Vegetables are the main staple in a bearded dragon’s diet. They are a great source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, essential for their health.
However, not all vegetables are created equal. For example, some vegetables are better for beardies than others.
As owners of these reptiles, it’s essential to know which vegetables are safe for bearded dragons to eat and which ones should be avoided. Among the choices of veggies, you’ve probably come across Cauliflower and wondered if it’s something you can feed your beardie.
So, can bearded dragons eat Cauliflower?
Unfortunately, Cauliflower isn’t the type of veggie you want to be feeding your bearded dragon. There are many safer options; buying Cauliflower for your bearded dragon is just a waste of money.
Generally speaking, Cauliflower is fine to feed to your bearded dragon. However, since you can only feed it to your beardie a few times per month, the best thing to do is steer clear of it and give them other more beneficial vegetables for their health.
Everything about Cauliflower doesn’t make it an ideal food for beardies. For instance, it’s low in water and high in phosphorus, both of which are bad for your bearded dragon.
In addition, Cauliflower also contains Goitrogens. This compound can disrupt the production of thyroid hormones, which is never a good thing.
So, if you’re looking for veggies to add to your bearded dragon’s diet, Cauliflower should not be one of them. Instead, let’s delve deeper into this vegetable and find out more information as to why it’s an absolute no-no for bearded dragons.
What Is Cauliflower?
Cauliflower is a cruciferous vegetable in the same family as broccoli, cabbage, bok choy, kale, Brussel sprouts, and collard greens. It’s a white-colored veggie that’s made up of a compact head of undeveloped flower buds.
Cauliflower is usually eaten cooked and can be boiled, fried, baked, or steamed. It’s often used as a low-carb alternative to rice or potatoes.
Cauliflower is a very healthy vegetable for humans. It contains vitamins C, K, and B6 and is also a good fiber, protein, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium source.
Cauliflower can be helpful in weight loss, maintaining cardiovascular health, and boosting the immune system. It’s also believed to help fight cancer.
A cup of Cauliflower contains 25 calories, 0 grams of fat, 5 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, 2 grams of sugar, 2 grams of protein, and 30 milligrams of sodium. So, looking at it from a nutritional standpoint, Cauliflower is a pretty decent veggie for humans to eat.
Is Cauliflower Safe For Bearded Dragons?
While feeding a small portion of Cauliflower at moderate intervals may be okay, they’re not entirely safe for rabbits. Due to its unbalanced calcium to phosphorus ratio and minimal nutritional benefits, feeding Cauliflower to your bearded dragon is not worth it.
Besides, tons of other vegetables are way better for your bearded dragon. So, if you want to add vegetables to your diet, consider other options before considering Cauliflower.
Why Is Cauliflower Bad For Bearded Dragons?
If it’s good enough for humans, why can’t bearded dragons eat Cauliflower? Well, as it turns out, Cauliflower contains a lot of other things that are completely bad for bearded dragons.
The glaring issue with Cauliflower is its calcium to phosphorus ratio, which is completely imbalanced. For every 100 grams of Cauliflower, there are only 18 milligrams of calcium and 220 milligrams of phosphorus.
If you didn’t know, bearded dragons need calcium, and phosphorus absorbs the calcium away. Cauliflower also contains small amounts of vitamins and nutrients that are not enough to impact a bearded dragon’s diet.
The other glaring issue with Cauliflower is its limited water content. Which already makes it inferior to other vegetables. Bearded dragons need a lot of water to stay hydrated, and Cauliflower doesn’t have enough of it.
Add the fact that Cauliflower also contains Goitrogens, and it’s just not worth feeding to your bearded dragon. Goitrogens are a type of compound that can disrupt the production of thyroid hormones.
Can Cauliflower Poison Your Bearded Dragon?
No, Cauliflower cannot poison your bearded dragon. However, that doesn’t mean that it’s good for them either.
As mentioned before, Cauliflower is not a good vegetable for bearded dragons. Its imbalanced calcium to phosphorus ratio can be dangerous for them, and the small amounts of vitamins and nutrients are not enough to make a difference.
The Goitrogens found in Cauliflower can also disrupt the production of thyroid hormones, negatively impacting your bearded dragon’s health.
So, while Cauliflower won’t poison your bearded dragon, it’s still not a good idea to feed it to them. There are plenty of other veggies that are much better for them.
