Best Bearded Dragon Pellet Food? The 103 Latest Answer

Gently knead the bag before use to avoid liquid accumulation. Open the spout, squeeze out the desired amount of food and tear off with tweezers or gloved fingers. If your pet doesn’t readily accept DragonGel™, try dangling it in front of its mouth and slowly rocking it back and forth. Feed baby lizards (less than 8 inches or 20 cm) only DragonGel™ every day. For sub-adult animals (8″ to 15″ or 20cm to 40cm) we recommend Dragon Delite™ which has a live food texture when soaked in water.

Dead insects don’t have nearly as much nutritional value as live insects. When insects are alive, their bodies are mostly made up of water, and this is what contains the vast majority of the nutrients in their bodies. When they die, they begin to lose that water and the nutrients it contains, so most of the nutritional value is lost. Bearded dragons also love to hunt. It’s an excellent form of exercise and stimulation for them, and they will lose the need to chase their food when they no longer have to. This causes them to become lazy and always expect to be hand fed or just have the food in front of them. If you try to feed them live insects again, they may not even try to hunt and just let them escape.

You also have to consider why the insect died in the first place and that dead bodies attract bacteria. If the insect was sick or had parasites then you could easily transfer these to your dragon when you feed it and this could make your dragon extremely sick. The only safe way to feed dead insects is to buy commercially prepared dried insects, but these are intended more as an emergency supplement in case you cannot obtain live food and you don’t want your dragon to starve. If you’re afraid of feeding live insects, then you should probably consider a reptile that doesn’t need to eat live food rather than getting a pet bearded dragon.

From what vegetables and insects to feed them, to how often to feed a bearded dragon at each age, to understanding how to use vitamins and supplements… we all agree that getting started with a bearded dragon definitely requires some research!

I hope that no matter how old your bearded dragon is, this post will answer any questions you may have about not only how often to feed them, but what you should be feeding them.

The Bearded Dragon Feeding Chart by Age below is a handy guide to help you remember important information. But there’s a lot of information we couldn’t squeeze in, so be sure to read on!

How often do adult bearded dragons eat?

Adult bearded dragons or those older than 18 months only need to be fed once a day each day. Now, if you miss a day here and there, it’s by no means the end of the world. But you should really make an effort to feed your bearded dragon once a day.

How many crickets to feed an adult bearded dragon

An adult bearded dragon is one that has reached full sexual maturity. This usually happens around the age of 18 months. At this point, your diet should only be about 20% protein, with the rest being a fresh salad.

Healthy adult bearded dragons should eat about 10 crickets a day OR 20 crickets every other day.

How many mealworms does it take for a bearded dragon?

Although many vets or novice owners advocate mealworms, they’re actually NOT that great for your beard.

problems as impaction. In addition, they also contain very little nutritional value. bottom line? Choose a different food source such as crickets, dubias, or super worms. Mealworms consist of a VERY tough chitlin exoskeleton that is difficult for a bearded dragon’s digestive tract to digest. Mealworms are known to lead to such. In addition, they also contain very little nutritional value. bottom line? Choose a different food source such as crickets, dubias, or super worms.

How many super worms does it take for a bearded dragon?

Because superworms are so high in protein, you don’t need to overload your bearded dragon with them. As such, you should aim to feed your adult bearded dragon about 7 to 10 superworms every other day.

How often do baby bearded dragons need to eat?

Much like a human baby, baby bearded dragons NEED to eat several times a day. For babies under 3 months, try feeding them 5 times a day.

Babies aged 3 to 6 months should be fed 3 to 4 times a day, while babies aged 6 months should be fed 3 times a day, working up to 2 times a day as they approach a year .

Personally, I remember having my first bearded dragon many moons ago, how lost I was! Since reptiles were new to me at the time, I just assumed that my baby only needed to eat about twice a day…man, was I wrong!

Thankfully, it didn’t take long for me to notice her stalled growth that I realized my poor girl needed E-A-T! So rest assured…if you’ve been underfeeding, I FULLY understand. As long as you make the necessary adjustments, this is a judgment-free zone 😉

✅ PRO TIP: From around 12 months of age, be prepared to include more vegetables in your bearded dragon’s diet. The ratio should be around 70% vegetables and 30% protein at this point.

How many crickets to feed a baby bearded dragon

A bit of a hot topic, you’ll get a different answer depending on who you talk to…

While some owners believe babies should eat as much as they want 3-5 times a day at 5-10 minute intervals, others believe they should limit their total cricket intake to around 50 crickets a day, give or take 10-20

However, here is what the MAJORITY of owners will recommend…

Feed babies under 3 months as many crickets as they eat, in 5-10 minute increments, 5 times a day. Reduce these feedings to just 4 times a day for babies from 3 to 12 months old, then 3 times a day and finally 2 times a day by the time they are 12 months old.

How long can a bearded dragon go without food?

Just like with humans, this answer will vary slightly depending on the bearded dragon’s current health status. In fact, I’ve already taken the liberty of writing a really comprehensive post discussing this very question, so be sure to check it out for the surprising answer!

Can you overfeed a bearded dragon?

Oh yeah! Just like humans, bearded dragons can become overweight from overeating. In fact, obesity can be quite a problem in adult bearded dragons and should not be taken lightly by any owner.

Typically, obesity in adults occurs when the diet is too rich in tasty things (read: insects) and not enough in vegetables. Funny how that seems to apply regardless of species, right?

What can bearded dragons eat every day?

in summary? GREEN! You should feed your bearded dragon 12 months and older ANY leafy greens. SINGLE. DAY.

However, don’t leave uneaten vegetables lying around for more than 20-30 minutes if you can avoid them. This will prevent things like mold and bacteria from spreading in the tank. The same goes for feeders, be they dead or alive.

Do bearded dragons have to eat every day?

While bearded dragons don’t necessarily have to eat every day, you SHOULD feed them every day.

Well, if your bearded dragon has to go a day or so without food because you’re out of town for a moment, he should be fine. Just don’t make this a regular occurrence.

What is the best way to feed a bearded dragon?

In terms of protein, there is no better option than dubia cockroaches.

in summary? Dubias are very easy to digest, high in protein, and tend to be safer than crickets, which can transmit parasites.

You can also feed them phoenix worms, which are so high in calcium you don’t even have to dust them every time! Phoenix Worms can be expensive, however, so be ready to treat yourself…

Crickets will be your next best bet after Dubias and Phoenix worms, although they’re definitely not that high in protein and can be pretty messy if you want to breed them. (Just a heads up… they can get pretty smelly too!)

While Dubia Roaches and Phoenix Worms are higher in protein and tend to be cleaner, there’s no denying how accessible and inexpensive crickets are.

Another food you can feed is mealworms, although they should never be given to a dragon younger than 2 years old as their hard chitlin shell is very difficult to digest. For this reason, you won’t want to make mealworms your adult bearded dragon’s staple food, but rather an occasional treat.

To be honest there are 9 great foods you can feed your bearded dragon for a high protein diet… do you know them all?

In terms of the best vegetables… you should include dark leafy greens like cabbage, endive, dandelion, and the like in the bearded dragon diet.

How many dubia cockroaches to feed a bearded dragon

Baby bearded dragons 3 months old and younger should consume 10-20 dubias three times a day until they are 4 months old.

Give them 10-15 dubias twice a day between the ages of 4 and 12 months and work your way up to one feeding by one year of age.

Give an adult bearded dragon 10-20 dubias 1-3 times per week depending on weight, 18 months and older.

If your bearded dragon is pregnant or underweight, consider increasing their protein intake.

If your bearded dragon is pregnant you MUST also increase their calcium intake as laying eggs will deplete their calcium stores!

The same goes for skinny or underweight bearded dragons that need fattening!

How many crickets a day for a baby bearded dragon

Now, if you can’t get dubia roaches for your baby dragon, crickets are your next best choice. A baby 4 months old and younger should eat between 30 and 60 crickets per day over the course of 3 10 minute feedings.

A baby between 4 months and one year old should eat between 20 and 40 crickets over the course of 2 feedings. When they are one year old, feed them 10 to 20 crickets once a day.

✅PRO TIP: You should also dust the feeders with calcium AND a multivitamin. Dust a baby bearded dragon’s food with calcium 4-5 times a week, once a day at most, and give a multivitamin 2 to 3 times a week. Healthy adults should dust their food three times a week and only offer them a multivitamin once a week.

What Vegetables CAN Bearded Dragons Eat?

As your bearded dragon gets older, consider switching them from a high-protein diet to one that has more vegetables. Their adult diet should consist of 70-80% vegetables with the remainder being insects.

Some of the vegetables a bearded dragon can eat include…

Kale Kale Mustard greens Kohlrabi Peppers (raw) Butternut squash Carrots Cucumber (peeled) Endive Okra (raw) Spaghetti squash Squash Parsnips

Would you like a more detailed list? Check out EVERYTHING you can feed your bearded dragon in this comprehensive post!

What can bearded dragons not eat?

Fortunately, this is simple: you should NOT eat most things. If in doubt, it’s not for them. Only feed them the foods on the relatively short and simple list of things you know are good for them.

Basically, any food that is not an approved food (crickets, dubia roaches, mealworms, superworms) or an approved vegetable or fruit will not work.

Here are just a few examples of foods that should NEVER be fed to a bearded dragon:

Dairy (cheese, milk, yogurt, ice cream, etc.) Avocado Meat (red meat, seafood, poultry, etc.) Wild-caught insects Spinach Lettuce (loose leaf and iceberg) Onion

✅ PRO TIP: In addition to things a bearded dragon should NEVER eat… there are also some things they can only enjoy on RARE occasions. To make sure you don’t feed them too much of this type of food, check out ours. To make sure you don’t feed them too much of this type of food, see our Bearded Dragon Diet Guide. We also have a specific guide to strawberries as some owners can have (risky) misconceptions about whether their bearded dragons should be eating strawberries

Summary of how often to feed a bearded dragon

I sincerely hope that you now know exactly how often to feed your bearded dragon. As a bearded dragon grows into adulthood, feeding them becomes extremely easy and low-maintenance, with only one feeding per day.

And as a last-minute tip… if you’re short on time in the morning, you can always prep your bearded dragon salad ahead of time. Sometimes I made the salads for myself almost like meal prep. It really helped cut time in the mornings.

We’ve put together a complete nutrition guide for you to read here, but one thing we haven’t covered in this guide is the topic of pre-packaged bearded dragon food.

To see all the foods you can and cannot feed a bearded dragon, check out our full bearded dragon food list with 237 different foods listed. We’ll show you what’s safe, what’s not, and the healthiest foods for your bear!!!

A visit to your local pet store will give you a few choices: some good, some bad. One of the most popular options is freeze-dried crickets. Chances are your tardigrades will love them (ours certainly will), and they’re far easier to manage than live crickets (which are horrid, hideous little creatures!).

But simpler is not always better. There is a fairly regular debate among bearded dragon owners about the pros and cons of using freeze-dried crickets as a staple for a bearded dragon.

Freeze-dried crickets can be good treats your bearded dragons will love, but they’re not a suitable everyday food. Dried crickets completely lack nutrition and moisture, two things that bearded dragons need from their diet. They can also pose an impaction risk if fed in large quantities.

So is it best to avoid freeze-dried crickets altogether? Are they okay every now and then? Are there any good alternatives? Let’s dive in!

Advantages and disadvantages of freeze-dried crickets

There’s a reason freeze-dried crickets have been around for so long. You have some advantages.

If you search online for information about dried crickets, you will find that there are usually two types of people who post information. One feeds her beard dried crickets all the time. The other thinks that dried crickets are the worst thing to feed your tardigrade.

The real answer lies somewhere between these two extremes. There are advantages and disadvantages and both should be considered.

Benefits of Dried Crickets

They are not live crickets. Live crickets, in our opinion, have no redeeming properties. We do not feed them to our bears and they are not allowed in our house under any circumstances! Check out our article here for what we recommend instead.

Live crickets, in our opinion, have no redeeming properties. We do not feed them to our bears and they are not allowed in our house under any circumstances! Check out our article here for what we recommend instead. They are easy to get. You can find a plastic jar of Fluker dried crickets at almost any major pet supply store. If you need a quick meal these are easy to source.

You can find a plastic jar of Fluker dried crickets at almost any major pet supply store. If you need a quick meal these are easy to source. They are a good meal replacement. There has been more than one occasion where we have run out of live feeder insects for a meal or two. Having a jar of dried crickets on hand was a great stopgap measure.

There has been more than one occasion where we have run out of live feeder insects for a meal or two. Having a jar of dried crickets on hand was a great stopgap measure. Beardies love them. Overall, most bearded dragons will eat a bunch of dried crickets and be happy! Sometimes bearded ones don’t want to eat, and mixing dried crickets with their greens is a great way to address that!

Disadvantages of dried crickets

They have almost no nutritional value. The freeze-drying process removes virtually all of the already minimal nutritional value they might have had.

The freeze-drying process removes virtually all of the already minimal nutritional value they might have had. They are not loaded well. Despite what the package says, dried crickets don’t have a significant amount of greens in their guts. Gut loading is a key benefit of using live feeder insects, and you just don’t get that with freeze-dried insects.

Despite what the package says, dried crickets don’t have a significant amount of greens in their guts. Gut loading is a key benefit of using live feeder insects, and you just don’t get that with freeze-dried insects. They are mostly exoskeletons. The exoskeleton of crickets, also called chitin, is difficult for bearded dragons to digest. In high amounts, it can also pose an impaction risk.

The exoskeleton of crickets, also called chitin, is difficult for bearded dragons to digest. In high amounts, it can also pose an impaction risk. They contain no moisture. Bearded dragons get a good portion (though not all) of their water from the food they eat. Live feeder insects provide bearded dragons with a good hydration level. Dried insects do not offer any.

