The radish is a crunchy, cruciferous root vegetable that packs a healthy punch (and a peppery taste). They can be served roasted, raw, or sprinkled over salad as a garnish. Can bearded dragons eat radishes? Can they eat radish greens? Let’s find out.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Radishes?
Bearded dragons can eat radishes every other week. Although fairly nutritious, radishes have a moderate amount of oxalates and a high amount of goitrogens, which make them unsuitable for daily eating.
- Oxalates inhibit calcium from being properly absorbed in the body. Over time, consuming a lot of foods high in oxalates can cause metabolic bone disease in your dragon.
- Goitrogens are compounds that can cause thyroid problems. If your dragon eats a lot of goitrogenic food, her thyroid may become enlarged and malfunction.
Radishes also contain quite a lot of water—up to 95%, in fact, which puts them on par with cucumbers. This is a benefit that can also be a downside. If you want to give your dragon a boost of hydration, radishes can be a great way to do that. On the other hand, if they have too many radishes, it can cause diarrhea, which in turn can cause dehydration.
Radishes are in the same family as broccoli, mustard greens, kale, cauliflower, cabbage, and turnips. Their nutrients include:
- Fiber
- Potassium
- Magnesium
- Iron
- Vitamins C and K
- Antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties
These make radishes fairly healthy for people, but for bearded dragons, there are better options that they can eat more frequently. These include asparagus, bell peppers, carrots, and squash.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Radish Greens?
Yes, bearded dragons can eat radish greens. However, these aren’t a staple either. Radish leaves taste kind of like mustard greens, so if your dragon enjoys those, he might love radish leaves.
Radish greens contain some great nutrients, including:
- Fiber
- Antimicrobial & antibacterial properties
- Calcium
- Vitamin C, A, K, and B6
- Potassium
- Iron
- Magnesium
However, radish greens also contain oxalates, which are problematic.
How Often Can Bearded Dragons Eat Radish Greens?
You can give your dragon radish greens a couple times a month. If you grow radishes in your garden, you could put aside a leaf or two next time you enjoy a radish.
How to Serve Radishes & Radish Greens to Your Bearded Dragon
Before serving any vegetable, wash it thoroughly to remove any dirt or residue. Chop the radish into small chunks or slices, or even create shavings with a vegetable peeler. You can chop up the radish leaves too, or you can just rip them into smaller pieces.
Pro Tip: To prevent choking, make sure that food pieces are no longer than the space between your dragon’s eyes.
Once you’ve washed and chopped the bulb or leaves, you can toss them with some staple greens (such as collard greens) and then top the salad with a little apple and sweet potato garnish.
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