Health Benefits of Cabbage to Rabbits
Decent Amount Of Vitamins And Minerals
The health benefits of Cauliflower are minimal compared to other vegetables. However, it does contain a decent amount of vitamins and minerals. So while it may not be enough, it’s still something.
Some of the vitamins and minerals found in Cauliflower include Vitamin C, K, and B6. It also contains a decent amount of potassium, manganese, and magnesium.
Low Oxalic Acid
Oxalic acid, or Oxalate, is a type of organic compound that you can find in many plants. This compound can bind with calcium and prevent its absorption of it.
While this is not an issue for humans, it can be a big problem for bearded dragons. This is because they need calcium to grow and stay healthy.
Fortunately, Cauliflower contains a low amount of Oxalic acid. This means that it won’t bind with calcium and prevent absorption.
Risks of Feeding Cauliflower to Your Bearded Dragon
The Imbalanced Calcium To Phosphorus Ratio
As mentioned before, Cauliflower contains an imbalanced calcium to phosphorus ratio. So since there’s more phosphorus, it will bind with the calcium and prevent absorption.
This can be a big problem for bearded dragons since they need calcium to grow and stay healthy. If they’re not getting enough, it can lead to health problems down the road.
The Goitrogens In Cauliflower
Goitrogens are a type of compound found in a lot of plants. They can disrupt the production of thyroid hormones, negatively affecting your bearded dragon’s health and wellbeing.
If your bearded dragon’s thyroid isn’t functioning correctly, it may affect its metabolism and growth. It will eventually cause a host of problems if left unchecked.
While the Goitrogens in Cauliflower are not enough to cause health problems, it’s still something to be aware of, especially if you’re feeding it to your bearded dragon regularly.
Limited Nutrients And Vitamins
As we’ve mentioned before, Cauliflower contains limited nutrients and vitamins. So while it does include some, it’s not enough for your bearded dragon’s diet. There are plenty of other vegetables out there that are much better for them.
As you can see, the negatives far outweigh the positives when feeding Cauliflower to your bearded dragon. That’s why it’s best to avoid it altogether and look for other, safer vegetables.
Frequently Asked Questions
What To Do When Your Beardie Overeats Cauliflower?
Eating Cauliflower in moderation won’t hurt your bearded dragon. However, overeating can be dangerous.
If you think your bearded dragon has overeaten Cauliflower and is showing signs of illness, it’s best to take them to the vet immediately. Some signs to look out for include lethargy, loss of appetite, and signs of distress.
Can I Feed Cauliflower To My Baby Bearded Dragon?
No, you should not feed Cauliflower to your baby bearded dragon. Instead, their diet should consist of mostly insects, with a limited amount of vegetables.
As they grow older, you can start to incorporate more vegetables into their diet if you want to. However, it’s best to avoid Cauliflower altogether. There are plenty of other, safer vegetables for them to eat.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cauliflower Greens?
Ironically, the greens of Cauliflower are healthier for bearded dragons to eat than the actual veggie itself. This is because they’re higher in calcium and lower in phosphorus, which is better for their health.
What’s The Alternative To Cauliflower
There are tons of other veggies that are better at everything than Cauliflower. However, if you want to choose a veggie belonging to the same cruciferous family, you should opt for collard greens.
They have much better calcium to phosphorus ratio at 14:1 and are also a good source of fiber and Vitamin A. These offers make them a much better option for bearded dragons than Cauliflower.
You should still only feed them to your bearded dragon in moderation. They’re not a substitute for other, more nutrient-rich vegetables.
Can You Feed Cooked Cauliflower To Your Bearded Dragon?
No, you should not feed cooked Cauliflower to your bearded dragon. The cooking process breaks down the nutrients and vitamins, making it even less nutritious than raw Cauliflower.
Additionally, cooked Cauliflower is more likely to cause gastrointestinal problems in bearded dragons. So, if you’re going to feed your bearded dragon Cauliflower, it’s best to stick to raw.
So, Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cauliflower?
No, bearded dragons should not eat Cauliflower. It contains too much negative vitamins and insufficient nutrients to make it worth feeding them.
There are plenty of other, safer vegetables for your bearded dragon to eat. So, stick to those and avoid Cauliflower altogether. Your bearded dragon will be better off for it in the long run.