Bell pepper is one of the most nutritious vegetables out there. So, should you incorporate it into your beardies diet, or in fact, can bearded dragons eat bell pepper? Well yes, bell peppers are a good food source for your pet. So, you can easily feed this juicy vegetable to your pet from your fridge. They are easily available and more importantly cost-effective.
In the wild Beardies get their calories from various food sources. So, it is important that you mimic that food cycle as much as you can.
Apart from providing various warms for protein sources as a protein source, you need to eat incorporate greeneries in your diet too. Bell pepper comes in handy in this instance.
But how many times should you feed it peppers? And what good does it bring? Do know the answers to all of these questions and more read our whole article.
Nutritional Data of Bell Pepper
Most often new beardie breeders or owners struggle with the fact that what they should add in the pet’s food bowl and what to avoid. If you are one of those persons who are wondering can bearded dragons eat bell pepper or not then let me tell you about its nutritious value how it helps your reptile.
A single cup of chopped bell pepper provides:
| Food Value | Component |
| Total Calories | 30 |
| Protein | 1 gm |
| Water | 92% |
| Fat | A little less than 1 gm |
| Fiber | 2.5 grams |
| Sugar | 3.5 grams |
Carbs
Bell peppers are fundamentally made out of carbs, which represent the vast majority of their calorie content such as 100 grams or 3.5 ounces of pepper holding roughly 6 grams of carbs. The carbs are generally sugar components like glucose and fructose which are mainly responsible for the pleasant taste of the juicy ripe peppers. Capsicums additionally contain modest quantities of fiber; about 2%.
Vitamins and Minerals
Capsicums are stacked with different nutrients and minerals:
Nutrient C: One medium-sized red pepper gives 169% of the Referred Daily Intake (RDI) for nutrient C, making it one of the most extravagant dietary components of this fundamental supplement.
Nutrient B6: Pyridoxine is the most well-known source of nutrient B6, which is a group of supplements significant for the development of red platelets.
Nutrient K1: A type of nutrient K, otherwise called phylloquinone, K1 is significant for blood coagulating and bone density.
Potassium: This fundamental mineral might further develop a good cardiovascular system.
Folate: Otherwise called nutrient B9, folate regulates the proper function of the organs of the body.
Nutrient E: An amazing cell reinforcement component, nutrient E is fundamental for the sound nervous system and muscles.
Nutrient A: Red capsicums contain a high number of supplements of nutrient A (beta carotene), which your body turns into nutrient A.
Can Bearded Dragon Eat Bell Pepper? (A detailed Input)
At the beginning of the article, we have already discussed that bearded dragons in fact can eat bell peppers. Many vets even recommend feeding it to the pets a few times a week and verifying it as a safe food source. But if you still have your doubts about can bearded dragon eats bell pepper, then let me quote-unquote the famous veterinarian group of Vetted.
“Bell Pepper is one of the most essential secondary food sources of the beardies.”
Here are a few reasons to feed your bearded dragon bell peppers or capsicums:
- First of all, it is high in Antioxidants that effectively prevent inflammation, helps digestive system and makes the immune system strong and sound
- Vitamins A and C that improves the immune system and promotes clear vision, more reproduction, and well development and growth.
- Vitamin B6 in the bell pepper helps to create more red blood cells in your reptile’s body.
- Capsicum is a good source of Vitamin E. It aids to prevent inflammation and builds up platinate and heals the damaged cells.
- The veg is also a rich Vitamin K1 component that aids in blood clotting and promotes bone density and strength.
- Folate are the reason of healthy blood tissue. Red bell Peppers R reach ingredient of folate.
- Potassium takes care of the cardiovascular system. Bell Peppers can ensure that.
Your pet reptile can also stay hydrated if you feed it bell peppers. why? Because red bell peppers are high in water content. The question here is that can bearded dragons eat red bell peppers?
Yes, of course. Red capsicum contains the most water of all the other bell Peppers. Almost 92%, which is 1% more than green and yellow capsicum. Just be careful not to over-hydrate with red capsicums or bell peppers.
Otherwise, your pet bearded dragon will soon develop diarrhea from excess water intake, especially the little ones. This can lead to an opposite effect and cause dehydration from diarrhea. Truly, it is a vicious cycle.
What Sort of Capsicum can Bearded Dragons Eat?
Well, you can incorporate any sort of pepper in your bearded Dragons diet. They can eat almost every sort of Peppers. You can force-feed eat from his childhood and make a better habit. But it does not mean that you should.
It can cause a negative effect. So, you should incorporate just the right sort of bell Peppers. So, in case you don’t know or caused about what peppers can bearded dragons eat. Let me give you a guide.
Well, first you must know that hot peppers are not a good food choice for your beardie. It won’t cause adverse consequences per se but your pet reptile might reject it. The food might not be to their liking and this might prevent them from eating the rest of their food if the hot red peppers are blended in.
