Care - Bearded Dragon Care

This is a complete bearded dragon diet guide. I am going to be providing detailed answers to some of the most common questions on the lizard's diet. Here is a quick summary of what is included in this guide: What do bearded dragons eat?Best commercial bearded dragon foods.Best bearded dragon diet supplements.What to do if a bearded dragon is not eating.And so much more. So without wasting much of your time, let's get this party started. What Do Bearded Dragons Eat? Bearded dragons are omnivorous lizards that can eat a wide range of insects like crickets, grasshoppers and mealworms; vegetables such as peas and bell peppers as well as leafy greens such as kale, collard greens and parsley. Fruits like pears, apples and strawberries are also good additions to a bearded dragon's diet. What Do Baby Bearded Dragons Eat? Baby bearded dragons require more animal protein during this developmental stage of their life. The young beardies should be eating more insects but it is also important to offer them vegetables and fruit in order to maintain a healthy and balanced diet. However, you should be careful about overfeeding your baby bearded dragon. Baby bearded dragons generally need to be fed more frequently than adults but most new pet owners make the mistake of providing a lot of food per each feeding session. This can be very problematic to your lizard because their digestive system will not have fully adapted to digesting huge amounts of food. Bloating is one common problem associated with feeding your baby bearded dragon an excess amount of food. The large bulk of the food can also put pressure on the nerves in the lower part of the bearded dragon's body if it stays in the stomach for a long time. This pressure on the nerves can cause temporary or permanent rear leg paralysis. So the safe approach to feeding a baby bearded dragon is to offer smaller meals per each feeding session. If you are feeding your baby lizard some crickets it is important to only offer baby crickets that are no longer than half an inch long. This is because the digestive system of your baby bearded dragon can get injured by the tougher parts of the cricket. It is greatly encouraged to only offer new born crickets (pinheads) to your baby lizard. The same is true for other insects like mealworms. You should select smaller insects that are easy for the lizard to chew and fully digest. If you would like to provide your bearded dragon with a highly nutritious meal you can select gut loaded insects for each meal. Gut loaded insects are simply fed nutritious foods so that the nutrients are passed to your bearded dragon. They are packed with many essential nutrients and vitamins that your baby bearded dragon requires for body function and growth. You should also remember to include fruits and vegetables in the diet of your baby beardie. The fruits should generally be peeled, seedless and cut into small pieces that are easier for the lizard to digest. The vegetables should also be cut into small pieces after removing stalks or any other tough parts that can be difficult for the bearded dragon to chew and fully digest. What Do Juvenile And Adult Bearded Dragons Eat? Juvenile and adult bearded dragons should generally be fed at least twice a day. This equates to a minimum of one meal every 12 hours and a majority of their diet should include plant based foods. Animal nutritionists and experts recommend that juvenile and adult bearded dragons should eat greens at least once every day and animal protein (insects) around two to three times per week. The amount of food is not a major issue for fully grown bearded dragons. You can feed them as much as they want until they stop eating but it is important to offer small pieces that are easier to chew and fully digest. You should offer your adult bearded dragon coarsely chopped or unchopped greens, fruit mixes and vegetables on a daily basis. The fruits should also be peeled and seedless before you serve them to your beardie. Adult bearded dragons also require animal protein from insects like crickets, grasshoppers, dubia roaches, mealworms and waxworms. Just remember to avoid hard-shelled insects that can cause intestinal blockage to your bearded dragon. Mice is also another good protein source for your lizard but it should only be served as a dietary supplement not a staple. Insects are great protein staples for bearded dragons and they should be fed two to three times a week. Fruits, vegetables and insects can also be supplemented with vitamin and mineral powders in order to provide your bearded dragon with all the essential nutrients they need to stay healthy. These vitamin and mineral supplements are very crucial for egg laying females which require extra food and calcium in order to remain healthy. This is because the egg laying process takes a heavy nutritional toll on the female's body. A preliminary feeding study conducted by the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians observed the effects of supplements to juvenile bearded dragons. Twenty-four juvenile bearded dragons were divided into four groups of six each that were fed different diets. The growth of the lizards was not significantly changed by any diet but the ones that were taking Vitolife and MVP supplements had increased serum levels of vitamin E. This goes to show the significance of vitamin and mineral supplements for bearded dragons and how they help to provide your lizard with essential nutrients