As you can see, when it comes to the essentials, freeze-dried crickets are negative in almost every area. Can bearded dragons eat them? Yes. Should bearded dragons eat them? Just as a treat.

We like to think of freeze-dried crickets as the twinkies of the bearded dragon food world. It’s perfectly fine to have one every now and then. It’s even okay to knock down a few in a moment of weakness.

But it’s not okay to live on them. They are not everyday food.

Alive or dead, which is better?

One of the main problems with dried insects of any kind is that they are not alive. Feeding your bearded dragons live insects as a protein source has several key benefits. These benefits aren’t things you want to take away from your Beardie.

Bacardi loves hunting live cockroaches!

The benefits of live feeding insects for a bearded dragon include:

They contain moisture. They can be loaded well to provide high nutritional value. They are easier to digest. They move and awaken your bear’s natural hunting instincts.

Live food should be a part of every bearded dragon’s diet. To see what type of live food we prefer, you can visit our article on crickets vs dubia roaches here, and you can see our full rundown of each type of live worm you can feed your tardigrade here.

As the articles just linked will show, we don’t like crickets as live feeder insects. A lot of people use them because they’re easy to obtain, but once you find a good source of dubia roaches online (we get ours at dubiaroaches.com) they can be delivered straight to your door!

Live crickets are a terrible food insect for bearded dragons for the following reasons:

Crickets can have pinworms that get transferred to your beard, making them sick. biting crickets. you and your beard Crickets can escape and breed in your home. Crickets smell horribly. Crickets are difficult to manage. Crickets are difficult to catch and eat for some bearded ones.

In other words, alive or dead and freeze-dried, crickets don’t have much to offer. They are best avoided most of the time.

Make your own dried crickets

At the beginning of this article we mentioned that we keep a container of dried crickets on hand for emergencies. But they don’t have to come from the store.

A good idea is to gut crickets or roaches and then place them in the freezer. These will keep for some time, which is a great way to have some reserve food on hand if needed.

Thaw the frozen critters to room temperature before feeding them to your bears, but once thawed they make a good treat. And they’re far healthier for your bearded dragon than store-bought dried crickets!

What about other dried insects?

Crickets aren’t the only insect you’ll find freeze-dried and packaged for bearded dragon consumption. Multiple types of worms are also usually available.

Dried mealworms are a common find at pet stores.

In virtually all cases, the same disadvantages that apply to dried crickets also apply to dried worms.

Combine the worms and the crickets in the food group “Twinkies for bearded dragons.”

It’s okay as a treat. Once in a while it’s ok. It’s just not a good idea for everyday use!

Further questions:

How Long Do Freeze-Dried Crickets Stay Safe and Edible?

Judging by the expiration date on the bottom of the jars at the pet store, the average shelf life appears to be around three years. We’d suspect they’ll last longer, but three years is probably a good guideline.

My bearded dragon doesn’t eat live insects but does like the still freeze-dried versions. What can I do?

You can put live insects in the freezer for about 5-10 minutes. When removed, they are still alive but do not move. This is a great way to get your bear to eat live food without having to chase it around (which some lazy or spoiled bears won’t do!)

Can I feed my bearded crickets that I find in the wild?

No, that’s not a good idea. Since you don’t know what these crickets ate, feeding them to your beard can be risky. A little bit of pesticides or herbicides can do a lot of harm to your pet. You also risk bacterial and parasitic infections this way.

It is best to avoid feeding your bear wild insects of any kind.

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Laid back, easy to handle, and hardy, bearded dragons make great pets for new and experienced reptile owners. Affectionately known as Beardies, these little lizards have big personalities. Because they roam during the day and sleep at night, you have plenty of opportunities to watch and enjoy your dragon’s antics, rather than oversleeping them like people who own nocturnal lizards do. With good care and an appropriate bearded dragon diet, you can expect your lizard friend to live to be six to ten years old. Some live even longer.

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Feed your bearded dragons vegetables

Like many human children, baby bearded dragons don’t eat a lot of vegetables. Young dragons have a diet of about 80 percent insects and 20 percent fruits and vegetables. These numbers reverse in adulthood, with adult dragons consuming 80 percent vegetables and only 20 percent insects. Bearded dragons need lots of green leafy vegetables, so give yours plenty of cabbage, mustard, and kohlrabi. You can also provide them with peeled cucumbers, cabbage, squash, squash, carrots, bell peppers, and kale. She also likes green beans, sweet potatoes, and broccoli.

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Although it is green and leafy, never feed your dragon spinach. Spinach binds tightly to calcium and can prevent your lizard’s body from absorbing enough of it. Avocados are poisonous to lizards and you should never give your dragon rhubarb. Also avoid light-colored vegetables that are deficient in nutrients, such as iceberg lettuce and celery. Beet leaves make a good snack, but feed them sparingly.

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Offer fruit to your bearded dragon

Fruit should make up the smallest part of your beardie’s diet, but include it. He likes to nibble on papayas, peeled bananas, apples, raspberries, plums, peaches and pears. Dragons also like watermelons, pineapples, cherries, and grapes. When offering fruit, remember that some fruit are very delicate and start to rot quickly. Check the fruit regularly and remove it as soon as it starts to rotate. Bearded dragons need a clean habitat. Never feed citrus fruits as they may upset your pet’s stomach.

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Give proteins and supplements

Vegetables and fruits make up the bulk of an adult bearded dragon’s diet, but bearded dragons are omnivores and require some meat protein. Feed your dragon two to three meals a day, with adults getting one insect meal and hatchlings two or more insect meals. Always feed gut-laden insects. A well-loaded insect is one that has been fed a very nutrient-dense diet before becoming food for your dragon itself. Lightly dust these bug meals with calcium powder for an extra boost. Bearded dragons eat crickets, earthworms, cockroaches, and black soldier fly larvae.

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Butterworms, waxworms, and mealworms are high in fat. Only offer them occasionally to keep your dragon from gaining weight or becoming obese. Never feed your bearded insects that you have rounded up yourself. The insects in and around your home likely contain at least small amounts of pesticides that could harm your reptilian friend. Lightning beetles and other glowing insects are also poisonous to lizards, so avoid feeding them as well.

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If you offer insects to your tardigrade, leave them in the enclosure with her for about 15 minutes. After that, remove any uneaten animals from the cage and check the water bowl for drowning victims. Insects won’t stay where you put them and often hide in the substrate at the bottom of the cage. Because of this, some Beardie owners feed their dragon in a separate enclosure. This makes post-dinner cleanup a lot easier and prevents an overzealous eater from accidentally picking up substrate when grabbing a tasty insect.

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The mysterious water bowl

In the wild, bearded dragons absorb the dew and rainwater that collects on plant leaves and flowers. When confronted with a bowl of water, some bears just have no idea what to do with it. To tempt yours to drink out of a bowl, try adding a touch of fruit juice to the water to make it more appealing. Until he gets the hang of it, lightly spray his cage with water once a day to ensure he gets enough to drink. He will happily lick water droplets off the side of his fish tank until he figures out the whole water bowl thing.

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gina cioli

Bearded dragons are not difficult to feed as these popular lizards are very hardy eaters who enjoy devouring a wide variety of foods.

Over time, proper diet and nutrition will not only make your bear healthier, but also help extend its lifespan, activity level, and keep its coloration more vibrant. Given that bearded dragons require a combination of vegetables and live food to stay healthy, their dietary requirements can seem complicated and overwhelming to anyone new to reptiles, but the tips in this article will help your bearded dragon meet the requirements get real stuff.

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age matters

The age of your bearded dragon plays a big part in its diet and nutritional needs. A young bearded dragon’s diet consists primarily of insects to provide the proteins and fats needed for growth, while a mature bearded dragon needs primarily vegetables for overall health and nutrition.

Since younger bearded dragons are constantly growing and protein is needed to support that growth, they will have a great appetite for insects. Expect to feed younger dragons as many insects as they can eat in a 15-minute period, two to three times a day. Although younger dragons are constantly hungry, some owners have trouble getting them to eat vegetables; However, it is important to ensure that their diet consists of 70 to 80 percent insects and 20 to 30 percent vegetables.

Your bearded dragon’s appetite will change as it reaches adulthood. Some start eating more vegetables before 6 months, others take longer. Keep fresh vegetables, plants and fruits in the tank throughout the day. As the dragon gets older, it will gradually start eating more of the vegetables. There are some circumstances when adult bearded dragons will not eat vegetables, but usually it’s because they’ve been fed too many insects to keep them full and/or they’re being fed vegetables they don’t like.

Once they reach adulthood, you’ll find they’re not as hungry as they were when they were growing rapidly, and their eating habits switch to 80 percent vegetables and 20 percent insects. To compensate for this dietary change, feed adult insects every day or two and keep a fresh supply of fruits, plants, and vegetables in the cage for them to eat throughout the day.

Available insects

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gina cioli

Bearded dragons will devour almost any insect that crawls in front of them.

Insects are an important part of a bearded dragon’s diet (especially younger dragons) so it is necessary to ensure your bearded dragon is eating the right amount, type and type of food to remain healthy.

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favorite insects

Black soldier fly larvae

butterworms

cockroaches

grilling

Dubia cockroaches

worms

grasshoppers

redworms

superworms

First of all, bearded dragons will devour just about any insect that crawls in front of them. However, not all bugs are healthy for bearded dragons. It’s up to you to make sure they eat safe bugs. When it comes to tasty insects, you can’t go wrong with Black Soldier Fly Larvae, Butterworms, Cockroaches, Crickets, Dubia Cockroaches, Earthworms, Locusts, Redworms and Superworms. These insects are safe for bearded dragons and relatively easy to come by.

Insects to avoid

Firefly

elder bugs

Poisonous insects such as bees, wasps and scorpions

All insects that glow

Insects you found outside

Insects sold as bait for fishing

Insects found in your home

When feeding, let your bear eat as many bugs as possible within 15 minutes. After this time, collect the remaining uneaten bugs and save them for another feeding. If you leave the insects in your bearded dragon tank for long periods of time, you risk your bearded dragon overeating or the insects burrowing and hiding in the enclosure.

Make sure you source your bearded dragon insects from a feeder insect supplier. Never feed your lizard bugs found outside or on your property, or insects intended to be used as fishing bait. It’s not uncommon for the bugs in your home to contain parasites or trace amounts of pesticides, both of which are dangerous to bearded dragons. You can buy safe insects from local pet stores or online from food insect suppliers.

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Feed your bearded dragon vegetables

Plants, fruits and vegetables are an important part of any bearded dragon’s diet. This intake provides many bearded dragons with water as well as important vitamins and minerals.

Anything frozen can lose its nutrients fairly easily, so it’s important to use fresh veggies and greens. Bearded dragons eat most veggies and greens raw, but if the veggies are too hard, you might want to cook them so they’re soft enough for your bearded dragon to eat (just make sure the food is at room temperature before you cook it). offer it to you tardigrades).

There are numerous plants, fruits, and vegetables that are safe and healthy for bearded dragons, but some favorites include squash, collards, peppers, mustard, and seedless watermelon. Of course, it’s best to shake up your bearded dragon’s diet from time to time. Sometimes adding variety can increase your lizard’s appetite.

Safety Concerns in Bearded Dragons

Bearded dragons are not difficult to feed as these popular lizards are very hardy eaters who enjoy devouring a wide variety of foods. The following tips are designed to help make feeding your bear pet easier and safer.

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gina cioli

Bearded dragons live in very hot and dry climates, so they have adapted to survive with very little water.

When eating plants and insects, bearded ones may inadvertently ingest small pieces of sand, gravel, or other loose pieces of substrate with their food. Accidental ingestion of substrate can put more stress on a bearded dragon’s digestive system and sometimes lead to serious health problems. Fortunately, this problem is more common in younger bearded dragons, as adults are more adept eaters and can usually cope with low substrate intake more easily than younger bearded dragons. Regardless of the age of your bearded dragon, digesting unwanted material is unhealthy, so it is not recommended to feed your bearded dragon sand, pebbles, or other loose or sharp-edged substrates. Many owners circumvent this problem by using food bowls, hand feeding, or feeding their bearded dragons on substrates such as reptile carpet or butcher paper.

Monitor the size of the food you are feeding your pet. Don’t feed your bearded dragon anything wider than the distance between their eyes. Anything wider than this space can cause impact and/or spinal pressure, which can lead to health and mobility issues. So make sure the bugs aren’t bigger and cut the fruits and vegetables you offer your beard to the appropriate size.

While not a major concern, overfeeding can lead to obesity and should be avoided for health reasons. Most cases of overfeeding result from owners overfeeding adult bearded insects that are higher in fat (such as waxworms). It is recommended that adult bearded dragons be fed low-fat insects, such as crickets, with meals and fatty waxworms only as occasional snacks or treats, not as a standard diet.

Hydration for your bearded dragon

Bearded dragons live in very hot and dry climates, so they have adapted to survive with very little water. Still, hydration is an important issue. Your bearded dragons get most of their water from plants and vegetables. However, because your bearded dragon’s tank is hot and dry, it doesn’t take long for the foliage to become dehydrated, so providing other sources of water is sometimes necessary.

Some keepers place bowls of water in their bearded dragon enclosure; However, bearded dragons come from desert environments and do not detect standing water very easily. In fact, they are not allowed to drink from their water bowl. Because of this, it’s often more common for your bearded dragon to bathe in their bowl of water rather than drink from it. Soaking is normal behavior for bearded people and it helps in the digestive process. Given that bearded dragons often urinate or defecate while soaking, make sure you change the water regularly, and do so the moment you see it’s dirty.

You can also mist your bearded dragons to keep them hydrated. Spraying fresh water once or twice a day with a spray bottle simulates rain and dew. In nature, bearded dragons drink the dewdrops for hydration, so misting replicates that environment. You can also spray your bearded dragons when they start shedding. Hydration will help moisturize their skin and make it easier for them to come off.

