Can Bearded Dragons Eat Chives? Everything You Need to Know!

Can bearded dragons eat chives and other spices?

Yes, bearded dragons can eat chives as they are omnivores that eat different types of plants. However, chives and other spices contain minerals that can harm your reptile’s health. So, they can only eat these food items in small amounts and not in their regular diet. 

It may sound confusing as beardies have unique nutrient requirements than other pets. Thus, I thoroughly searched how their health reacts to meals with chives and other spices. Also, know other plants you may feed your scaly pet in this article. 

Can bearded Dragons Eat Chives Whether Regularly or Occasionally?

Bearded dragons can occasionally eat small amounts of chives without ending up with any health problems. However, these plants have high amounts of Vitamin A, calcium, phosphorous, and oxalic acid, which could cause health issues for the reptile.

Thus, beardies should only eat a few chives at a time or in small amounts but occasionally. It’s even better to avoid feeding them this food item completely.

What Could Happen if Bearded Dragons Eat Too Many Chives?

As mentioned above, chives contain minerals harmful to beardies and may cause them to develop health problems like:

1. Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD)

Young beardies often sustain this ailment because of calcium deficiency. It makes their bones weak, soft, and thin; thus, dragons with MBD experience movement difficulty. 

While chives have a lot of calcium, excessive oxalic acids, and phosphorous, that bind to calcium and slow down its absorption into the bloodstream. Thus, triggering calcium deficiency-related diseases. 

2. Vitamin A Toxicity

The plant also contains too much vitamin A and could cause toxicity to your beardies. This ailment may make the beardies unusually weak with swelling on different body parts like the throat and eyes.

3. Digestion Problems

These reptiles have sensitive stomach linings that acidic food can quickly irritate. Thus, oxalic acid in chives may trigger digestion problems, like diarrhea.

Your pet may experience severe dehydration and other complications from gastrointestinal irritation.

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Spices Aside From Chives?

Bearded dragons can eat different herbs and spices like parsley, basil, lavender, and bell pepper. However, they should only eat these food items occasionally and in small amounts to avoid health problems. 

On a side note, beardies should never eat hot spices like onions, garlic, and chili peppers, as these are toxic for the reptile and usually cause gastrointestinal irritation.

It’s thus better to avoid meals with herbs and spices if you’re unsure about their health effects on your pet. You may ask a vet to confirm a list of herbs and spices your pet can safely eat and those they should avoid.

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How to Include Spices in Bearded Dragons’ Diet?

While large amounts of spices could harm your beardy’s health, proper serving adds nutritional value and flavor to their meals. So, remember these points to include these food items in your scaly friend’s diet:

1. Only Serve Spices Safe for Beardies

Start by determining the herbs and spices your scaly friend may consume, like bell peppers, lavender, and basil. As mentioned above, you may ask a veterinarian for a list of food safe for bearded dragons and avoid anything toxic for the reptile, like onions and garlic.

Moreover, be careful with harmful chemicals some plants may contain, like pesticides. So, only feed your pet with herbs and spices from your garden or a reliable source.

2. Offer Occasionally in Small Amounts

Too many of these plants could harm your pet. So, only garnish them on the reptile’s primary meal to add flavor.  Moreover, only offer meals with spices and herbs every few weeks. 

3. Don’t Force Feed Your Pet

Only force your beardy to eat meals with herbs and spices if they want to. Reptiles also have personal food preferences and will only consume meals they love. 

However, you can start by introducing a particular spice to your dragon once. You know they love the food if they eat what your offer. 

How to Know if a Bearded Dragon Experiences Poisoning After Eating Spices?

Your scaly friend may accidentally consume food they should not eat, like spices you unknowingly placed in their meal. Thus, always watch out for sure signs of poisoning or gastrointestinal irritation your pet may show after eating:

• Unusual weakness
• Reduced appetite
• Behavioral changes
• Secretion from the eyes and nose
• Discolored and unusually smelly stool

These signs may show within 24 hours after consuming a toxic meal. However, other symptoms may also appear as the health problem worsen, like reddening of the eyes, skin discoloration, and swelling.

It’s better to bring your dragon to the vet soon after you notice the early signs to prevent complications. Don’t self-medicate your pet, as some symptoms could only be signs of natural bodily processes. For example, many beardies lose their appetite when they’re shedding.

What Plants Can Bearded Dragons Eat?

Bearded dragons can safely consume different plants like vegetables, fruits, and flowers. 

Some veggies they can eat are cabbage, kale, squash, and green beans. However, avoid veggies with poor nutritional value, like iceberg lettuce, and those with a high acid content, like eggplant.

Beardies can also consume fruits like watermelon, apples, and bananas. However, these food options can only make up to 20% of your pet’s plant diet. Moreover, stay away from acidic fruits like pineapple and citrus. 

Dragons may also occasionally eat edible flowers in small amounts, like roses, lavender, sunflowers, carnations, and hibiscus. However, avoid flowers that could harm your pet, like buttercup and ivy.

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Summary

So, can bearded dragons eat chives and other spices?

Yes, they can. However, only serve these plants occasionally and in small amounts to avoid causing health problems. You should also avoid feeding them toxic food options like onions. 

Moreover, carefully monitor your pet’s behaviors and watch out for symptoms of any ailment. 

Remember to call the vet for the best diet recommendations for your dragon. They may also regularly check your pet’s health condition and provide treatment when necessary.