Introduction
One of the questions we mostly receive is: “what fruits can a bearded dragon eat?” Hence, we decided to share the most recommended fruits for our cute little reptiles in this article. While it is true that these dragons can eat fruits, not all are safe for them.
In fact, some varieties can potentially cause harm to their health. Various fruits are good to eat every day, but various are also for occasional purposes only. It is because some of them have high acid and disproportionate calcium to phosphorus ratio content.
Pro Tip: Gift these cute feeders to your pet to boost his or her appetite while eating fruits.
What Fruits Can a Bearded Dragon Eat?
So, what fruits can a bearded dragon eat? To keep our beardies healthy and happy, they need to eat a diet primarily comprised of vegetables, fruits, and insects. Keep in mind that these reptiles have complex needs and can be stressed by the wrong food handling. Therefore, as bearded dragon owners, we need to be more cautious and dedicated in understanding which fruits, vegetables, or insects, such as dubia roaches, are the best for them.
Bearded dragons happily live on a diet of crickets, worms, fruits, and vegetables. While these cute reptiles are omnivores, adult dragons need more fruits and vegetables than meat. Some of the most recommended fruits for bearded dragons are:
- Papayas
- Papaya is rich in healthy enzymes and fiber that improve a bearded dragon’s digestive health. It also contains Vitamin A, C, E, and K, potassium, calcium, and folate, strengthening the heart and immune system.
- Peeled bananas
- Bananas are packed with Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, and potassium. Besides that, your dog can benefit from its biotin, copper, and manganese. It is low in sodium and cholesterol, but you should only give it to your beardie as a treat, not a part of his or her diet because of its high sugar content.
- Apples
- Remove the skins before feeding. We highly recommend this fruit because it contains lots of fiber, potassium, and Vitamin C. Red, green, and yellow apples are all acceptable choices for bearded dragons.
- Raspberries
- Raspberries are rich in nutrients, such as Vitamin K, magnesium, and potassium. This fruit is also fairly low in calories, making them excellent treats for our little reptiles.
- Watermelon
- Watermelon is a health-food powerhouse, packed with nutrients, such as Vitamin A, B6, and C, and low in calories. We highly recommend this for hydration, too.
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Other safe fruits for bearded dragons are:
- Blackberries
- Plums
- Pears
- Pineapples
- Cherries
- Grapes
Pro Tip: Best calcium supplement for bearded dragons.
Before offering these fruits, remember that some of them are quite delicate and easy to rot. Hence, practice checking the fruits frequently and removing all the start to turn bad. We have to understand that our bearded dragons can strive longer with fresh and clean foods. Hence, never feed rotten fruits as these could upset your reptile’s stomach.
Regardless of your bearded dragon’s age, we should give only a small amount of fruit at a maximum of every two days. Keep their fruit intake ow to avoid any health problems.
All mentioned fruits above should only make up five percent of your pet’s overall food list. We are not required to put a true staple fruit in the same way we staple vegetables in their meal plans for maintaining a proper diet. Besides that, you have to understand that each dragon is different.
The food quantity will vary from lizard to lizard. As you get to know your pet’s likes and dislikes, it will become easier for you to give them a variety of fruits, vegetables, mealworms, and insects.
What Foods Can Bearded Dragons Not Eat?
Now that you have enough idea of the safest and healthiest fruits for our bearded dragons, let’s discuss the worst foods for them.
Rule of the thumb: If you are not sure whether a particular food is safe for your pet or not, don’t give it.
Never feed your bearded dragon any of the following foods:
- Wild-caught insects
- Fish & seafood
- Fern
- Buttercup
- Daffodil
- Wheat
- Dairy products (cheese, ice cream, milk, etc.)
- Avocado
- Lettuce
- Fireflies
- Rhubarb
- Beets tops
- Spinach
- Meat (red meat, poultry, etc.)
What Are the Risk Factors of Too Many Fruits in Bearded Dragons?
Feeding your reptile too many fruits can be dangerous for many reasons. Although it isn’t common to spoil our pets by sharing our favorite fruits with them, we still need to be careful and disciplined with the quantity.
Remember that bearded dragons and other reptiles digest fruits differently than humans do. Therefore, eating too much can lead our beardies to long-term health problems and even death in extreme cases.
As omnivores, bearded dragons have no real need for fruits, but an occasional treat is okay.
Read on to find out the risk factors of too many fruits among bearded dragons.
- Too Much Acid
- Many bearded owners do not know this, but some fruits contain acids, such as fatty acids and linolenic acid. While this content is healthy when fed in moderation, it can irritate your pet’s stomach lining and cause heartburn and indigestion when they eat too much.
- Improper Calcium:Phosphorus Ratio
- As you know, bearded dragons need a Ca:P ratio that ranges between 1:1 and 2:1 ideally. If you feed your beardie too many fruits, it will cause an imbalance and can cause involuntary shaking or tremors in their bodies. Some bearded dragons also experience weakness, lethargy, loss of appetite, and swollen lower jaw.
- High Sugar Content
- Many fruits contain sugar (glucose and fructose). While glucose is not dangerous for our bearded dragons, fructose can be a problem. Reptiles like bearded dragons cannot digest fructose easily. Therefore, too much of it in their diet can lead to digestive issues like constipation and diarrhea.
Conclusion
As you know, choosing the healthiest and safest fruits for our beloved bearded dragons involves assessing the acid, calcium, and phosphorus content. Besides that, other fruits are very sugary, which can lead to obesity and raised yeast levels. Reptile experts recommend owners exercise caution when feeding fruits among their beardies because some can also ferment and cause teeth problems.