It’s also not a bad idea to water your bearded dragon while you’re supervising it. Frequent baths, about three or more times a week, help with hydration. If your bearded dragon enjoys bathing and is not stressed, you can bathe it more often. Most bearded people drink the water while bathing, so it’s important to make sure the bath water is fresh. If you decide to bathe your bearded dragons in a sink or tub, be sure to clean them thoroughly afterwards as bearded dragons, like other animals, can transmit salmonella. Also clean the sink before putting your bearded dragon in it. You don’t want soap scum getting on your pet. You only water your dragon; You don’t actually “wash” your pet.

Essential vitamins and minerals for your bearded dragons

Understanding vitamin and mineral needs can be a daunting task for many owners, and ensuring your tardigrade is getting the right amount of supplements is vital to its health. For better understanding, this section is broken down by vitamin.

Vitamin A and bearded dragons

Most adult bearded dragons get enough vitamin A from their vegetables, and younger bearded dragons generally get enough vitamin A from the yolk in their egg to last until they are 6 months old (which is also about when they start to eat more vegetables). There are many vitamin A supplements on the market that you can add to your dragon’s food, but only use those that contain beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is found in many vegetables and is converted into vitamin A by the bearded dragon’s body when eaten. If a bearded dragon eats too much beta-carotene, their body will simply excrete it instead of absorbing it, so there is no risk of a vitamin A overdose. If you use a vitamin A supplement that contains artificial or synthetic vitamin A, your bearded dragon will absorb the vitamin A even when it is not needed, which can lead to vitamin A toxicity.

Bearded dragons, calcium and vitamin D3

Bearded dragons cannot absorb calcium without vitamin D3, so most supplements contain both. Calcium and vitamin D3 are very important for development and growth. They promote healthy bones and help prevent metabolic bone disease. Calcium and vitamin D3 are good for pregnant female dragons and also for young growing bearded ones. In general, baby bearded dragons need a daily dose of calcium and vitamin D3, juveniles need the supplement three to four times a week, and adults only need it once a week.

Iron for your bearded dragon

Iron is most important for babies because it supports development. Normally bearded dragons get enough iron from the vegetables they eat, but since younger bearded dragons may not always eat their vegetables it is necessary to provide a supplement. Younger bearded dragons generally get enough iron from eating crickets. If a younger bearded dragon needs more iron, the options are to feed them iron-rich vegetables, get an iron supplement from a herp vet, or feed them a commercial food that contains iron.

Phosphorus for bearded dragons

Phosphorus helps build bones. Fruits and vegetables are naturally high in phosphorus, so most bearded dragons get plenty of phosphorus from their diet. You should monitor your bearded dragon’s calcium-phosphorus levels to ensure they are getting the right amount of both nutrients. If your bearded dragon’s diet is high in phosphorus, consider using non-phosphorus multivitamins. Too much phosphorus can prevent bearded people from properly digesting calcium. The ideal level is 1.5±0.5 (calcium):1(phosphorus) or 1:1 to 2:1 Ca:P. The best way to keep track of these levels is to monitor your bearded dragon’s diet. In general, the best approach would be to find a diet that your bearded dragon likes and stick with that diet. At this point you can calculate calcium ratios to see if a multivitamin is needed or if your bearded dragon’s diet needs adjusting.

Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Bearded Dragon

As previously mentioned, there are many insects and plants that you should avoid feeding your bearded dragon. While some of these products are simply unhealthy, others are toxic and can be fatal if ingested.

Never feed your bearded dragon an insect that glows. This includes fireflies, lightning bugs, or any worm that can glow in the dark. The chemical responsible for these insects’ glow is highly toxic to bearded dragons. Avocados should also be avoided as they are also toxic to bearded people.

Non-toxic foods to avoid due to their unhealthiness include lettuce and spinach. Lettuce has no nutritional value and is mostly water, so avoid feeding your bear bear anything with the word “lettuce” in its name. spinach is healthy; However, it causes calcium to bind to it during the digestive process, making digestion difficult for your bearded dragon.

Final Thoughts

The bearded dragon’s temperament, long lifespan, and general hardiness make them the perfect addition to any family. Whether you’re interested in getting your first bearded dragon or you’re looking to add another bear to your family, these diet tips will help keep your bearded dragon healthy for many years to come.

Steven Holdaway lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and he is the founder and owner of thebeardeddragon.org, a popular website that educates people about the care, health, and ownership of bearded dragons.

But trust us, toys are a must.

Bearded dragons, like any other animal, need some enrichment, and letting them play with toys is a great way to do that. Not only that, but you can also use this time to bond with your pet more closely.

This guide will show you some of our favorite bearded dragon toys, as well as fun activities you can do with them for added enrichment.

Various toys for bearded dragons

Are you looking for toys to keep your bearded dragon occupied? You have many great options.

Beardies are pretty easy to please. You don’t need anything super fancy or expensive. Simple accessories are more than enough to entertain and enrich your lizard. Here are some good bearded dragon toys to try.

1. Hidden

Hides may not look like toys in the traditional sense, but in the eyes of a bearded dragon, it’s a wonderful new place to explore!

DC ADYOU Natural Bearded Dragon Fur Looks like natural wood bark

Perfect size for large reptiles like bearded dragons

The material does not rot and is easy to clean

Additional openings provide additional stimulation

Bearded dragons like to dig and sneak into tight spaces when they live in the wild. Most enclosures don’t have many such locations to use. Hides help to address this.

Hideouts are essentially miniature shelters. Think of them as a home within a home. A hide gives your beardie extra privacy while also providing a place where they can relax and feel safe.

Skins come in all shapes and sizes. Larger sculpted skins are often designed to look like caves. They may also have additional features such as B. several rooms or steps to climb.

If you want to keep costs down, DIY wooden shelters or tumbled containers will also work. Whatever you use, make sure it’s big enough for your lizard to get in safely.

2. Cat toy

Cat wands and teaser toys are great for bearded dragons! These usually feature a dangling toy at the end of a long wand that you control. Just wave the wand in front of your beard and watch them chase it!

Sale Cat Wand 2 Pack by CAT DANCER Durable toy that won’t fall apart easily

Unbreakable polycarbonate handle

Made from non-toxic materials

Made in the USA

Like cats, bearded dragons fall in love with the toy and will do anything to grab it. You can use it to engage your beard while getting it to move a bit.

The toys are very affordable so you can replace them if your reptile does any harm.

Expert Tip: Stay away from wands with feathers or other loose parts. Your beardie will likely try to eat whatever is hanging from the end of the string. If they get their hands on small parts, there is a risk that your reptile will suffer an impaction.

3. Play ball

Sometimes all it takes is a simple training ball to get your bear active!

Not all bearded dragons react to a ball in the same way. Some will outright ignore it. But a vast majority will try to interact with it in some way.

Usually Beardies try to push the ball around with their snout. More active lizards may even “attack” and smack the ball around. Either way, it’s an entertaining sight.

The best bearded dragon exercise balls are small, light, and easy enough to maneuver. Avoid big heavy balls. Instead, stick to ping-pong balls, lightweight rubber balls, or balls made for cats.

When playing with your beard, sit in an open area. You can play with the ball in the enclosure if it’s big enough. But it’s better to give your lizard plenty of space to play.

4. Swimmer

Believe it or not, swim floats can make bath time a lot more enjoyable for those with a beard.

6 pack small animal floats made of safe and non-toxic materials

Can be inflated in 10 seconds

Several shapes and objects provide variety

The inner circle diameter is perfect for bearded dragons

Some bearded dragons despise baths and will do anything to get away. Often a float can offer a little comfort and make the process more manageable for them. Floaties act as a perch for them to hold on to when you’re cleaning them.

If your beardie already enjoys swimming, a floating toy is still a great addition to your toy arsenal. It’s an interactive accessory that they can swim to, climb on and jump off!

You can use a standard inflatable ring or inflatable raft. Or you can try floating foam noodle pieces. If you want to take it a step further, you can even try inflatable slides or other standard pool toys.

5. Crinkle Ball

Crinkle Balls are nothing more than sheets of plastic or paper folded into a ball. Most are made of mylar, which gets pretty noisy the more you interact with it. You can usually find them in the cat toy section of your local pet supply store.

Sale 12 Pack Mylar Crinkle Ball Toys Fun toys for enrichment and exercise

Made from soft and lightweight Mylar

Crackling sounds are sure to delight your pet

1.5 inches in width

These toys work to tickle your lizard’s auditory senses. They produce sounds that provide enrichment and entice your bearded dragon to continue playing.

Although they are affordable, you don’t have to pay for preformed balls. Any crumpled paper works well!

Rough up the paper or ball in your hand a little to get your lizard’s attention. Then place it next to them and see how they react.

Expert tip: If they don’t seem very interested, try sitting your bearded dragon on the crumpled material so they can better understand what it’s doing.

6. Hammock

Hammocks are a staple when it comes to bearded dragon toys. Most owners will tell you it’s a must-have in your living space.

Bearded Dragon Hammock by Niteangel Made from durable handwoven seagrass

Pleasant material that your bearded dragon will enjoy

Strong suction cups for safety

Easy to set up

These accessories are simple pieces of fabric or mesh that stick to the glass of the case. Your beardie can climb in to bask in the light or to relax.

The cool thing about hammocks is that you don’t have to be there for your bearded dragon to enjoy it. It’s something they can use in their free time whenever they want! Hammocks are wonderful additions to the living space that offer a lot of enrichment without any real work on your part.

Hammocks come in all shapes, sizes and materials. Consider the size of your bearded dragon and the size of the enclosure to find a suitable one. They work best in larger tanks. However, you can still install one in a smaller case if it’s designed to work in the corner.

7. Tunnels

As previously mentioned, bearded dragons like to burrow through tight spaces. A tunnel is a great way to satisfy that urge while protecting your pet.

Sale Living World Small Pet Tunnel Fun exercise tunnel encourages play and enrichment

Stable metal frame

Collapsible for easy storage

Measures 7.9 inches in diameter and 35.4 inches in length

You have a few different options here. The first is to install a tunnel inside the case. You can easily find small tunnels that look like rocks or fallen logs.

Another option is to use a larger tunnel for cats or large rodents. These toys are best when used outside of the habitat. Set it up in an open space so your beardie can enjoy it unhindered.

Toys with multiple tunnels and different paths to enjoy are best. You can use a cat wand to encourage exploration. Some owners even like to toss some food down the tunnels for their bear bear to hunt.

8. Mirror

In the wild, bearded dragons are solitary animals. They live alone most of their lives and don’t always respond well to seeing other bearded ones around them.

You can use this behavior to your advantage! A mirror is a great way to keep your lizard busy.

Place an old mirror against the walls of the enclosure for about 15 minutes. When your bearded dragon sees its reflection in the mirror, it’s likely to mistake it for a completely different bear!

What follows depends entirely on their personality. Some become defensive and begin exhibiting behaviors that reflect anger (like a black beard). Others may only show signs of intrigue as they get closer to see what’s going on!

Expert tip: If the mirror seems to bother you, remove it from your toy collection.

Even if they seem to enjoy it, don’t always leave the mirror next to the cage. This can eventually lead to excessive stress. Have them look in the mirror at frequent intervals so they don’t see their reflection as a threat.

9. Feeder Ball

A feederball adds some fun to the meal.

These bearded dragon toys follow the same principles as dog food balls. They are simple balls containing food. Your lizard has to move the ball to gain access to the food. So it offers mental stimulation and fun in one.

You will have a hard time finding a bearded dragon feeder ball in the store. So you have to create one yourself.

Tip: A light wiffle ball works best for this.

Cover the holes with clear tape but leave one open. Then fill the ball with live insects and place it next to your beard.

Once your Beardie sees the bugs, he’ll do his best to gain access to these tasty treats. But because you’ve blocked most of the holes with tape, you’ll have to use your wits to find the opening.

10. Bridge

Bridges are another simple bearded dragon toy that add a bit of interest to the habitat. You can usually find jumpers at most pet stores. They’re not toys per se, so check out the decorations section!

Bearded Dragon Bridge Accessory by Carolina Custom Cages Perfect size for an adult bearded dragon

Made from hardened resin that is easy to clean

Does not collect bacteria like other bridges

Sturdy – weighs about 2 pounds

When setting up your tank, secure the bridge so it is stable and secure. You can use the substrate material to create modest mounds that the bridge connects. Or you can just put it on the substrate.

Beardies climb bridges and use them to relax. If you have an arched bridge, it can double as a hideout too! You may find your pet lounging underneath from time to time.

There are several bridge designs available out there. Before installing it into the case, make sure it is free of any sharp points or hard edges that could scratch your Beardie.

11. Laser pointer

Finally we have laser pointers.

These toys are all about tricking your bearded dragon into believing there is a bug nearby. Simply point the laser at the ground and move it around until your reptile gives chase. It can get your lizard moving in seconds!

Well, laser pointers are not a toy that you can use all the time. A few minutes here and there a few times a week is best. Eventually your beardie will notice and realize it’s not a bug. So you don’t want to overdo it and bore them.

Expert Tip: Be careful with lasers. Never point it at your bearded dragon’s face. The concentrated light energy will damage your eyes. Keep it pointed towards the ground and always a few inches in front of you.

The Importance of Enrichment

There are several reasons why you should invest in toys and make time to play. Ultimately, it’s about a better quality of life.

In the wild, bearded dragons have a free hand in their natural habitat. They can go wherever they want and explore the area to their heart’s content.

There’s no shortage of activities out there! Bearded dragons can explore plants, find hidden burrows, or climb natural rock deposits to bask.

Captive Beardies don’t have the same level of freedom. Despite being provided with everything they could ever need, bearded dragons can quickly become bored as pets. In a simple enclosure there is not much to do all day.

