CAN BEARDED DRAGON EAT ASPARAGUS?
If Bearded dragon can consume every other type of vegetable then asparagus is not left out. Feeding asparagus to your dragon weekly is not a bad idea. It can be served to your dragon either in a cooked form or raw form but in most cases earthly tasting vegetables is more preferrable to dragons as they are highly nutritious and effective in that state. Cooking asparagus usually makes it lose a good portion of oxalates, which is not helpful to your dragon. Based on the strong flavor asparagus has, most bearded dragon tends to crave it and sometimes depending on the dragon some might not.
ASPARAGUS
This is a perennial flowering vegetable plant which is officially known as asparagus officinalis and also referred to as sparrow grass derived from a folk name. Green, purple and white are the color varieties that comes with asparagus. It is used for functional purposes that enables the young shoots to be used as spring vegetables in various world class dishes like salad, pasta, stir fries and frittatas. Essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants are fully packed in asparagus with low percentage of calories too. The set of healthy nutrients present in this vegetable are as follows, calories, protein, fat, fiber, vitamin A, C, E and K, folate, potassium and phosphorous. Some micro nutrients are also processed along side iron, zinc and riboflavin. Asparagus has very high folate nutrient therefore female bearded dragons are rest assured of a healthy pregnancy.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF ASPARAGUS TO BEARDED DRAGON.
- Taking good care of your pet is very encouraged most especially your bearded dragon. Which is why vitamin A is important in their daily meals. As a pet owner seeing your dragon grow healthily with other part of their body functioning properly is very delightful. Vitamin A helps boost the immune system in your dragon making them resistant to infections and diseases. The eyes and the skin are not excluded as good vision can help your dragon observe its environment and sight its prey easily and a healthy skin makes them attractive to carry and touch.
- Just like in humans, the bearded dragon also has a body that is made up of tissues and these tissues usually need repair. Vitamin C is an essential nutrient in food that should be constantly supplied to the body for the purpose of growth, development, and body tissue repairs. Collagen formation, iron absorption and an effective immune system is what the body derives from vitamin C intake. Cases of slow healing wounds on the body of your dragon can be hastened up by this vitamin C. Other areas of the body like the cartilage, bones and teeth are being maintained by vitamin C.
- Many pet lovers acquire their pets in pairs, male and female. What is the reason for this? It is for the purpose of multiplication which can otherwise be called reproduction. For some, they might just have one of the pairs either male or female. Which ever way it is, both parties still look forward to reproduction. In preparation of your bearded dragon for the mating season vitamin E must be present in most of their diet as it can aid reproduction in your dragon. When infection or diseases enters into the body of your dragon it affects the blood making it unhealthy but due to antioxidants properties in vitamin E this can be prevented. Vitamin E also works for vision, brain and skin.
- Every living creature like the bearded dragon is prone to one injury of some sort or the other which usually has a thing to do with blood excretion known as bleeding. When blood vessels in the body are injured, excessive bleeding is experienced but this process can be prevented through the production of blood clotting. Vitamin K helps in producing the proteins needed for making these blood clots.
- Every activity taking place both within and outside the body makes use of energy. Have you ever wondered how the body stores up and manages the energy used? Phosphorus plays a vital role in this aspect and since it is present in asparagus as one of the nutrients derived from consuming it, introducing asparagus to your dragons diet is advisable. Waste in the kidney is extracted through phosphorus activities in the body as it is found in cells and tissue all over the body in small amounts.
- Blood pressure, fluids in cells, are maintained at a normal level based on the activity of potassium which can be gotten from asparagus.
SIDE EFFECT OF ASPARAGUS TO BEARDED DRAGON.
- FLATULENCE: Asparagus contains some level of carbohydrate and fiber which can tend to gas accumulation in the digestive tract or alimentary canal.
- Stomach cramps and gastric upset.
- SMELLING URINE: This vegetable is made up of aspargusic acid which is later broken down into sulfur compounds. Thereby giving the urine an offensive smell.
- DRY MOUTH: Asparagus, being a diuretic vegetable with potential to drain water out of the body of both man and a powerful stem, can lead to consistent thirst for water or liquid substances.
- ALLERGIES: Various signs can manifest showing symptoms of allergies as a result of consumption. Some of which might be runny nose, skin itches, headaches, dizziness and the likes.
- WEIGHT LOSS: Excessive consumption of asparagus can lead to weight loss based on the diuretic nature of this particular vegetable plant that drains out water from the body through all the body excretory organs especially urine.
HOW TO FEED IT TO YOUR DRAGON
Asparagus is very nutritious just like other vegetables but due to some of the side effects it comes with, it should be served to your bearded dragon in limited quantities per week. A mix with other vegetables can be done. It is best served to your dragons raw not cooked in order to keep the oxidant in it intact to avoid reduction as experienced in the cooked version.
IN CONCLUSION
Asparagus is highly recommended for your bearded dragon. From the amount of health benefits that your dragon can derive from it I think it is time to infuse it into your dragons diet. The health of your dragon is important and asparagus can go a long way with supplying your dragon with the necessary healthy nutrients it needs. So, would you try it today?
