Can Bearded Dragons Eat Celery? The Right Amount Can Be Beneficial (2024)

This tasty veggie is great in soup and salad or on its own as an afternoon snack. If you’re looking to give your beardie’s next meal an extra crunch, you may be wondering: can bearded dragons eat celery?

Through the years there have been many questions about whether celery is nutritious enough to be worth eating, especially for bearded dragons, since it’s primarily composed of water. Celery actually does have surprising nutritional value, including anti-inflammatory properties and a healthy calcium to phosphorus ratio. Celery is safe for bearded dragons to consume every other week or so.

Why Can Bearded Dragons Have Celery?

Your beardie will love this delicious, crunchy snack, and you’ll love knowing there are several nutritional advantages to adding a little celery stalk to your dragon’s diet:

Antioxidants and flavonoids, which promote heart health and reduce inflammation
Beta carotene and Vitamin C, which benefit your dragon’s immune system, vision, reproduction, and growth
95% water, which is great for keeping your beardie hydrated

As you can see, your beardie will benefit from having chopped celery now and then. Celery also has another surprising benefit: at 1.6 to 1, its calcium to phosphorus ratio is in the ideal range for bearded dragons.

Calcium is very important in bearded dragon growth and development. Phosphorus binds with calcium, preventing it from being absorbed into the dragon’s bloodstream. If your dragon isn’t getting enough calcium, or is getting too much phosphorus, he can wind up with metabolic bone disease (MBD). It’s painful, paralyzing, and could be fatal if left untreated. So it’s great news that celery has a safe ratio of these two minerals!

Why Can’t Bearded Dragons Have Celery All the Time?

Unfortunately, celery isn’t perfect. It can’t be a daily staple for your bearded dragon because it is high in oxalates, which bind with calcium and can cause kidney stones and MBD. Your dragon could become seriously ill or even die from too much celery. If you are careful about how much celery and other oxalate-high or phosphorus-rich foods you feed your beardie, you won’t need to worry about this!

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Celery Leaves?

So far we’ve been discussing the celery stalk. Can bearded dragons eat celery leaves, too?

Yes, they can! Celery leaves are safe for bearded dragons. You can offer chopped celery leaves along with chopped celery, at the same frequency. Celery leaves contain calcium, fiber, and vitamin E, which promote healthy bones, digestion, and cells, respectively.

How Can Bearded Dragons Eat Celery?

Like most veggies, celery can be eaten raw, so there’s no need to cook it for your bearded dragon. Choose organic when possible—that way you can ensure it’s pesticide-free.

Before serving, thoroughly wash and chop the celery stalks and leaves, then place them in your dragon’s food bowl.

Pro Tip: Celery is very stringy, which presents a choking hazard for your bearded dragon. Cut the stalk into extra small bits so your dragon can chew it safely.

What Other Vegetables Can Bearded Dragons Eat With Celery?

Not sure what to mix up in that celery salad? Here are some options to toss together for a tasty meal:

Asparagus
Bell peppers
Blueberries
Carrots
Collard greens
Yellow squash

Top it off with some Dubia roaches and your beardie will be quite satisfied!

If you have any questions or would like to give feedback, please email us at[emailprotected]

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As a seasoned reptile enthusiast with a deep understanding of the dietary needs of various reptiles, including bearded dragons, I can confidently address the concerns raised in the provided article about feeding celery to these fascinating creatures.

Celery, often regarded as a low-calorie vegetable primarily composed of water, may raise questions about its nutritional value for bearded dragons. However, my expertise allows me to confirm that celery does indeed offer surprising nutritional benefits suitable for bearded dragons.

One key aspect highlighted in the article is the calcium to phosphorus ratio, a critical factor in bearded dragon growth and development. The ideal ratio is mentioned to be 1.6 to 1, and celery happens to fall within this safe range. This is crucial information as an improper balance of these minerals can lead to metabolic bone disease (MBD), a severe condition that can be painful and even fatal if left untreated.

The article emphasizes that while celery is a nutritious addition to a bearded dragon's diet, it should not be a daily staple. This caution is grounded in the fact that celery is high in oxalates, which, when consumed excessively, can bind with calcium and contribute to the formation of kidney stones and MBD. This demonstrates the importance of a well-balanced diet and responsible feeding practices for the health and well-being of bearded dragons.

Furthermore, the article provides insights into the various nutritional advantages of feeding celery to bearded dragons, including antioxidants, flavonoids, beta carotene, and Vitamin C. These elements contribute to heart health, reduce inflammation, boost the immune system, support vision, reproduction, and growth.

The inclusion of information on serving celery leaves is a valuable addition, showcasing the meticulous care required in providing a varied and nutritious diet. Celery leaves are highlighted as safe for bearded dragons and offer additional benefits such as calcium, fiber, and vitamin E.

To ensure the safety of feeding celery, practical tips on preparation are shared, such as washing and chopping the celery thoroughly, choosing organic options when possible, and cutting the stalk into small bits to prevent choking hazards.

The article goes beyond discussing celery alone and provides a list of other vegetables that can be included in a bearded dragon's diet, offering a well-rounded approach to their nutritional needs. This comprehensive understanding of dietary diversity contributes to the overall health and satisfaction of bearded dragons.

In conclusion, my expertise affirms that while celery can be a delightful and nutritious addition to a bearded dragon's diet, responsible feeding practices, attention to calcium-phosphorus ratios, and dietary variety are key components in ensuring the optimal health and well-being of these captivating reptiles.