Can bearded dragons eat dill?

If you’re wondering “Can bearded dragons eat dill?,” the answer is a qualified yes! Bearded dragons can eat dill, although like most herbs, it should be given to them only on occasion.

In this article, we’ll explore the nutritional value of dill for bearded dragons and how to feed them properly. As well, see our full guide to What herbs can bearded dragons eat?

Table Of Contents

Dill Nutritional Value for Bearded Dragons:

Dill is an herb packed with nutrients including:

Fiber (great for bearded dragon’s digestion)
Calcium (vital for beardie’s growth and bone health)
Vitamin C
Magnesium
Iron
Carbohydrates
Vitamin D
Vitamin A
Phosphorus

Source: Web MD

A note on phosphorus: In bearded dragons, it’s important to be aware of the phosphorus and calcium content in food you feed them. Why? Bearded dragons need a good amount of calcium to grow and to maintain bone and muscle health in adulthood. However, phosphorus inhibits the absorption of calcium if there’s too much of it, relative to the calcium amount.

You should aim for a 2:1 ratio of 2 parts calcium to 1 part phosphorus. Unfortunately, dill doesn’t meet this 2:1 ratio. We’ve outlined ways to increase your beardie’s calcium intake below as well.

How often should you give dill to your beardie?

Dill and dill leaves tend to have too much acid to be fed to your beardie daily. You can sprinkle a pinch into their food every two to three weeks.

Potential risks of feeding dill to your bearded dragon:

Dill doesn’t have the ideal ratio of calcium to phosphorus, and it is also quite high in acid. That’s why we recommend you feed your beardie this herb a few times a month, and mix it in with other greens.

If you were to only feed your beardie dill daily with no other vegetables, they would suffer from a calcium deficiency and over time, it would harm their bone and muscle health. This could lead to brittle bones and even paralysis.

As well, the high acid content could seriously harm their sensitive digestive tracts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Can bearded dragons eat dill?

Can bearded dragons eat dill leaves?

Yes, bearded dragons can eat dill leaves, but only in small quantities.

Can bearded dragons eat parsley?

Bearded dragons can eat parsley every two to three weeks. Although parsley has a small amount of calcium, it also has a lot of oxalates, which can be toxic to beardies over time. For more on feeding bearded dragons parsley, see our guide here.

Can bearded dragons eat rosemary?

Yes, bearded dragons can eat rosemary on occasion. If they overeat rosemary, it will likely cause digestive issues.

Can bearded dragons eat oregano?

Bearded dragons can eat a sprinkle of oregano or they can chew on an oregano occasionally. A good rule of thumb is twice a month.

What is a bearded dragon’s favorite vegetable?

It’s hard to say because every bearded dragon has different tastes, but in general they love mustard greens and dandelions. Try out different vegetables to see which one your dragon responds most enthusiastically towards.

Can Beardies eat cilantro?

Bearded dragons can eat cilantro leaves and seeds, in small amounts.

Can Beardies eat basil?

Yes, bearded dragons can eat basil. While it’s safe for them to eat this herb, it should only be given to them sparingly, once a week at most.

What fruit is toxic to bearded dragons?

High acid fruit like citrus should never be fed to your bearded dragons. This includes lemons, limes, oranges, grapefruits, and kumquats. As well, avoid feeding them avocados!

Foods bearded dragons can eat:

If you’re wondering what you should feed a bearded dragon, read our guidelines below. Bearded dragons are insectivores, which just means they thrive on insects as well as plant materials.

If you have a juvenile bearded dragon (between six and eighteen months old), give them about 80% vegetables and 20% live insects.

As your bearded dragon transitions into adulthood, give them the inverse, so 20% plant materials and 80% insects.

Getting your bearded dragon calcium:

Calcium is especially vital to a bearded dragon, especially a young one that is still growing. There are several ways to introduce more calcium into your beardie’s diet:

Add in more high calcium vegetables like dandelions, bok choy, and collard greens.
Dust calcium powder over their insects and vegetables to increase calcium levels.
Make sure they’re getting their 12 hours of UVB exposure as they need this light to be able to properly absorb nutrients.

Vegetables to feed your bearded dragon:

Peas
Dandelion
Green beans
Cabbage
Zucchini
Pumpkin
See our full list of vegetables to feed your bearded dragon

Note: Bearded dragons can also eat fruit in moderation. See here for a complete list of fruits bearded dragons can eat.

Insects to feed your bearded dragon:

Crickets
Kingworms
Waxworms
See our full guides to insects you can feed your bearded dragon and worms to feed your bearded dragon

Quick note: Live insects raised by you or bought from the pet store are best because they’re definitely pesticide free.

How often should you feed a bearded dragon?

During the first 3-6 months of your beardie’s life, try to feed them four to five times a day by giving them as many insects as they’d like in 10 minutes. They’re growing and need lots of protein during this stage.

Reduce the number of feedings to about two to three times a day when they’re growing into their juvenile years (between six and eighteen months).

As they become an adult, you can feed them once daily.

What should a bearded dragon not eat?

Avoid feeding your bearded dragon:

Onions
Leeks
Chives
Mushrooms
Garlic
Acidic fruit like oranges, lemons
Rhubarb (can be toxic to them)
Avocados (surprisingly, these make them ill)
Eggplant
Insects caught in the wild (there may be pesticides covering them)
Venomous insects
Dairy of any kind
Rice and grains of any kind
Frogs or toads
Ham or other processed meats

Recap: Can bearded dragons eat dill?

Bearded dragons can safely eat small amounts of dill.
However, dill should not be a staple in their daily diets.
Dill has too much phosphorus and acid for bearded dragons to eat in large amounts.

For our full list of food to feed a bearded dragon, see our guide here.