What do bearded dragons eat? The diet of a Bearded Dragon may appear difficult at first glance.
These lizards are omnivores in the wild, eating a variety of insects, vegetables, and fruits.
To keep a Beardie healthy, they should be fed a variety of foods.
Juveniles and newborns should be fed varied diets in addition to a range of foods; it is critical to modify a Bearded Dragon’s diet as they grow.
Although their food may appear complicated, even novice reptile owners may readily manage it.
Everything you need to know about feeding bearded dragons is included in this post. Keep reading since we have a ready-to-use feeding chart for you to use…
Bearded Dragons: What Do They Eat?
Pet Beardies eat insects, tiny vertebrates, greens, veggies, and fruits, among other things.
There are a variety of insects, fruits, and vegetables that are safe to eat, but the things listed below are more nutritious:
- Beetles and ants
- Earthworms, crickets, and superworms are examples of Dubia roaches.
- Kale, collard greens, and dandelion greens
- Blueberries, grapes, bananas, apples, strawberries, watermelon
They don’t have a lot of food preferences.
Bearded dragons are quick and seek live prey in the wild. They devour crickets and mealworms every day, crushing them with their muscular jaws.
Adults in captivity should be fed once a day, but different meals are required at different phases of life.
Because they are rapidly growing, juveniles require extra protein. Three times a day, juveniles should be fed. In comparison to adults who eat fewer insects and more fruits and vegetables, they should eat large insects.
Crickets should always be available to hatchlings.
Adults, juveniles, and hatchlings all require the proper nutrition and nourishment to keep healthy.
Calcium powder should be placed on their food twice a week for bearded dragons. Calcium is required for bone growth, neurological activities, and numerous other biological functions.
It can be difficult to plan their nutrition.
A weekly feeding chart is the simplest technique to modify their food consumption.
Bearded Dragon Nutrition
Protein, greens, veggies, and fruits should all be included in a bearded dragon’s diet. A well-balanced diet is essential for their well-being. Feed insects and vertebrates 25% of the time, and greens, vegetables, and fruits 75% of the time:
Earthworms, crickets, and superworms are examples of Dubia roaches.
Collard greens, dandelion greens, kale, grapes, bananas, watermelon, and blueberries are some of the vegetables you can eat.
Bearded dragons have just been popular as pets for two decades, and much of their wild behaviors and dietary habits have not changed.
When we bring a wild reptile into captivity, it’s critical that the diet they eat in the wild is replicated.
This will not only keep them pleased, but it will also keep them healthy.
Feeding Routine for Baby Bearded Dragons
Bearded Dragons grow rapidly and require a lot of protein. As a result, hatchlings and juveniles are fed differently from fully grown adults.
The protein to greens, veggies, and fruits ratio should be 75/25.
75 percent of insects and 25% of plant matter should be fed to them.
Bearded dragons will need to be fed crickets throughout the day for the first two months.
At the hatchling stage, start with two crickets every 10 to 15 minutes. Feed them less frequently as they develop, until they are fed three times a day at two months of age.
Fruit Greens and Vegetables Protein
- 10x crickets on Day 1 (am).
- 2 kale leaves, tiny
- 1 piece of a tiny pumpkin
- 1 pound blueberry
- 10x dubia roaches on Day 1 (noon).
- 2 slices of tiny collard greens
- 1 little piece of squash
- 1 pound peach slices
- 10x crickets on Day 1 (evening).
- 2 dandelion green bits, tiny
- 1 bell pepper slice
- 1 pound blackberry
- 10x dubia roaches on day 2 (am).
- 2 kale leaves, tiny
- 1 piece of a tiny pumpkin
- 1 pound blueberry
- 10x crickets on Day 2 (noon).
- 2 slices of tiny collard greens
- 1 little piece of squash
- 1 pound peach slices
- 10x dubia roaches on day 2 (evening).
- 2 dandelion green bits, tiny
- 1 bell pepper slice
- 1 pound strawberry
Before feeding, make sure that all greens, veggies, and fruits are sliced into bite-sized pieces. The size of the pieces should not exceed the distance between your bearded dragon’s eyes.
Large portions of food can cause stomach problems.
The food of your Bearded Dragon will alter as it matures.
Beardies mature at the age of 18 months. They become less active after this and no longer require the high protein meal supplied to juveniles and hatchlings.
They can be gradually moved to an adult diet at this age.
Feeding Routine for Adult Bearded Dragons
Once a day, adults should be fed. Feed a mixture of 75 percent greens, vegetables, and fruits and 25% insects and vertebrates.
