Can Bearded Dragons Eat Turnip Greens? Yes, a Great Staple

A recommended green with no caution

VCA's recommended greens for bearded dragons include turnip greens, collard greens, mustard greens, dandelion greens, escarole, watercress, bok choy, cilantro, parsley, clover and kohlrabi. VCA then flags spinach, Swiss chard and beet greens for oxalates and cabbage, kale and mustard greens for goitrogens. Turnip greens are on neither caution list.

That makes them a strong candidate for a base green alongside collards. VCA says leafy greens should make up 80 to 90 percent of the plant portion, fed raw, washed, finely chopped and mixed.

Why greens carry so much weight

The Merck Veterinary Manual describes metabolic bone disease as the most common bone disease in reptile practice. It results from diets low in calcium relative to phosphorus, a lack of vitamin D3, or poor UVB lighting and heat, and it mostly affects fast-growing lizards.

A diet built on dark leafy greens, with gut-loaded insects, is the plant and protein side of prevention. VCA's routine completes it: a phosphorus-free calcium powder dusted on food daily, calcium with vitamin D3 two to three times a week, and UV light.

How to prepare turnip greens

Turnip greens can be gritty, so swish them in a bowl of cold water, lift them out, and rinse again. Strip the leaves from the thick stems and discard the stems. Stack the leaves, roll them, and slice into thin ribbons, then chop across for small pieces.

Serve them raw, as VCA prefers. Do not use turnip greens cooked southern-style with pork, salt and seasoning. If you buy turnips with the greens attached, cut the greens off and use them fresh; the root itself is not on VCA's list.

Diet is only half of reptile care: the heat and UVB setup in a well-planned reptile terrarium decides how well a dragon digests what it eats, and our bearded dragon enclosure guide covers the sizes.

Offer the food in a shallow dish inside the enclosure and remove leftovers the same day so they do not spoil in the heat; if you are still setting up, see our bearded dragon tanks and reptile supplies.

How much and how often

For an adult dragon, turnip greens can make up a large part of the daily salad, mixed with smaller amounts of other greens and a little vegetable. Adults are fed every 24 to 72 hours depending on appetite, according to VCA.

For juveniles, which eat mostly insects and are fed once or twice a day, offer a small pile of very finely chopped turnip greens daily so they get used to eating plants.

Building a rotation around turnip greens

Alternate turnip greens with collard greens, dandelion greens, escarole and watercress as base greens, and add herbs like cilantro or parsley for scent. Kale, cabbage and mustard greens can appear in moderation given VCA's goitrogen caution.

For texture and color, top the greens with a little bell pepper or green beans from VCA's recommended list, or occasionally with squash, carrots or cucumber from its smaller-amounts list. The goal is a plate that is mostly dark leaves.

Signs to watch and when to see a vet

Merck lists the signs of metabolic bone disease as poor appetite, lethargy, abnormal walking, a swollen or distorted jaw or limbs, fractures, cloacal prolapse, muscle twitching and tetany. Any of these needs a reptile veterinarian soon.

Also see a vet for a dragon that refuses greens for weeks, stops eating for several days outside of brumation, or loses weight. Bring a list of your dragon's foods and supplements.

This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.