required to stay healthy. Bearded Dragon Diet Explained Little is known regarding the nutritional requirements and natural diet of bearded dragons. The lizard fits perfectly in the description of four different dietary classifications of animals: Omnivore which is an animal that eats both animal and vegetable matter.Folivore which is a leaf eating animal.Frugivore which is a fruit eating animal.Insectivorous which is an insect eating animal. Bearded dragons can basically eat all kinds of food and that is one of the reason why the lizard is easy to keep as a pet. The digestive system of bearded dragons begins with the oral cavity and teeth. Beardies generally chew their food with the aid of their sharp teeth and release nutrients which are crucial for the entire digestion process. Once the food reach the stomach and intestines it is digested and subjected to a fermentation process. Fermentation is very crucial for animals like bearded dragons that consume a significant amount of vegetable matter.' The fermentation process requires the presence of bacteria in the gut but this bacteria is not transferred at birth. New born bearded dragons in the wild obtain this bacteria by ingesting a small amount of soil that contain feces. This is the reason why new born bearded dragons in captivity should start on a diet of small insects until they have developed enough gut bacteria to fully digest vegetables. The insects will pass the bacteria to the bearded dragon until they have the right amount to obtain nutritional value from a vegetarian diet. A recent research to study the diet of free‐roaming Australian central bearded dragons concluded that a diet consisting of several insect species, supplemented with leafy vegetables, rich in n3 Fatty Acids, would best resemble the expected natural diet of the lizard. Protein is generally required for muscle and tissue development whilst n3 Fatty Acids help the immune system to fight viral infections. Other nutrients like potassium, dietary fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C and many others can be acquired from greens, fruits and vegetables. In the next section I am going to be breaking down the best insects, greens, vegetables and fruits to feed your bearded dragon. What Insects Can Bearded Dragons Eat? Insects are the preferred protein staple for bearded dragons. The lizard can eat other animals like mice but insects are mostly favored because they are easy for bearded dragons to chew and fully digest. Your bearded dragon can also acquire other essential vitamins and minerals from insects through a process called gut loading. According to Wikipedia, gut loading is basically the process by which an animal's prey is raised and fed nutritious foods with the intention of passing those nutrients to the animal for which the prey is intended. The insects are fed highly nutritious foods a few hours before being prepared for the bearded dragon. Essential vitamins and minerals are then passed to the beardie once they eat the insects. However, in as much as insects are a great protein source for your bearded dragon it is important to avoid wild insects. This is because wild insects can carry parasites or pathogens that can cause life threatening diseases to your bearded dragon. There is also another risk of wild insects carrying toxic pesticides used by farmers or gardeners. Lizard owners are encouraged to stick to commercially raised insects which have no greater risk of carrying parasites or pesticides. Here is a detailed breakdown of the best insects to feed your bearded dragon: InsectDescriptionDubia RoachesThese are the best insects to feed your bearded dragon since they are rich in protein, low in fat and provide other essential nutrients.CricketsA great source of protein and calcium which is crucial for maintaining strong teeth and bones.MealwormsMealworms are not really a good option due to their hard outer-shell which is difficult for bearded dragons to fully digest. It is advised to only offer the insects as supplements to the main protein staple.SuperwormsSuperworms are just large mealworms and they should also be offered as protein supplements due to their hard outer-shell which is difficult to digest.Wax wormsWax worms should be offered as an occasional treat due to their high fat content.Phoenix worms (Black Solder Fly Larvae)Phoenix worms are great feeder insects for bearded dragons since they are very rich in protein and calcium.ButterwormsButterworms contain a high amount of essential nutrients like protein and calcium.EarthwormsEarthworms are a great source of calcium and moisture. They also provide your bearded dragon with protein required for muscle and tissue development.SilkwormsSilkworms are a high protein insect with a moderate amount of fat and minerals like potassium, phosphorus and calcium.HornwormsThese are a great protein staple for your bearded dragon due to their high protein content.GrasshoppersGrasshoppers are a great choice for bearded dragons since they offer high amounts of protein and low fat. Here is a quick summary of some commercially raised insect brands that you can consider for your bearded dragon: Fluker's Gourmet-Style Crickets Reptile Food Description: The Fluker's Gourmet-Style Crickets Reptile Food are packed with essential nutrients and vitamins that your bearded dragon needs to stay healthy. They are a great protein staple for your beadie. Check Prices Online Fluker's Gourmet-Style Grasshoppers Reptile Food Description: