Bearded dragons are omnivores, which means they eat both plants and animals. Their diet typically consists of vegetables, insects, and non-citrus fruit. Bearded dragons should be fed a balanced diet that is appropriate for their age and size.
What You'll Learn
What Is An Omnivorous Diet?
An omnivorous diet is one that includes both plant-based proteins and meat alternatives. It’s a balanced way of eating which helps provide all the essential nutrients needed to sustain life.
Omnivores get their protein from sources such as eggs, dairy products, nuts, grains, legumes, fish or lean meats. They also consume fruits and vegetables for vitamins and minerals. The variety in an omnivorous diet makes it easier to meet daily nutrient requirements without relying exclusively on animal products.
Vegetables are an important part of a bearded dragon’s diet; they offer key benefits like fiber and antioxidants that help support overall health. There are many different types of veggies available, so knowing what kind of plants your pet can eat is crucial for maintaining their well-being.
With this in mind, let’s take a look at some of the best vegetables for bearded dragons.
Vegetables For Bearded Dragons
Are there vegetables that bearded dragons can eat? The answer is yes! Bearded dragons are omnivores and require both vegetable matter as well as insects to thrive.
When choosing vegetables for your pet, it’s important to consider portion size and variety of sources. Here are five of the best vegetables for bearded dragons:
- Dark leafy greens like kale, mustard greens, and collard greens
- Squash such as zucchini or pumpkin
- Carrots
- Green beans
- Bell peppers
It’s also beneficial to offer some fruit every once in a while, but be sure not to overdo it because too much sugar can cause problems. Additionally, avoid citrus fruits since they may contain substances that could irritate bearded dragon digestive systems.
With these tips in mind, you should have no trouble providing your pet with nutritious meals full of delicious veggies! Moving on from here, let’s look at other foods available to feed our scaly friends – namely insects.
Insects For Bearded Dragons
Insects form an important part of a bearded dragon’s diet, and it is important to be aware of their foraging habits when providing them with food. Gut loading the insects before they are fed to the lizard provides additional nutrition, not found in other parts of its diet. Below is a table outlining which insects can be safely eaten by bearded dragons:
| Insect | Safe to Eat? |
|---|---|
| Crickets | Yes |
| Mealworms | Yes |
| Super worms | Yes |
| Wax worms | No |
| Butterflies | No |
It is also essential that any insect given to your pet has been gut loaded properly – this involves feeding the insects nutrient-rich foods such as vegetables or commercial gut loads prior to being consumed by the lizard. This ensures that all nutritional requirements are met when consuming these creatures. Taking proper care when handling and preparing feeder insects will ensure your reptile gets optimal nutrition from its diet and remains healthy for years to come. With careful attention paid to their dietary needs, bearded dragons can enjoy safe and nutritious meals without worry. Moving onto non-citrus fruits for bearded dragons, we should consider what types of fresh produce they may benefit from…
Non-Citrus Fruits For Bearded Dragons
Bearded dragons absolutely love non-citrus fruits! In fact, it would be an understatement to say that these delightful creatures are obsessed with them.
From sweet mangoes and succulent papayas to juicy apples and crunchy pears, the possibilities for a tasty treat are seemingly endless!
It is important to remember that when selecting fruit for your bearded dragon, you should always opt for natural sources such as those found in the wild or at farmers markets.
Commercially-bought produce may contain unnecessary additives which can lead to health issues down the line, so trust your local growers instead.
When introducing new substrates selection into their diet, start small and gradually increase the size over time. This will help ensure that they get all of the necessary nutrients while avoiding any potential digestive problems associated with consuming too much at once.
Be sure not to feed more than what is recommended by your veterinarian on a daily basis either – this could potentially cause major health complications if left unchecked!
With careful consideration and planning, non-citrus fruits provide many delicious options for bearded dragons everywhere.
Feeding Frequency For Bearded Dragons
Having established what types of non-citrus fruits are suitable for bearded dragons to consume, the next step is to consider how frequently these foods should be provided.
Generally speaking, a bearded dragon’s diet should consist mainly of vegetables and insects. Fruits can make up approximately 10% of their total daily intake. When it comes to portion sizing, this should depend on the size of your beardie; larger adults will require more food than younger individuals. In terms of frequency, they should be offered fruit as a treat no more than once or twice per week.
In addition to dietary variety and frequency, it is important to ensure that your bearded dragon gets enough vitamins in order to remain healthy.
Vitamin supplementation may not always be necessary but if you have any concerns regarding your pet’s overall nutrition this could be something worth considering with your reptile vet. A good multi-vitamin supplement specifically designed for reptiles can be added into their meal every other day, or according to manufacturer instructions.
Finally, when setting up an appropriate feeding schedule for your bearded dragon one must also take into account all nutritional considerations such as calcium intake from gut loaded feeders (e.g., crickets), ensuring fresh water is available at all times, and providing adequate UVB light exposure during daylight hours for proper vitamin D3 synthesis – all key elements for optimal health and wellbeing!
With that said, we move on now to discuss these very topics in further detail…
Nutritional Considerations For Bearded Dragons
Bearded dragons require a balanced diet that includes plenty of vegetables, insects and non-citrus fruits. It is important to supplement their diets with appropriate vitamins and minerals in order to ensure they receive proper nutrition:
- Calcium – helps promote strong bones
- Vitamin A – supports the immune system
- Multivitamins – provide additional support for overall health
Giving bearded dragons an adequate amount of these essential nutrients will help them stay healthy while allowing them to grow at a normal rate.
A varied and properly supplemented diet should consist of dark leafy greens such as kale or collards, squash, carrots, bell peppers, insects (mealworms/crickets), strawberries, red grapes and other safe fruits. Be sure not to give too much fruit as it can lead to overindulgence and potential nutritional deficiencies.
Feeding your dragon two meals per day tailored towards its age and size will ensure optimal growth and health.
In summary, providing bearded dragons with a balanced diet full of fresh vegetables, insects and non-citrus fruits along with necessary supplements will keep them happy and healthy. Supplementing their diet correctly ensures that they get all the essential vitamins and minerals needed for proper development.
Conclusion
In conclusion, bearded dragons need an omnivorous diet in order to stay healthy. They should be fed a variety of vegetables, insects, and non-citrus fruit on a regular basis.
It’s important to remember that young bearded dragons will require more frequent feedings than adults – up to three times per day! Additionally, it has been estimated that nearly 80% of pet owners fail to provide their reptiles with the proper nutrition they need.
To ensure your dragon is getting everything it needs, research dietary requirements and consult your veterinarian for advice.
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
