Kale is a healthy food choice for your tegu. Unlike other dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach which are high in phosphorus and oxalates, kale has a calcium ratio of 2.4:1, which means it’s higher in calcium and it can actually be absorbed by your pet lizard.
And unlike other types of lettuce which are mostly made of water, kale is very nutrient dense, providing also vitamin A, C, K, potassium, manganese, and magnesium! As far as leafy greens go, kale is the best food you can add to your tegu’s diet.
Oxalate and gaitrogens content
Kale does contain a small amount of oxalates and gaitrogens, but as long as you don’t feed it to your tegu on a daily basis, you have nothing to worry about. Even feeding it every couple of days should be fine. For comparison, spinach contains 48 times more oxalates than kale.
FAQs
Can tegus have kale?
Yes, tegus can consume kale as part of their diet. Kale is a highly nutritious leafy green that is safe for tegus to eat. It contains a good amount of calcium and other essential vitamins and minerals that your pet lizard needs to maintain good health.
However, like with any food, kale should be given to your tegu in moderation to avoid any potential digestive issues.
Is kale safe for tegus?
Yes, kale is safe for tegus to eat. In fact, kale is a much safer option compared to spinach, which should be avoided as it contains high levels of oxalates that can bind calcium, leading to nutritional deficiencies and other health problems in your tegu.
Kale, on the other hand, has a higher calcium ratio and can be easily absorbed by your pet lizard. While kale does contain a small amount of oxalates and goitrogens, feeding it to your tegu every couple of days should not pose any significant risk.
What lettuces should I feed to my pet tegu?
Aside from kale, other dark leafy greens such as collard greens, mustard greens, and turnip greens are also excellent options for your tegu. These leafy greens are highly nutritious and contain a range of essential vitamins and minerals that your pet lizard needs to stay healthy.
However, it is important to avoid feeding your tegu lettuce types that are mostly composed of water and have little nutritional value, such as iceberg lettuce. Additionally, spinach should be avoided due to its high oxalate content, which can lead to health problems in your tegu over time.
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PetsWithScales.com is an informational website about big lizard pet care. We collect and provide information from different sources across the web on how to keep and care for reptiles as pets. The species we mainly deal with are tegus, monitor lizards, skinks and geckos. Our aim is to provide high quality information to help pet owners make better, more informed decisions about their animal’s diets, health and life.