The Fluker's Gourmet-Style Grasshoppers Reptile Food are a great protein staple for your bearded dragon. They are also gut loaded with essential nutrients and vitamins that your lizard need to stay healthy. Check Prices Online Fluker's Gourmet-Style Mealworm Food Description: The Fluker's Gourmet-Style Mealworm Food is a great protein supplement for your bearded dragon. The insects are gut loaded with essential nutrients and vitamins that your lizard needs for body function and growth. Check Prices Online What Greens Can Bearded Dragons Eat? A huge proportion of a bearded dragon's diet should be vegetables. Animal nutritionists and experts generally recommend that the diet of a bearded dragon should be 70% plant based foods and 30% insects. Leafy vegetables or greens are the best for bearded dragons. They are great sources many crucial nutrients but they are mostly rich in potassium, dietary fiber, folic acid, vitamin A and vitamin C. Here is a quick list of the greens that you can consider giving your bearded dragon: GreenMain BenefitsCollard greensCollard greens are an excellent source of vitamin A, vitamin C and calcium. These greens can be a staple vegetable for your bearded dragon.Turnip greensThese are very rich in vitamin C, folate and other nutrients that are crucial for body function and growth.Mustard greensMustard greens are another great staple vegetable for bearded dragons. They are a great source of calcium, iron and potassium.Dandelion greensThese greens are an excellent source of vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin K.KaleKale is basically a nutritional superstar due to its high amounts of vitamin A, vitamin K, calcium and potassium.ParsleyParsley is another great leafy vegetable for bearded dragons. It is very rich in vitamins A, C and K.CloverClover offers nutritional diversity due to its high amounts of protein, minerals and soluble carbohydrates.CorianderCoriander is another great source of vitamins A,C and K.SpinachA small amount of chopped tender baby spinach leaves are a great source of iron for bearded dragons but it should be fed in very small amounts. High amounts of spinach can cause calcium deficiency in your bearded dragon. What Vegetables Can Bearded Dragons Eat? As mentioned earlier, leafy vegetables or greens are the best for bearded dragons but you can also offer other types for nutritional diversity. The vegetables should be chopped into suitable sizes that are easy for the bearded dragon to chew and fully digest without imposing an risks of chocking. Here are some of the vegetables that you can feed your bearded dragon: VegetableMain BenefitsCabbageFinely chopped cabbage is a great source of vitamins C and K.Bell peppersBell peppers are excellent sources of vitamin A, vitamin C and potassium.BroccoliBroccoli should be offered in small amounts but it is an excellent source of dietary fiber, protein, iron, potassium, calcium and many other vitamins.AsparagusAsparagus is good nutritionally balanced vegetable that is very rich in folic acid, potassium, fiber and other essential vitamins.CeleryCelery is very good option for bearded dragons due to its low glycemic index and high amounts of vitamins and minerals.Sweet potatoesSweet potatoes should obviously be offered in very small amounts but they are great sources of fiber, vitamins, minerals and many other nutrients that are crucial for your bearded dragon's growth and well-being.PeasPeas are a great source vitamin C, vitamin K, zinc and other essential antioxidants required for body function.Green BeansGreen beans are a great source vitamin C, dietary fiber, folate, vitamin K and silicon.CarrotsGrated carrots are a great treats for bearded dragons. They a great source of beta carotene which helps to enhance the color of your bearded dragon. What Fruits Can Bearded Dragons Eat? Bearded dragons can also eat fruits but they should not be offered in large amounts. Fruits are generally great sources of vitamins but the most common nutrient is vitamin C that your bearded dragon needs for growth, development and repairing worn out body tissues. Here is a quick list of some of the fruits that you can feed your bearded dragon: FruitMain BenefitsApplesApples are excellent sources of fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K and potassium.Pears Pears can provide bearded dragons can get essential nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin K, copper and potassium.WatermelonWatermelon is mostly water but your bearded dragon can also get other essential nutrients like vitamin C from the fruit.PeachesThe fruit offers great nutritional diversity due to its high amount of vitamin A and vitamin C.PlumsPlums are very rich in essential vitamins and minerals that your bearded dragon needs for body function and growth.KiwiThe fruit is a great treat for bearded dragons due to its high amount of vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin E, folate and potassium.StrawberriesStrawberries are highly nutritious fruits with high amounts of vitamins, fiber and antioxidants that are crucial for heart health.BlackberriesThe fruits come with a lot of health benefits due to its nutrient diversity. Blackberries are great sources of vitamin C, vitamin K and manganese.BlueberriesBlueberries are a nutritional superstar. They are packed with antioxidants, potassium and vitamin C.RaspberriesThe fruits offer a nutritional diversity due to their high amount of potassium and omega-3 fatty acids.GrapesGrapes