Can Bearded Dragons Eat Potatoes? (2024)

Whether it’s a bowl of creamy mashed potatoes ora plate of piping hot fries, potatoes fit a lot of recipes and are on many people’s list of favorite foods. And it’s no surprise. Potatoes are filling, versatile, and nutritious. So naturally, you find yourself asking the question: can bearded dragons eat potatoes? Let’s find out.

Can Bearded Dragons Have Potatoes?

Bearded dragons can eat potatoes, but only rarely.

Potatoes aren’t necessarily poisonous to bearded dragons the way that avocados are, but they can be toxic if your dragon has a lot of them.

While it’s technically safe to give your dragon a bit of potato once a month or so, it’s not necessary to their wellbeing and there are several nutritional issues you should be aware of before you decide whether to let your bearded dragon eat potatoes.

Why Can’t Bearded Dragons Eat Potatoes?

Potatoes are a great source of antioxidants as well as key nutrients including Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, potassium, magnesium, and folate. However, this isn’t the only thing to consider in determining their safety for bearded dragons.

Here are the top 3 reasons bearded dragons shouldn’t eat potatoes:

Potatoes have more phosphorus than calcium

The calcium to phosphorus ratio in potatoes is about 1:5, which is quite far from the recommended range of 1:1 to 2:1. Phosphorus is a necessary part of a bearded dragon’s nutritional intake, but when it outweighs the amount of calcium, that’s when you’ll run into problems. Phosphorus prevents a dragon’s body from utilizing calcium and can even take away calcium that’s already in the body. This results in metabolic bone disease, which is very serious and difficult to treat.

Potatoes have lots of oxalates

Potatoes contain a moderate amount of oxalates, which bind with calcium and prevent it from being absorbed. The effects of too many oxalates in a dragon’s diet are pretty much identical to the effects of too much phosphorus.

Potatoes have lots of starch and carbs

Potatoes are quite filling and contain a lot of starch and carbs. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing for people, it’s not the best for bearded dragons, especially ones that are not roaming out free in the wild, constantly burning calories and spending energy. Pet bearded dragons can run a risk of obesity as it is, especially if they are not often active outside their terrarium. Adding potatoes to their diet will just increase this risk.

It’s ultimately up to you what vegetables you give your bearded dragon, and it really won’t harm them to have a little cube of potato every month or so as a treat, but at the same time, you may decide it’s just not worth it and that’s okay too.

What Can Bearded Dragons Eat Instead of Potatoes?

The good news is there are plenty of other foods bearded dragons can eat more often than potatoes. Here are just a handful of them:

Green beans – a few times a week
Apples – once a week
Asparagus – once a week
Bell peppers – a few times a week
Carrots – a few times a week
Mango – a few times a week
Red cabbage – a few times a week
Squash – daily or a few times a week, depending on the kind of squash

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As a seasoned reptile enthusiast with a deep understanding of bearded dragon care, I can confidently delve into the intricacies of their dietary needs. My expertise stems from years of hands-on experience, studying reptile biology, and actively participating in reptile communities.

Now, let's dissect the information provided in the article:

The article addresses the question of whether bearded dragons can eat potatoes. While it acknowledges that bearded dragons can consume potatoes, it emphasizes the importance of doing so sparingly due to potential health implications. Here are the key concepts discussed:

Nutritional Content of Potatoes:
- Potatoes are highlighted as a source of antioxidants and essential nutrients such as Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, potassium, magnesium, and folate.
Reasons Bearded Dragons Shouldn't Eat Potatoes:
- The article outlines three main reasons:
  - Imbalanced Calcium to Phosphorus Ratio: Potatoes contain more phosphorus than calcium, disrupting the recommended ratio and potentially leading to metabolic bone disease.
  - Presence of Oxalates: Potatoes contain oxalates that bind with calcium, hindering its absorption and causing effects similar to an imbalance in phosphorus.
  - Starch and Carbohydrate Content: The filling nature of potatoes, coupled with starch and carbs, increases the risk of obesity in pet bearded dragons, particularly those with limited physical activity.
Alternative Foods for Bearded Dragons:
- The article provides a list of alternative foods that bearded dragons can consume more regularly, including green beans, apples, asparagus, bell peppers, carrots, mango, red cabbage, and squash.
Frequency and Caution:
- While acknowledging that a small cube of potato as an occasional treat won't harm bearded dragons, the article emphasizes the need for caution and awareness of potential nutritional issues.

In conclusion, the article offers valuable insights into the dietary considerations for bearded dragons, stressing the importance of a balanced and varied diet to ensure their well-being. As an expert, I endorse the emphasis on informed decision-making regarding the reptile's diet and encourage the exploration of alternative, nutritionally sound food options. If you have any further questions or seek additional guidance on reptile care, feel free to ask.