Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello Everyone,

Just wanted to get some opinions again from fellow Bearded Dragon keepers.

So, I've had my beardy for about 10 years now, ever since he was a baby. Through the course of his life, I've offered him what all beardy's need, an omnivorous diet. Crickets and veggies were the majority of his food. Sometimes, I'd give him mealworms and silkworms as well.

As for veggies, pretty much his whole life, I've been giving him mostly romaine. He would also get the bearded dragon pellets as well quite often. Now, sometimes, if we had them in the house, I'd throw in some other greens, such as spinach, broccoli, and so on. Spinach was only fed a couple times, as I know spinach isn't the best green to be feeding them all the time. I also quite often for the past few years add carrot slivers to his romaine because he loves it. Bottom line, his veggie diet for his life has consisted of about 90% romaine respectively. Now, I am giving him other greens such as endive, collared greens, dandelion, etc. What I wanted to know from all of you, because I've been thinking about it lately, did I do the wrong thing for him his whole life, giving him mostly just romaine (and carrots mixed in about once a week)???

I know romaine is probably one of the best, if not the best veggie out there for him, as indicated in the Bearded Dragon Manual because of its moderate calcium levels, nutrition levels, and so on. But should I have been incorporating more greens into his diet throughout his life. Now, I am feeling I have in a way let him down, by maybe not giving him all the nutrients I could have.

Like I said, he has lived a long and healthy life so far, as he is 10 years old already, so obviously, I've been doing a pretty good job. Am I being too hard on myself? I just wanted some opinions and feedback from some fellow beardy lovers. Feedback is greatly appreciated!

Thank you

sorry to say, but romaine is not on of the best foods for beardies, it is high in oxalates like spinach. The switch to collards and some other greens was a good idea. The carrots are ok as a treat. there is a lot of good info here:
http://www.beautifuldragons.503xtreme.com/Nutrition.html

I think what is most important is a VARIED DIET, there is no perfect food, just like people, we need a bit of everything to make our diet complete

This all being said, don't beat yourself up, you have cared for your lizard the best you knew how, and that is more then a lot of people do!
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hanging out under heat lights burns up my brain cells!!

Po pretty much hit it on the head. Romaine nutrition wise is very low, better than iceberg lettuce but very weak compared to dandelion and collard greens. A variety of greens is the best way to go, same with insects.

As your dragon is 10 years old, you definitely provided sufficient food for it to thrive. Pellets are alright but I prefer they are not a staple...added to other greens etc is probably the best way to use them. now that he's 10, your bearded dragon is fine with occasional superwork, silk or horn worms. Mealworms are not really worth feeding due to their low meat to exoskeleton compared to superworms. Overall diet on a daily basis should only be about 10-20% insects, the rest greens for a fully adult dragon like this.
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PHLdyPayne

Forum Princess

Thank you both for your input on this subject. I appreciate the advise. Thanks again, all the best.