Can Bearded Dragons Eat Parsley
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Can Bearded Dragons Eat Parsley

Parsley is most often used as a garnish or for added flavor in pastas, salads, and other dishes. But how safe is parsley for bearded dragons and are there any health concerns if someone feeds parsley to their beardie?

The short answer is parsley is not a healthy food, but it can be fed to beardies as an occasional garnish. Try to follow the guidelines and recommendations below to reduce any concerns when feeding parsley to bearded dragons.

Parsley Nutrition Overview

Below is the reptile nutrition label for parsley. We created this label with nutrition data supplied by the USDA and other reputable sources.

Reptile Nutrition
Parsley (fresh)Per 100g Serving
Core
Calories36Cal
Water Content87.71g
Carbohydrates6.33g
Total Carbohydrate6.33g
Fiber, total dietary3.3g
Sugars0.85g
Fat0.79g
Total Fat0.79g
Total saturated0.132g
14:00.008g
16:00.084g
18:00.039g
Total monounsaturated0.295g
16:10.008g
18:10.287g
Total polyunsaturated0.124g
18:20.115g
18:30.008g
Proteins2.97g
Protein2.97g
Alanine0.195g
Arginine0.122g
Aspartic acid0.294g
Cystine0.014g
Glutamic acid0.249g
Glycine0.145g
Histidine0.061g
Isoleucine0.118g
Leucine0.204g
Lysine0.181g
Methionine0.042g
Phenylalanine0.145g
Proline0.213g
Serine0.136g
Threonine0.122g
Tryptophan0.045g
Tyrosine0.082g
Valine0.172g
Minerals
Calcium, Ca138mg
Copper0.149mg
Iron6.2mg
Magnesium50mg
Manganese0.16mg
Phosphorus, P58mg
Potassium, K554mg
Selenium0.1μg
Sodium56mg
Zinc1.07mg
Vitamins
Vitamin A, IU8424IU
Vitamin A, RAE421μg
Beta-carotene5054μg
Lutein + Zeaxanthin5561μg
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)0.086mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0.098mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)1.313mg
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)0.4mg
Vitamin B60.09mg
Vitamin B9 (Folate)152μg
Folate (from food)152μg
Folate (dietary equivalent)152μg
Vitamin C133mg
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol)0.75mg
Gamma Tocopherol0.53mg
Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone)1640μg
Choline12.8mg
Sterols
Phytosterols5mg
Other
Oxalates166mg
pH5.8
Nutrition Scores
Ca:P Ratio2.4:1
Ca:P RatingExceptional
Safe to FeedOnce per month
HealthinessUnhealthy
Notes/Instructions: Wash thoroughly. Dice leaves before serving.
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Parsley Health Concerns

Parsley appears fairly healthy at first glance. It has an ideal calcium to phosphorus ratio, is rich in vitamin A, low in sugar, and is not acidic. However, there is one concern.

High Level of Oxalates

Parsley contains a high level of oxalates. Oxalates are chemicals plants produce which helps decrease their calcium levels. When bearded dragons consume foods high in oxalates they will not be able to absorb as much calcium. Since parsley is rarely served in large portion sizes, this should not be a major issue as long as less than 10g of parsley is served once per month.

How to Feed Parsley to Bearded Dragons

Parsley should not be fed to bearded dragons in large quantities due to it's high oxalic acid content. It's fine to use parsley as a garnish or to add flavoring as long as your portion size is very small. To avoid health issues feed no more than 1-3g of parsley in a meal and try not to feed your bearded dragon more than 5g of parsley per month.

How to Prepare Parsley

Only use fresh parsley purchased from a store or grown locally. Do not use dried or pre-chopped parsley purchased in the store.

Wash the parsley to remove any loose debris or chemicals it may have come in contact with at the store or during transportation. Cut the parsley leaves into small pieces. Mix the parsley in with other foods before serving.

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About this Article

Authored by:The Bearded Dragon
Updated:January 6, 2023
This article has been edited 1 time since first published. Please let us know of any suggestions or improvements.
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