Can Bearded Dragon Eat Chicory?

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Chicory is good for humans. Further, since chicory is rich in beta-carotene, it’s considered good for liver, heart, and blood pressure. But should you give your bearded dragon chicory or is it safe for your dragon to eat chicory?

Fortunately, yes. Bearded dragons can eat chicory. That’s because chicory is high in calcium. Bearded dragons need calcium to prevent themselves from getting sick because of metabolic bone disease. In this disease bearded dragons have difficulty in standing up. Good thing is that apart from calcium, chicory is rich in vitamin A, vitamin C and iron. Due to this very fact bearded dragons can eat this herb every day. 

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Chicory Every Day?

As a bearded dragon owner, we always want our bearded dragons to consume their veggies including mustard greens, collard greens and staples. Herbs are a little different from veggies. Sure, they aren’t as necessary for your bearded dragon to eat. But they are rich in many nutrients that bearded dragons must eat to stay healthy. For instance, vitamin B6. 

Good thing is that you can give chicory to bearded dragons every day. Let’s see what type of nutrients are present in chicory that are beneficial for bearded dragons.

• Vitamin A, C, E and K: These nutrients help in vision, immune system, cell growth and blood. 
• Antioxidants: They are best for bearded dragon’s immune system.
• Fiber: For good digestive health, bearded dragons must eat herbs that are high in fiber. 

Which is Better for Bearded Dragons?  Fresh or Dried Chicory?

Well, the answer isn’t that difficult. Fresh chicory is best for bearded dragons. In fact, whatever herb you give to your bearded dragon, make sure that all of them are fresh. The reason is that dried herbs are concentrated and too acidic for bearded dragons. This can make your bearded dragon sick. Apart from this, your bearded dragon may prefer dried chicory over fresh chicory because of the taste.

How to Give Chicory to Bearded Dragons?

Fortunately, chicory can be prepared really quickly. Just make sure that before you give chicory to bearded dragons, you are:

1. Thoroughly rinsing it with fresh and non-chlorinated water. 
2. Chopping or cutting it in small pieces. Every food of bearded dragons must be smaller than the distance present between their eyes. 
3. Adding chicory with different herbs including lavender, basil seeds, and thyme. 

What are Some Veggies that a Bearded Dragon can Eat on Daily Basis?

Unlike chicory, there aren’t many herbs that a bearded dragon can eat on a daily basis. Fortunately, there are veggies that a bearded dragon can consume almost every day.  

• Cactus pad
• Collard greens
• Mustard greens
• Endive
• Kale
• Zucchini
• Okra
• Bell peppers

What to Look for When Buying Chicory for Bearded Dragons?

Here are some important factors that you must keep in mind when buying chicory for bearded dragons.

1. Potency

Different chicories have different potency levels. Before buying chicory, make sure it’s potent enough for bearded dragons to safely consume. 

2. Quality 

This factor is one of the most important one. Only buy chicory that’s either organic or has non-GMO ingredients. The latter means that the food has been tested for efficacy. 

3. Dosage

Make sure to give only a substantial amount of chicory to bearded dragons. Too much chicory is bad for bearded dragons. 

4. Form

Chicory comes in varying forms, including powder, and liquids. But always choose a form that’s easy for bearded dragons to consume. 

Is There Any Risk of Giving Chicory to Bearded Dragons?

Well, no. There isn’t any risk of giving chicory to bearded dragons. This herb is safe for bearded dragons as long as it’s given in small doses. 

But just to be on the safe side, it’s best to talk to your vet before giving your dragon any herb. 

What Should You Keep in Mind Before Giving Chicory to Bearded Dragons?

Before including chicory in bearded dragon’s diet, keep in mind to do the following:

1. Consult with Vet

As with any other food, it’s best to talk to your vet before adding anything in bearded dragon’s diet. That’s because the vet knows the best. They will help you determine what’s actually the right dose of chicory for your bearded dragon.  

2. Start Small

It’s stupidity to give too much chicory to bearded dragons in the first place. In fact, it’s best to start with a small dose first and then overtime increase the dose. This will help reduce chicories side effects.

3. Follow the Instructions

When giving chicory to bearded dragons, be sure to follow the instructions written on the packaging. This will ensure that your bearded dragon consumes only that much dose of chicory that’s not harmful for them. 

How to Feed Chicory to Bearded Dragon?

If your vet has given you green signal to feed chicory to your bearded dragon, there are multiple ways using which chicory can be added to dragon’s diet. Some of these ways are:

1. Add Chicory to Bearded Dragon’s Food

This is one of the best ways to ensure that your bearded dragon eats chicory. Simply add a small amount of chicory to bearded dragon’s food and then mix it. Just a quarter teaspoon of chicory will be enough for your bearded dragon. 

2. Make Chicory Tea

Another way to add chicory to bearded dragon’s diet is to make chicory tea. Now, to make chicory tea, you need to add one teaspoon of chicory in one cup of water. Further, boil it for 10 minutes. When the tea has cooled, add a half cup of it in a water dish. 

3. Hand-Feed Chicory

We love this method. If you want to spend some quality time with your bearded dragon, chop chicory into fine pieces and then hand-feed it to your dragon. 

Conclusion

Bearded dragons can definitely eat chicory. That’s because the nutrition present in chicory is best for bearded dragons. There is calcium, vitamin A, vitamin C as well as iron present in chicory. Dragons need all of these nutrients to spend a healthy and long life.