Is there anything more delicious than fresh garden peas? If you’ve ever grown your own, you’ll understand what I mean – they are as sweet as can be when eaten straight from the pod.
But it’s not just humans who enjoy peas. For reptile keepers, a common question is whether bearded dragons can eat peas.
First, the good news.
Bearded dragons can indeed eat peas. And just like us, they seem to love the taste.
The bad news is that this sweetness comes with a cost – a high sugar content. Therefore, it’s okay to feed your bearded dragon peas occasionally, but they should not be a staple in your pet’s daily diet.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Peas Every Day?
Bearded dragons should not consume peas every day.
There are several reasons for this.
While peas are rich in beneficial nutrients (which we’ll discuss shortly), they also have nutritional deficiencies.
One of the main issues is the high sugar content in peas. The same sweetness that makes them delicious can be detrimental to bearded dragons if consumed too frequently, leading to weight gain or an increased risk of diabetes.
However, the sugar content is not the only reason why bearded dragons should not eat peas daily.
Peas are relatively low in calcium, a vital mineral for your lizard. Therefore, peas should be paired with other calcium-rich fruits and vegetables, or you should consider a calcium supplement when feeding peas to your beardie.
How Often Should You Feed Peas to a Bearded Dragon
Bearded dragons can enjoy peas every week or two.
Peas should not be a daily part of your bearded dragon’s diet.
Peas do not contain any nutrients that are exclusive to them, so there is no obligation to feed your bearded dragon peas if you choose not to.
However, they make a tasty treat for your pet and are a convenient and affordable food option, especially if you use frozen peas and defrost them occasionally for your lizard.
Even when offering peas to your bearded dragon, it is essential to provide them in small quantities and combine them with other foods to prevent nutritional deficiencies over time.
Should Peas Be Raw or Cooked for Bearded Dragons?
Bearded dragons can consume both raw and cooked peas.
Many bearded dragon owners prefer to offer their lizards cooked peas as they are softer and easier to swallow and digest.
If feeding raw peas, consider chopping or mashing them to reduce the risk of choking, especially for baby bearded dragons.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Frozen Peas?
Bearded dragons can eat frozen peas.
Frozen peas may actually be a better option than fresh peas as the nutrient levels in peas decrease once they are harvested.
Freezing peas helps maintain these nutrients compared to fresh peas that may have been sitting on the shelf for some time before purchase.
If you choose to feed frozen peas, ensure they are fully thawed before offering them to your bearded dragon.
Thawing frozen peas is simple. The easiest method is to add a few peas to a mug and pour hot water over them. Within minutes, the peas will be defrosted.
Alternatively, if you decide to cook the peas before feeding them to your beardie, boiling or steaming will effectively thaw them out.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Peas in a Pod?
Bearded dragons can consume peas in a pod.
You can feed your pet whole pods or chop them into smaller pieces for easier swallowing.
What Part of Snap Peas Can Bearded Dragons Eat?
Bearded dragons can consume the pods and seeds of snap peas.
Nutrients Found in Peas
The humble pea is often underestimated. They are a sweet and juicy vegetable that even kids enjoy, so it’s easy to overlook their nutritional value.
However, peas are surprisingly packed with nutrients and offer various benefits to your bearded dragon.
Peas are a great source of protein, with almost a quarter of their calories coming from protein. This is ideal for young bearded dragons that are rapidly growing. Peas are commonly used in vegan protein powders as well.
Additionally, peas contain a range of vitamins such as A, B6, C, and K, along with folate, niacin, and thiamin.
Peas also provide essential minerals like copper, manganese, and phosphorus.
Although the sugar content is a concern, the other nutrients in peas make them a valuable addition to your bearded dragon’s diet. Therefore, they can be included as part of a balanced diet plan for your lizard.
Calcium Levels in Peas
Peas are relatively low in calcium, with a calcium to phosphorus ratio of 1:4.4, which can vary slightly based on growing conditions.
This imbalance means that peas have more phosphorus than ideal, and insufficient calcium, emphasizing the need to offer peas in moderation and as part of a varied diet. A calcium supplement may also be beneficial when feeding peas regularly to your beardie.
Oxalic Acid Levels in Peas
Oxalic acid can bind with calcium, hindering its utilization for building a healthy skeleton.
Peas contain low levels of oxalic acid, which is advantageous for your bearded dragon’s diet.
How to Prepare Peas for Your Bearded Dragon
Peas are simple to prepare for your bearded dragon.
They can be offered raw or cooked, but ensure that frozen peas are fully defrosted before feeding them. If cooking peas, boiling or steaming is recommended to maintain their nutrient content.
Consider chopping or mashing the peas to reduce the risk of choking for your bearded dragon.
Offer the freshest peas possible to ensure maximum nutrient content for your pet.
Remember the importance of providing a balanced and varied diet for your bearded dragon. Peas should not be the sole food source but rather an occasional treat combined with other fruits and vegetables.
I’ve been keeping and breeding exotic pets for over 25 years. I currently live in the East Midlands in the UK, and keep a collection of several hundred tarantulas, mantis and more.