Bearded dragons are a popular pet and many new owners are curious about what they eat. In this blog post, we’re going to answer some common questions about bearded dragon food.
We’ll cover what meat bearded dragons can eat, what fruit they can eat, what vegetables they can eat, and what greens they can eat.
We’ll also provide a list of commercial bearded dragon food options and answer some FAQs about bearded dragon food.
What Do Bearded Dragons Eat?
By the end of this post, you should have a better understanding of what bearded dragons eat and what they can’t eat.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Meat?
Some people believe that bearded dragons should not eat meat, but this is not true!
Bearded dragons are actually omnivores and can therefore eat meat as long as it is properly cooked and diced into small enough pieces.
The amount of meat that a bearded dragon should eat depends on its age, size, and activity level. Offering your bearded dragon a varied diet will ensure that it gets all the nutrients it needs to stay healthy.
Some people believe that bearded dragons may not always get the nutrients they need from a plant-based diet, so giving them some meat can be a good way to supplement their diet.
Suitable meat options for Bearded Dragons are:
- Phoenix worms
- Crickets
- Superworms
- Silkworms
- Locusts
- Kingworms
- Cockroaches
- Waxworms
- Crickets
- Moths
- Mealworms
- Dubia roaches
- Morioworms
- Earthworms
- Butterworms
These can either be dead or provided to your Beardie as a form of “live food”.
Just make sure that they are bought from a high-quality seller/pet shop, and not just found at the bottom of your garden, as wild insects can contain various parasites that you don’t want your BD to catch.
What Fruit Can Bearded Dragons Eat?
Fruits are an important part of a bearded dragon’s diet because they provide essential vitamins and minerals. Bearded dragons also enjoy eating them because they offer a sweet taste that can be enjoyable.
It’s important to note that bearded dragons should not be fed too many fruits at once as this could lead to health problems such as obesity or digestive problems.
Instead, introduce new fruits slowly into their diet over time to avoid any problems.
Suitable fruits that Bearded Dragons can eat include:
- Blueberries
- Apples
- Guava
- Raspberries
- Figs
- Apricots
- Plums
- Papaya
- Strawberries
- Watermelon
- Peaches
- Kiwi
- Apricots
- Grapes
- Pears
- Mango
- Dates
- Raisins
What Vegetables Do Bearded Dragons Eat?
Below, we will outline which vegetables bearded dragons should include in their diet. Keep in mind that each individual lizard will have different dietary requirements, so be sure to provide a variety of food to ensure that your dragon is getting everything it needs to stay healthy and happy.
Suitable vegetables for Bearded Dragons include:
- Okra
- Yellow squash
- Sweet potato
- Bell pepper
- Celery
- Cabbage
- Peas
- Broccoli
- Pak choi
- Swiss chard
- Acorn squash
- Parsnip
- Butternut squash
- Asparagus
- Cucumber
- Courgette
- Kohlrabi
- Green beans
What Greens Can Bearded Dragons Eat?
Green leaves can also be fed to bearded dragons. However, greens are not as nutritious or palatable as the fruit and seed of other plants but should be given as part of a balanced diet.
They are an important source of fiber, calcium, and iron. They contain some protein, but it is usually much lower than that in the fruit. Greens are also a good source of vitamins A, C, and B-complex, including thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and folic acid.
You can give your Bearded Dragon the following greens:
- Lambs lettuce
- Kale
- Spinach
- Mustard greens
- Watercress
- Collards
- Parsley
- Coriander
- Dandelion greens
- Turnip greens
- Clover
- Rocket
- Floret mix
- Endive
- Spring greens
What Can’t Bearded Dragons Eat?
Bearded dragons are fascinating creatures and their diet is no exception. While they can eat a wide variety of things, there are a few things that bearded dragons should not eat.
