Can Bearded Dragons Eat Oregano? Vet-Reviewed Nutrition Facts & FAQ
By Misty Layne
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As a bearded dragon parent, you know your pet needs plenty of veggies, but what about herbs? While we tend to think of herbs as seasoning for “real” foods, when it comes to bearded dragons, herbs can make a tasty and nutritious treat. The issue is knowing which herbs are safe for your beardie to have on occasion.
Oregano is a fairly common herb used to season tomato sauces and pizza, but can bearded dragons eat oregano? They can eat oregano, although it should only be given sparingly. Oregano is surprisingly nutritious for your pet, offering plenty of health benefits. What are those benefits, and why can you only occasionally give your beardie this herb?
The Benefits of Oregano for Bearded Dragons
Before we dive into the benefits of this herb for beardies, just in case you’re unfamiliar with it, what is oregano? This herb is part of the mint family and is native to the Mediterranean region and parts of Asia (though it’s now been naturalized in the U.S. and some parts of Mexico). It’s known for having a strong scent and pungent flavor. But what can it offer your pet? Several things, as it turns out!
Minerals & Vitamins
Most foods will provide some minerals and vitamins, and oregano does, too. But which ones does it contain? This herb has calcium, iron, manganese, and a good amount of Vitamins E and K. All these are necessary for keeping your beardie’s muscles and bones healthy!
Antioxidants
Oregano also contains a wealth of antioxidants. These help reduce the amount of damage done by free radicals that occur to your bearded dragon’s cells. Antioxidants are also an important part of lessening the risk of disease in your pet.
Aids Digestion
Oregano may also aid in keeping your pet’s digestive tract working as it should. Compounds in this herb can stimulate digestive enzymes, which will help the digestive tract break down food more efficiently. That equals a happier, healthier digestive system!
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
This is an herb that’s also been found to have anti-inflammatory properties. Part of this is due to the antioxidants it contains, but oregano also has compounds, such as carvacrol, which have shown anti-inflammatory properties in studies. Since chronic inflammation can lead to health problems, adding anti-inflammatory foods to your bearded dragon’s diet can be helpful.
Aids Respiratory Health
Oregano also contains natural oils that could be beneficial for your beardie’s respiratory health. The oils in this herb can make breathing easier and soothe inflammation in the respiratory tract. However, this doesn’t mean you should use oregano essential oil on or around your pet. Essential oils can be dangerous for all pets, so avoiding them is best!
Risks of Oregano for Bearded Dragons
There aren’t a lot of risks associated with feeding oregano to bearded dragons, but there are a couple of things to be aware of.
First, do not feed this herb to your beardie daily or give them too much at once. Doing so could cause digestive problems (this herb is only beneficial for digestive issues in small doses!).
You also want to be careful not to give your pet any oregano seasoned or mixed with garlic and other spices. Garlic can be toxic to bearded dragons, as can other spices, so be sure you’re giving your pet plain oregano.
How to Give Oregano to Your Bearded Dragon
Now that you know oregano is safe for your beardie in small amounts, how should you give it to them? First, make sure you’re getting plain oregano from a reputable source, and make sure there’s no mold or bugs on the oregano when you get it.
Once you have your oregano, rinse it off with water when you’re ready to feed it to your pet. Then chop the oregano into tiny enough pieces that your beardie can safely eat it without risk of choking. Once that’s done, you can give this herb to your pet as is, or you can mix it in with other food.
Only use the actual plant, not the dried seasoning version, as the dehydration process will have robbed it of many of its benefits.
Whether your bearded dragon likes the oregano will be an individual thing. Some beardies are big fans, while others don’t care for this herb very much.
Final Thoughts
If you want to give your bearded dragon some oregano, go for it! This herb can be a beneficial addition to their diet as it offers several health benefits, including anti-inflammatory properties and digestive aid. However, don’t overdo it. While oregano has nutritional benefits, too much of any food (particularly a new one) can cause digestive upset in your pet. But incorporating this herb as an occasional treat is fine!
Featured Image Credit By: ariesa66, pixabay