It is critical to give a variety of foods to your pets. This provides enrichment while also keeping them interested in their food.
The following is an example of a feeding schedule:
- Fruit Greens and Vegetables Protein
- 5 crickets and 5 dubia roaches on day one.
- 2 sweet potato pieces, 2 bell pepper slices, kale, collard greens
- 1 strawberry, 3 blueberries
- 5x superworms, 3x earthworms on day 2.
- 2x baby carrots, 2x pumpkin chunks, dandelion greens, Bok choy
- 2 slices of peach
- 5 crickets and 5 dubia roaches on day 3.
- 2 sweet potato pieces, 2 bell pepper slices, kale, collard greens
- 1 strawberry, 3 blueberries
- 5x superworms, 3x earthworms on day 4.
- 2x baby carrots, 2x pumpkin chunks, dandelion greens, Bok choy
- 2 slices of peach
Any vegetables or fruits should be chopped into little bite-sized pieces before serving to make them easier to chew.
Some owners choose to chop and freeze vegetables and fruits on a weekly basis. Before feeding, they defrost the mixture in the microwave. Fresh greens should always be available.
If your bearded dragon does not eat its food within an hour, it should be removed from its habitat. This will keep them from getting sick from consuming damaged food.
Adults are generally healthy eaters.
Speak with your veterinarian if they begin to refuse food or eat less than usual, as this could be the first sign of a disease or injury.
Food for Bearded Dragons
Insects, vegetables, and fruits from the list below are good choices for your bearded dragon’s diet:
Earthworms, crickets, and superworms are examples of Dubia roaches.
Apples, blueberries, peaches, strawberries, and melons are some of the fruits available.
Cabbage, carrots, collard greens, kale, pumpkin, and sweet potato are examples of vegetables.
Due to their high protein content and ease of digestion, dubia roaches are an ideal supplement to a bearded dragon’s diet. For variation, crickets and superworms can be fed, but they are not as easily digestible.
Leafy greens including collards, dandelion greens, and kale should be fed frequently. These greens are nutrient-dense and high in calcium.
Fruits can be added to their diet in tiny amounts, but they should not be overfed due to their high sugar content.
Food for Bearded Dragons
- Apples
- Bananas
- Blueberries
- Grapes
- Peaches
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
- Watermelon Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Greens Collards
- Green dandelion
- Kale
- Pepper
- Pumpkin
- Squash
- Yummy Sweet Potato
- Tomatoes
- Zucchini Crickets
- Roaches from Dubia
- Earthworms
- Feed worms (only adults)
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Fruit?
Fruit is a significant part of the diet of bearded dragons. They contain a variety of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that are not commonly available in other foods. The fruits listed below are suitable for feeding your bearded dragon:
- Apples
- Bananas
- Blueberries
- Grapes
- Strawberries
- Watermelon
Fruits should only be fed to your bearded dragon on rare occasions as treats.
Bearded Dragons Can Eat:
Yes, grapes. Choking can be avoided by cutting grapes into quarters.
Yes, bananas. Bananas should only be fed on rare occasions due to their high phosphorus to calcium ratio, which can be harmful.
Apples: Yes, apples are a great fruit to provide to your bearded dragon. Before serving, peel the apples and chop them into bite-size pieces.
Strawberries: Strawberries are a great treat because they are high in vitamin C, manganese, folate, and potassium, among other nutrients. Strawberries are high in oxalates and should not be fed frequently.
Yes, watermelon. However, unlike many of the fruits on this list, it lacks nutritional value and hence is not the best food to feed.
Blueberries: You can feed blueberries on occasion. Vitamin C and vitamin K are abundant in them. Don’t overfeed them because they’re high in oxalates, which hinder your bearded dragon from getting adequate calcium.
No, not oranges. It is advisable not to feed oranges or other citrus fruits like lemons and limes to your dog. Bearded dragons cannot eat these fruits because they are too acidic. Acidity might irritate their stomach and cause a range of digestive problems.
Yes, bearded dragons can consume raspberries on occasion. Raspberries are high in Vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants, among other nutrients.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Vegetables?
A bearded dragon’s diet must include plenty of vegetables and leafy greens. They should account for 75% of their daily calories. The following veggies are suitable for feeding:
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Greens Collards
- Kale
- Pumpkin
- Yummy Sweet Potato
- Tomatoes
Vegetables supply numerous minerals and calories to your bearded dragon.
Always wash your vegetables before giving them to your bearded dragon, and only serve them uncooked.
Bearded Dragons Can Eat:
No, spinach. It’s advised not to feed your bearded dragon spinach because it binds to calcium and, if offered too often, can cause a calcium deficit.
