Bearded dragons are omnivores and can benefit from a variety of cooked foods. Cooked meat, fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes can all be safely eaten by bearded dragons. Protein sources like cooked chicken, turkey, and lean beef are also suitable for bearded dragons.
All cooked food should be cut into small pieces or shredded so that it is easy for your dragon to eat. When introducing cooked food to your dragon’s diet, it should be offered in small portions and monitored closely to make sure they are eating it safely.
What You'll Learn
Types of Cooked Food that Bearded Dragons Can Eat
Vegetables
Vegetables are a necessary part of a bearded dragon’s diet, and cooked vegetables can provide added nutrition. Bearded dragons can safely eat cooked bell peppers, squash, carrots, and other vegetables.
It is important to cut or cut the vegetables into appropriately-sized pieces so they can be easily consumed. They should be cooked until they are soft enough for the dragon to chew and digest.
Vegetables can be served as a stand-alone meal or mixed with other proteins and fruits to create a balanced meal.
Fruits
Fruits are a very small but important part of a bearded dragon’s diet. Some of the best include apples, pears, bananas, mangoes, grapes, star fruit, and raisins. As with vegetables, they should be cut into pieces so that your dragon can eat them without hurting themselves. Fruits should be given in moderation as they are high in sugar, so it’s best to offer them as a treat only occasionally.
Cooking fruits might sound like a weird concept, but most fruits can be baked. It will give them more of a dried fruit texture.
Protein Sources
Protein sources, such as cooked chicken, turkey, and lean beef, are great for bearded dragons. These cooked meats provide them with necessary nutrients, such as protein and phosphorus.
However, it is important to make sure that these meats are unseasoned and only offered in an emergency. Bearded dragons should be fed 20% insects and 80% plant material as their main diet.
That being said, some beardie owners may offer raw meat such as minced beef, lean turkey, and chicken breast as a treat. There are also some prepared “cooked” bearded dragon diets available in the form of dried pellets, tinned fruit and vegetables, and even cooked crickets. Bearded dragons can also have cooked egg for protein.
Grains and Legumes
Grains and legumes are excellent sources of carbohydrates, which bearded dragons need for energy.
Grains like oatmeal, quinoa, barley, millet and rice can be cooked and served to your bearded dragon in moderation. Legumes like lentils, chickpeas, beans and peas are also good sources of carbohydrates and protein and can be served cooked as well.
How to Prepare Cooked Food for Bearded Dragons
When it comes to preparing cooked food for bearded dragons, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Cooking methods such as boiling, steaming, baking, or roasting will ensure that the food is fully cooked and safe for your pet.
As previously stated, the food should be cut or shredded into small pieces that are appropriate for the size of your bearded dragon.
Once the food is cooked, it must be allowed to cool down before feeding it to your pet.
After the food has cooled down, it can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer for later use.
Cooking Methods
When preparing cooked food for your bearded dragon, it is important to understand the different cooking methods and how they affect the food.
Boiling is a popular method of cooking as it is quick and easy, however, it can cause some of the nutrients in the food to be lost.
Steaming is a good alternative as it helps to retain most of the nutrients in the food.
Baking in the oven is also an option, although it does take longer.
Cutting/Shredding Food to Appropriate Sizes
Once you have decided what cooked food you want to feed your bearded dragon, the next step is to cut or shred it into small, bite-size pieces. This is important because bearded dragons can find it difficult to swallow large chunks of food. Cutting or shredding the food into small pieces will also make it easier for your pet to digest.
Allow the Food to Cool Down
Wait for the food to cool down completely before serving it to a bearded dragon. Allowing the food to cool down helps ensure that the temperature is not too hot for them to eat.
How to Store Cooked Food
If you want to keep the food fresh and safe, you’ll need to find a storing method that works for you. Cooked food should be stored in the refrigerator for no more than two days. If you need a longer shelf life, you can freeze it. When freezing cooked food, do so in small portions so that you don’t have to thaw out a large amount at once.
When it comes time to serve the food, make sure to leave it out long enough to thaw before serving it to your bearded dragon.
How Much to Feed
When feeding cooked food to your bearded dragon, it is important to keep in mind the portion sizes. Smaller portions are best for hatchlings, while adults can eat larger portions.
For example, an adult bearded dragon can eat a few tablespoons full of cooked food, while a juvenile can only eat a teaspoonful. Of course, the type of food will also determine how much to eat.
It is also important to remember that cooked food should only be fed once or twice a week, and should not exceed 10-20% of your pet’s overall diet.
How to Serve Cooked Food
You can serve cooked food to your bearded dragon in a variety of ways. For example, you can mix cooked food with other foods such as crickets or mealworms, or you can serve it as a treat on its own.
Are There Any Negatives to Serving Cooked Food to Your Bearded Dragon?
While feeding cooked food to bearded dragons can be a great way to provide them with the necessary nutrition and balance their diet, there are also some potential negatives as well.
Cooked food can contain toxins that are not found in raw foods, and could lead to health issues if consumed in large amounts. Additionally, cooked food can be more difficult for bearded dragons to digest since it is already partially broken down.
Bearded dragons should not eat too much cooked food, and should only do so occasionally as a treat. To ensure that your bearded dragon is getting the right amount of nutrition and that their diet is balanced, it is best to feed them a mixture of live, raw foods as well as cooked food.
Key Points
- Bearded dragons can eat a wide range of cooked foods such as vegetables, fruits, proteins, grains and legumes.
- Prepare cooked food by boiling, steaming, baking or other cooking methods.
- Cut or shred the food into appropriate sizes and allow it to cool down before serving.
- Store cooked food by refrigeration or freezing.
- Feed cooked food once or twice per week in appropriate portion sizes.
- Serve cooked food mixed with other foods or as a treat.
- Understand the potential risks of serving cooked food including overfeeding, contamination and bacterial growth before introducing it into their diet.
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
