Introduction
Can bearded dragons eat what humans eat? Including eggs? Are hard-boiled eggs safe and healthy for our cute little reptiles? If you have been trying to increase your pet’s protein intake, you might be wondering if this food is good for them. For humans, of course, this versatile food makes a great main course or side dish. Despite that, it may not be the best protein source for your bearded dragon, at least not all the time.
So, can bearded dragons eat eggs? If you, should they be raw, boiled, or scrambled? Can these reptiles eat eggshells? If you want to know all the answers, join us in unscrambling these tricky questions about eggs in the discussion below.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Eggs?
We all know that eggs are a wonderful source of protein and other nutrients. Therefore, any beardie owners are curious whether it is safe for bearded dragons or not.
Generally, bearded dragons can eat small quantities of eggs per week. However, it is not a staple food for these reptiles. Hence, we highly recommend you to offer once in two weeks. For instance, you can feed your bearded dragon a small quail egg this week. The next would be after two weeks.
The best eggs to use should come from grass-fed/free-range chickens. However, quail eggs stand out at most because they are smaller and more nutritious. If you choose quail egg, you can feed one whole egg. But if it’s a chicken, only feed half of it due to its bigger size.
If it is your first time, you can offer small bits of egg and see first if he or she likes it. In case you didn’t know, eggs are great alternatives to bugs.
Remember that eggs are very high in protein. While baby beardies need more protein, adults don’t. So, only consider chicken and quail eggs as treats for your bearded dragon, especially adults. It would be best if you would also chop it into a few pieces before feeding.
When preparing eggs for bearded dragons, do not mix any milk or dairy product since these reptiles are lactose intolerant, meaning they cannot digest dairy products. Also, not all beardies like eggs.
Tip: Trying to increase your bearded dragon’s calcium intake? Try this effective calcium supplement.
What Are the Best Perks of Feeding Eggs to Our Bearded Dragon?
Aside from protein, eggs are a great source of other essential nutrients. Here are the best perks of eggs for bearded dragons:
- Vitamin A
Egg contains Vitamin A, which is vital in sustaining our bearded dragon’s healthy skin, maintaining good vision, supporting immune function, and promoting general reproductive health. Drawing sufficient Vitamin A can help you beardie prevent deficiency symptoms, such as skin, eye, and scale problems. Despite that, keep in mind that too much Vitamin A can be toxic, so be careful.
- Vitamin D
Egg’s Vitamin D plays an essential role in calcium and phosphorus absorption, making it essential for maintaining your beardie’s strong teeth. Aside from being the “sunshine vitamin”, this nutrient contributes to maintaining our pets’ regular muscle functions and supporting their immune system.
In case you didn’t know, egg yolks are one of the few foods that contain a natural Vitamin D.
Pro Tip: Treat your bearded dragon with this calcium powder with Vitamin D for stronger bones and teeth.
- Vitamin E
Vitamin E has beneficial antioxidant properties that lower rates of heart disease. Studies have found that Vitamin E can help prevent age-related eye problems in our bearded dragons. It is also essential for our pets’ stronger muscles.
- Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is necessary for energy metabolism, cell growth, and the sound functioning of our bearded dragons’ nervous system. Besides that, it is essential in repairing body tissues and maintaining a healthy immune system.
Sadly, Vitamin B12 deficiency is common among old bearded dragons, making them weak and decreasing their appetite.
Pro Tip: This liquid vitamin offers all your beardie’s required vitamin intake.
- Magnesium
Magnesium is also essential for a beardie’s healthy bones. A bearded dragon with enough magnesium has a higher bone mineral density, which reduces the risk of bone fractures. It also has anti-inflammatory benefits.
Why Are Too Many Eggs Dangerous for Bearded Dragons?
With the wide variety of nutrients in one egg, you may be wondering why we should only give small bits to our bearded dragons every two weeks. Well, of course, too much egg in adults can lead to fatty liver disease and excess weight gain (obesity).
What is fatty liver disease? This sickness is usually caused by overfeeding. However, sometimes, it came from the compromised liver functions unrelated to our beardies’ diet.
Some of the common symptoms of fatty liver disease are:
- Lethargy and weakness
- Potential regurgitation of food
- Weight loss
- Diarrhea in acute cases
How to Cook Eggs for a Bearded Dragon?
We have two ways to prepare eggs for our bearded dragons. The first is to boiling, and the second is scrambling. Remember not to use any butter, oil, seasoning, or sauce in cooking since these ingredients are very unhealthy for reptiles; raw eggs are also a big no-no.
Scrambling an egg in a microwave for around one minute can be a great way. Once ready, you only have to cool it down and it into small pieces. If you want to fry, do not add any oil or butter, just put the egg on a pan with a low heat setting and wait for it to cook. Raw eggs are not allowed for bearded dragons since these are harder to digest and messy.
Pro Tip: These feeders will surely boost your beardie’s appetite while eating delicious eggs.
Can Bearded Dragon Eat Egg Shells?
Although eggshells are great sources of calcium carbonate, it is not healthy for bearded dragons. So, do not feed any eggshells to your pet. They don’t need it. Also, they are sharp and can cause throat scratching, impaction, and injury.
Conclusion
Eggs are one of the healthiest breakfast choices for us humans and bearded dragons. However, too many eggs can lead to health problems. Despite the wide variety of nutrients, we should only feed our adult beardies one egg every two weeks. We should also cook it thoroughly to kill all bacteria.
With the right discipline, eggs can be an excellent protein source for bearded dragons.
