When it comes to feeding our scaly friends, having a balanced and varied diet is super important. And one green veggie that often comes up is bok choy. Bok choy is packed with some fantastic nutrients that cDiet plays an important role in the health live us as well as the bearded dragons and therefore they should be fed on a balanced diet with variety of foods to be given to them. There is one green vegetable that will always pop out and that is bok choy which can be incorporated in the kids diet. Through its analysis, it was found that bok choy contains essential vitamins and minerals that are good for the bearded dragons.
Before going further the nutritional value of bok choy has to be outlined:
Bok choy is a leafy green vegetable that offers a range of nutrients important for bearded dragons:Bok choy is a leafy green vegetable that offers a range of nutrients important for bearded dragons:
– Vitamins: Vitamin A for example, which is vital for the correct vision of the eyes and the immunity; bok choy contains this vitamin. It also contains Vitamin C which is a nutrient that protects the body’s cells, supports the immune system’s functioning and helps in the absorption of iron and the production of collagen; Vitamin K which is critical in blood clotting as well as bone metabolism.
– Minerals: It is a rich source of Calcium which is very important for good bone health and development. It also contains potassium for necessary hydration and muscle functioning and iron for production of red blood cells and necessary energy.
– Fiber: Bok choy contains dietary fiber that assist in digestion of food will go a long way in ensuring there is no constipation hence a healthy digestion system.
Is It Possible to Feed Bearded Dragons with Bok Choy?
Necessary to know that bok choy is a safe vegetable for Bearded Dragons and it can be served with pleasure. However, there are a few considerations:However, there are a few considerations:
– Calcium to Phosphorus Ratio: Bok choy contains excellent calcium/phosphorus ratio and is considered as good for the bone’s health. It is however crucial for them to maintain this balance in their overall diets in order not to compromise their nutrition.
– Goitrogens: As in the case of most of the cruciferous vegetables bok choy also contains goitrogens that impact on thyroid functions when taken in large quantity. To be more precise, it does not take a lot of thinking about, in moderation though this is usually not a problem.
– Oxalates: It was also known that bok choy contained oxalates which are known to have the propensity to combine with calcium that can be problematic. One has to understand that the problems arising from oxalates are negligible when this compound is taken in moderation and as part of a balanced diet.
It is advisable to introduce this vegetable to your Bearded Dragon in small portions while at the same time feeding it other veggies, green and proteins in small bits. Make sure it is washed nicely to eliminate any dirt, or pesticide which may be present.
Benefits Incurred through Bok Choy Feeding
Including bok choy in your bearded dragon’s diet can offer several health benefits:Including bok choy in your bearded dragon’s diet can offer several health benefits:
– Hydration: Bok choy has lots of water in its composition, so it’s very useful to make the dragon drink water which is very important at times.
– Vitamins and Minerals: Bok choy is rich in vitamins and minerals that include Vitamin A for the proper functioning of the eyes, Vitamin C for immunity, Vitamin K to maintain healthy bones and minerals such as potassium that will help to boost energy.
– Fiber: And the dietary fiber found on bok choy plays a part in digestion and prevents constipation and these are essential for a healthy bowls.
–Antioxidants: Bok choy has antioxidant compounds that assist in defending the cells from damages that may be brought about by free radicals hence a sign of good health.
People have asked how to feed bok choy, and this article will explain what information people have been looking up and what methods are available they can use to feed bok choy.
When preparing bok choy for your bearded dragon, follow these guidelines:When preparing bok choy for your bearded dragon, follow these guidelines:
Washing: Wash the bok choy under running water for some times in order to drain out the soil, pesticides and other undesired elements. You need not use special solution; you can use normal water or a very mild soap which does not harm the reptile in case it needs to be washed. Ensure it is well-rinsed.
Chopping: Trim the bok choy so that you do not serve large pieces that may lead to choking especially to the dragon you are feeding.
Portion Sizes: Consume bok choy as one of the variety of foods. Try to feed your portion, that of a dragon head or 10-15% of the individual meal size.
Frequency of Feeding: Feed bok choy once or thrice a week as a way of occasionally changing the type of vegetables you feed your fish. Feeding him or her with a variety of vegetables means your dragon will get all the nutrients required in its diet.
Another option is to monitor how your bearded dragon will react towards bok choy and switch to a different amount or feed them less frequently if needed. An ideal approach to counseling about diets is to contact a reptile veterinarian for further advice regarding a specific animal.
Alternatives
There are several other green and vegetables that bearded dragons can eat and some of them include; collard greens, mustard greens, dandelion greens, kale, spinach, turnip greens among others. All of them contain different nutrients, so it is better to use these variants turning from one to another. It is mandatory to introduce new foodshee to gradually and monitor your dragon’s response to the new foods to avoid them causing adverse reactions such as vomiting.
Conclusion
As we have said earlier, greens and vegetables are an important part of the bearded dragon’s diet; common ones include bok choy, collard greens, mustard greens, dandelion greens, kale, spinach and turnip greens. Make preparations as per the required standards, portion the food correctly and also vary the vegetables offered from time to time. As a reptile owner, it is a good idea to speak with a reptile veterinarian about feeding your dragon to your dragon’s needs.
