Kale for Bearded Dragons
iStock.com/BruceBlock

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Kale

Kale is frequently regarded as a super foods and is common in soups, salads, and dips. But is kale healthy for bearded dragons?

The short answer is yes, kale is a healthy choice for bearded dragons. You should limit kale to only a few times per week and prepare it correctly for the optimal health benefits. Read below for more details.

Kale Nutrition Overview

Below is the reptile nutrition label for kale. We created this label using information provided by the USDA and other reputable sources.

Reptile Nutrition

Kale (raw)Per 100g Serving
Core
Calories35Cal
Water Content89.63g
Carbohydrates4.42g
Total Carbohydrate4.42g
Fiber, total dietary4.1g
Sugars0.99g
Fructose0.41g
Glucose0.4g
Sucrose0.18g
Fat1.49g
Total Fat1.49g
Total saturated0.178g
12:00.006g
14:00.006g
16:00.158g
18:00.006g
Total monounsaturated0.104g
18:10.104g
Total polyunsaturated0.673g
18:20.291g
18:30.378g
20:40.003g
Proteins2.92g
Protein2.92g
Alanine0.147g
Arginine0.163g
Aspartic acid0.262g
Betaine0.3mg
Cystine0.038g
Glutamic acid0.331g
Glycine0.141g
Histidine0.172g
Isoleucine0.175g
Leucine0.205g
Lysine0.175g
Methionine0.029g
Phenylalanine0.15g
Proline0.174g
Serine0.123g
Threonine0.131g
Tryptophan0.035g
Tyrosine0.103g
Valine0.159g
Minerals
Calcium, Ca254mg
Copper0.053mg
Iron1.6mg
Magnesium33mg
Manganese0.92mg
Phosphorus, P55mg
Potassium, K348mg
Selenium0.9μg
Sodium53mg
Zinc0.39mg
Vitamins
Vitamin A, IU4812IU
Vitamin A, RAE241μg
Beta Cryptoxanthin27μg
Beta-carotene2873μg
Lutein + Zeaxanthin6261μg
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)0.113mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0.347mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)1.18mg
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)0.37mg
Vitamin B60.147mg
Vitamin B9 (Folate)62μg
Folate (from food)62μg
Folate (dietary equivalent)62μg
Vitamin C93.4mg
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol)0.66mg
Gamma Tocopherol0.14mg
Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone)389.6μg
Choline0.5mg
Other
Oxalates10mg
pH7
Nutrition Scores
Ca:P Ratio4.6:1
Ca:P RatingExceptional
Safe to Feed2-3 times/week
HealthinessHealthy

Notes/Instructions: Wash thoroughly and remove stems. Dice before serving.
Show Less
Expand

Kale Health Concerns

Kale is a very healthy food with no major health concerns. We only found one minor concern.

Slightly High Oxalates

A 100g serving of kale contains roughly 10mg of oxalates. Normally high oxalates will impact calcium absorption, however kale contains so much calcium this is not a concern. The main concern is oxalates bind to calcium before they are filtered by the kidney, which can lead to kidney stones overtime. Because of this we only recommend feeding kale to your bearded dragon no more than a few times per week.

How to Feed Kale to Bearded Dragons

Kale is easy to prepare and feed to bearded dragons. We recommend only feeding kale a few times per week due to its high oxalate content. Feeding every day should be avoided as it may lead to kidney issues.

Kale Preparation

Bearded dragons prefer raw fresh kale. So you should using cooked or frozen kale as they often have lost some of their nutrients. Below are the main steps for preparing and serving kale:

  • Thoroughly wash the kale to remove any loose debris or chemicals it may have come in contact with at the store or during transportation.
  • Bearded dragons should only be served the kale leaves, so remove the stem, stalks, and any stiff areas of the kale.
  • Cut the kale into pieces small enough that your bearded dragon can eat them without difficultly. Make sure no piece is larger than the distance between your beardies eyes.
  • Mix the kale with other veggies, fruits, or insects

Other Foods

Site Menu