green food dye

[cf17]

Hello,
My beardie likes red and green biscuits, but not the light brown ones in the 3 colour dragon food. So I fed out all the red and green types until I had only the brown ones left.

Then I dyed some brown biscuits with green food dye and found out he will eat them! Green tastes better apparently. :mrgreen: Is it safe to colour the rest green and feed them out? Because he won't touch them otherwise.

Does anyone else have a beardie who has a preference for colours like that?
Thanks.

 

[diamc]

What is the exact name of the 3 color dragon food you're using?

I would hope that the different colors mean different flavors rather than it containing any food coloring. I would worry about feeding them anything that has been dyed with food coloring actually.

Fresh nutritious greens and live feeders are much better for them.

 

[cf17]

It's Rep-Cal Adult Bearded Dragon Food (Maintenance formula). I'm not sure whether the colours are different flavours.

There was another 3 colour biscuit brand I used to feed him, and he also ate only the red and green types, but not the brown.

 

[Rankins]

Taste them
Seriously though, most of my veggie eating reptiles have always liked yellow food items. Dandelion flowers are always a hit...
I wouldnt be too worried about food coloring. But you never know how it could effect a reptile even if it's safe for humans. I suppose if they like green stuff best you could blend up some greens and soak the pellets in the slurry. But to be honest, I think the pellet food is a waste of money.

 

[cf17]

Oh, he loves yellow too. Dandelions and the yellow flowers with black centres that grow on ovals. And corn he gets excited about.

I tried using spinach as a dye but it didn't work very well... didn't fool him.

What's wrong with the pellet food?

 

[Rankins]

Squash blossoms are another favorite.
Without knowing the ingredients in the pellets I'm hesitant to say they are not healthy. It's just that it's an expense you don't need if your offering bugs and healthy greens.