Things that you should never feed a Bearded Dragon:
- Onions
- Butterflies And Caterpillars
- Garlic
- High Oxalate Foods
- Buttercup
- Unsafe Plants
- High Phosphorus Foods
- Dairy Products
- Venomous Insects
- Eggplants
- Fireflies
- Wild Insects (Not Store Bought)
- Ladybugs
- High Goitrogen Foods
- Leeks
- Avocados
- Mushrooms
- Acidic Fruits
- Iceberg Lettuce
- Box Elder Bugs
- Rhubarb
Commercial Bearded Dragon Food
Commercial foods are a great option for feeding your bearded dragon because they are nutritionally complete and can be fed as a sole diet.
Some of these options include pellets, freeze-dried foods, and live foods.
It is important to choose a high-quality commercial food that is specifically formulated for bearded dragons and to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for feeding. This will ensure that your dragon gets all the nutrients it needs while also providing plenty of variety.
FAQ
Below, we have compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about feeding bearded dragons and what food is best for them.
How Often Should I Feed My Bearded Dragon?
Adult bearded dragons should be fed once or twice a day, while juvenile dragons should be fed up to four times a day.
Do I Need To Give My Bearded Dragons Vitamins And Minerals?
A good diet will provide most of the nutrients your dragon needs, but you may need to supplement its diet with additional vitamins and minerals.
Be sure to consult with a veterinarian before giving your bearded dragon any supplements as supplemental feeding can be harmful if not done correctly.
How Should I Feed My Bearded Dragon?
Live insects: Bearded dragons love to eat live insects! This is a great way to give your beardie a varied diet and ensure that he is getting all the nutrients he needs.
Simply put a container of live insects next to his food dish and watch him go wild as he tries to catch them!
Vegetables: Vegetables are a staple in most diets for humans and beardies, so it’s no surprise that they make an appearance in bearded dragon diets as well.
Veggies can be chopped up into small pieces or juiced for added vitamins and minerals.
Try mixing vegetables into his regular diet or serving them as a side dish with his insect food.
Commercial diets: If you’re not able to provide your beardie with fresh vegetables or live insects, commercial diets may be an option for you.
These diets typically consist of chicken or fish meal, vegetable fiber, vitamins/minerals, water-miscible oil droplets (to prevent constipation), calcium carbonate (to promote healthy eggshells), dried tubifex worms (for intestinal health), and brewer’s yeast (for gut bacteria).
While these diets may not contain all the nutrients that your beardie needs, they are often adequate in terms of protein and other essential nutrients.
Supplements: As with humans, every individual beardie is different – which means that there are no one-size-fits-all supplements when it comes to feeding them reptiles like bearded dragons!
Some people choose to supplement their pet’s diet with things like greens powder or Brazil nut oil capsules; others decide to give their beardies specific reptile supplements like D3 or arachidonic acid tablets instead.
However you decide to feed your beardie – ensure you’re providing him with all the essential nutrients he needs!
Water: Make sure that water is always available for your bearded dragon; without enough hydration, he will become sick easily.
Give him about two quarts per day total, divided up among several smaller sips throughout the day.
Do Bearded Dragons Eat When Shedding?
Bearded dragons may not eat anything at all while they’re shedding. This is normal behavior and it will typically resume once their shedding is complete.
However, if your bearded dragon isn’t eating, throwing up, or appears to be in pain, it’s essential to take him to a veterinarian for a check-up. There could be something wrong with his health and you wouldn’t want to ignore the signs just because he’s shedding!
To Wrap Things Up
Yes, bearded dragons can eat meat, but it should not be their primary diet. They should also have a varied diet that includes vegetables, fruit, greens, succulents, and even some types of flowers such as lavender. Bearded dragons should not eat insects that are poisonous or have hard exoskeletons. Commercial bearded dragon food is available, but you should check with a veterinarian to make sure it is complete and balanced.
My name is Ben and I run this site.
I’m a Dragon lover myself, so when I started this website, I knew I wanted to create an online resource for all things dragon-related. I’ve been collecting information and resources about Bearded Dragons for years, and I want to share them with you. I hope you enjoy the site!