Bearded dragons enjoy a variety of treats, but some of their favorites include fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. They also enjoy vegetables like squash, green beans, and carrots. Waxworms and superworms are high-fat treats that bearded dragons may also enjoy in moderation.
It’s important to offer treats sparingly and in addition to a well-balanced diet, as excessive treats can lead to obesity and other health problems.
Additionally, some fruits and vegetables can be high in oxalates, which can interfere with calcium absorption, so it’s important to research the appropriate treats and feeding amounts for a bearded dragon.
What You'll Learn
- 1 List of a Bearded Dragons Favorite Treats
- 2 How Often to Give Your Bearded Dragon Treats
- 3 How to Know if Your Bearded Dragon Is Enjoying Their Treats
- 4 How to Balance Treats With a Healthy Diet
- 5 The Benefits of Incorporating Treats Into a Bearded Dragons Diet
- 6 How to Introduce New Treats to a Bearded Dragon
- 7 What You’ve Learned
List of a Bearded Dragons Favorite Treats
A bearded dragon’s diet should include variety, and treats are a great way to add some fun! Here is a list of some of the favorite treats of bearded dragons.
Commercial Treats
Commercial treats for bearded dragons are available at most pet stores. These come in a variety of flavors and textures and provide a good source of nutrition for your pet. Just make sure that you choose one that is designed specifically for bearded dragons!
Fruits
Bearded dragons love sweet fruits like melon, grapes, apples, and mangoes. You can also offer them berries like blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries. Just be sure to cut up the fruit into small pieces that they can easily eat.
Insects
Bearded dragons love crickets, mealworms, waxworms, and other types of insects. These can be offered as treats in small amounts.
Why Veggies Aren’t Listed
You might be wondering why veggies aren’t on this list of treats for bearded dragons. Afterall, aren’t veggies healthy? Yes, they are extremely healthy for beardies, but we don’t consider them a “treat”. Veggies should be the staple of your bearded dragons diet. We view treats as something to feed occasionally, not daily.
How Often to Give Your Bearded Dragon Treats
One important part of taking care of a bearded dragon is giving them treats.
Treats are a great way to reward your pet and bond with them, but it’s important to not give them too much or too often.
Generally, treats should not make up more than 10% of your dragon’s total diet. Treats should be given in moderation, typically no more than once or twice a week.
When giving treats, try to choose ones that are high in protein and low in fat, such as small mealworms or crickets. Whatever treat you choose, be sure to only give your bearded dragon the appropriate amount for their size.
With regular feeding and proper treats, your bearded dragon will stay happy and healthy for many years to come!
How to Know if Your Bearded Dragon Is Enjoying Their Treats
While treats are a great way to show your pet some love, it’s important to make sure they’re actually enjoying them. So how do you know if your bearded dragon is really enjoying their treats? Here are three ways to tell.
Visible Movement
One of the most obvious signs that your bearded dragon is enjoying their treat is visible movement. If their tail or feet start moving, it means that they are getting excited about the treat and are likely enjoying it! They may also move around in anticipation for more.
Body Language
Your bearded dragon’s body language can also indicate if they are enjoying their treat. If they seem relaxed and content while eating, this is a good sign that they are having a good time. On the other hand, if they appear tense or uncomfortable while eating, then they may not be too keen on the treat.
Excited Eating
If your beardie seems to be eating more quickly than usual and seems excited while doing so, it’s a surefire sign that they’re enjoying their snack! They may even lick their lips or make happy noises as an indication of how much they like it.
How to Balance Treats With a Healthy Diet
Balancing treats with a healthy diet for bearded dragons is essential for their long-term health. Bearded dragons are omnivores, meaning they need a balanced diet of proteins, fruits, vegetables, and occasional treats. Despite the temptation to spoil them with treats, it’s important to remember that moderation is key. Here are some tips for balancing treats with a healthy diet for your pet bearded dragon.