Imagine having to stay in a room all day with nothing to do! You’d have to do something to keep yourself occupied, and these reptiles are no different.

Bearded dragon toys provide a much-needed addition. They can help stimulate the mind and prevent boredom.

Another important benefit of toys is that they encourage movement. Bearded dragons don’t have enough room to romp in a standard enclosure. As a result, many will gain weight.

A sedentary lifestyle won’t do your bearded dragon any favors when it comes to its lifespan. But if you give them a chance to play, they won’t have a problem burning off excess calories!

Bearded dragon toys don’t look like they’ll do much. But you’ll be surprised how big the difference is when you have access to toys. Before you know it, your dragon will be happier and healthier.

At the end of the day, we only want what’s best for our bears, right? A big part of this is providing opportunities to live enriching lives.

How to play with a bearded dragon

Not only can you provide toys, but you can also play with your Beardie! Play activities keep your bearded dragon active and improve its quality of life. Also, it will help strengthen the bond with your reptile.

Try these activities and have a great time with your pet.

window observation

Here’s an activity beardies will either love or hate! Some bearded dragons are fascinated by the unknown. So they don’t mind being exposed to unique sights and sounds for a few minutes each day.

You can bring your bear to a window and let him watch the world. The activity gives your bear a chance to see new animals and people from a safe space.

If your bearded dragon shows no signs of stress during this time, you may want to consider moving their habitat closer to the window. This way they can be entertained 24/7.

However, you must be careful when monitoring your lizard’s reaction. Some become anxious and stressed when they see unfamiliar things. If they start hiding or bobbing their head up and down, it’s best to stop and find another activity.

screen time

Like staring out a window, a little screen time can be beneficial. Many owners find that their bears love to stop and stare at a nearby TV, phone, or tablet.

These screens give your bear a glimpse into a completely different world. Obviously they don’t understand what’s going on. It’s not like your Beardie will suddenly become a TV buff and start analyzing plot points!

But this on-screen action will captivate you.

You can bring your beard to watch a few minutes of TV every day. Once they see the action on screen, most will stand still and pay attention.

Propping up a phone or tablet next to their case also works well. You can even make things a little more interactive by checking out some insect videos! Just make sure to provide some real insects afterwards.

take you for a walk

Yes, you read it right. You can take your bearded dragon for a walk outside!

Nothing is healthier than a brisk walk (for both of you). During your adventure, your pet will also see some new sights to stimulate their mind.

So how do you take a bearded dragon for a walk?

It’s very simple, you need to use a special dish! Harnesses wrap around your reptile’s body. They offer enough freedom of movement, but also keep them in check.

3 Pack Bearded Dragon Harness (S, M, L) Comes with three different harness sizes and a leash

Made from soft, handcrafted leather to keep your pet comfortable

100% non-toxic materials

Easy to adjust and make comfortable

Your beardie may not initially feel like it’s wearing a harness. But just give him time. By the third or fourth walk, your beardie will relate it to the fun he had. After that, they’ll probably have fewer objections when you put it on.

Of course, pay special attention to safety when walking. Avoid crossing paths with dogs or other animals that could potentially harm your beard.

To swim

Bearded dragons are surprisingly good swimmers. However, they don’t always like to be in the water. You have to assess their comfort if you want to go swimming with them.

Many owners let their bear have some fun after bathing. This is a perfect opportunity to assess the situation and determine if swimming is right for her. If they hate baths, they probably won’t go swimming.

If so, you can use your bathtub or a small plastic children’s pool. Don’t forget to add some floaties as we discussed before!

Expert Tip: Another important thing to remember is that you should never use chlorinated water. The chemical can do a lot of damage. Adhere to clean, clear water to ensure your Beardie is safe while he is having fun.

Cuddling

Who doesn’t love a good cuddle? While most people don’t think of bearded dragons as the world’s cuddliest pets, they do appreciate some alone time with you.

Not every game activity has to be full of action and movement. A relaxing cuddle is more than enough to give your bearded dragon a change of scenery.

Consider taking them out of their cage when you watch TV on your couch. Let your lizard enjoy the smooth surface. You can even give them a soft blanket to cuddle with.

Bearded dragons love to be touched (once they are comfortable with you). Cuddling is just an extension of that. The more often you do it, the better off your pet will be.

Not only will they be happier, but most will become calmer and have more time if they spend time with you on a regular basis.

Introduce a stuffed animal

Speaking of snuggles, why not give your beard a soft companion to play with? Reptiles seem to enjoy having soft stuffed animals. It’s a new texture that you don’t often experience. Stuffed animals also provide additional warmth.

Place a small stuffed animal in your bearded dragon’s habitat and see how they react. Like anything else, not all lizards will enjoy or use it. If they don’t use the cuddly toy, it just takes up unnecessary space in the enclosure.

Watch how they behave. If you see that they won’t snuggle up to the stuffed animal after a few days, just remove it and try something else.

feeding

Here’s a fun activity that will stimulate your bearded dragon’s primal instincts. Instead of feeding them in the same old bowl, you can let them chase their food.

Before attempting this activity, there are a few precautions to keep in mind. At first, only do this if you need to feed your bear. The last thing you want to do is overfeed your reptile. This would only lead to weight gain and poor health.

Secondly, you must ensure a suitable place! It’s best to try it out outside. A clean concrete deck works well. Lawn backyards are also suitable. But you need to make sure your weed is chemical-free before letting your bearded dragon crawl on it.

Just release some bugs and let your pet scurry to catch them! They’ll spring into action pretty quickly to gobble up as many bugs as possible!

Expert Tip: Don’t let your dragon hunt wild insects. Instead, stick to your store-bought gut-laden bugs.

time to play!

Now that you have a handy list of bearded dragon toys to try, grab some and start playing!

Playing with toys is a very fun thing to do with your Beardie and we highly recommend it. It’s not only fun for them, but also for you.

Why do bearded dragons need baths?

Before you read about how to bathe your bearded dragon, you might have a question in mind: if bearded dragons weren’t bathed in the wild, do pet bearded dragons even need a bath? There are actually many benefits to giving your bearded dragon a bath.

Cleanliness and hygiene. Baths help keep your bearded dragon free from fungi, parasites, and bacteria. Especially if he has a habit of scurrying through his poop.

healthy skin. Keep your dragon’s skin healthy and prevent it from becoming too dry.

Playtime and Bonding. Many dragons love bath time. It’s a great way for them to unleash their wild side and have fun. It can also be a wonderful opportunity for you to strengthen your relationship with your pet.

hydration. Along with providing a bowl of water and hydrating foods like cucumbers and grapes, baths can be a great way to keep your dragon hydrated. Bearded dragons absorb water through their skin and drink it, so a nice bath can give them that extra boost of hydration they need. Also, many dragons refuse to drink from a water bowl, instead drinking from their bath (maybe yours is one of them!).

Along with providing a bowl of water and hydrating foods like cucumbers and grapes, baths can be a great way to keep your dragon hydrated. Bearded dragons absorb water through their skin and drink it, so a nice bath can give them that extra boost of hydration they need. Also, many dragons refuse to drink from a water bowl, instead drinking from their bath (maybe yours is one of them!). Relieve constipation and hair loss. Both constipation and hair loss make your dragon very uncomfortable. A nice warm bath provides much-needed relief.

How to bathe a bearded dragon

First, let’s start with a list of everything you need:

bin or container

mug or cup

Warm water (at a temperature of 90 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit)

Toothbrush with soft bristles

soft towel

Rocks or something for your dragon to climb on

Water and white vinegar to disinfect the tub

And here’s a list of things you don’t need:

Coarse brush

washcloth

soaps or shampoos

bathtub or sink

The last item on the list might make you raise an eyebrow. It’s unwise to use a household bathtub or sink unless you have a handy sink that you can reserve just for your dragon. Here’s why:

salmonella poisoning. Dragons often defecate in the bathtub, and their droppings can contain salmonella—not exactly something you want in the family tub.

soaps, shampoos and chemical cleaning products. Dragons can absorb chemical residue through their skin, not to mention they also drink (a lot!) during bath time. Even if you use all-natural sprays and cleaners, there is still a chance your dragon will ingest or ingest something harmful, especially if it is regularly exposed to baths. The same applies to shampoos and soaps, which often stick to the walls and floor of the bathtub.

Therefore, for your own hygiene and the health and safety of your dragon, it is best to have a separate tub for your bearded dragon.

Step by step how to bathe a bearded dragon

Fill the container. Use warm water no higher than your dragon’s knees to prevent drowning. Carefully place your kite in the water. Don’t leave your dragon alone. Bearded dragons can easily drown in the bath if left unattended or if the water is too deep. Keep an eye on your dragon and never leave him during the bath. Have fun! If your dragon isn’t too stressed, this could be a great opportunity to bond with them. Let him explore and enjoy the water and offer him a bath toy or two if you like. wash your dragon When ready, use a soft brush or simply pour water over your dragon. No need to scrub or use soap. Avoid cleaning your dragon’s eyes, nose, or cloaca; and try not to get water in your eyes. Dry your kite. After the bath, wrap your dragon in a soft towel and pat dry. Get her as dry as possible as any water left on her can make her too cold, but don’t rub as this can aggravate her skin (especially if she is shedding). Warm your dragon. Because dragons are cold-blooded, they rely on outside temperatures to regulate their body heat. When you come out of the bath, your dragon’s body temperature will drop, so it’s best to get him back under its bright light right away to make sure he doesn’t get too cold. Clean the tub. For optimal hygiene for your dragon, rinse your dragon’s hull with a mixture of water and white vinegar to ensure the hull is sanitized while protecting your dragon from harsh chemical residue. To be extra safe, you can also wash out the tub before bathing.

Pro tip: Bath time can range from 5 to 30 minutes depending on your dragon’s tolerance level. If your dragon prefers a comfortable, long bath, replace the water when it gets too cold.

How often should I bathe my bearded dragon?

The answer to this question often depends on your dragon. As a general rule, one bath three times a week should be enough to keep your dragon clean and hydrated. If your dragon absolutely hates baths, then once a week may be a reasonable goal. If your dragon can’t get enough bath time, you might want to do it more often, maybe even once a day.

If your dragon is shedding or suffering from constipation, bathing him every day can help alleviate these problems. Just be prepared to clean up after your dragon as his constipation will likely be relieved in the bath.

Shedding is a very unpleasant process for your dragon. A nice warm bath not only relieves the pain and discomfort of shedding, but also encourages the skin to shed more quickly.

Pro tip: NEVER peel off shed skin. This can cause serious harm to your bearded dragon. You can gently rub it in the direction of the scales with a soft brush, but it’s best to let it fall off on its own.

What to do if your bearded dragon hates baths

During a bath, it’s normal for your dragon to gasp to get up (in fact, this may be why your bearded dragon appears bloated after a bath). But if your dragon is panting frantically, thrashing, splashing around, or swimming frantically, especially to the rim of the vessel, it’s probably very stressed and scared. There are a few things you can do if your bearded dragon hates baths.

be gentle If the water isn’t too cold or too high, you may need to slowly introduce your bearded dragon to bath time. When it’s time for a swim, make sure the water is fairly shallow and you’re being very calm and gentle with your kite at all times.

Try a smaller tub. If you use a large sink, tub, or large trash can, your dragon may be intimidated by the size. You can try a smaller container with shorter walls to make him feel less threatened.

Offer a stone. You can also try providing your kite with a rock or something solid to climb on so it can get in and out of the water if it wants. A rock can give your dragon a sense of security and help it overcome a fear of bathing.

Your dragon may eventually wake up or hate bath time… it really just depends on your pet.

Spray daily. If you can’t calm your dragon down in the bath, it may not be worth bathing it more than once a week. While eliminating baths entirely isn’t ideal, you can try misting your dragon once a day to boost its hydration and to clean it up a bit between baths.

Can I bathe my bearded dragon outside?

If you want to bathe your bearded dragon outside, it is best to do so on very hot days. Unless it’s hot outside, bearded dragons can quickly become too cold during or after a bath, making it very difficult for them to return to a normal body temperature.

Whether you give your bearded dragon a quick bath or a long one, whether it’s indoors or outdoors, be mindful of your dragon’s needs and make bath time as comfortable as possible and it should go smoothly for you and your dragon.

If you have any questions or would like to provide feedback, please email us at [email protected]

To make things easier for you, we’re providing two lists here: a list of some of the top greens that bearded dragons can eat every day, and a list of greens that they can eat a little less often. We’ve highlighted some benefits and pitfalls for each green, and provided each calcium to phosphorus ratio for reference.

Best greens for bearded dragons

The following factors play an important role in determining what bearded dragons can eat and how often:

Total nutritional value. The best greens for bearded dragons are the most nutritious.

calcium content. Bearded dragons need calcium to grow and thrive. Leafy greens, which are high in calcium, are an important part of your pet’s diet.

Calcium to phosphorus ratio. Phosphorus prevents calcium absorption, and calcium deficiency can lead to metabolic bone disease in bearded dragons.

Phosphorus prevents calcium absorption, and calcium deficiency can lead to metabolic bone disease in bearded dragons. oxalates. Like phosphorus, oxalates interfere with calcium absorption. A diet high in oxalates can cause metabolic bone disease.

goitrogens. Too many goitrogens can cause thyroid problems in bearded dragons.

If a leafy green vegetable is nutrient dense, high in calcium, and low in phosphorus, oxalates, and goitrogens, it’s a winner.

The Best Greens Bearded Dragons Can Eat: Daily staples

The following is a list of vegetables that bearded dragons can eat on a daily basis. These greens offer a variety of textures and flavors so you can make any salad an exciting treat for your dragon.

Daily greens for bearded dragons:

Cactus Pad or Prickly Pear (2.3 to 1). This desert specialty is high in calcium and high in antioxidants, fiber and vitamin C. To serve, carefully trim off the outer layer of thorns and chop the inner flesh into small pieces.

