Can Bearded Dragons Eat Celery?

Celery is a healthy food, and it can be a great idea to introduce it in a Bearded Dragon’s diet. But can the Bearded Dragon eat celery? Or should it be kept strictly off the bearded dragon’s diet?

Over the years, there have been many discussions about whether celery is nutritious enough to be served to Bearded Dragons since it’s primarily composed of water. Celery has anti-inflammatory properties and has safe calcium to phosphorus ratio. 

Is it okay for Bearded Dragons to eat celery?

Yes, bearded dragons can eat celery, which includes the stems and leaves, as long as it is a part of a balanced diet. Veterinary experts do not recommend feeding celery as it is very poor in mineral content. Since the Bearded Dragons have a tiny stomach and everything, they must eat highly nutritious food so as to cater to their complex nutritional needs. However, it is fine to feed celery to a Bearded Dragon in moderation. Bearded dragons can safely eat celery as part of their diet. 

Is celery good for Bearded Dragons?

Adding a little celery stalk in the Bearded Dragon’s diet adds to the nutritional advantages. Having said this, it’s not recommended to add celery to your Bearded Dragon’s diet on a regular basis. Celery is high in water content as well, which will help to keep your Bearded Dragon hydrated. All said, it is a fact that celery does not offer the nutritional levels as compared to the other fruits and vegetables. 

Celery is low in sugar

Celery is low in sugar. It contains 1.34g of sugar per 100g, which is low and reasonable. Excess sugar can lead to obesity, upset stomach, diarrhea, teeth and gum problems. The Bearded Dragon’s teeth are rooted directly into the jaw bone, whereas in mammals, the teeth are rooted in the sockets. This effectively means that if the Bearded Dragon suffers from any tartar build-up that causes toothache, it can quickly spread to the jaw.

This can result in several visits to the vets to get rid of these kinds of tooth problems.

Antioxidants and flavonoids

Celery contains antioxidants and, which promote heart health and reduce inflammation. It also contains Beta carotene and Vitamin C, which benefits the bearded dragon’s immune system, vision, reproduction, and growth.

High water content

Celery is high in water content. In fact, it has 95% water, which is excellent for keeping the Bearded Dragon hydrated. Since celery is mainly water, it doesn’t offer much nutrition when compared to other available options.

High Calcium to Phosphorus ratio

Calcium plays a very important role in Bearded Dragon’s growth and development. It is recommended that calcium to phosphorus ratio should be 1:1 or even 2:1. This enables calcium to get easily absorbed and keep the bones of Bearded Dragons healthy. In the case of celery, the calcium to phosphorus ratio is 1.6 : 1, which is in the ideal range for Bearded Dragons. Phosphorus binds with calcium, thereby preventing it from being absorbed into the dragon’s bloodstream. If the Bearded Dragon is not getting enough calcium or is getting too much phosphorus, he can suffer from metabolic bone disease (MBD). MBD is painful, paralyzing, and can be even fatal if it is not treated. 

Nutritional Value of Celery

The following table presents the Nutritional Information For Celery Per 100g

Note: We have included the most relevant nutritional information only

How to Feed celery?  

Most of the veggies and foods that are served to Bearded Dragons need some slightly different preparation.

Like most other veggies and fruits, celery can be eaten raw, so there’s no need to cook it for the Bearded Dragon. By choosing organic celery – you can ensure that the celery is pesticide-free. Before serving, celery stalks and leaves should be thoroughly washed and chopped and then placed on the dragon’s food bowl. 

NOTE:

Celery is highly recommended by most veterinary experts, considering that the vegetable is clean and free from any pesticides.

Below is a quick guide to adding celery to the Bearded Dragon’s food bowl:

• The celery and its stalks should be washed thoroughly if you are opting to feed those too.
• The next step is to finely chop the celery into small cubes and finely chop the leaves too.
• There’s no need to cook celery and it should be provided raw. It helps to preserve any of the nutrients it contains.
• Lastly, add the celery to the salad bowl along with other nutritious greens. 

Simply try to sprinkle a thin layer of the celery on top of the salad bowl and this is more than sufficient.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can a bearded dragon eat celery leaves?

Yes, celery leaves are also perfectly fine for Bearded Dragons to eat. One has the option to either feed just the leaves or combine the leaves and stalk in a mixed manner. By combining the leaves and stalk together (half portion of each) – you can provide one complete portion.

2. How often can Bearded Dragons eat celery?

As you know, celery doesn’t offer high volumes of key nutrients that Bearded Dragons need. Hence, it is best to consider it as a treat. It is recommended that celery be offered only once per week to once per month in small portions, in conjunction with other highly nutritious foods.

3. Why can’t Bearded Dragons have celery all the time?

Unfortunately, celery is not the perfect food for a Bearded Dragon. It can’t be a daily staple for the Bearded Dragon because of its high oxalate content. High oxalates bind with calcium and can cause MBD and kidney stones. The Bearded Dragon can become seriously ill or even die from too much celery. If one is careful about how much celery and other oxalate-high or phosphorus-rich foods are being fed to the Bearded Dragon, one will not be stressed.