Your beardie needs to have a healthy diet to have a healthy weight, internal heat level and to develop the body and thrive. It is subsequently suggested by vets and medical centers that beardies are only given bell peppers rather than it’s hot and chilly counterparts.
Here is the type of capsicums you can feed it to your bearded dragon.
Red Bell Pepper
Well, red bell Peppers get their colors red due to the fact that they were ripened in the trees. if you give the capsicum in that tree for about 7 to 8 weeks then the color becomes red. It is sweeter and you see her than any other capsicum out there because the level of capsaicin is lower. Bearded Dragons tend to prefer sweet and moist bell Peppers.
Red bell peppers have more Vitamin C than their green and yellow counterparts. A bearded dragon’s diet must include vitamin C. Beta-carotene is an important food ingredient that can be found in red bell pepper.
It is a yellow or orange ingredient that not only gives red bell peppers their color but also provides them excellent antioxidant capabilities.
Vitamin A is found in abundance in foods that are high in antioxidants.
Vitamin A is an important part of the bearded dragon’s diet since it aids in the development of defenses against illness and infection.
This vitamin also helps the animals to see in low light and aids to improve their skin health.
While some vitamins can be artificially supplemented, Vitamin A should not be done so. This is large quantities of Vitamin A can be lethal to bearded dragons.
As a result, it is recommended that meals strong in beta-carotene be provided in the food bowl of your beardie every once in a while. Other foods sources that are highly rich in beta-carotene are any yellow, brightly colored orange, and dark green vegetables. For example, spinach, broccoli, etc. You can make a salad of these foods and feed it to your pet.
Sweet Bell Pepper
All capsicums are regarded as sweet and sugary compared to other types of peppers. But how can you measure the sweet or spice level?
Wilbur Scoville came up with the solution to that problem. In 1912, he invented the Scoville scale.
This scale is widely known as the Scoville scale and is applied to measure the “heat” or “spiciness” of the peppers.
Bell peppers have an extremely low Scoville rating. This is due to the fact that they contain a recessive feature that limits the development of capsaicin, which is the chemical that gives other peppers their spiciness.
Mint Bell Pepper
One question is asked around the internet regarding bearded dragon’s diet is that can bearded dragons eat mini sweet peppers. Mini sweet peppers, as well as the bigger bell pepper, are one of the favorite foods of the bearded dragons.
Your pet Bearded dragons can be fed bell peppers every once in a while. However, they shouldn’t eat too many of these foods because, while they are high in Vitamin A and Vitamin C, they are poor in other nutrients like calcium.
Because calcium is necessary for good health, bearded dragons should eat bell peppers and sweet mint capsicums mixed with other vegies as part of a balanced diet.
Green Bell Pepper
Green capsicums are picked away from trees in their early life cycle. So, they don’t taste as sweet as the yellow or red bell pepper.
The green peppers are a popular food choice for bearded dragons, and some bodies even prefer the green bell peppers less sweet taste.
If your lizard is not a fan of too much sweet then the green capsicum is a suitable option for him.
How Often Should You Feed Bearded Dragons Bell Peppers?
Now that you know can bearded dragon eat bell peppers and which ones are the preferable option, you should also have the knowledge of when to feed it to your reptile. Most often, newbie pet owners make one small mistake, they feed the same food every day just because the pet is consuming them with glee. How do I know?
Well, I was one of those error makers. I learned from my mistake and I would like to wear as many people as I can. Just think about it, burgers are fun to eat. Even though they are Junks, they have some nutritious value. But would you like to eat it every day? After eating it continuously for a few days, you might consume it for a few days but the natural glee won’t be there, right?
The same case applies here too. It is true that bell peppers are nutritious. But if you fed it to your pet every day, they will develop loathing towards it. They might reject the food altogether or consume it against their will. Eating like that doesn’t help the body at all.
Moreover, bell peppers cannot be fed as a staple food. Bell peppers have a low calcium content. Bearded dragons require calcium in their diet on a daily basis to maintain a healthy body and strong bones. Fragile bones and other health problems may result if they don’t get enough calcium in their diet.
How Should I Prepare Bell Peppers for Bearded Dragons?
You don’t need to go to that much hassle to feed bell pepper to your beardie really. The process is pretty straightforward. Here is how you prepare it:
- First take out the bell peppers and clean them thoroughly. But don’t keep it in the water for long. It would strip out the nutrients.
- Now cut the capsicum in two slice and take out the seeds inside it. The seeds don’t go well with the digestive system.
- After that cut the two slices into mini sizes and the bell peppers are ready to serve.
Note: You can even peel off the skin. It will be easier for your little pet to chew and digest the food.
However, I would never recommend you to feed your pet only capsicums. You need to mix it with other food ingredients. If you do, ensure that each veggie is sliced into little pieces. After that, combine all of the vegetables and set them in their feeding bowl. You can feed them bell peppers of any color. Green bell peppers are unripe and lack the nutritional value of yellow and red bell peppers.
Because bearded dragons are omnivores, their diet should consist of 50% meat and 50% veggies. You should always avoid light green vegetables, which are high in fiber and water but low in nutrition, as these do not give the nutrients that bearded dragons require.
