Bearded dragon keeper-practical toxicology & hazards (VCA; Merck Veterinary Manual; ASPCA Pro)
Source: VCA Animal Hospitals, the Merck Veterinary Manual, and ASPCA Professional. These references are non-Open-Access, so the points below are paraphrased derived summaries (numbers and proper nouns preserved, sentences rewritten) per COPYRIGHT_POLICY §3; each point is independently checkable against the cited source.
Claims (derived summary — method: paraphrase)
- Sand, gravel, wood shavings, corn cob material, walnut shells, and cat litter should not be used as substrate because they can cause intestinal impaction if consumed, and cedarwood shavings are toxic to reptiles and must never be used.
- Fireflies (Photinus spp.) contain lucibufagins and are highly toxic to lizards; ASPCA reports death in bearded dragons within 2 hours of exposure, so fireflies must never be fed to bearded dragons.
- Swiss chard, spinach, and beet greens should be fed sparingly because they contain oxalates that bind calcium and other trace minerals and prevent their absorption, which can lead to nutritional deficiencies.
- Avocado contains persin, the toxic principle that causes myocardial necrosis in mammals and birds, with horses and fish also susceptible, so avocado should not be fed to bearded dragons.
- Collecting insects from outside or the garden is not recommended, because fertilizers and insecticides present on them may be toxic if fed to bearded dragons.
- A calcium powder containing vitamin D3 can be sprinkled on food two to three times per week, but inappropriate supplementation with calcium and vitamins (especially vitamin D3) is a common problem, so follow veterinary guidance.
- Lead and zinc are recognised reptile hazards: lead can come from old paint, ceramic food and water bowls, and lead-based materials, and zinc from some metals, so enclosures should use food-safe, lead-free materials.
- Use only non-toxic live or artificial plants in the enclosure; care sheets note artificial plants or live non-toxic plants can provide hiding places.