When keeping a beardie for the first time, you may find yourself asking so many questions about what food to feed to bearded dragons. One such concern is whether bearded dragons can eat corn or not.
Even though the beardies consume a variety of foods, there are those foods that you need to avoid in every situation because they are poisonous.
For instance, bearded dragons can eat dandelions, kale, cilantro, etc., but never feed them avocado and fireflies.
In this article, we’ll explore corn and see if it is okay to include it in the beardie’s diet, the right proportion to feed, and more.
This article has been reviewed by Dr. Dilber. Read more about our knowledge control process here.
Contents
Nutritional Information of Corn
The nutritional profile of corn will help us determine if it is worthy of feeding these grains to bearded dragons. We are concerned about the calcium and phosphorus ratio, vitamins content, fiber, and water level.
| Nutrients | Amount/100g | Unit |
| Water | 76 | g |
| Energy | 86 | kcal |
| Fiber | 2 | g |
| Sugar | 6.26 | g |
| Calcium | 2 | mg |
| Phosphorus | 89 | mg |
| Vitamin C | 6.8 | mg |
| Vitamin A | 9 | µg |
| Vitamin K | 0.3 | µg |
| Ca:P ratio | 1:44.5 | – |
By just looking at this corn’s nutritional data, there are so many interesting things you can see about corn. First, phosphorus in corn is too high than the calcium level. It has 45 times more phosphorus than calcium.
You can also see that corn is super high in sugar, which accounts for 6.26g/100g, and is also high in energy that falls at 86kcal/100g.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Corn?
Yes, bearded dragons can eat corn but on rare occasions for various reasons, as we will see further in the article. There is no doubt that corn is nutritious, and the beardies obtain a couple of nutrients when they eat this veggie.
Small amounts of corn aren’t harmful and supply the beardies with water, magnesium, potassium, vitamin A, C, and K, folate, calcium, thiamine, and a little protein. All these minerals and vitamins play considerable roles in bearded dragons.
For instance, a small amount of protein is necessary for the beardies to strengthen the muscles. Folate is responsible for promoting healthy tissues and cells, while the water provides a hydration boost.
Vitamin B1 or thiamine helps boost energy, and magnesium is essential in supporting muscles and the brain. Also, corn provides fiber that aids in digestion.
Bearded dragons eat insects, and most of them have a hard exoskeleton that is hard for them to digest, and that’s why they are required to eat foods high in fiber.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cooked Corn?
We can eat corn when raw or cooked. Raw corn is healthy and is fun to eat due to its pleasant taste. As a dragon owner, you might be wondering if the beardies can also eat cooked corn or you should feed it when raw.
In captivity, we provide raw foods to bearded dragons because that is what they eat in the wild. Allowing your beloved lizard to eat raw is your best bet. On the other hand, cooked corn might be harmful as it is low in nutrition and may contain cooking spices.
Therefore, bearded dragons cannot eat cooked corn because of all those reasons. Make sure to avoid them if you are concerned about your lizard’s health.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Canned Corn?
If you think of buying canned corn for your bearded dragon, note that this is the last thing you would want to do. Keep in mind that canned corn has salt and preservatives, causing stomach disturbances in bearded dragons.
Another interesting thing about canned corn, which will make you keep it off from your pet’s menu, is its low nutritional content. Make sure to avoid any food you know is poisonous for your bearded dragon as much as possible.
There is a big list of safe foods to feed to bearded dragons, and you can always choose suitable foods from there instead of risking your beloved friend.
Are Popcorns Safe for Bearded Dragons?
Popcorns are snacks for everyone, and they have a great taste that makes you enjoy crunching on them. When eating popcorns, it might tempt you to offer them to your dragon and let it enjoy too.
However, it is so unfortunate that bearded dragons cannot eat popcorns at any time. Popcorn kernels might present a choking hazard when the beardie swallows them.
Also, popcorns do not contain a high nutritional value like raw corn, and therefore you should avoid them.
Always remember that some of the foods that are edible to us can be harmful to bearded dragons. That’s why it is crucial to ask about the safety of foods you think are good for bearded dragons before feeding them.
How Often Can Bearded Dragons Eat Corn?
If you appreciate the nutritional aspect of corn and are thinking of feeding it to your bearded dragon, you can do that once a month or less frequently. Just a quick reminder, corn has a poor ratio of calcium to phosphorus.
There is too much phosphorus in corn, making it not ideal for the beardies to eat daily or frequently. Phosphorus binds to calcium in the diet and prevents its absorption by the body.
Eventually, bearded dragons may suffer from MBD because they are not getting sufficient calcium. MBD is dangerous and can kill your dragon; thus, you should avoid anything you know can cause it.
Preparing Corn for Bearded Dragons
When preparing corn for your bearded dragon, here are a few steps that you can follow.
- Buy fresh and raw corn.
- Wash the corn before serving it to remove any available chemicals.
- You can pluck the kernels from the corn and feed them or leave it on the cob.
- But it is best to provide the kernels to prevent choking problems.
- Feed the corn in moderation.
Wrapping Up
Now you are familiar with corn and its nutrients content, and you know that it is safe for bearded dragons to eat. However, limit the amount of corn you offer to your lizard and feed it occasionally.
Bearded dragons cannot eat cooked or canned corn, and also the popcorns. They should only eat raw corn on rare occasions.