Radish belongs to the Brassicaceae family, and it is widely known for its nutrition. But people rarely talk about it as the pet’s food. Can bearded dragons eat radishes?
Bearded dragons tend to eat a variety of foods, and it requires you to know of their safety, how to feed them and in what proportion. Also, if you have radishes with you, you need first to confirm it is suitable for the beardies and what is the right amount to give.
Read on to know if bearded dragons can eat radishes, how often to feed them, and more.
This article has been reviewed by Dr. Dilber. Read more about our knowledge control process here.
Contents
Nutritional Aspect of Raw Radishes
Radishes have the following nutrition, according to USDA Nutritional Database.
| Nutrients | Amount | Unit |
| Water | 95.3 | g |
| Protein | 0.68 | g |
| Energy | 16 | kcal |
| Fiber | 1.6 | g |
| Sugar | 1.86 | g |
| Calcium | 25 | mg |
| Phosphorus | 20 | mg |
| Iron | 0.34 | mg |
| Sodium | 39 | mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.07 | mg |
| Vitamin C | 14.8 | mg |
| Vitamin K | 1.3 | µg |
| Ca:P | 1.3:1 | – |
Radishes can offer different nutrients such as vitamin C, K, and B-6, calcium, magnesium, iron, water, and fiber. Due to their high-water level, radishes are a great option for hydration.
There is no balance ratio between calcium and phosphorus. Radish contains 25 mg calcium and 20 mg phosphorus. So, it can still affect the absorption of calcium through epithelium of intestine.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Radishes?
Radishes are fine foods to feed to the beardies, and many bearded dragons enjoy munching on these root vegetables. However, bearded dragons should eat radishes less frequently and in limited proportions.
Bearded dragons obtain a couple of nutrients when they eat radishes, and that’s why you should include them as part of your dragon’s diet. If you’re aiming to feed your beloved beardie healthy foods, then consider offering a diverse diet.
Make sure to combine vegetables, fruits, and greens to ensure that your lizard gets a variety of nutrients. Feeding healthy and well-balanced foods on all days helps your pet to stay healthy and live longer.
Now that you know that bearded dragons can eat radishes, what health benefits do these root vegetables have?
Health Benefits of Radishes to Bearded Dragons
Radishes have a lot of vitamins and minerals that bearded dragons for the proper functioning of the body. Beforehand, radish supplies calcium, which helps in strong bone formation, and plays a huge role in growth.
Another good reason to feed radishes to your lizard friend is that it supplies a reasonable amount of vitamin C. This vitamin is responsible for maintaining a strong immune system and healthy skin in bearded dragons.
Also, radishes provide a substantial amount of fiber which enhances the proper functioning of the digestive system by allowing proper absorption of water from foods and supporting smooth digestion.
The presence of magnesium in radishes is essential for nerve function, skeletal development, plus hormonal balance.
How Often Can Bearded Dragons Eat Radishes?
Although radishes provide several essential minerals and vitamins to bearded dragons, it is not good for the beardies to eat them every day. Why is this?
First of all, radishes only contain small amounts of calcium; ranging from 25mg to 100mg. Therefore, when bearded dragons eat radishes more often, they will not get enough calcium.
Likewise, radishes have a lot of water, at 95.3g/100g, which makes them unideal for the beardies to eat daily. Excess water causes several problems in bearded dragons such as diarrhea.
So, to avoid any negative impact only feed a few pieces of chopped radishes, about one or two times a month.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Radish Greens?
You might be wondering if it is also safe to feed radish greens.
Yes, bearded dragons can eat radish greens but only in small quantities and on rare occasions. Radish greens have high nutritional value, but they are high in water and have low calcium content.
If you feed them more frequently, it might lead to diarrhea or the beardie may suffer from metabolic bone disease due to inadequate calcium. For the well-being of your lizard, you should feed radish greens only around three times a month.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cooked Radishes?
Radishes are healthier when they are raw since they contain all the nutrients. But when you cook them, they lose some essential nutrients or all of them; thus, their nutritional value goes down.
If you offer cooked radish make sure there is no oil or spices in it since it can make the beardies sick.
Therefore, bearded dragons can eat raw but not cooked radishes. Keep that in mind and be sure to provide what is safe for your friend.
How to Prepare Radishes for Bearded Dragons?
After knowing that radishes are fine for bearded dragons, it is also necessary to know how to prepare them. Follow the following steps, and come up with a delicious meal for your pet.
- When you are out there buying radishes from the grocery, look for fresh ones. If you have radishes in your garden, do the same.
- Wash the radishes properly to remove dirt and chemicals.
- Cut the tops and peel the fruit carefully. You can feed the fruit plus the tops if you want or use the radish alone. But make sure to slice them into small pieces.
- Take a handful of radishes and add them into your beardie’s salad and mix them thoroughly with other veggies and greens.
Wrapping Up
Now you know that it is okay for bearded dragons to eat radishes. But the beardies should eat these root vegetables less frequently due to the high-water content and low calcium in them.
Radish tops are also safe, and the beardies can eat them occasionally. It is good to mix the radish with other greens and vegetables when feeding to provide varied nutrients to your dragon.