Collards (14.5 to 1). Looking at the amazing calcium to phosphorus ratio tells us that kale is a great source of calcium for your bearded dragons. They are also high in vitamins A, C, E and K, as well as fiber and folic acid.

Dandelion leaves (2.8 to 1). Rich in calcium and vitamin A, these common garden herbs actually make an excellent addition to your bearded dragon’s salad, as long as they’re pesticide-free. Dandelion leaves contain moderate levels of oxalates, so serve them with kale, prickly pears, or another calcium-rich greens.

endive or escarole (1.9 to 1). Whether you’re serving the crunchy, bitter heart or the dark, curly leaves, endive and escarole add texture and nutrients, particularly calcium, to your bearded dragon’s salad. They contain a moderate amount of oxalates, so serve them with other greens that are even higher in calcium.

Mustard green (2.4 to 1). Many bearded dragons find the peppery taste of mustard greens irresistible. Even more irresistible is the fact that they are rich in calcium along with vitamins A, C and K. Serve them with collards to balance the moderate amount of oxalates and goitrogens.

Kohlrabi (4.5 to 1). Known for its almost spicy flavor, kohlrabi are high in calcium and vitamins A and C. On the other hand, they contain a large amount of oxalates, but the health benefits outweigh the risks of serving kohlrabi with oxalate-free calcium – rich greens.

The Best Greens Bearded Dragons Can Eat: Occasional staples

The following is a list of vegetables that don’t quite make the daily list due to phosphorus, oxalates, or goitrogens, but they offer many benefits and can be eaten weekly or biweekly, depending on what else is on your dragon’s feeding schedule .

Random staples:

Bok choy (2.8 to 1). Packed with vitamins A and C, pak choi makes a tasty mix for your bearded dragon salad. It’s also goitrogenic, which is why this vegetable doesn’t quite make the list of everyday greens.

Basil (2.2 to 1). make pesto? Set aside some basil for your bearded dragon. This anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial herb packs vitamin A and antioxidants into each fragrant leaf.

Cabbage, green (2 to 1). Although kale is goitrogenic, this crunchy salad blender contains vitamin C, fiber, calcium, iron, and potassium, all of which are good for your dragon’s health.

Cabbage, Napa (1 to 0.4). A good source of calcium, vitamins A and C, and fiber, Chinese cabbage will add a refreshing crunch to your dragon lettuce.

Celery leaves (1.6 to 1). Celery and its bushy leaves are a great way to bring antioxidants, vitamin C, and moisture to your bearded dragon’s salad. Be sure to chop these vegetables extra fine to eliminate any possibility of your dragon choking on the thready stalk.

Coriander (1.4 to 1). Fresh cilantro is practically the perfect salad topper for your bearded dragons (it would probably be perfect without the oxalates!). In addition to being aromatic, coriander contains antioxidants, calcium, potassium, manganese, and vitamins A, C, and K. It also has antimicrobial properties.

Grape leaves (4 to 1). Oddly enough, vine leaves are actually excellent greens for bearded dragons to eat. Rich in protein, vitamin A and the important mineral calcium, grape leaves can really boost the health benefits of your kite lettuce.

Kale (2.4 to 1). Kale is not called a “superfood” for nothing. One of the best greens bearded dragons can eat, kale is high in vitamins A, C, and K, potassium, manganese, magnesium, and calcium. Kale is low in oxalate and somewhat goitrogenic, preventing this green from being a daily staple.

Kohlrabi (1 to 2). As part of the cabbage family, it’s no surprise that kohlrabi is goitrous. However, it also provides fiber, protein, vitamins B6 and C, potassium and folic acid, all of which your bearded dragons need.

Lemongrass (1 to 1.5). High in fiber and antioxidants with a delicious citrus flavor, lemongrass has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties to help your dragon fight disease.

Pea sprouts (1 to 4.6). Pea sprouts are high in phosphorus, but also provide vitamins A and K. So, in small amounts, pea sprouts are healthy greens for your bearded dragons.

Rosemary (4.8 to 1). This fragrant herb is high in calcium and fiber, making it an excellent way to spice up your dragon’s meal.

watercress (2 to 1). High in vitamins A, C and K, calcium and manganese, but also high in oxalates, watercress makes a great occasional salad shaker for your dragon.

What to do when your bearded dragon does not eat greens?

There are some bearded dragons that will eat anything put in front of them. If that sounds like your pet, great! If not, you are not alone. “My bearded dragon won’t eat his veggies!” is one of the most common complaints bearded dragon owners have.

If your bearded dragon refuses to eat at all, that’s also common, but could be a sign of stress or a more serious health issue. But if your dragon has a healthy appetite and just doesn’t want vegetables, it’s unlikely that you have a serious problem; Many dragons are simply picky or don’t realize that vegetables are actually food.

So what can you do if your dragon won’t eat vegetables?

Evaluate your dragon’s diet. Maybe your dragon eats too many insects, in which case he just isn’t hungry for vegetables. It’s worth taking a look at what your dragon is eating on a daily basis to determine if you need to offer less protein.

Hide the greens. A popular solution is to mix favorite fruits or insects with the veggies so your dragon accidentally eats the leaves along with the stuff it likes. Berries can be particularly helpful in this regard.

trial and error. Another method is to experiment with different types of green to try and find one that your dragon likes. Kale and cactus pad are usually a big hit.

constant exposure. Some owners leave greens in their kite’s tank all day, replacing them every 24 hours or when they show signs of wilting. This is especially helpful for baby dragons who primarily eat insects and are unaware that vegetables are edible.

Regardless of the cause, not eating vegetables is stressful for your bearded dragon. Our Reptile Greens & Calcium Powder contains shredded kale to give your dragon a much-needed boost.

How to serve greens to your bearded dragon

Now that you know what vegetables to feed your bearded dragon, here are some tips on how to serve them!

Keep it natural. Organic products are best for your bearded dragon. It is free from fertilizers, pesticides and chemicals that could harm your bearded dragons. If you buy products that aren’t organic, remember to wash them thoroughly before serving.

keep it small Chop or slice the vegetables to ensure they are small enough for your bearded dragon to chew. For tougher vegetables like collards, it can be very helpful to first massage the leaves and remove the stems. Stringy greens like kale can get stuck in your throat, so be sure to chop them extra finely.

keep it raw. Dragons can and should eat their vegetables raw. In the wild, bearded dragons wouldn’t eat cooked vegetables, so feeding them raw vegetables helps keep things closer to their natural environment. Also, cooking removes some of the nutrients, and in some foods it makes the oxalates more prominent. Play it safe and serve these greens fresh, clean, chopped, and raw.

If you have any questions or feedback, please email us at [email protected].

Baby bearded dragons usually defecate more frequently than young and adult lizards.

Baby bearded dragons that are 3 months old or younger usually poop one to three times a day because their diet is high in protein.

A young bearded dragon (4 to 18 months old) will have a bowel movement about every day, while those older than 18 months can be expected to poop 1-7 times a week. Just like humans, each bearded dragon is different, so you don’t have to worry about them pooping more or less as long as they look and act healthy.

A bearded dragon diet will contribute to how frequently your pet will poop.

For example, have bearded dragons that consume a lot of calcium

frequent bowel movements.

The environment is another factor that will determine how often your beardie will have a bowel movement. There must be sufficient heat and UVB in your pet’s tank, as UVB aids in the digestion of food in reptiles.

We’ve put together a complete nutrition guide for you to read here, but one thing we haven’t covered in this guide is the topic of pre-packaged bearded dragon food.

To see all the foods you can and cannot feed a bearded dragon, check out our full bearded dragon food list with 237 different foods listed. We’ll show you what’s safe, what’s not, and the healthiest foods for your bear!!!

A visit to your local pet store will give you a few choices: some good, some bad. One of the most popular options is freeze-dried crickets. Chances are your tardigrades will love them (ours certainly will), and they’re far easier to manage than live crickets (which are horrid, hideous little creatures!).

But simpler is not always better. There is a fairly regular debate among bearded dragon owners about the pros and cons of using freeze-dried crickets as a staple for a bearded dragon.

Freeze-dried crickets can be good treats your bearded dragons will love, but they’re not a suitable everyday food. Dried crickets completely lack nutrition and moisture, two things that bearded dragons need from their diet. They can also pose an impaction risk if fed in large quantities.

So is it best to avoid freeze-dried crickets altogether? Are they okay every now and then? Are there any good alternatives? Let’s dive in!

Advantages and disadvantages of freeze-dried crickets

There’s a reason freeze-dried crickets have been around for so long. You have some advantages.

If you search online for information about dried crickets, you will find that there are usually two types of people who post information. One feeds her beard dried crickets all the time. The other thinks that dried crickets are the worst thing to feed your tardigrade.

The real answer lies somewhere between these two extremes. There are advantages and disadvantages and both should be considered.

Benefits of Dried Crickets

They are not live crickets. Live crickets, in our opinion, have no redeeming properties. We do not feed them to our bears and they are not allowed in our house under any circumstances! Check out our article here for what we recommend instead.

Live crickets, in our opinion, have no redeeming properties. We do not feed them to our bears and they are not allowed in our house under any circumstances! Check out our article here for what we recommend instead. They are easy to get. You can find a plastic jar of Fluker dried crickets at almost any major pet supply store. If you need a quick meal these are easy to source.

You can find a plastic jar of Fluker dried crickets at almost any major pet supply store. If you need a quick meal these are easy to source. They are a good meal replacement. There has been more than one occasion where we have run out of live feeder insects for a meal or two. Having a jar of dried crickets on hand was a great stopgap measure.

There has been more than one occasion where we have run out of live feeder insects for a meal or two. Having a jar of dried crickets on hand was a great stopgap measure. Beardies love them. Overall, most bearded dragons will eat a bunch of dried crickets and be happy! Sometimes bearded ones don’t want to eat, and mixing dried crickets with their greens is a great way to address that!

Disadvantages of dried crickets

They have almost no nutritional value. The freeze-drying process removes virtually all of the already minimal nutritional value they might have had.

The freeze-drying process removes virtually all of the already minimal nutritional value they might have had. They are not loaded well. Despite what the package says, dried crickets don’t have a significant amount of greens in their guts. Gut loading is a key benefit of using live feeder insects, and you just don’t get that with freeze-dried insects.

Despite what the package says, dried crickets don’t have a significant amount of greens in their guts. Gut loading is a key benefit of using live feeder insects, and you just don’t get that with freeze-dried insects. They are mostly exoskeletons. The exoskeleton of crickets, also called chitin, is difficult for bearded dragons to digest. In high amounts, it can also pose an impaction risk.

The exoskeleton of crickets, also called chitin, is difficult for bearded dragons to digest. In high amounts, it can also pose an impaction risk. They contain no moisture. Bearded dragons get a good portion (though not all) of their water from the food they eat. Live feeder insects provide bearded dragons with a good hydration level. Dried insects do not offer any.

As you can see, when it comes to the essentials, freeze-dried crickets are negative in almost every area. Can bearded dragons eat them? Yes. Should bearded dragons eat them? Just as a treat.

We like to think of freeze-dried crickets as the twinkies of the bearded dragon food world. It’s perfectly fine to have one every now and then. It’s even okay to knock down a few in a moment of weakness.

But it’s not okay to live on them. They are not everyday food.

Alive or dead, which is better?

One of the main problems with dried insects of any kind is that they are not alive. Feeding your bearded dragons live insects as a protein source has several key benefits. These benefits aren’t things you want to take away from your Beardie.

Bacardi loves hunting live cockroaches!

The benefits of live feeding insects for a bearded dragon include:

They contain moisture. They can be loaded well to provide high nutritional value. They are easier to digest. They move and awaken your bear’s natural hunting instincts.

Live food should be a part of every bearded dragon’s diet. To see what type of live food we prefer, you can visit our article on crickets vs dubia roaches here, and you can see our full rundown of each type of live worm you can feed your tardigrade here.

As the articles just linked will show, we don’t like crickets as live feeder insects. A lot of people use them because they’re easy to obtain, but once you find a good source of dubia roaches online (we get ours at dubiaroaches.com) they can be delivered straight to your door!

Live crickets are a terrible food insect for bearded dragons for the following reasons:

Crickets can have pinworms that get transferred to your beard, making them sick. biting crickets. you and your beard Crickets can escape and breed in your home. Crickets smell horribly. Crickets are difficult to manage. Crickets are difficult to catch and eat for some bearded ones.

In other words, alive or dead and freeze-dried, crickets don’t have much to offer. They are best avoided most of the time.

Make your own dried crickets

At the beginning of this article we mentioned that we keep a container of dried crickets on hand for emergencies. But they don’t have to come from the store.

A good idea is to gut crickets or roaches and then place them in the freezer. These will keep for some time, which is a great way to have some reserve food on hand if needed.

Thaw the frozen critters to room temperature before feeding them to your bears, but once thawed they make a good treat. And they’re far healthier for your bearded dragon than store-bought dried crickets!

What about other dried insects?

Crickets aren’t the only insect you’ll find freeze-dried and packaged for bearded dragon consumption. Multiple types of worms are also usually available.

Dried mealworms are a common find at pet stores.

In virtually all cases, the same disadvantages that apply to dried crickets also apply to dried worms.

Combine the worms and the crickets in the food group “Twinkies for bearded dragons.”

It’s okay as a treat. Once in a while it’s ok. It’s just not a good idea for everyday use!

Further questions:

How Long Do Freeze-Dried Crickets Stay Safe and Edible?

Judging by the expiration date on the bottom of the jars at the pet store, the average shelf life appears to be around three years. We’d suspect they’ll last longer, but three years is probably a good guideline.

My bearded dragon doesn’t eat live insects but does like the still freeze-dried versions. What can I do?