are excellent sources of vitamin C, vitamin K and many other essential nutrients for growth and body development.TomatoesTomatoes are highly nutritious fruits that contain a chemical called lycopene which is believed to help with maintaining a healthy heart.BananasBananas are very rich in potassium which is required for water retention and maintaining a normal blood pressure.CucumbersCucumbers are great sources of vitamins like vitamin K and many other minerals that your bearded dragon needs for body function and growth. Here is a quick summary of a commercial fruit mix that you can try for your bearded dragon: Zilla Reptile Munchies Fruit Mix Reptile Food Description: The Zilla Reptile Munchies Fruit Mix Reptile Food provides essential nutrients and vitamins that your bearded dragon needs for development. Check Prices Online What Can't Bearded Dragons Eat? Bearded dragons are not picky eaters and will eat almost anything that comes their way. It is the responsibility of bearded dragon owners to keep toxic foods away from their enclosures. Here are some of the foods that bearded dragons should not eat: Avocados- Avocados contain toxic chemicals that can harm your bearded dragon. A small portion might give your beardie an upset stomach but large amounts can be very fatal.Beet tops- Beet tops also contain chemicals that are toxic to bearded dragons and most lizards. The chemicals cause calcium deficiency which can result in weak bones and other related bone diseases.Rhubarb- Rhubarb has a high content of oxalic acid which is very poisonous to bearded dragons.Iceberg lettuce- Iceberg lettuce is mostly water and it does not contain much nutritional value so it is not a good idea to feed the vegetable to bearded dragons especially when you are offering it as a staple.Fish or seafood- You should not give fish or seafood to your bearded dragon.Wild insects- Wild insects have risks of carrying parasites or pesticides that can harm your bearded dragon.Fireflies- Glowing insects are toxic to bearded dragons and should be avoided at all cost. Do Bearded Dragons Drink Water? Yes, bearded dragons drink water to keep their body cells hydrated. You can serve the water in a bowl after every meal or you can sprinkle it on the fruits and vegetables when you are feeding the lizard. Best Commercial Bearded Dragon Foods There is currently no long term study indicating that commercial foods are great sole sources of nutrients for bearded dragons but they are perfect for blending with regular vegetable diets. Many manufacturers are developing pelleted foods that offer convenience and can be fed straight out of the jar. There are also commercial insects and fruit mixes that you can also offer your bearded dragon. Here are some of the best commercial bearded dragons that you can consider for your bearded dragon: Fluker's Buffet Blend Adult Bearded Dragon Food Description: The Fluker's Buffet Blend Adult Bearded Dragon Food offers your lizard a highly nutritious meal that is packed with essential nutrients and vitamins. This formula is a combination of freeze-dried crickets and freeze-dried mealworms plus vitamin-enriched pellets. Ingredients: Freeze Dried Mealworms, Freeze Dried Crickets, Corn, Chicken Meal, Tomato Pomace. Main Benefits: Packed with the essential nutrients and vitamins your bearded dragon needs for growth and development.Formulated with the proper balance of protein, fat, vitamins and minerals.Provides a complete and nutritionally balanced meal to your bearded dragon.Adds variety to your lizard's diet.Offers a convenient way to feed your bearded dragon. Check Prices Online Mazuri Bearded Dragon Food Description: The Mazuri Bearded Dragon Food is a great source of protein and fiber. The formula can be a great substitute for insects since it is made to mimic the nutrients that come from an insect diet. Ingredients: Chicken Meal, Ground Soybean Hulls, Ground Wheat, Dehulled Soybean Meal, Rice Flour. Main Benefits: Very rich in protein required for muscle growth and development.Uniquely formulated to be the balanced insect alternative for your bearded dragon.A great source of vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids which help to support the immune system.Free of artificial colors and flavors.Offers a very convenient way to feed your bearded dragon. Check Prices Online Nature Zone Bites Bearded Dragon Food Description: The Nature Zone Bites Bearded Dragon Food is formulated with easily-digestible whey and soy proteins with whole eggs to support healthy growth, soluble carbohydrates and fiber to promote intestinal health, and vitamins and minerals for overall wellbeing. Ingredients: Water, Sucrose, Carrageenan, Soy Protein Isolate, Whey Protein. Main Benefits: Packed with soluble carbohydrates and fiber to promote intestinal health.Perfectly enhanced with other essential nutrients like vitamin D3 and bioavailable calcium.The pear flavor and color helps with appetite and encourages eating.Adds variety to your bearded dragon's diet.Made in the U.S.A. Check Prices Online Best Bearded Dragon Diet Supplements Supplements provide your bearded dragon with the essential nutrients and vitamins they wouldn't fully get from regular feeding. Baby bearded dragons and juveniles generally require supplements to be added to one feeding every day since they are still at the growth and development stage. On the other hand, adult bearded dragons do not really need more supplements so you can safely add them to one