Are you wondering whether bearded dragons can eat potatoes? Are you thinking of changing your bearded dragon’s diet? Are you wondering whether health benefits or health risks will derive from such consumption of potatoes by your bearded dragon?
Can bearded dragons eat potatoes?
Bearded dragons can definitely eat potatoes as this consumption of potatoes by your bearded dragon can help with its bone repairment, vision/eyesight, hydration boosting, and so on only if you do not overdo the addition of potatoes in your bearded dragon’s diet.
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When it comes to baby bearded dragons, you need to put extra effort and care therefore, it is important to know whether or not baby bearded dragons can eat potatoes to eradicate any unnecessary confusion.
Baby bearded dragons:
Baby bearded dragons need nutritious foods to enhance their forming process. Therefore, the addition of potatoes in baby bearded dragons’ diet can add many benefits such as enhanced eyesight, enhanced bone structure, hydration boost, and so on.
However, there are more disadvantages than advantages that come from the consumption of potatoes by your baby bearded dragon as it can cause your baby bearded dragon to lose energy, have damaged teeth, and have a misbalanced ratio of calcium and phosphorus.
Are potatoes safe for bearded dragons?
Potatoes are safe for bearded dragons only if it is consumed in a trivial manner as overdosing on potatoes can cause severe health risks for your bearded dragons.
Additionally, the high level of sugar, phosphorus content, starch, carbohydrate, and so on will have a detrimental effect on your bearded dragon as it will cause digestion problems, obesity, vomiting, and so on if eaten in an excessive manner.
In addition, when potatoes are eaten by your bearded dragon as a simple snack once or twice a month, it will boost the hydration level, vitamin A, and C in your bearded dragon.
Can bearded dragons eat all types of potatoes?
It is really important to know whether or not all types of potatoes are edible for bearded dragons therefore, being knowledgeable about the preferred types of potatoes that are edible and safe for bearded dragons can help you to mold your decisions accordingly.
Sweet potatoes:
Your bearded dragon can definitely eat sweet potatoes and this consumption of sweet potatoes can be beneficial for your bearded dragon as it has low carbohydrate and much-needed nutrition and fibers.
Raw potatoes:
Raw potatoes are more beneficial than cooked ones for your bearded dragons. Additionally, you also need to make sure to give raw potatoes to your bearded dragon once or twice a month.
Consequently, this is because overconsumption of raw potatoes by your bearded dragon can cause several digestion problems, lethargy, obesity, lack of appetite, and so on.
Mashed potatoes:
Bearded dragons can eat mashed potatoes but it has little to nothing nutritious value and bearded dragons also have a tendency to prefer food that is fresh and raw.
In addition, the addition of mashed potatoes to your bearded dragon’s diet will fill up the bearded dragon’s stomach unnecessarily but will not add any potential health benefits.
Additionally, mashed potatoes are jam-packed with phosphorus which is again not necessary for your bearded dragon in a heavy amount and that is why bearded dragons will not eat mashed potatoes.
Cooked Potatoes:
Bearded dragons do not really enjoy eating cooked food as they only love eating fresh and vibrant foods.
Therefore, bearded dragons will not technically eat cooked potatoes but if you happen to serve cooked potatoes in your bearded dragon’s diet, they may eat it but it will not have tremendous health value for them.
Red potatoes:
Bearded dragons can eat red potatoes however, red potatoes should be given to your bearded dragon only as a snack, not as a staple food.
Accordingly, this is because red potatoes will not be highly beneficial as red potatoes are low in calcium, vitamin A, Vitamin C, and so on.
In addition, another reason why red potatoes are not the best for bearded dragons is due to the high carbohydrate level.
White potatoes:
Bearded dragons may eat white potatoes occasionally however, white potatoes are filled with high levels of starch and carbohydrate which is why it is not a good fit for your bearded dragon.
Baked potatoes:
Your bearded dragon will eat everything you give but it is not a good decision to give your bearded dragon baked potatoes to eat as the baking process of the potatoes will reduce the nutritious value.