You can put live insects in the freezer for about 5-10 minutes. When removed, they are still alive but do not move. This is a great way to get your bear to eat live food without having to chase it around (which some lazy or spoiled bears won’t do!)

Can I feed my bearded crickets that I find in the wild?

No, that’s not a good idea. Since you don’t know what these crickets ate, feeding them to your beard can be risky. A little bit of pesticides or herbicides can do a lot of harm to your pet. You also risk bacterial and parasitic infections this way.

It is best to avoid feeding your bear wild insects of any kind.

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Bearded dragons can eat:

You’ll need to prepare some fruits and vegetables by peeling them off or cutting them into bite-sized pieces. You should also remove any seeds from food.

If you add live insects to your dragon, make sure they don’t drown in its water bowl. If so, clean them as soon as possible.

Consult your veterinarian for expert advice on reptile diets, and always have your bearded dragon checked out if you’re concerned.

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Bearded dragons can eat a number of insects

What can bearded dragons not eat?

Stick to the foods in the lists above and you should be fine, but there are a few foods you need to make sure you don’t overfeed your bearded dragon.

Dragons will consume things even if they’re harmful, so it’s your responsibility to make sure you don’t give them them in the first place.

If your pet becomes ill, seek advice from a veterinarian. Insurance can cover many issues that can affect bearded dragons.

Onion

chives

celery

Mushrooms

Lemon – this citrus fruit will upset your dragon belly

– this citrus fruit will piss off your dragon belly Orange – another citrus fruit that will piss off your dragon belly

– another citrus fruit that will upset your dragon belly Iceberg Lettuce It is mostly water and has little nutritional value, so don’t let your bearded dragon eat it

It’s mostly water and has little nutritional value, so don’t let your bearded dragon eat it. spinach and beet tops. Some guides will say these are fine for your beardie, and they can be in small amounts. However, both contain chemicals that can cause calcium deficiency, which in turn can lead to metabolic bone disease. An occasional taste shouldn’t hurt a bearded dragon, but with so many other options available, it might be best to choose different greens

Some guides will say these are fine for your beardie, and they can be in small amounts. However, both contain chemicals that can cause calcium deficiency, which in turn can lead to metabolic bone disease. An occasional taste shouldn’t hurt a bearded dragon, but with so many other options available, choosing different greens can be best. Insects caught in the wild Wild insects can harbor parasites that can harm reptiles. Exotic pet stores should have a selection of live and dead insects for your bearded dragon. And it would be quite difficult to find enough wild insects in the UK anyway!

Wild insects can contain parasites that can harm reptiles. Exotic pet stores should have a selection of live and dead insects for your bearded dragon. And it would be quite difficult to find enough wild insects in the UK anyway! Fireflies Never feed bearded dragons or other reptiles to fireflies. All luminous insects are poisonous and can kill reptiles

Never feed bearded dragons or other reptiles or fireflies. All luminous insects are poisonous and can kill reptiles. Avocados Chemicals in avocados are toxic to beardies. A small amount will sicken your reptile and a large portion can be fatal

Chemicals in avocados are toxic to beardies. A small amount will sicken your reptile and a large portion can be fatal. Rhubarb High levels of oxalic acid in rhubarb can be fatally toxic to bearded dragons

You should not feed your dragon any type of fish or seafood such as shrimp.

There is a long list of wild plants that are poisonous to bearded dragons. Here are some that are more common in Britain: bracken, ranunculus, crocus, daffodil, holly, horse chestnut, ivy, oak and poppy.

If you are not 100% sure it is safe for your pet, as a general rule do not give it to them.

Do you like this article? Then you might like this article Loss of appetite in reptiles

One last thing to think about is sand. You probably won’t feed your bearded dragon sand, but many owners use it as substrate and because it’s loose it can be easily consumed if your beardie does eat.

When consumed, it can impaction, which means it builds up inside an animal because it cannot be digested, causing a blockage that can be fatal. Even lime sand can cause an impaction.

Find out more about our Bearded Dragon Insurance – We cover up to £1,000 worth of vet costs. Why not give us a call on 0345 982 5505? Alternatively you can…

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Information on feeding baby bearded dragons?

You may be wondering what do baby bearded dragons eat?

Baby bearded dragons are also known as hatchlings. Reptile expert Pete Hawkins gives 3 growth stages, with the youngest bearded dragons being 0-6 months of age, which are considered babies. They need to eat more insects than vegetables, and they need to be fed more frequently than older Beardies. They can be fed up to three times a day.

If you leave veggies and veggies in their cage, they’ll eat it whenever they want, and then you can add insects over three 10-15 minute feeding periods.

Baby dragons may eat several insects during this time, but it’s okay if they stop eating. They’re just full! Remove any bugs they don’t want and start again a few hours later.

As they get older, bearded dragons need fewer insects, otherwise they’ll get fat.

Nutrition of young and adult bearded dragons

Juvenile bearded dragons are bearded dragons between the ages of 6 and 12 months and, according to reptile expert Pete Hawkins, should be fed insects five out of seven times a week while still feeding greens daily.

Again, fruit may be left over, but in limited quantities and not every day.

Adult bearded dragons are those 12 months and older and should eat less insects and animal material. You only need to give your dragon insects two or three times a week with daily vegetation.

Remember that adult beardies don’t need too much insect and animal matter or they will become obese.

In the wild, bearded dragons will get plenty of exercise, which means they can of course eat more meat, however, domesticated beardies don’t get this.

Crickets are one of the most popular live foods for bearded dragons

What is the best live food?

The most popular live foods for bearded dragons are house crickets and mealworms. You can find them at most pet stores. The Northampton Reptile Center has a wide range that you can order online. They’re easy to store and don’t cost too much.

Live crickets are also a good choice because chasing them can be stimulating for your dragon, you’ll be surprised at how fast they are!

When buying live food, most people think of the nutritional value, how easy it is to store, and how much it costs. You should also make sure to vary your purchases occasionally so that your pet eats a range of animal stuff.

500 crickets cost around £4 to £8 depending on the size you buy and they are available online or in pet shops. When you bring them home, keep them in boxes with holes in them.

Only use crickets that your bearded dragon can safely eat. If they are larger than the space between your dragon’s eyes, they may have trouble consuming them.

To increase the nutritional value, you can dust them with calcium or vitamin powders.

Try reading some of our other articles such as: B. Advice on reptile vivariums, heating and lighting

If you tossed the crickets in with your bearded dragon, make sure they don’t drown in its water bowl.

If so, you can just pick them out, but don’t leave them there.

Pet stores sell covers for water bowls to prevent crickets from getting in, and some people recommend filling the bowl with polymer crystals for them to walk on.

Mealworms are cheap and can be kept in or out of the fridge. If you put them in the fridge, they will survive and last a little longer, but they will go into a dormant state.

Mealworms are higher in fat than crickets so make sure you don’t give your dragon too many, they won’t stop eating them even if it makes them fat!

Most live bearded dragon foods can become odorous when you store them. It’s worth finding space for them in a garage if you have one.

But cockroaches, grasshoppers and other types of worms are also popular live food. Some people give live mice to their adult bearded dragons, but it requires a lot more work and knowledge than other foods and is not essential to their diet.

Good loading insects

It’s important to eviscerate any insects you give your dragon. This means that ideally you are feeding your bugs what you are not feeding your dragon that week.

When your dragon eats these insects, it absorbs the goodness that the insect ate. Provides even more nutritional variety for your dragon’s diet.

Vitamins and Calcium in Your Bearded Dragon Diet

Calcium deficiency can be a problem in reptiles and can lead to metabolic bone disease.

Even with a varied diet, bearded dragons can benefit from calcium and vitamin supplements to keep them healthy.

Pete Hawkins recommends using Arcadia Earth Pro-A as it contains a full spectrum of vitamins and minerals.

He also recommends using Arcadia CalciumPro Magnesium. Sprinkle it again over all insects.

What to do if a bearded dragon won’t eat

Common reasons are too high or too low temperatures due to incorrect setup, impairments due to absorption of loose substrate, skin detachment, parasites or stress.

Brumation can also cause your Beardie to lose their appetite. Find out more in our Bearded Dragon Brumation article.

Refusing food does not immediately mean that something is wrong. Bearded dragons get full and sometimes adults don’t eat for a day or if they are too hot they may just be very thirsty. However, if they are losing weight, it is a cause for concern.

If they are not feeding check the temperature which should be 35 – 43°C at the basking spot with a cool down range of 27°C – 32°C and make sure your Beardie has not been eating any loose substrate. Dragons can also refuse food that is too large, a good guide is to stick to insects no larger than the distance between your bearded dragon’s eyes.

You should also check that your Dragons UV is up to date. A light bulb lasts about 12 months, this information can be found on the packaging. Check it’s the right distance from the basking spot and make sure you use a reflector.

If your setup and food are good, check to see if your bearded dragons are shedding, as this can cause them to stop eating for a short time.

Other signs that your bearded dragon might be sick include diarrhea, lack of energy, droopy or swollen eyes.

If you’re concerned about your bearded dragon, see or call a veterinarian as soon as possible. Find out how ExoticDirect pet insurance can cover veterinary costs or where to find a specialist veterinarian.

There are a number of reasons why bearded dragons refuse to feed and it is difficult to diagnose the exact cause or disease unless you are a veterinarian.

For more information on why your beardie may not be eating, see our article Loss of Appetite in Reptiles.

Best food for a sick bearded dragon

Always follow your vet’s advice. If he’s diagnosed with an illness, he may be able to recommend a specific diet. Here you will find a vet who specializes in exotic pets.

There are methods of feeding your dragon that can help with certain conditions. If they’re dehydrated, you may need to cut out solid foods until they’re ready for them and use a syringe to drip an electrolyte solution near or on their mouth.

For other diseases, it is possible to make a watery mixture of food and nutrients and give it with a syringe. They should be able to slowly approach solid food.

However, always consult a veterinarian if you wish to make any changes to your pet’s diet.

Is your bearded dragon insured? Get a £1,000 quote for veterinary, death and theft coverage. Vet only coverage also available | We have been insuring exotic pets since 1996 | Check out our customer reviews on Feefo.

What are the benefits of feeding crickets to bearded dragons?

Why shouldn’t you feed bearded crickets?

Crickets are an important live food for many pet bearded dragons. They are a good source of protein, especially during the growth phase up to around 17 or 18 months of age. They’re also a reliable food source that’s easy to find at most pet stores and online at affordable prices. Live crickets also provide a good source of activity for your bearded ones as their predatory instincts kick in and they actively hunt or chase their food.

Although they are a regular part of the dragon’s meal, there are guidelines on how many you should feed your beard as part of a balanced and healthy diet based on his age and dietary needs. The size of the cricket should also be considered to prevent feeding or digestive problems.

Important Don’t keep crickets in your bearded dragon enclosure. Crickets are only there to feed. Uneaten crickets should be removed.

How Many Crickets Should You Feed Your Bearded Dragon?

Baby bearded dragons can be fed between 25 and 80 crickets per day, juvenile dragons will eat around 25 to 60 crickets per day, and adults can be fed around 10 to 20 crickets per day.

The number of crickets you should feed your bearded dragon depends on its age and activity level. Babies and teens need to eat more crickets to support their growth, while adults transition to a more varied diet of greens, greens, and fewer crickets (or insects).

Bearded dragons stop eating when they feel full and do not overeat, unlike dogs or cats. Therefore, the number of recommended crickets is usually an estimate. A simpler guide would be how often you should feed your bearded dragon their crickets per day and how long those feeding sessions should last. See the table below for a quick guide.