The Negative Side of Feeding Bell Peppers to Your Bearded Dragon
With every positive side there comes a negative. Likewise, Bell Peppers have some negative sites too. Feeding capsicums to your bearded dragon has some certain drawbacks to it. let’s discuss them in detail:
Poor Calcium to Potassium Ratio
One of the prominent negative factors of capsicum is that they have a low calcium-to-phosphorous ratio. It has twice as much phosphorus as calcium. When your bearded dragon eats phosphorus-rich food, there is a danger that it will develop the metabolic bone disease. When your beardie has a calcium shortage, the various metabolic bone diseases may occur in the body.
This condition is excruciatingly painful for them and will eventually render them paralyzed. If left untreated, even death will occur over time. If the Phosphorus to Calcium ratio is too high, it will bind to the calcium and prevent your bearded dragon from absorbing it. By dusting your bearded dragon’s live food with a vitamin D3 and calcium supplement, you can easily reduce the risk of metabolic bone disease.
Over Hydration
It is a commonly known fact that feeding your bearded dragon foods that have high water content on a daily basis might lead the creature to become dehydrated. How is that possible right? Let me explain the vicious cycle. Too much water intake can cause diarrhea in your bearded dragons’ waste. If your body has an excess amount of water, it will naturally go into the machine where it will flush out that excess water.
Red capsicums contain a huge amount of water, accounting for 92 percent of their total weight. The juice inside of it can cause diarrhea where too much water will leave the body and then cause dehydration.
Less Amount of Calcium
To thrive, bearded dragons, like many other reptiles, require a calcium-rich food system. Many veggies contain a lot of calcium. However, sad to say bell peppers aren’t one of them. The quantity of calcium in a bell pepper is really poor, which is why they should not be a staple meal in your bearded dragon’s diet.
Should I Feed Baby Bearded Dragon Bell Peppers?
Yes, you can feed your baby pet capsicums or sweet bell peppers. This is to say you should not feed them to your newborn beardie in excess.
The food that your bearded dragon eats is perhaps even more crucial while they are at the age of 18 months -2 years old or even younger. So, you need to be extra careful of their diets.
At this age the beardies are still growing. So, they need a balanced diet and well nutritious food.
What you can do here is mix a few ingredients and feed them to your baby pet. Just make sure they are finely chopped and clean.
Frequently Asked Question
Can Beardies eat bell pepper?
One of the main thoughts that will come to your find after getting a bearded dragon is that what you should feed them. They can eat almost anything. And when you visit the groceries, it is tempting to feed your reptile bell peppers after looking at the price tag.
Especially since feeding pet foods and worms to your reptile needs a lofty budget at hand.
But, can bearded dragons eat bell pepper? Well, yes, they can. Beardies can eat almost any sort of capsicum.
What veggies can bearded dragons eat every day?
Here is what vegetables you can feed to your reptile every day:
Cactus pad, or prickly pear
Collard greens
Dandelion leaves
Endive or escarole
Mustard greens
Turnip greens.
Can bearded dragons eat cucumber?
Yes, bearded Dragons can eat cucumbers. But you need to peel the skin carefully otherwise they cannot digest the skin. However, you shouldn’t feet cucumbers to your pet reptile often. Maybe two to three times a month.
Can bearded dragons eat Brussel sprouts?
The occasional snack of Brussels sprouts is safe for a bearded dragon. However, because brussels sprouts is acidic and can deplete iodine in your bearded dragon’s diet. So, only offer 1/4 of a finely chopped brussels sprout once a week with your bearded dragon’s meal.
Can bearded dragons eat yellow squash?
The answer is yes. A bearded dragon can have yellow squash. These vegetables contain some quality minerals and essential vitamins that help the sustainable growth of your pet.
Can bearded dragons eat asparagus?
Asparagus has the potential to make your dragon sick. Asparagus can be very stringy, making it difficult for dragons to eat if the pieces are too large. To avoid your bearded dragon choking, chop the raw or cooked asparagus into extremely little pieces.
Can bearded dragons eat blackberries?
Yes, blackberry and bramble leaves are edible to bearded dragons. They are, however, deficient in nutrition and do not constitute a decent staple. They may also be high in oxalates and should be avoided if your reptile is still a baby or is going through diarrhea or any other disease. It may cause inflation in those cases
Conclusion
Now you know the detailed answer to your question, can bearded dragons eat bell pepper? They can eat the most known types of capsicum. But you should always be cautious. Never force-feed it if your reptile rejects it continuously. Always remember, we all have our own likings and preferences.
Moreover, be careful of the amount you are giving your bearded dragons. There should be a well balance of protein, minerals, vitamins, potassium, and calcium. A single food source won’t cut it.
Try to incorporate fresh veggies and meat in equal portions. And most importantly make sure that your reptile is enjoying the food. That’s all we have to say about this topic. Keep an eye on our website for more information on bearded dragons.