Can Bearded Dragons Eat Edamame? Is it safe and okay for bearded dragons to eat edamame?
Bearded dragons can eat edamame because they are omnivorous reptiles that eat various plant species. However, the bean contains compounds that can harm your reptile’s health. So it is better to feed it to your beardie infrequently and not as a part of its everyday diet.
Now, this may sound confusing, and it is because beardies are unique pets with special nutrient requirements. This is why I have taken the time to research and find out how well beardies can tolerate edamame.
Can bearded dragons eat edamame?
Bearded dragons can only sometimes eat soybean because of their high sodium, protein, and fiber levels. This high plant protein source increases thyroxine production in your beardie. The increased thyroxine levels increase body metabolic activities, and its regular consumption can lead to weight loss and even infertility in female beardies.
Is edamame bad for bearded dragons to eat?
Yes, it is bad for bearded dragons and unsuitable for a bearded dragon because it is an immature soybean high in protein and fiber.
Edamame beans are a common ingredient in Asian cuisine, predominantly in Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and Hawaiian cuisine. The immature soybeans in the pod are steamed or boiled and served with salt.
You can easily break them using feeding utensils, and you do not have to chop them into small pieces.
The bean contains compounds that inhibit protein absorption. It also includes plant estrogens called isoflavones that increase thyroxine production.
The increased thyroxine levels will lead to increased metabolic activities, triggering massive weight loss. Besides, it can lead to infertility in female beardies, and as it is high in sodium levels, it is terrible for beardies already on a high-salt diet.
Can I feed my bearded dragon edamame?
No, it is not advisable to feed bearded dragons edamame regularly. While edamame is not regularly advisable for beardies, you can feed it as a treat. And if you want to feed it to your pet, there are a few things to remember
This soybean has a very disproportionate calcium and phosphorus ratio, rendering them quite acidic for your pet’s stomach. The soybean is also high in sodium which is not recommended for beardies already consuming a relatively high salt intake diet.
You may, at the most, feed it to your pet occasionally, but not more than that. There are other safer foods you can feed your pet. While there is no proven scientific data, its excessive consumption may also lead to liver diseases in some beardies.
Feed it to your pet in moderation because it is high in protein and can increase the body’s thyroxine production. The increased thyroxine level is unsuitable for your pet as it improves body metabolism, which can lead to weight loss.
There is also the risk and possibility of the soybean causing gas in your beardies digestive system, which is another reason it is not a suitable beardie snack.
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Can I feed edamame to baby bearded dragons?
No, you should preferably not give it to baby beardies because their body isn’t developed, and they may end up sick after overeating.
If you want to feed the soybean your baby beardie, they should be at least six months old. And you should ensure you properly prepare it before feeding it to your baby beardie.
The best way to prepare the soybean for your beardieis by steaming it till soft and then mashing up or cutting it into small pieces. As always, you must slowly introduce this new food to your baby beardie.
Start by feeding it a small amount, see how they react, and if there are no side effects, you may gradually feed it. However, it is safer to feed your beardie the bean as a treat.
How often can I feed my bearded dragon edamame?
Do not feed your beardie edamame frequently. Instead, like daddy-long-legs, and crickets, it is better to give them to your pet as a special treat.
And as sunflower seeds and other legumes can lead to gas build-up in beardies, do not feed them to your pet while feeding the soybean.
You can feed your pet the bean, either whole or mashed. However, they must be cooked or steamed well without oil or butter. The addition of these fats only increases your beardies calorie intake, leading to possible weight gain.
You must remove the beans’ stems before feeding them to your pet. There is the risk of the stem blocking the intestines if your pet consumes them.
Is it safe to feed green beans to my bearded dragon?
No, all green beans are not safe for bearded dragons. Edamame is one of the safer green bean options some pet owners feed their beardies. However, do not feed or let your beardie consume it in large quantities.
You can feed your beardie the beans in a dish, preferably as a treat rather than regularly. If you opt to feed your beardie the soybean, then feed it a moderate amount and only once a week.
As it is not advisable to feed edamame to your beardie regularly, storing them can be a problem. Here are some tips to follow for storing these beans for your pet.
Always store them in the following ways:
- An airtight container
- In an isolated area
- In a cool and dry place
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Summary
So can bearded dragons eat edamame without fear of developing health problems?
This is a complicated answer because beardies can eat it only in moderation. This plant protein source contains compounds that can inhibit your pet’s protein absorption.
This affects the thyroid gland by increasing the production of thyroxine which also increases the body’s metabolism. While the increased metabolic rates can lead to excessive weight loss, it can also lead to infertility in female beardies.
So while bearded dragons can eat edamame, it should be only occasionally. There are other better and safer food options to feed your pet daily.