baby bearded dragon

To enable healthy growth and development, baby bearded dragons (< 3 months old) should be fed 3-5 times a day. Have them eat as much as possible in 5-10 minute feeding sessions. Juvenile bearded dragons As youngsters around 3-12 months of age, you should reduce feeding sessions to 2-3 times per day, lasting around 5-10 minutes. Adult bearded dragons As your beardie matures, you should start transitioning him to some green by reducing the length of your feeding sessions or giving a set number of crickets per session. Adult bearded dragons should eat as many crickets as they like once a day (or spread out during meals). Feeding Chart for Bearded Dragon Crickets Age Crickets feeding frequency Crickets per feeding Number of crickets per day* Baby bearded dragons Up to 5 times per day As many as they eat in a 5-10 minute session 25-80 Young bearded dragons 2-3 times per day As many as they eat in 5- 10 minute sessions 25-60 Transition period (9-18 months old) 2 times a day As much as they eat in 5-10 minute sessions but weaning to 5 minute sessions or a set number of crickets per feeding of 20- 30 adult bearded dragons 1 feeding per day or a set number of crickets distributed during meals As many as they eat in a 10-15 minute session 10 This brief overview highlights a transitional period when your dragon is still growing and therefore needs more protein, but should be weaned off a cricket-only diet in preparation for a varied diet of vegetables and greens as an adult. Since bearded dragons are omnivores, you will need to switch them to green food around the age of 9 months to get them used to it. An adult bearded dragon's diet should consist of about 80% greens/vegetables and 20% protein. Should You Feed Your Bearded Dragon Crickets? What Kind of Crickets Do Bearded Dragons Eat? There are over 900 species of crickets, but the most common feeder insects for reptiles are: House crickets or crickets (Acheta domestica) Jamaican crickets (Gryllus assimilis) Tropical house crickets (Gryllodes sigillatus, also known as banded house crickets or Indian house crickets) Two-spot cricket (Gryllus bimaculatus, also known as African or Mediterranean field cricket) Pro tip Regardless of what species of crickets is available, always source your live feeder insects from reputable breeders to ensure they are virus and parasite free. Cricket Size Guide Crickets are also available by size (and age). It's important that you only feed your bearded dragon crickets smaller than the distance between their eyes to avoid problems with feeding, digestion, or impaction. Crickets are available as: Cricket Size Description Recommended for Pinhead crickets Small, wingless 2-day-old crickets, about 0.04 inch in size (the size of a normal pinhead) Hatchlings and baby bearded dragons Small crickets Slightly larger than pinheads, 5 days old, 1/8 inch long, softer Body Older bear cubs and young Medium-sized crickets 3-3 1/2 weeks old, 1/2" to 5/8" long depending on breed, most commonly available Juveniles and adults Large crickets Adult crickets around 5 weeks of age and 1- 1.5 inches long depending on breed, harder and coarser exoskeleton that is harder to digest Not normally used as feeder insects; more useful than bait What are the advantages? Crickets have good nutritional levels, particularly iron, protein and calcium, which is great for bearded dragons, especially when they are growing. They have softer exoskeletons (when young) compared to dubia roaches or other roaches, making them perfect feeders even for baby beards. Crickets are also very effective at loading the gut, so it's easier to provide your bearded dragon with its essential nutrients and vitamins, such as calcium and vitamin D3, by feeding the crickets these supplements a day before you feed your dragon. House crickets are composed as follows and contain 40.7 mg of calcium and 295 mg of phosphorus per 100 grams. Humidity 69.2% Protein 20.5% Fats 6.8% fiber 2.2% Crickets also provide a great feeding response from bearded dragons as they activate their predatory instincts and hunt the crickets. This provides a great stimulating activity for your bearded dragon and you will be surprised how fast they can actually move! Crickets are also readily available at most pet stores and online, and are an affordable food source for bearded dragons and reptiles alike. Are there reasons NOT to feed crickets? There are a few reasons that might make you reconsider using crickets as live food for your bearded dragon, but these are certainly not a deal breaker. For your bearded dragon, crickets are not as nutritious as dubia cockroaches and are also smaller. This means your dragon will need to eat more crickets to achieve the same nutritional value as a roach. This really isn't a problem unless you have an extremely picky bearded dragon or one that has lost their appetite for some reason. Crickets, like any other live feeder insect, can harbor parasites that can infest your bearded dragon. Because of this, it is very important to get your crickets from a very reputable source. Also, for the same reason, never feed your dragon insects you catch from the wild. Crickets can also attack smaller bearded dragons if left in the enclosure for too long, which can stress your bearded dragon. Make sure to remove any uneaten food from your dragon's tank after feeding. Crickets can be quite noisy and have a foul odor. You can also quickly escape and jump away. The noise can also affect reptiles, so make sure your cricket tank is far from your pet's enclosure. Pro tip Don't buy crickets in bulk, especially if you have a tiny bearded dragon, as they can grow to a size your tardigrade can't eat. Also, crickets develop an odor over time, so only buy enough crickets for your dragon to consume in about a week or two. How to feed a baby bearded dragon crickets Baby bearded dragons between the ages of 0-2 or 3 months (9-11 inches in length) often need to be fed a high protein diet such as crickets to support their rapid growth rates. Crickets are a good source of protein to ensure proper nutrition for your growing tardigrade, helping them grow healthily and preventing developmental diseases such as metabolic bone disease. How many? Feed your baby bearded dragon as many crickets as it will eat in 5-10 minutes. At the recommended feeding frequency of 5 times a day, this equates to almost 60-80 crickets a day. How often? You should feed your baby bearded dragon its crickets at least 3 to 5 times a day. Specific tips for baby bearded dragons Feed younger and smaller (1-2 day old) crickets to baby bearded dragons. Because baby beards don't have a distinctive bite, they need softer insects for better digestion. That being said, baby bearded dragons may not yet have good hunting skills, so younger and smaller crickets are better suited to this. Always remember to only feed insects that are smaller than your bearded dragon's eye spacing. 📚 Read More >> How Big Do Bearded Dragons Get?

How to feed young bearded dragons crickets

Juvenile bearded dragons may have fewer feeding sessions per day as they mature into adults. However, as your dragon nears maturity into an adult, between 9 and 18 months, you should start switching to a more varied diet of vegetables and other insects to help it acclimate to other foods.

How many?

Juvenile bearded dragons should be fed as many crickets as they can consume in 5-10 minute feeding sessions. With feeding sessions up to 3 times per day, this equates to around 25-60 crickets per day.

Towards the end of their adolescence when they become adults, you can start giving a set number of crickets per feeding session (less than what your dragon would normally eat) and then supplement with some greens and greens. You can also introduce other food insects like roaches and worms as treats.

How often?

Young bearded dragons should be fed 2-3 times a day.

Specific tips for juvenile bearded dragons

Juvenile bearded dragons may eat crickets that are slightly larger. Just remember to never feed your dragon anything larger than the distance between its eyes.

It is highly recommended that you begin switching to a more varied diet of vegetables when your young dragon is slowing its growth rate, which means it is almost fully grown. This will make it easier for you to eat a balanced diet once your bearded dragon is fully grown.

Pro tip Patience is key when introducing new food to your dragon. Always start slowly and observe any changes in their behavior, disposition and bowel movements.

How to feed adult bearded dragons crickets

Adult bears must be fed 80% vegetables and 20% protein (from insects and/or crickets). You should have fewer cricket feedings per day with longer feeding times.

Vegetables and greens that are great for adult bearded dragons include: kale, mustard greens, leafy greens, kale, dandelions, carrots, and many other greens and vegetables. Fruit can also be introduced as a treat.

How many?

Adult bearded dragons should be fed as much as they can eat in 10-15 minute feeding sessions. This equates to about 10 crickets a day, or 20 crickets every other day, depending on the feeding schedule.

How often?

You should feed your adult whiskered crickets once a day or a set number of crickets at mealtimes (example: 5 crickets per feeding session, twice a day).

Specific tips for adult bearded dragons

Adult bearded dragons require less protein as they stop growing. Your metabolism will also slow down, so switching to a more varied diet rich in fiber and moisture will need to be made. Greens and vegetables are a great source of nutrients for your adult dragon. Make sure your adult Beardie eats a tasty salad every day to stay healthy.

Top tips for cricket feeding

1. Prevent impaction

Prevent feeding and digestive issues that can lead to an impaction by making sure you use the right size cricket based on how big or how old your bearded dragon is. Babies and younger dragons should eat smaller and younger crickets.

In general, the maximum size crickets you should feed your adult dragon should be medium-sized crickets around 3 to 3 ½ weeks old (1/2″ to 5/8″ long). These are crickets that still have soft exoskeletons for better digestion. Crickets that are 5 weeks old already have harder exoskeletons that are harder to digest.

If you use the right size crickets, you don’t have to worry too much about their legs (which may have sharp spikes), but it’s worth checking every now and then to make sure your dragon is protected from impact risks.

A good way to prevent impactions is to alternate your feeder insects (with mealworms, superworms, or roaches) to make sure you’re not overfeeding your tardigrade one species. Another option is to keep your bearded dragon well hydrated by providing them with a clean bowl of water and bathing them regularly.

📚 Read More>> Guide To Feeding The Bearded Dragon Superworm

2. Monitor changes in behavior or eating habits

Crickets are considered safe feeder insects, but it’s always good practice to monitor changes in your dragon’s behavior or eating habits to check for digestive problems. It’s good to monitor your bowel movements too. Crickets tend to bite bearded dragons if they stay in the enclosure for too long, so make sure you remove any uneaten food after your feeding sessions.

Make sure you have the right heating and lighting requirements in your bearded dragon’s enclosure to support their digestion and metabolism.

3. Use of live crickets

Live crickets are a great way to encourage activity for your bearded dragons during feeding sessions. They will attempt to chase the crickets, making feeding time a stimulating activity as well.

You can use feeding tongs to place crickets in your dragon’s enclosure. Try to only place a few or a few at a time so as not to overwhelm your dragon. This also makes it easier for you to keep track of crickets that may be hiding in the tank and bothering your bear later. It’s also a good bonding time for you and your bearded dragon.

4. Choosing the right size

With insectivores like house crickets, you should always pay attention to the size of your bearded dragons. Especially if you have a baby or young bearded dragon with a developing jaw and digestive system.

A general rule is never feed your dragon anything larger than the distance/length between its eyes. You can purchase pinhead crickets at pet stores that are perfect for baby bearded dragons. Medium-sized crickets are also commonly found at pet stores and are usually the perfect size for juveniles and adults.

5. Clear out uneaten crickets

It’s a good idea to always remove leftover food from your bearded dragon’s enclosure after feeding times. This keeps it clean and ensures that uneaten crickets don’t bother or attack your bearded dragon afterwards. The noise these crickets make can also cause some stress to your beardie, so it’s best to eliminate them and keep your cricket container well away from the beardie’s enclosure.

6. Load and dust well

Crickets are easily loaded with supplements like vitamin D3, calcium, and other multivitamins to provide your bearded dragon with the essential nutrients and minerals needed for its good health. Gut loading is done by feeding your crickets these vitamins a day before your dragon’s feeding sessions. Make sure you don’t feed your dragon more than 24 hours after the intestines have loaded, as a cricket’s metabolism is quite fast. After 24 hours, the supplements will have passed through your digestive system, making them nutritionally unsuitable for your beard.

Alternatively, crickets can also be dusted with calcium supplement powders containing vitamin D3. Place your crickets in a bag or small plastic container, add enough calcium powder to lightly dust your crickets, and shake the container gently to coat them. Crickets can be dusted right before feeding.

How to breed your own crickets at home

frequently asked Questions

How Many Crickets Should I Feed My Little Bearded Dragon? Small or baby bearded dragons (approximately 9-11 inches long) should be fed as many crickets as they eat in one 5-10 minute feeding session up to 5 times a day (at least 3). This equates to around 25-80 crickets a day. Bearded dragons usually stop eating when they are full. Be sure to remove any uneaten food after each session. How Many Crickets Should a 4 Month Old Bearded Dragon Eat? A 4 month old or young bearded dragon should eat as much as possible in 5-10 minute feeding sessions about 2-3 times a day. This equates to around 25-60 crickets a day. Is It Safe to Feed a Bearded Dragon Crickets? Yes, it is safe to feed a bearded dragon crickets as long as you do not feed him a cricket larger than the space between his eyes to avoid feeding or digestive issues that could lead to an impaction. Can you feed a bearded dragon dead crickets? Yes and no. Yes, you can feed a bearded dragon intentionally dead crickets (freeze-dried, frozen, or canned crickets). These are a little more handy if you don’t want to handle live crickets. However, your dragon may not immediately recognize them as food, so you’ll have to get creative during feeding sessions to show them their food.

Crickets found dead in a live cricket box, or any dead bugs you find elsewhere, should never be fed to your dragon. For one, you are unsure of the cause of death and it could be a disease or parasite that could be infesting your dragon.

Dead crickets are also harder to digest as they may have started to dry out and lose their moisture. They can also harbor bacteria as they begin to decompose. To be safe, separate and discard any dead crickets you find in your live food container.

Conclusion

Crickets are great insect food for reptiles like bearded dragons. They are available from almost all pet stores (online and physical) and are very affordable. They also have good nutritional value and are easy to feed to bearded dragons. Just make sure your crickets are the right size for your bearded dragon and are from reputable breeders, and you’re good to go!

Continue reading

Crickets and other insectivores forums:

Poop out undigested crickets

Young beardie refuses to eat crickets + other tips

Comprehensive list of plants that reptiles can eat:

List of edible plants

An article addressing some feeding myths found online:

Fact vs fiction about food for herbivorous reptiles

Informative article on cricket powder (for consumption):

Nutritional value, protein and peptide composition of edible cricket powders

Informative article on the nutritional value of field crickets:

(PDF) Nutritional values ​​of the field cricket (Gryllus testaceus Walker)

Fluker’s Cricket Biology Guide:

Fluker’s Cricket Biology Guide

Guest post by Mike Valverde

If you are just beginning your journey as a reptile owner, bearded dragons are a fantastic choice. Because they’re active during the day, don’t take up too much space, and are gentle creatures who aren’t afraid of being held, they make a great introduction to the wonderful world of herpetoculture.

Another thing that makes Beardies such great pets for beginners is the fact that they are omnivores. This means that unlike hognose snakes and ball pythons, they are not picky eaters!

But just because bearded dragons are able to eat many different types of food doesn’t mean that all of those different foods are good for them. So if you’re curious about the best food for bearded dragons, check out the information below to learn more!

What fruits can bearded dragons eat?

Much like humans, bearded dragons enjoy eating fresh fruit for its sweet taste and stimulating sugar content. However, you should only give your tardigrade fruit in smaller portions to other food groups.

In other words – bearded dragons can have a little fruit as a treat!

If you want to know what are the best fruits for bearded dragons, take a look at the information below:

Can bearded dragons eat grapes?

Yes! Bearded dragons can easily chew and digest grapes and provide important nutrients to their diet. They have an excellent calcium to phosphorus ratio, which means they can adequately synthesize any substance to aid their growth and nutrition. However, they are low in vitamin D, so you should avoid making this a staple of their diet. Also, you should avoid feeding your pet green grapes as they have higher acidity which could upset their stomach!

Can bearded dragons eat apples?

Yes! Bearded dragons can eat apples, although you should take care to cut each piece so your bearded dragon doesn’t injure itself in the process. A good rule of thumb is to cut pieces no larger than the distance between their eyes. Similar to grapes, apples provide a healthy ratio of calcium to phosphorus, but they also lack adequate amounts of vitamins A and D.

Can bearded dragons eat strawberries?

Bearded dragons can eat strawberries, but they have almost no nutritional value. For starters, these fruits are almost entirely water, making them filling without providing a lot of vitamin content. And with that in mind, strawberries also have a poor calcium to phosphorus ratio. Basically, you’re not harming your beard by feeding it a strawberry, but you’re not doing it much good either!

Can bearded dragons eat blueberries?

