Can bearded dragons eat tomatoes
As omnivorous creatures, bearded dragons should consume food from both animal and plant categories. Fruit intake for can bearded dragons eat tomatoes should be restricted but tomato is an approved fruit choice.
Regular intake of tomatoes by bearded dragons remains questionable despite their accessibility as well as affordability for human use. Additionally their juicy taste qualifies them as healthy human food although beardies may face adverse reactions to this feeding choice.
Are Tomatoes Safe Foods to Feed Bearded Dragons?
Bearded dragons require small portions of tomatoes among other suitable fruits however they should avoid these fruits on a daily basis. Bearded dragons should not eat tomatoes as frequently as humans do because tomato nutrition values differ between bearded dragon dietary needs and human dietary needs which creates health hazards for bearded dragons. You may provide small tomato portions to your dragons once monthly either through salads or mixed with their typical diet.
Are Tomatoes Safe to Bearded Bragons
The nutritional content of red tomatoes matches that of cherry tomatoes and heirloom tomatoes together with grape tomatoes. The nutritional elements in tomatoes which include vitamin C and vitamin K and potassium provide human health benefits though they have detrimental effects on the health of reptiles if they eat tomatoes. Lawrence Ph.D.’s research describes the dietary values of tomatoes for bearded dragons through this table:
Nutritional Profile in Reptiles Tomato(in 100g)
Calories | 18 Kcal |
Carbohydrates | 3.89g |
Protein | 0.88g |
Fats | 0.2g |
Water 94.52g | 94.52g |
Minerals Calcium | 10mg |
Phosphorus | 24mg |
Others Oxalates | 26mg |
pH 4.5 | 4.5 |
Nutrition Caco ratio | 1:3:1 |
Health risks more | more |
Using Tomatoes as Snack Food to bearded dragons
Suitable Tomatoes to bearded dragons
- Fresh, raw, and ripe tomatoes can be given to the beardies Can bearded dragons eat tomatoes
- Regular red tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, heirloom tomatoes, and grape tomatoes are safe for bearded dragons but in a limited amount
- Green tomatoes if unripe are also poisonous as it hold a poisonous substance called solanine which can not be good health for beardie.
- Catomatoes bearded dragons like to eat
How to prepare tomato treat to beaded dragons
- Wash your tomato to get rid of the dust particles, chemicals, and other environmental pollutants that may be very harmful to the can bearded dragons eat tomatoes
- Peel it off as the peel of the tomatoes also contains some nutrients. Peeling the tomato removes extra nutrients that may be not as beneficial for beardies
- Cut the tomato into small chunks so that chocking can be avoided while eating and only a few chunks can be added to can bearded dragons eat tomatoes regular feed
- Also remove the seeds, doing this also prevents the chocking and any other digestive issue can be avoided
- You can give only a quarter of a medium-sized tomato or 2 to 3 cherry tomatoes to your beardies
- Mixed the tomato with dragon regular feed or a calcium-rich diet to balance with tomato’s phosphorus content
- Bearded dragons should not be fed on tomatoes above once a month
What are health hazards of tomatoes to bearded dragons
Unfortunately, beened dragons need more than the recommended levels of tomatoes which may result to health problems like:
- Low Calcium levels and poor calcium-to-phosphorus ratio
- Tomatoes contain less calcium and double the amount of phosphorus which is unhealthy for beardies. Along with this, tomatoes have a poor calcium-to-phosphorus ratio is 1:3:1. Phosphorus does not allow calcium to be absorbed properly which can lead to kidney stones. So, always mix it with high high-calcium diet before feeding the bearded dragons
- High oxalate levels
- Tomatoes contain more oxalate that also prevents calcium absorption along with phosphorus and can lead to calcium deficiency in your beardies
- High acid levels
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Tomatoes contain a lot of acid such as citric acid. The acidity found in tomatoes may result in digestive complications, diarrhea and dehydration of the bearded dragons. It makes it impossible to absorb some nutrients as well.
A lot of water retention - Tomatoes contain 95% water content which is not very beneficial for beardies. As bearded dragons don’t need much water it can cause gastrointestinal tract issues like diarrhea
Conclusion
In addition it is concluded that bearded dragons can be fed tomatoes however only be given tomatoes but in small quantities. Do not exceed the dosage more than a month. To prevent health problems mix it always with feeds rich in calcium.
FAQ
Does bearded dragon eat other parts of tomato plants?
All the parts of tomato plants except ripe tomatoes (fruit part) are unhealthy for beardies like unripe tomatoes, stems, and leaves. These unhealthy parts contain a toxic compound solanine that can cause serious health issues like problems with chewing, ingestion, digestion, and even death
Worms on tomato plants are suitable to bearded dragons?
Mostly worms like hornworms reside on tomato plants and these make a healthy and safe treat for beardies to eat. So, they can be given to can bearded dragons eat tomatoes as a diet
Can bearded juvenile dragons eat tomatoes?
No, it is not very good to feed tomatoes to juvenile beardies as it is not very healthy to them. They must have more insects in their diet, less vegetables and a few or no fruitsa