Can bearded dragons eat green onions?

Green Onions – The Verdict Is In – Toxic Or Not Toxic

Bearded dragon owners have multiple options to choose from when it comes to their pets’ diets.  Researching different food options and identifying items your bearded dragon cannot eat is recommended

That said, can bearded dragons eat green onions? 

The answer is no, Bearded dragons should not eat any form of onions under any circumstances.

This article will explore green onions in bearded dragons’ diets and cover other related information.

Nutrients Found In Green Onion

Understanding the nutritional value of onions is essential and will help determine the risks and benefits of green onions in a bearded dragon’s diet.

According to the US. Department of Agriculture, the nutritional benefits contained in 100g of onion, can be seen below.

The above table indicates that onions contain several acidic nutrients, which is why green onions are too acidic for your bearded dragon to digest.

Bearded dragons have a delicate digestive system.  The acids can be toxic to them.

Risks Of Feeding Green Onions To Bearded Dragons

By now, you should know that green onions are among the poisonous foods you need to avoid as far as bearded dragons are concerned.  To find out more about the risks, read on.

Disproportionate Ca:P

The proportion of calcium to phosphorus in onions is unbalanced.

Phosphorus has a high calcium-binding ability.  It is not suitable for your bearded dragon due to the ion imbalance caused in the body.  

The proper calcium to phosphorus ratio for beardies is 1:1 or 2:1.  A high phosphorus ratio will bind with calcium and inhibit calcium absorption in your pet lizard’s body.  

When the calcium levels in your bearded dragon’s bloodstream are too low, they start extracting calcium from its bones. emoving calcium from the bones can eventually lead to calcium deficiency, causing Metabolic bone Disease (MBD).

The disease causes severe bone, muscle, and tissue damage, resulting in paralysis or death.   Alert your vet immediately if you notice any signs of metabolic bone disease in your bearded dragon. These include: 

• Lack of appetite
• Lethargy and weakness
• Stress
• Constipation
• Receded lower jaw
• Swollen limbs and jaw
• Bumps along the spine or bones
• Soft jaw, and facial bones
• Bowed limbs and arched spine
• Fractures and broken bones
• Greenstick fractures (folded or bent bones)
• Trembling and twitching limbs
• Tremors and seizures
• Paralysis or difficulty moving

Unfortunately MBD is one of the most common diseases among domestic bearded dragons. Still, it is easily preventable with proper diet and care.

Toxification Of The Digestive System

Bearded dragons has delicate digestive systems that can cause problems when ingesting the toxic substances in green onions.  If your beardie eats green onions, it can lead to vomiting, burning sensation, and incomplete digestion.

High Acidic Level

The high acidic level in green onions may cause a burning sensation on the tongue and throat of the bearded dragon.  When bearded dragons eat green onions, they will become irritated and stop eating.

Green Onions can also cause heartburn and irritation in the throat.  The high acid content interferes with the normal function of the digestive enzymes in the stomach by de-activating them.

Eventually, there will be poor digestion and absorption of nutrients in your bearded dragon’s body.

Onion In Any Form Is Bad For Bearded Dragons

Some bearded dragon owners believe that cooked onions are safe for your dragon to consume..  . They are not. Onions in all forms are a danger to your pet lizard.

When buying mixed vegetables at the supermarkets, make sure that the mix you buy for your beardie does not contain any onions.

Unintentional Feeding Of Onions To Your Bearded Dragon

here is always the possibility of feeding green onions to your bearded dragon accidentally.

A once-off incident may not necessarily cause serious harm if your beardie ingests a small quantity of onion.

If your bearded dragon consumes green onions, keep an eye on him for anything out of the norm.  We strongly recommend that you take your pet dragon to the vet immediately.

Are Other Vegetables Dangerous To Bearded Dragons?

Green onions are not the only vegetable unsafe for your bearded dragon.  Other vegetables you should not feed your pet include but are not limited to

• Avocado
• Spinach
• Rhubarb

Wrapping Up

To conclude, we will ask again:  Can bearded dragons eat green onions?  The answer is an absolute NO as in N O..  Onions have high acidic content and disproportionate calcium to phosphorus ratio.  Although safe for humans, onions are harmful to bearded dragons.

It is hard to know what foods are safe to feed your bearded dragon.  Some food that seems harmless and even highly nutritional can prove harmful and even fatal to a bearded dragon.

Always research new food you wish to introduce to your bearded dragon, and if unsure, you can ask your vet for advice.

Continue to read our main article “What do Bearded Dragons Eat?” for all the ins and outs on general diet questions, and get a further detailed breakdown of other popular foods in the articles below:

• Can bearded dragons eat spinach?
• Can bearded dragons eat broccoli?
• Can Bearded dragons eat bell peppers?
• Can bearded dragons eat green beans?
• Can bearded dragons eat collard greens? 
• Can bearded dragons eat bok choy?
• Can Bearded Dragons eat dandelions?
• Can Bearded Dragons eat nightcrawlers?
• Can Bearded Dragons eat earthworms?
• Can Bearded Dragons eat eggs?
• Can Bearded Dragons eat basil?
• Can Bearded Dragons eat peaches?
• Can Bearded Dragons eat grasshoppers?
• Can Bearded Dragons eat sweet potato?
• Can Bearded Dragons eat hornworms?
• Can Bearded Dragons eat Mice?
• Can Bearded Dragons eat Blueberries?