Feeding a bearded dragon is best done two two hours after the lights are turned on and two hours before they are turned off. Although this is ideal for adult dragons, baby and juvenile dragons require a different feeding schedule.
Morning feedings are ideal because they allow your dragon to benefit from the warmth and activity of the day, allowing them to digest their food properly and avoid overfeeding or underfeeding.
What You'll Learn
The Best Times to Feed a Bearded Dragon
Two Hours After Lights Turn On
It is best to wait two hours after the lights turn on before feeding your bearded dragon. This gives them enough time to warm up and get their body ready for proper digestion.
Two Hours Before Lights Are Turned Off
It’s also a good idea to feed your bearded dragon two hours before the lights go out. By doing so, you can ensure that their food has time to digest and absorb nutrients before they go to sleep.
Feeding too close to bedtime feeding can result in poor digestion, appetite, and even immune function.
Morning Feeding Are Optimal
Adult bearded dragons are most active in the morning and late afternoon, so morning feedings are ideal. Feeding them during these times ensures that they receive the nutrients they require and that their digestive systems function properly.
Feeding them in the morning also helps them establish a routine, which can help them avoid stress.
Baby And Juvenile Dragons Require a Different Feeding Schedule
Adult dragons require a different feeding schedule than baby and juvenile dragons. Babies under 3 months should be fed 3-5 times per day. Special precautions must be taken to ensure that hatchlings are fed appropriately for their size.
Most juvenile bearded dragons eat twice per day, once in the morning and once at night. It’s important to find the appropriate feeding schedule for your dragon based on their age so that they can get the nutrition they require to thrive.
What Are The Consequences of Feeding At The Wrong Time
There can be several consequences if you feed your bearded dragon at the wrong time. Obesity risk can be increased by eating at irregular times or eating excessively. Poor sleep quality is also likely if you feed them too close to bedtime, which can lead to additional health problems. Another consequence of feeding at the wrong time is poor digestion, as their digestive system may not be ready to digest food. If your bearded dragon is not used to regular feeding times, he or she may have a poor appetite and eat less than they should.
Increased Risk of Obesity
Obesity is increased when you feed your bearded dragon at the wrong time. This is due to increased chances of overfeeding as well as a lack of consistent feeding times, both of which can cause stress and poor digestion.
Eating too much in one sitting or at the wrong time of day can lead to obesity in your bearded dragon, which can lead to a variety of health issues.
Poor Quality Sleep
Poor quality sleep can be caused by feeding your bearded dragon at the incorrect time. When you feed your dragon at the wrong times of day, their sleep patterns become disrupted, leading to lethargy and irritability.
Poor Digestion
Feeding your bearded dragon at the wrong time of day can result in poor digestion. Feeding them too close to when their lights go out can make them sluggish and irritable, resulting in poor digestion of their food. Furthermore, if they are not warm enough while eating, it can lead to poor digestion.
When feeding, give your beardie plenty of time to eat and remove any leftover food after the 15-minute feeding period is over.
Poor Appetite
One of the consequences of not feeding your bearded dragon at the proper time is a loss of appetite. While your dragon may appear to be hungry, it may actually be consuming fewer calories than it requires.
If this pattern persists for an extended period of time, it can result in weight loss, malnutrition, and a weakened immune system.
Poor Immune Function
One of the consequences of feeding a bearded dragon at the wrong time is poor immune function. Their bodies are unable to properly regulate their hormones and vitamins without a proper meal schedule, which can lead to a weakened immune system.
As a result, they may be more susceptible to illnesses and infections, which can be difficult to treat and may necessitate additional medical attention.
To keep your bearded dragon healthy and strong, stick to regular feeding times that are appropriate for their age and size. This will help them maintain a balanced diet and a healthy immune system.
Why Regular Feeding Times Are important
Regular feeding times are essential for keeping your bearded dragon healthy and happy. Setting a consistent meal schedule promotes proper digestion, avoids overfeeding or underfeeding, and establishes a routine that reduces stress.
Having regular feeding times also helps to ensure that your pet is getting all of the nutrients it requires to stay healthy.
Promotes Proper Digestion
One of the primary advantages of establishing regular feeding times for bearded dragons is that it promotes proper digestion. Bearded dragons are more likely to have regularity in their digestive system and be able to process their food more efficiently if they are fed at the same time every day.
This lowers the risk of obesity, poor sleep quality, poor digestion, poor appetite, and poor immune function.
Avoids Overfeeding and Underfeeding
Regular feeding times can help your bearded dragon avoid overfeeding or underfeeding. You can help them maintain a balanced diet and a healthy weight by feeding them a consistent amount of food at the same time every day.
Establishes a Routine Which Prevents Stress
Regular feeding times help your bearded dragon establish a routine and reduce stress. A consistent feeding schedule allows them to anticipate their meals, which aids in the regulation of their metabolism and digestive process.
Key Points
- The best times to feed a bearded dragon are two hours after the lights come on and two hours before the lights go out.
- Adult dragons are most active in the morning and late afternoon, so morning feedings are ideal, and they can help establish a routine that prevents stress.
- Baby and juvenile dragons require a different feeding schedule, which must be researched and determined based on their age and size.
- Feeding at the wrong time can have negative consequences such as increased obesity risk, poor quality sleep, poor digestion, poor appetite, and poor immune function.
- Establishing regular feeding times is critical to keeping your bearded dragon healthy and happy.
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
