Can bearded dragons eat rosemary?

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

In this article, we’ll explore the nutritional value of rosemary 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 rosemary?

Rosemary Nutritional Value for Bearded Dragons: 

Rosemary is an herb packed with nutrients including: 

• Fiber (great for bearded dragon’s digestion) 
• Calcium (vital for beardie’s growth and bone health) 
• Potassium 
• Carbohydrates 
• Vitamin C
• Iron 
• Vitamin B6 
• Magnesium 
• Vitamin A 
• Vitamin D 
• 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, rosemary 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 rosemary to your beardie? 

Rosemary has too much phosphorus to be fed to your beardie daily. You can sprinkle a pinch into their food every two to three weeks. Because of its fragrant smell, rosemary could help stimulate your bearded dragon’s appetite if they’re avoiding their food for any reason. 

Potential risks of feeding rosemary to your bearded dragon: 

Rosemary doesn’t have the ideal ratio of calcium to phosphorus for a bearded dragon’s diet. That’s why we recommend you feed your beardie this herb a few times a month, and mix it in with vegetables. 

If you were to only feed your beardie rosemary 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 have rosemary?

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 plants are poisonous to bearded dragons? 

There are several plants that are poisonous to bearded dragons. Never feed them citrus fruit (lemons, limes, kumquats) or avocados. As well, avoid giving them onions, garlic, and mushrooms. If a plant is poisonous to humans (like poison ivy), it’ll likely be poisonous to your beardie. 

What kind of flowers can bearded dragons eat? 

There are many flowers that bearded dragons can eat including dandelions, sunflowers, geraniums, carnations, orchids, and clover flowers. For a full guide to feeding bearded dragons, see our article here. 

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. 

What calms bearded dragons? 

Baths calm bearded dragons down, followed by a nice cuddle in a warm soft towel. Keep the room quiet to keep them calm as well. 

Can bearded dragons eat scrambled eggs? 

Yes, beardies can safely eat scrambled eggs. Remember not to mix in any additional ingredients that they can’t eat, and not to feed them more than roughly half an egg at a time. 

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 rosemary? 

• Bearded dragons can safely eat small pinches of rosemary every two to three weeks. 
• While rosemary has some vitamins and calcium, it should not be a staple in a bearded dragon’s daily diet. 
• Rosemary has too much phosphorus for bearded dragons to eat in large amounts. 

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

Related articles: 

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