Can bearded dragons eat mint?

If you’re wondering “Can bearded dragons eat mint?” the answer is a qualified yes! Bearded dragons can eat all types of mint, but they should only eat it occasionally. 

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

Can bearded dragons eat mint?

Mint Nutritional Value for Bearded Dragons: 

Mint is an herb packed with nutrients including: 

• Fiber (great for bearded dragon’s digestion) 
• Vitamin A 
• Iron 
• Manganese
• Folates 

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, mint doesn’t meet this 2:1 ratio as it barely contains any calcium. We’ve outlined ways to increase your beardie’s calcium intake below as well. 

How often should you give mint to your beardie? 

Mint provides some nutrients to your bearded dragon, but not enough calcium and other vital components that beardies need to thrive. Because of this, you should only give them a pinch of mint (cut up) into their food bowl every two to three weeks. 

Mint has a strong flavor, so it’s hard for even humans to eat more than a couple sprigs of mint at once. However, it’s the strong taste that could tempt your bearded dragon to eat. Mixing a small amount of mint might entice a reticent dragon to eat their vegetables. 

Potential risks of feeding mint to your bearded dragon: 

Mint doesn’t have the ideal ratio of calcium to phosphorus, and it can also upset a bearded dragon’s stomach if eaten in large quantities. 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 mint 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. 

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

What kind of mint can bearded dragons eat? 

Bearded dragons can safely eat all types of mint including spearmint, peppermint, and water mint. 

What herbs are safe for bearded dragons? 

There are many herbs safe for bearded dragons to eat on occasion. Among them include oregano, lavender, mint, and fennel. You can feed them homegrown herbs or store bought, but avoid feeding them herbs you find in the wild as they may be covered in pesticides. 

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! 

Can bearded dragons eat sage? 

Bearded dragons can safely eat sage, on occasion. Only feed them a pinch of sage every few weeks at most. It shouldn’t be a staple in their diet but is safe to eat here and there. 

Can bearded dragons eat coriander? 

Yes, bearded dragons can eat coriander! As well, they can eat cilantro. Coriander and cilantro are different herbs from the safe plant. They can safely eat both, on occasion. 

Can bearded dragons eat tarragon? 

Bearded dragons can eat tarragon safely. Give them a pinch roughly every two weeks as a treat. 

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 mint? 

• Bearded dragons can safely eat small amounts of mint. However, it should not be a staple in their daily diets. 
• Mint 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. 

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• Can bearded dragons eat clover?
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• Can bearded dragons eat cilantro?
• Can bearded dragons eat parsley?