Yes, kale is a nutritious vegetable that is abundant in calcium, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin A, and folate. Kale is a staple food that can be offered on a daily basis.
Carrots: On occasion. Carrots should only be eaten on occasion since too much vitamin A can induce toxicity. Include the green tops of the carrots because they are also nutritious.
Yes, zucchini is safe to eat, but it is deficient in nutrients.
Broccoli has a high vitamin A, thiamine, vitamin C, and vitamin K content.
Celery is primarily water and contains very few nutrients, unlike iceberg lettuce.
Tomatoes: To be sure, tomatoes are low in oxalates and abundant in vitamins A, C, K, and folate.
Yes, cabbage. Cabbage should be offered to bearded dragons on a regular basis since it is high in vitamin C.
Common Feeding Errors
When feeding a bearded dragon, there are three frequent feeding blunders to avoid. These errors can result in a range of health problems, including obesity.
The First Mistake: Overfeeding
Obesity is fairly common in adult bearded dragons.
They, like most reptiles, have a voracious appetite and are prone to obesity if fed a large number of insects.
A daily intake of no more than twenty insects for an adult is recommended!
It’s easy to overfeed them because they’ll devour as many insects as you feed them.
Obesity is a serious health concern for your bearded dragon, as it can lead to heart disease and joint problems.
Mistake #2: Feeding Mealworms to Juveniles
Feeding mealworms to juveniles can hinder their growth and prevent them from getting the nutrients they require.
Mealworms have a chitin-based outer shell that juveniles are unable to digest. When your bearded dragon reaches 18 months of age, switch to superworms instead of mealworms.
The Third Error Is Not Gut Loading.
It’s necessary to gut load live insects for your bearded dragon at least a day before feeding.
Gut loading includes giving the insects nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables before feeding them to your bearded dragon. This procedure dramatically increases the number of nutrients available to your bearded dragon.
What Bearded Dragons Can’t Eat
When feeding a bearded dragon, there are a few foods that should always be avoided. The foods in the following list can produce a range of health problems and toxins:
- Avocado
- Beef
- Bread
- Chicken
- Eggplant
- Fireflies
- Fish
- Garlic/Onion
- Celery/iceberg lettuce
- Spiders/ticks
In nature, bearded dragons do not consume meat, so it should not be provided to them in captivity. Fat and phosphorus levels in meat and fish are excessive.
Avocado, garlic, onion, and eggplant should all be avoided because even little doses can be hazardous.
Foods that are low in nutrients and high in water should also be avoided. Iceberg lettuce and celery are two examples.
Finally, bearded dragons can be poisoned by fireflies, spiders, and ticks. Because of the cardiotoxins, even half a firefly can kill an adult bearded dragon.
Which live food is the best?
Crickets and mealworms are the most popular live foods for Bearded Dragons. They’re available at most pet stores.
Live crickets are also an excellent option because pursuing them can be stimulating for your Dragon; you’d be astonished at how fast they can be!
When purchasing live food, most people consider the nutritional value, ease of storage, and price. You should also rotate what you buy on a regular basis to ensure that your pet consumes a variety of animal stuff.
500 crickets cost between £4 and £8 depending on the size and can be found online or in pet stores. When you bring them home, put them in holes-punched boxes.
Use only crickets that your Bearded Dragon can readily eat; if they’re larger than the area between your Dragon’s eyes, they might have trouble eating them.
Once you’ve placed the crickets in your Bearded Dragon’s water dish, make sure they don’t drown.
If they do, simply pick them out and remove them from the scene.
To keep crickets out of water bowls, pet stores sell covers, and other people propose filling the bowl with polymer crystals that they can walk on.
Mealworms are inexpensive and can be kept in or out of the refrigerator. They will survive and stay a bit longer if you put them in the fridge, but they will go dormant.
Mealworms have more fat than crickets, so don’t feed your Dragon too many of these; they won’t stop eating them even if they’re making them fat!
When storing live feeders for Bearded Dragons, they can begin to smell. If you have a garage, it’s worth finding a place for them.
Cockroaches, locusts, and other worms are also popular live food options. Some individuals feed live mice to their adult Bearded Dragons, however, this requires far more effort and knowledge than other foods and is not required in their diet.
Insects That Gorge Themselves
Any insects you feed your dragon should be gut loaded. This means you should feed your insects whatever you aren’t feeding your dragon that week.
When your dragon consumes those insects, he will consume the goodies that the bug has consumed. Increasing the nutritional diversity of your dragon’s diet.