Although blueberries are considered a superfood for humans, they don’t offer the same nutritional value for bearded dragons. You can still feed them to your bearded dragon. Just don’t expect them to have the same effect as adding them to your smoothie! Similar to strawberries, these have a poor calcium-phosphorus ratio and hardly any essential vitamins.

Can bearded dragons eat raspberries?

You can feed your bearded dragons raspberries, but you shouldn’t. Similar to blueberries, raspberries’ nutritional content makes them a poor nutritional choice for your beard. When comparing the calcium to phosphorus ratio and the amount of vitamin A, these are even less nutritious for bearded dragons than blueberries.

Can bearded dragons eat bananas?

Yes. Although bananas are considered healthy for humans due to their high potassium content, this is not a nutritional benefit for bearded dragons. So while you can feed this fruit to your bears with no problem, it serves little dietary purpose and is better as a small treat.

Can bearded dragons eat tomatoes?

Yes! Tomatoes are packed with vitamin A and have a great calcium to phosphorus ratio. That being said, they are mostly water and will quickly fill up your bear’s tummy before he can really reap the benefits of these nutrients. As such, these are best used as a healthy treat or as a garnish for your greens.

Can bearded dragons eat pumpkins?

Somehow! You won’t poison your bearded dragon by feeding it some pumpkin. However, it has no nutritional value and is acidic, which is bad for digestion. Ultimately, it’s a far better idea to feed your tardigrade a different fruit instead, e.g. B. a tomato or a grape. The exception to this is when a vet or herp recommends feeding pumpkin seeds to help remove intestinal parasites.

Can bearded dragons eat oranges?

Not really! Again, ingesting a small amount of an orange won’t kill your beard. However, it is not a good idea to feed your bearded dragon citrus fruits as the highly acidic content will upset their stomach! Additionally, the calcium-phosphorus content is poor, so there is very little nutritional benefit regardless.

Can bearded dragons eat figs?

Due to the high calcium content and the comparatively low phosphorus content, you can feed your pet dried figs without hesitation. However, the C:P ratio isn’t good enough to justify making this a staple, and the high sugar content can also be a concern.

Can bearded dragons eat mangoes?

Don’t feed your bearded dragons mangoes; You have too much phosphorus for your pet to get any nutritional value from the calcium. They also have a moderate amount of oxalates, which can lead to kidney problems, so it’s better not to feed them mangoes at all!

Can bearded dragons eat peaches?

It’s a bad idea to feed your bear peaches. They have a 1:3 calcium to phosphorus ratio, which is exactly the opposite of what you want to feed your pet!

Can bearded dragons eat peppers?

Feeding your bearded dragon red or green peppers is not ideal. Whether you cook them or serve them raw, they have far too much phosphorus and too little calcium to be of any nutritional value.

Can bearded dragons eat avocados?

No! Don’t feed your bearded dragon avocado; It can seriously injure and possibly even kill your pet. Many people don’t know this, but avocados are actually considered toxic despite being a common staple of modern humans. In particular, the high acid levels of these fruits are extremely dangerous for bearded dragons, so stay away!

What vegetables can bearded dragons eat?

Although fruit is not a good choice for most of your bearded dragon’s diet, vegetables are. These are especially important for an adult bear, but less important when feeding babies. Read on to learn about the best vegetables for bearded dragons that provide the right amount of vitamins and moisture to maintain your pet’s health!

Can bearded dragons eat spinach?

Not really! This is another example of a food that is healthy for humans but unhealthy for bearded dragons. Despite high amounts of vitamin A and a good calcium to phosphorus ratio, there are some aspects of spinach (and baby spinach) that can cause problems with your tardigrade’s digestive system. In particular, high levels of acidity similar to that found in citrus fruits can cause discomfort and possibly lead to gout! Instead, try feeding your bear arugula or kale.

Can bearded dragons eat broccoli?

It’s not a good idea to feed your bearded dragon broccoli, although they won’t get hurt if they have a small amount. First of all, the vitamin A content is quite low and the calcium to phosphorus ratio is equally disappointing. Also, these are mostly water, so they fill you up without providing much nutrition. However, broccoli contains a decent amount of vitamin K, which can help the gut. Even so, there are better vitamin K-rich foods to feed your bearded dragon!

Can bearded dragons eat carrots?

Yes! Carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A and have a decent calcium to phosphorus ratio. This is a great snack for your bear, as well as a nice addition to his salads. They are also high in water, which helps keep your beard hydrated. However, carrot greens are even healthier and make better meat than the root portion.

Can bearded dragons eat cucumbers?

If you remove the hard-to-digest peel from a cucumber, you can safely feed it to a pet bearded dragon. Thanks to a decent amount of vitamin K, it offers some nutritional benefits. In addition, the calcium-phosphorus ratio is good enough to avoid digestive and absorption problems. However, these have a very high water content that will fill up your bear’s tummy without providing any equivalent nutritional value.

Can bearded dragons eat peas?

Yes, your bearded dragon can safely eat peas. They offer some nutritional value due to high calcium levels and low phosphorus levels, in addition to a decent amount of vitamin A. However, phosphorus levels are significantly lower compared to calcium — to the point where it throws off the ideal ratio and makes it a poor substitute for healthier vegetables. Feed this to your pet in small doses!

Can bearded dragons eat cauliflower?

You can feed your bearded dragon cauliflower, but there’s really no reason to. The amount of important vitamins found in this vegetable is small when it comes to maintaining your bear’s diet. What’s worse is that this is another waterlogged vegetable that will fill up your pet’s stomach.

Can bearded dragons eat radishes?

Yes and no. It is healthier to feed your bearded dragon radish greens (the tops of the radish plant) than to feed it the radish itself. That’s because greens have a higher concentration of vitamin A and lower water content, meaning they can provide nutrition without just filling up your pet’s tummy. However, both the top and bottom of radishes make poor substitutes for healthier leafy greens – try turnip greens instead!

Can bearded dragons eat celery?

Bearded dragons can eat celery and derive nutritional value from it. It has a high calcium to phosphorus ratio and contains fiber and other essential vitamins. However, you should not feed your pet too much celery for two reasons:

The high water content will fill your pet up without providing an adequate amount of nutrients. Moderate oxalate levels mean that consuming excessive amounts can cause kidney problems.

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Sweet Potatoes?

Don’t feed your beard sweet potatoes; You have too much phosphorus and oxalates and not enough calcium. It’s fine to give your pet this as an occasional treat, but more than that puts you at risk of kidney problems and malnutrition.

Can bearded dragons eat rhubarb?

No! Don’t feed your bearded dragons rhubarb – it’s poisonous! This seemingly harmless vegetable has an extremely disproportionate amount of calcium to phosphorus. Rather than safely absorbing these nutrients, your tardigrade will experience a powerful adverse effect from consuming even a small amount of rhubarb. Do not do it!

What Else Can Bearded Dragons Eat?

Bearded dragons are omnivores, which means they eat meat in addition to fruits and vegetables. In fact, baby bearded dragons should have a diet consisting mostly of protein-rich insects in order for them to grow big and strong. Once they are adults, the majority of their diet should consist of vegetables; However, you should still feed them insects to maintain a healthy diet. But what about non-insect animals? Here’s what you need to know:

Can bearded dragons eat spiders?

Not really! Bearded dragons can technically eat some species of spiders without getting sick. However, feeding your bearded dragon spiders is a bad idea, especially if you find them around your home or in your yard. For starters, feeding your beard wild insects is a bad idea because of all the potential contaminants they can contain. Secondly, if you accidentally feed your bearded dragon a poisonous spider, it may seriously injure your precious pet!

Can bearded dragons eat moths?

No! You shouldn’t feed your pet bearded dragon moths for the same reason you shouldn’t feed them spiders or wild-caught insects. The risk of foreign parasites or disease is far too great if you feed your beard anything other than insects raised in captivity for the express purpose of reptile feeding.

Can bearded dragons eat crickets?

Absolutely! Crickets are one of the most popular feeding insects for bearded dragons and should be a regular part of your pet’s diet. In addition to high levels of calcium, crickets are an excellent source of protein and are great for baby bearded dragons. However, it’s also a good idea to improve your crickets’ diet before feeding them to your bears by giving them extra nutrients via powder or gelatin cubes.

Can bearded dragons eat mealworms?

Yes! Similar to crickets, mealworms obtained as captive bred feeder insects are an excellent food source for your adult beard. However, you should avoid feeding them to baby bearded dragons as they are not big enough to get one of these worms up their esophagus! Also, these are high in fat and shouldn’t be a mainstay of your diet – although they do make for a great treat on occasion. A more nutritious alternative is silkworms due to their lower fat content.

Can bearded dragons eat mice?

Technically yes. There is a lot of debate as to whether or not you can feed mice to a bearded dragon. On the one hand, a feeding mouse has many nutrients that are ideal for a pregnant beardie’s meal. On the other hand, bearded dragons find it extremely difficult (if not impossible) to digest the bones, and overfeeding mice can cause your pet to develop fatty liver. If you are looking to feed your bearded dragon mice, we recommend our Micro & Mini Links or our Whole-Prey Links depending on the size of your pet.

Can bearded dragons eat rabbits?

Similar to mice, it is technically possible for bearded dragons to eat rabbit meat. Obviously, it would be impossible for a tiny bearded dragon to eat an entire live rabbit! However, our 50/50 Omnivore blend is designed for bearded dragons and contains rabbit meat for protein. If you’re interested, this is the method we recommend for feeding your bear rabbits.

Can bearded dragons eat frogs?

No! Don’t feed your bearded dragon frogs; It doesn’t matter whether the frogs are caught in the wild or caught. They will cause intestinal problems for your bear if eaten. There are so many better meals to feed your pet, so there’s absolutely no reason for you to feed them a frog or toad!

Can bearded dragons eat chocolate?

No! Much like dogs and many other domesticated animals, chocolate is bad for your bearded dragon. If your bearded dragon accidentally eats a small amount of chocolate, it is most likely able to pass it through its body without serious injury. However, you should never give your beard even a small amount of chocolate!

Can bearded dragons eat scrambled eggs?

It’s not a good idea to feed any chicken eggs to a bearded dragon. There are much better sources of protein that don’t contain high levels of phosphorus. However, eggs are a common snack for tegus and other monitor lizards.

Can bearded dragons eat cheese?

Do not feed your bearded dragon dairy products! Your digestive system is unable to absorb nutrients from milk or cheese; Attempting to incorporate dairy into your bear’s diet can lead to diarrhea and other nasty stomach problems.

What should a bearded dragon eat daily?

Now that we’ve covered some of the most frequently asked questions about bearded dragon diet and feeding, you’re probably interested in knowing the absolute best foods for your pet. Here are our recommendations for bearded dragon food that will ensure your pet a long and happy life!

Best fruit for bearded dragons

As previously mentioned, fruit should make up the smallest part of your pet’s diet. The best fruits for bearded dragons are those that don’t contain too much water, are low in acidity, and contain a reasonable amount of calcium relative to phosphorus. Based on these criteria, our ranking for the best fruit to feed your bearded dragon is:

Grapes (not green) Apples Berries (raspberries, blackberries, blueberries) Tomatoes (sometimes)

Some other excellent fruits to feed your beard that aren’t covered in this article are peaches and prickly pears. Finally, remember to never feed your bearded dragon citrus fruits or avocados!

Best vegetables for bearded dragons

When caring for an adult bearded dragon, vegetables should make up the majority of your pet’s diet. However, not every vegetable is enough; in particular, you should feed dark leafy greens that are rich in vitamins without being too water-rich. Here are our rankings for the best vegetables to feed your bearded dragon:

Arugula Kale Beet greens Radish greens Carrot greens Carrots Peeled cucumber (rare)

Two vegetables not listed above that deserve a special mention are dandelion greens and collards. In fact, these are the best first choice when feeding your tardigrade vegetables; everything else comes second! Also remember not to feed your bearded dragon rhubarb – it is poisonous!

Best insects for bearded dragons

For baby bearded dragons, insects will make up the bulk of their diet. Even as they get older, you should still feed your tardigrade the right insects, but not as much as vegetables. Also, only feed them captive-bred insects specifically designed for feeding; wild-caught insects are too dangerous to feed your bearded dragons! Here are our rankings of insects (and other living creatures) to feed your bearded dragon:

Crickets 50/50 omnivore mix Silkworms Mealworms (occasionally)

What Foods Help Bearded Dragons Poop?

If your bearded dragon hasn’t pooped in a while, there are a few non-food related causes to rule out first:

Is your Beardie drinking enough water? Dehydration can cause constipation, so adding foods high in water to your diet can help.

Does your Beardie eat substrate sand? Replace the sand with a different substrate or provide your pet with a separate sandless feeding area.

Are the temperatures for the case correct? As exothermic creatures, bearded dragons need an ideal heat gradient to digest their food.

Aside from these situations, the best way to get your bear to poop again is to feed him mashed pumpkin. This can have a detoxifying effect on your stomach, which should help resolve any underlying issues. Still, you should take your bearded dragon to a vet if you’re worried about their health!

What is the best food for baby bearded dragons?

The most important nutrient for baby bearded dragons is calcium. If they don’t get enough of it at a young age, baby bears can develop metabolic bone disease that will severely impact their quality of life. They need plenty of protein even when young, so it’s best to feed them insects that are covered in calcium powder.

What is the best food for pregnant bearded dragons?

When your bearded dragon is pregnant, it’s safe to increase its food intake without worrying about gaining weight. However, you must not neglect the essential nutrients in their diet – especially calcium – otherwise you could endanger the health of your pet and its baby. Maintain a diet rich in vegetables, but supplement with more insects such as crickets and silkworms. It’s not a bad idea to add some calcium powder to the food too!

Hopefully this guide has answered some of your burning questions and provided you with important information on feeding bearded dragons. However, you should always consult a veterinarian, herpetologist, or a reputable breeder before trying anything new with your bearded dragon’s diet.

Thank you for reading!

Sources