Can Bearded Dragons Eat Dill?

Dill For Bearded Dragons, Safe or not?

Although common herbs can be part of a bearded dragons’ diet, it does not mean that it  is safe to do so. So, can bearded dragons eat dill?

While the herb is very nutritional, the answer is NO.  The dangers outweigh any possible benefits.  We do not recommend dill. If you do so, feed it in small quantities and occasionally.

This article will provide the necessary information about feeding dill to bearded dragons.

Is Dill Safe For Your Bearded Dragon Dill?

Dill is not an ideal food to add to your beardie’s diet. 

The herb is too acidic and does more harm than good. If you want to keep your beardie safe, do not feed it dill. 

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Dill Pickles?

No. Dill pickles or other preserved vegetables such as bell peppers, green and mature onions, and garlic are potentially toxic. 

Your bearded dragon can eat raw or cooked bell peppers and holy basil, but not often. Your bearded dragons eat them occasionally in a veggie mix. 

Other safe and occasional herbs include rosemary, parsley, fennel, cilantro lavender, and thyme. They should be substitutes for staple foods like dubia roaches, beet greens, and nutritious fruits like banana, apple, and papaya.

Tempting Benefits of Feeding Dill To Your Bearded Dragons

Although an acidic herb, dill contains nutrients such as fat, proteins, phosphorus, sugar, calcium, vitamin A & C, manganese, folate, and riboflavin. These nutrients are ideal for your bearded dragon to grow healthy and strong.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is a vital nutrient. It helps maintain vision, boosts the immune system, and aids in stimulating the reproductive system.

Calcium and Phosphorus

These two minerals are essential to bearded dragons and help them stay healthy in proper dosages.

Calcium helps keep their bone structure intact. Phosphorus is also essential for maintaining your pet’s health.

Hydration

Beardies need to always stay hydrated. Dehydration is an indication of poor diet or illness. Dill provides hydration for your bearded dragon.

Disadvantages of Feeding Dill to Your Bearded Dragon

Eating dill can be risky, especially if eaten too often and in large quantities. Dill should not be a staple diet for your bearded dragon for these reasons:

Excessive Vitamin A

Eating too much dill leads to an excess of vitamin A.  Fresh dill leaves and fresh dill should be eaten only in small quantities to avoid vitamin A toxicity.

High Fiber Content

Fiber is an integral part of a bearded dragon’s diet. But excessive fiber from too much dill can harm your beardie’s digestive system. 

Inappropriate Calcium-Phosphorus Ratio

The calcium phosphorus ratio should be either 1:1 or 2:1. But dill has an unbalanced calcium to phosphorus ratio which prevents your beardie from absorbing vitamin D. 

Vitamin D helps your beardies properly utilize calcium in their body. So this lower calcium level to phosphorus ratio makes the herb a poor  food choice.

Bearded Dragons and Vitamin A

Vitamin A is an essential nutrient for bearded dragons. It helps build the skin tissues, stimulates vision, and aids in growth and reproduction.

Beardies get vitamin A from canthaxanthin, carotene, and lutein which is in leafy and orange and yellow vegetables. Some nontoxic fruits are also procurers of this vitamin.

While vitamin A in dill is healthy for humans, it could lead to hypervitaminosis for your pet. 

Final Thoughts

Feeder insects, leafy greens, and some safe fruits are great options to feed your bearded dragons. Mix them well for variety to keep your bearded dragon healthy and happy.