Provide Nutrient-Rich Treats
Bearded dragons require a variety of proteins, vegetables, and fruits in their diet. When providing treats for your bearded dragon, make sure they are nutrient-rich and high in protein. Feed them crickets, mealworms, wax worms, silkworms, or small amounts of cooked lean meat such as beef or chicken.
Limit Treats to Once or Twice per Week
Treats should be limited to once or twice per week for your bearded dragon. This will help ensure that they are getting the right amount of nutrients from their regular diet and not overindulging on treats.
Offer Variety
Offering variety is key when providing treats for your bearded dragon. Offer different types of insects and vegetables so that they don’t get bored with the same types of food every day. Variety also ensures that they get all the vitamins and minerals they need from their diet.
Monitor Calorie Intake
It is easy to overfeed bearded dragons if you are not careful. Monitor the amount of treats they are getting and make sure they are not eating too many calories throughout the day. This will help them maintain a healthy weight and prevent health issues down the line.
The Benefits of Incorporating Treats Into a Bearded Dragons Diet
Treats can provide extra nutrients and health benefits that may not be found in their regular diet. Here are the main benefits of incorporating treats into a bearded dragon’s diet:
Improved Digestion
Treats can help to improve a bearded dragon’s digestion by providing essential enzymes, vitamins, and minerals that may be lacking in their regular diet. Feeding them treats containing digestive aids such as papaya, pineapple, and mango can help to ensure that they are getting the nutrients they need to help them digest their food properly.
A Variety of Nutrients
Treats can provide a variety of essential nutrients that may not be found in their regular diet. Feeding them treats such as cooked egg yolks, cooked meats, and sweet potatoes can provide them with additional sources of vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats, and carbohydrates which will help to keep them healthy and active.
Increased Activity Levels
Treats can also be used to encourage your bearded dragon to engage in more physical activity. Feeding them treats such as live insects or other invertebrates will encourage them to move around and hunt for their food which will help to keep them active and healthy.
Enrichment
Treats can be used as enrichment items, which helps keep your bearded dragon happy and stimulated. Experimenting with different types of treats can also help them to stay engaged and entertained.
How to Introduce New Treats to a Bearded Dragon
Introducing new treats to a bearded dragon’s diet can be a fun and rewarding activity for both you and your pet. It is important, however, to make sure that you introduce these treats with care, as overfeeding can be dangerous for your beloved pet. Here are some methods to introduce new treats into a bearded dragon’s diet in a safe and healthy manner:
Start With Small Amounts
Introduce new treats gradually and in small amounts. This will help your dragon get used to different textures and flavors. Start with one small piece of the treat and wait to see how your dragon reacts before offering more.
Offer Variety
Offering a variety of treats allows your bearded dragon to experience new flavors and textures. Include vegetables, fruits, insects, and other treats in their diet for better nutrition. This will also make feeding more interesting for them.
Monitor Eating Habits
Be sure to monitor your dragon’s eating habits when introducing new treats. If they do not seem interested in the treat or start to reject it, it might not be the best option for them. Monitor their eating habits and adjust accordingly as needed.
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What You’ve Learned
- Bearded dragons love treats such as fruits like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries, and vegetables such as squash, green beans, and carrots.
- Commercial treats for bearded dragons provide a good source of nutrition for your pet, but make sure to choose ones designed specifically for bearded dragons.
- Insects such as crickets, mealworms, and waxworms can be offered as treats to bearded dragons in small amounts.
- Treats should make up no more than 10% of a bearded dragon’s total diet, and they should be given in moderation, typically no more than once or twice a week.
- When providing treats for your bearded dragon, make sure they are nutrient-rich and high in protein, offer variety, and monitor their calorie intake.
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Hi! My name is Bryan, I am the “one behind the words” here are BeardieAnswers.com. I believe that providing quality care and nutrition is the best way to ensure the health of your pet. Every beardie is special and deserves the best care and attention. If you have questions about your bearded dragon, please don’t hesitate to ask! View My Full Author Page