Vitamins and calcium in the diet of Bearded Dragons
Reptiles can suffer from calcium insufficiency, which can lead to metabolic bone disease.
Bearded Dragons can benefit from calcium and vitamin supplements even if they eat a diversified diet.
Pete Hawkins suggests taking Arcadia Earth Pro-A, which contains a wide range of vitamins and minerals.
He also suggests that you take Arcadia CalciumPro Magnesium. Sprinkle it on all insects once more.
Is it necessary to provide vitamins and minerals to my bearded dragons?
Bearded dragons require more calcium than phosphorus in their diet, especially while they are young and their bones are developing. Generally, doctors recommend that you LIGHTLY sprinkle food supplied to bearded dragons with a calcium powder (calcium gluconate, lactate, or carbonate) that does not contain vitamin D3 2-3 times per week, and another 2-3 times per week with calcium powder that does contain vitamin D3. You should also sprinkle a LIGHT dusting of a basic reptile mineral supplement on the food once a week. Supplements should be powdered into tiny quantities of salads or moist foods and presented to the bearded dragon initially to ensure that it consumes them.
Inadequate calcium, vitamin (particularly vitamin D3), and mineral supplementation are major concerns in pet bearded dragons. Consult your veterinarian for particular advice on dietary supplements for your pet.
How about the water?
At all times, fresh water should be accessible in a crock that will not readily tip over. Daily fresh water should be provided, and the water bowl should be cleaned and disinfected.
Rain or morning dew on plants and other food provides the majority of the water required by bearded dragons in the wild; some do not appear to recognize a dish of water. Another approach to keep pet bearded dragons hydrated is to mist the vegetable matter they eat. Pet bearded dragons can also be misted directly with water from a plant mister or bathed a few times a week to keep themselves hydrated.
Bearded dragons may have slightly different nutritional requirements. The best food for captive bearded dragons is a matter of debate, and our knowledge and understanding of the subject are constantly evolving. Please consult a reptile-savvy veterinarian knowledgeable about your lizard about its individual nutritional needs (depending on his age, weight, and health state).
What to do if your Bearded Dragon refuses to eat
The temperature being too high or low due to improper setup, impaction caused by swallowing loose substrate, shedding skin, parasites, or stress are all common causes.
Your Beardie’s appetite may also be affected by brumation.
Refusing food does not automatically indicate that something is wrong. Bearded Dragons feel hungry, and adults may go a day without eating, or if it’s too hot, they may merely be thirsty. If they’re losing weight, however, this is cause for concern.
Check the temperature, which should be 35-43oC on the basking place with a cool-down area of 27oC-32oC, and make sure your Beardie hasn’t been eating loose substrate if they aren’t eating. Food that is excessively large may be rejected by dragons; a good rule of thumb is to stick to insects that are no larger than the space between your Bearded Dragon’s eyes.
Make sure your dragon’s UV is up to date as well. The lifespan of a bulb is approximately 12 months, as stated on the package. Make sure it’s the right distance from the basking location and that you’re using a reflector.
Check to see whether your Bearded Dragon is losing its skin, as this might cause them to stop feeding for a brief period of time.
Diarrhea, a lack of activity, and droopy or puffy eyes are all signs that your Bearded Dragon is sick.
If you have any concerns about your Bearded Dragon, contact a veterinarian right away.
There are a variety of reasons why Bearded Dragons refuse to eat, and diagnosing the exact cause or condition is difficult unless you are a veterinarian.
The best meal for a sick Bearded Dragon
Always follow your veterinarian’s recommendations; if an illness has been diagnosed, they may be able to propose a special diet.
Certain methods of feeding your dragon can be beneficial in certain situations. If they’re dehydrated, you may need to hold off on solid foods until they’re ready and use a syringe to administer an electrolyte solution near or on their tongue.
You can make a fluid mix of food and nutrients and feed it to them using a syringe for various ailments. You should be able to gradually transition to solid foods.
If you plan to adjust your pet’s food, see a veterinarian first.
Summary
One of the most popular pet reptiles is the bearded dragon.
A juvenile’s diet should consist primarily of insects and some plant stuff. They require three feedings per day. When a bearded dragon reaches the age of 18 months, it should be switched to an adult diet.
An adult should be fed once a day and should eat mostly leafy greens and vegetables with some insects.
Changing up the meals you feed, offering fruits on occasion, and gut-loading insects before feeding will all help your bearded dragon acquire the nutrition it needs.
Providing a nutritious diet is an important part of maintaining a good husbandry practice that will keep your pet happy and healthy.