feeding every week. The case is different for breeding females. A breeding female bearded dragon requires supplements every day or every other day until two weeks after they have finished laying eggs. However, you should be careful about the supplements you choose to give your lizard. It is important to avoid products without a clear ingredients list on the package or any product that is not produced by reputable brands. Some ingredients can affect the health of your bearded dragon and shorten their lifespan. Here are some of the best supplements that you can start giving your bearded dragon: Nature Zone HerpPro Calcium & Probiotic Bearded Dragon Supplement Description: The Nature Zone HerpPro Calcium & Probiotic Bearded Dragon Supplement is formulated with the idea calcium to phosphorus ratio for bearded dragons. It also contains vitamin D3 which is required for the maximum absorption of calcium. Ingredients: Calcium Carbonate, Maltodextrin, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, L. Bulgaricus, L. Casei. Check Prices Online Zoo Med Repti Calcium with D3 Reptile Supplement Description: The Zoo Med Repti Calcium with D3 Reptile Supplement is made with ultrafine calcium carbonate that is free from any impurities. This makes it a great source of pure calcium that your bearded dragon needs to maintain strong teeth and bones. Ingredients: Precipitated Calcium Carbonate, Cholecalciferol (Source of Vitamin D3). Check Prices Online Repashy Superfoods Calcium Plus Reptile Supplement Description: The Repashy Superfoods Calcium Plus Reptile Supplement is an easy to mix all-in-one powder formula that provides your bearded dragon with the essential calcium for strong teeth and bones, vitamins for a strong immune system and carotenoids for color enhancement. Ingredients: Calcium Carbonate, Dried Kelp, Brewer’s Dried Yeast, Salt, Molasses. Check Prices Online How Often Do Bearded Dragons Eat? Bearded dragons should eat three times per day and it is generally advised that two of the three feeding sessions should be vegetable meals; ideally greens. The other feeding session can be an opportunity to give them treats like fruits or insects. How Much Do Bearded Dragons Eat? Baby and juvenile bearded dragons generally consume more insects than vegetables so they can typically eat 20 to 50 insects per day. Once they reach adulthood the bearded dragon should eat more vegetables. The typical amount of vegetables for an adult beardie is basically as much as they can consume in one feeding session. Just remember not to force your bearded dragon to continue eating when they are full. Too much food can cause an upset stomach and other discomforts for your bearded dragon. How Long Can Bearded Dragons Go Without Eating Food? Adult bearded dragons can typically go up to 2 months without eating any food because of their vast fat storage. It is obviously not encouraged for bearded dragons to go for a long time without food due to health reasons but if circumstances require that you can generally expect a maximum of 2 months before their bodies start giving up. On the other hand, baby and juvenile bearded dragons require more protein for their growth and development so their bodies cannot go for a long time without eating any food. If you are keeping any bearded dragon as a pet then it is important for you to regularly feed them nutritionally balanced meals for maximum growth and development. What To Do If A Bearded Dragon Is Not Eating? There are multiple reasons why your bearded dragon may lose appetite and stop eating as they usually do. Here are some of the common reasons why your lizard may not be eating: Very low or high temperatures- Bearded dragons generally require basking temperatures of 35 to 43 °C and cool down temperatures of 27 to 32 °C. Any temperatures significantly above or lower than the optimum ones can cause the lizard to lose appetite and stop eating.Shedding- Bearded dragons can also stop eating when they are shedding their skins.Impaction- Impaction is generally hardened stool being stuck in the rectum. This can be caused by ingesting tough foods that are difficult to fully digest.Parasites- Parasites from wild insects or environment may also cause your bearded dragon to lose their appetite.Stress- Stress is also a contributing factor to why a bearded dragon can suddenly stop eating and lose appetite. If your bearded dragon is not eating, the best way to help them can be checking the temperature inside their enclosure or observing if they are shedding their skin. However, a loss of appetite can also be cause by a sickness. Signs that your bearded dragon is sick can include diarrhea, lethargy and swollen eyes. If you notice any of these signs persisting, it is always a good idea to visit your nearest veterinarian for professional medical advice. Alternatively, you can call the Pet Health Helpline if you are far away from a veterinary clinic. So, What Can Bearded Dragons Eat? There is very little information regarding nutritional requirements and natural diet of a bearded dragon but they basically have a lot of food options to choose from. Bearded dragons can eat a wide range of insects, fruits and vegetables. Animal nutritionists generally recommend that baby and juvenile bearded dragons eat more insects since they require more protein for growth and development. However, adult bearded dragons should eat more vegetables, preferably greens. Fruits can be added to the diet as treats and nutritional supplements.