What Do Bearded Dragons Eat?
Bearded Dragons are considered omnivores, this means that they need to consume both animal and plant-based food items to achieve proper nutrition. Every bearded dragon is different and note that these are only recommendations.
What Vegetables Can Bearded Dragons Eat?
When feeding your pet reptiles, variation in diet is very important. Not all vegetables and leafy greens are created equally, and some make better staples than others. Here is a list of vegetable staples that can be fed daily:- Alfalfa
- Cactus pads
- Prickly pear
- Collard greens
- Dandelion greens
- Endive
- Escarole
- Mustard greens
- Squash
- Turnip greens
- Collard greens
- Cactus pad
- Spring mix
- Arugula
- Kale
- Pea shoots
- Alfalfa
- Bok choy
- Carrot greens
- Spinach
- Dandelion greens
- Hibiscus leaves
- Endive
- Clover sprouts
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Fruit?
A bearded dragon’s diet should be made up of approximately 10% fruit items. Fruit should be fed sparingly because it has high sugar and water content, that can cause a laxative effect if fed too frequently. Citrus fruits are best to avoid due to high levels of sugar, citric acid and oxalic acid which can lead to toxicity. Here is a full list of safe fruit for bearded dragons to eat:- Blackberries
- Blueberries
- Cantaloupe
- Cherries
- Cranberries (fresh)
- Figs (raw)
- Grapes
- Guava
- Honey dew
- Mango
- Papaya
- Strawberries
- Watermelon
Which Insects Make Good Feeders For Bearded Dragons?
A bearded dragon’s diet needs to contain protein, the age of your beardie will determine how much protein they need in their diet. A hatchling’s diet should consist of 60-80% protein items, where an adult bearded dragon should get between 15-30% protein items. Some good staple insects include:- Black soldier fly larvae
- Crickets
- Dubia roaches
- Discoid roaches
- Hornworms
- Silkworms
- Snails
What Types of Food Are Not Safe For Bearded Dragons To Eat?
Generally, most produce is fine for a bearded dragon, except for the listed items below (this is not a full list of unsafe foods):- Avacado
- Rhubarb
How Often Should You Feed Your Bearded Dragon?
Depending on the age of your bearded dragon will determine how often they need to eat. Below is an approximate guide for a healthy feeding schedule.- Hatchlings (0-6 months old) — Insects 2x/day, vegetables daily
- Juveniles (6-12 months old) — Insects 1x/day, vegetables daily
- Adults (>12 months old) — Insects 2-3x/week, vegetables daily
How Much Water Do Bearded Dragons Need?
All living things need water to survive, and bearded dragons are no exception. Your bearded dragon should have free access to a shallow bowl of fresh clean water every day. Although, a majority of their hydration will come from fresh produce.What Supplements Are Safe For Bearded Dragons?
To ensure that your bearded dragon is getting all the vitamins and minerals that they need, you will need a calcium powder and a multivitamin powder — or a good all-in-one. For best results, use as directed by the manufacturer.