Additionally, if you feed your bearded dragon baked potatoes, the heavy amount of carbohydrates can fill up your bearded dragon’s stomach very quickly with all the unwanted elements.
Accordingly, this overconsumption of baked potatoes will also lead to obesity.
Potato skins/peels:
Bearded dragons will not eat potato skins or peels as these are very hard for them to chew as bearded dragons have low chewing ability.
In addition, the consumption of these peels/skins of potatoes can actually cause choking problems in bearded dragons so therefore, it is best to subtract them from their diet.
Potato leaves:
Potato leaves are edible for bearded dragons, but it is best to not give them potato leaves as potato leaves may contain some toxic elements which can cause severe health risks for your bearded dragon.
Potato chips:
Bearded dragons will not eat potato chips as bearded dragons have a low chewing ability and the high level of fat and carbohydrate in potato chips is another reason why bearded dragons will not prefer to eat potato chips.
“4” reasons why bearded dragons should not eat potatoes
Bearded dragons should not eat potatoes on a regular basis and therefore being knowledgeable about the proper reasons can help you to mold your decisions accordingly.
Excessive Phosphorus:
One of the most crucial reasons behind the phenomenon why bearded dragons shouldn’t eat potatoes is related to the high phosphorus level found in potatoes.
Accordingly, bearded dragons’ tissue restoration, development of skeletal, filtering of waste, and so on are ensured by an equal ratio of both phosphorus and calcium.
However, when potatoes are consumed by your bearded dragons frequently, the phosphorus intake becomes high and the calcium intake becomes low which thus creates a misbalanced ratio between calcium and phosphorus.
High in Carbohydrate:
Another very important reason why bearded dragons should not eat potatoes is related to the high amount of starch or carbohydrate that are found in potatoes. In addition, bearded dragons need a specified amount of exercise for ensuring a healthy lifestyle.
However, when potatoes are consumed by your bearded dragon in a large amount, the high level of carbohydrate and starch will cause your bearded dragon to lessen its activity which will eventually lead to obesity.
Excessive Amount of Sugar:
Bearded dragons should not also eat potatoes due to the high sugar content of potatoes. Additionally, the high sugar content of the potatoes will cause several issues like dehydration, tooth decaying problems, digestion-related problems, and so on.
Vitamin A Toxicity:
Vitamin A that is found in potatoes in ample amounts can help your bearded dragon to have better bone health, growth, eye health, and so on only when taken in a trivial manner.
In addition, overdosing on this vitamin A can cause nausea, lack of appetite, and vomiting which are indications of vitamin A toxicity in your bearded Dragons.
How often can you feed potatoes to your bearded dragon?
You need to make sure to give potatoes to your bearded dragon once or twice a month. Additionally, this is because the beneficial elements of potatoes can be overshadowed by the overconsumption of potatoes.
Moreover, when potatoes are consumed by your bearded dragon in a minimal amount, this can give your bearded dragon the much-needed hydration boost.
In addition, it can also be a great source of fibers for your bearded dragon which can ensure a good digestion system.
However, if you frequently give your bearded dragon potatoes, it can result in a misbalance of phosphorus and calcium.
How to feed bearded dragons potatoes?
There are several ways with which you can make potatoes more palatable and edible for your bearded dragon.
Additionally, the first thing you need to do to feed your bearded dragon potatoes is related to choosing fresh potatoes.
After that, you need to wash the potatoes very thoroughly. Additionally, you now need to cook the potatoes or you can serve them raw to your bearded dragon.
However, you need to keep in mind that the cooking process of the potatoes will results in less nutrition and vitamins therefore, if you use the raw potatoes and finely dice or grate them and then add them to your bearded dragon’s diet, it will result in more beneficial advantages.
Final Thoughts
Your bearded dragon can be benefited occasionally by snacking on potatoes once or twice a month. This is because overconsumption of potatoes can have serious effects on the health of bearded dragons such as diarrhea, vomiting problems, nausea, dehydration, obesity, and so on.