphorus- carrots have the same amount of phosphorus and calcium as a cockroach. Also, they are safer for consumption than other plants and veggies with the same amount of phosphorus. The ratio of the calcium and phosphorus in carrots is balanced, making them healthy. Phosphorus, in this case, binds with the calcium, which prevents its absorption into the bloodstream. These minerals are a requirement for bone development in a bearded dragon.

With such benefits, don’t we love it if we can feed our beardies carrots all day? They are also quite affordable and available, so it won’t be a problem. You may already be making your way to the grocery store but hold on! Carrots are great, but too much of everything, as they say, is poison!

Carrots cannot be fed as a staple food for carrots. The maximum you can feed your dragon carrots is twice in a week. Some vets and pet stores will even recommend feeding carrots once a week, especially for baby beardies. All this is because carrots are not part of the diet for bearded dragons in their natural habitat.

Also, since carrots contain phosphorus overconsumption may lead to a condition known as metabolic bone disease. MBD can be severe and fatal for beardies as it interferes with their bone structure. Carrots are also not enough sources of calcium, and you will require an additional diet to meet this requirement.

Carrots can also not be fed as a staple food for beardies because they contain a lot of vitamin A. The first thing you may have been told about bearded dragons is their intolerance to excessive vitamin A. They may suffer from Vitamin A toxicity when fed too many carrots.

Carrots and vitamin A toxicity

Bearded dragons are prone to vitamin A toxicity. When any food rich in vitamin A is fed to beardies in excess, it can be hazardous. The same goes for humans. Carrots are extremely rich in Vitamin A, as we had mentioned earlier, and therefore, there is a very thin line between healthy feeding and causing a hazard.

Carrots, when fed on their own, are very unlikely to cause vitamin A toxicity or overdose. However, if your bearded dragon is on supplants such as vitamin supplements and beta carotene supplements, you should avoid feeding carrots. A combination of supplements and a high vitamin source such as carrots will lead to an overdose. If you must feed carrots, you should consult the vet to prescribe a healthy balance.

Common signs and symptoms of hypervitaminosis or overdose of vitamin A in simple terms include:

• Weight loss
• Swelling of body organs
• Dehydration
• Decrease in energy

If you notice your bearded dragon has extremely decreased energy levels and prefers to sit in the corner of hos aquarium, you may need to see a vet as they might be exhibiting signs of vitamin A overdose. The bottom line is that carrots should never be paired with another source of vitamin A or supplement as it could lead to vitamin A toxicity.

Carrots have a handful of benefits for your bearded dragons. It should, therefore, be a part of the diet while paying attention to the feeding requirements depending on the age of the bearded dragon. You should also be careful to balance the portion between insects and green vegetation. However, while feeding carrots, remember to pay attention to the limits to avoid the negative effects of overfeeding. Carrots must also not be offered on their own as it may be tempting to offer too many. Feed carrots as a part of a salad with other green leafy vegetables. Don’t be afraid to feed carrots, but remember to do so with limits!