While vegetables provide your bearded dragon with essential nutrients and hydration, some of them can pose serious health risks that are difficult to detect early and can be fatal in certain cases. That is why it’s important to evaluate your pet’s meals to ensure they’re safe. So, is cauliflower a good choice?
Bearded dragons can only eat cauliflower in small amounts due to its high phosphorus content which can disrupt calcium absorption and lead to various health issues. Furthermore, cauliflower is too nutrient-sparse to be considered a significant part of your beardie’s diet.
Why You Shouldn’t Feed Cauliflower To Bearded Dragons
Although we’ve established that bearded dragons can eat cauliflower, I do not recommend feeding it to your pet. Cauliflower does have some benefits which we will discuss later, but for now, let’s focus on why it may not be the best choice for your bearded dragon.
1. Cauliflower Can Become Addictive
Bearded dragons can develop a preference for visually appealing and textured foods, such as cauliflower. Frequently feeding them this less healthy vegetable, may cause them to refuse staple options like dandelion and turnip greens. If your bearded dragon’s nourishment is compromised, it may experience various health issues affecting its teeth, digestive system, and bones.
2. Low Nutrient Value
For bearded dragons, cauliflower is only slightly healthier than cucumbers, mainly due to its fiber content. Aside from that, both vegetables provide little nutritional value and can lead to calcium binding which is harmful to your pet’s bone health.
3. The Leaves Are Not Nutritious Either
Although cauliflower leaves are more nutritious and contain more calcium than the florets, they are still not suitable for bearded dragons to consume regularly. The problem here is that many people mistakenly believe the leaves are nutritious enough to be a staple meal, which only puts their pet in jeopardy over time.
4. The Phosphorus to Calcium Ratio
Cauliflower contains twice as much phosphorus as calcium which increases the risk of developing metabolic bone disease (MBD); a calcium-deficient illness common in reptiles. This occurs when phosphorus binds to calcium during metabolism forming crystals and reducing calcium absorption. The binding may result in kidney stones, painful urates, and impaction. To prevent these issues, calcium must exceed phosphorus levels which, unfortunately, isn’t the case with cauliflower.
5. High Goitrogen Content
Goitrogens are organic substances that affect thyroid function and are primarily found in cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower. In this case, bearded dragons are more exposed to the danger of goitrogens because of their relatively small body mass. An article by UK veterinary professors highlights the dangers of iodine deficiency in captive reptiles like bearded dragons. It directly links this deficiency to high-goitrogen and iodine-competing substances in plants such as cauliflower.
The Ways Bearded Dragons May Benefit From Cauliflower
Despite the downsides, bearded dragons can profit from eating cauliflower if fed to them properly.
Contains Fiber for Healthy Digestion
The cauliflower curd is majorly made of fiber which aids digestion and prevents constipation. If your beardie has been experiencing irregular digestion (diarrhea or constipation), the fiber in cauliflower can help improve bowel movement for faster relief.
Supports Metabolism and Digestion
Cauliflower is rich in choline that works similarly to vitamin B complex, providing essential building blocks for metabolism and nutrient absorption. However, your pet can only gain small amounts at a time since consuming large quantities of cauliflower is dangerous.
Helps Deter Plaque Formation and Improve Dental Health
Dental plaque is common in bearded dragons, especially among those that excessively eat soft foods that get stuck in their teeth. If eating pasty low-textured food becomes habitual, your bearded dragon can develop periodontal disease from the buildup in its teeth.
Occasionally feeding your beardie cauliflower can serve as a makeshift toothbrush to help remove the food residue that might be wedged in its ‘chompers’, effectively deterring plaque formation and the buildup of harmful bacteria.
Which Vegetables Should Bearded Dragons Preferably Eat?
Although cauliflower is termed healthy, it doesn’t supply your bearded dragon with sustainable nutrients. Your pet requires a balanced diet of staple vegetables to grow strong and healthy. Depending on its age, the amount of greens it needs varies. To create a suitable nutritional meal plan, you must first understand what your pet requires according to its growth as shown in the table below.
| Age (months) | Percentage |
|---|---|
| 0 – 3 (Baby stage) | 30% greens, 70% grubs |
| 3 – 6 (Juvenile stage) | 30% greens, 70% grubs |
| 6 – 9 (Subadult stage) | 40% greens, 60% grubs |
| 9 – 12+ (Adult stage) | 70% greens, 30% grubs |
Additionally, it’s crucial to know which vegetables are stable or occasional, as this will enlighten you on how to prepare nutritious meals for your pet daily.
Staple Vegetables
Staple veggies are safe and nutritious greens that can be fed daily. They are low in moisture, phosphorus, and goitrogens and contain high amounts of calcium. This means that your pet can eat them regularly without the risk of MBD or other metabolic problems. Examples of these plants are dandelion greens, collard greens, mustard greens, and squash.
Occasional Vegetables
As the name implies, occasional greens should be fed periodically due to their lower nutrient value compared to staple greens. They must not replace your bearded dragon’s staple greens as this could lead to malnutrition. Occasional greens should be fed three times a week to healthy bearded dragons. Examples of these are carrots, bell peppers, swiss chard, bok choy, and kale.
Cauliflower Alternatives to Feed Your Bearded Dragon as Treats
Giving treats is a great way to bond with your pet and build trust in its environment. However, they should be given more sparingly than occasional vegetables, preferably twice a month, as some may contain substances like sugars and phosphorus in large amounts that are dangerous for beardies to consume frequently.
Flowers
Some flowers are safe for bearded dragons and can be offered as occasional treats. Often, bearded dragons are more attracted to the visual appeal of brightly colored flowers than to their taste. You can offer a few shredded pieces of beardie-safe flowers like geraniums, hibiscus, or dandelions to encourage your pet to eat its greens or to motivate interaction with it.
Fruits
Fruits make excellent treats for bearded dragons and are great sources of vitamin C. Some safe fruits for your dragon include mangoes, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and figs. To better navigate feeding fruits to your pet, take a quick peek at this discussion on fruits beardies can eat.
Final Words
Although cauliflower has few benefits, it isn’t nutritious enough for beardies. I find that offering treats like figs and prickly pear can be much safer and beneficial. If your pet particularly enjoys cauliflower, ensure you offer the vegetable sparingly to prevent the aforementioned health problems from happening. Good luck!
