Bearded dragons live in a natural habitat where food is scarce. Bearded dragons are omnivores, which means they can consume both vegetables and meat.
Bringing a bearded dragon into your home requires a great deal of responsibility. You are tasked with creating a comfortable natural environment and balanced, high-quality food, all to make everything as comfortable as possible.
Proper diet and nutrition can help your Beardie live longer, be more active, and keep its color more brilliant. Bearded dragons require a combination of vegetables and live food for good health. The nutritional needs of bearded dragons can appear confusing and stressful to anybody new to reptiles. But the instructions in this article will help you regarding complete bredie food, feeding frequency, and tips to feed bearded dragons. continue reading
What do bearded dragons eat and drink?
Bearded Dragons can eat various live foods, including crickets, mealworms, king worms, vegetables like sweet potato and pepper, and leafy greens, including kale and parsley. They can also eat a small amount of fruit.
In the wild, Bearded Dragons mostly eat animal protein, which accounts for approximately 75% of their diet and can include crickets, cockroaches, worms, and small rodents such as mice.
The remainder of their diet (20% to 25%) contains greens, vegetables, and little fruit.
Bearded Dragon Diet and feed
You should feed your bearded dragon a diet similar to what he (or she) would eat in the wild. You can add meat, vegetables, fruit, greens, and weeds to your bearded dragon feed.
When bearded dragons become adults, they need less protein because of low activity compared to younger ones. Feed containing higher protein content can create obesity in bearded dragons,
Our Bearded Dragon food list explains what foods are safe to include in your Beardie’s diet and how frequently you can feed your Beardie.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Vegetables?
Yes, bearded dragons eat vegetables along with meat. You need to feed fresh vegetables daily to provide for your bearded dragon.
You can supplement your bearded dragon’s diet with the following vegetables.
- Peas
- Beans (green)
- Courgette
- Squash, butternut
- sweet potato
- bell pepper
- Ocra
- Broccoli (small bits weekly)
- Squash, acorn
- Cabbage
- Kohlrabi
- Parsnip
- Choi Pak
- Squash, yellow
- Asparagus
- Okra
- Chard (Swiss)
- Carrots
- Kali
- Cucumber
Can bearded dragons eat insects?
Bearded Dragons can consume insects such as meat. Insects have a significant role in the nutrition of bearded dragons. To avoid difficulties, only feed insects that are smaller than the width of your dragon’s eyes. Not being careful with this may result in intestinal obstructions, convulsions, or malnourishment in general.
Crickets: Crickets are the most popular protein- and calcium-rich treat for bearded dragons. They’re easy to find in pet stores. Keep in mind that crickets can be rather noisy.
Waxworms: These fatty worms should be served solely as a treat. Waxworms are unquestionably dessert worms because of their high-fat content. An adult dragon can eat five to six wax worms every day.
Earthworms: While not as popular as other worms, these crawlers deliver calcium and moisture to your pet. Please make sure they’re clean and clear of debris adhering to their slimy surface before giving them to your dragon.
Locusts
Butterworms This calcium and the protein-rich worm is a beautiful food supplement for your dragon’s primary feeder insects.
Silkworms: Because these worms are high in protein, moisture, phosphorus, calcium, and potassium, it makes an excellent snack for your dragon.
Phoenix worms are abundant in calcium and protein, making them excellent supplements or feeder bugs. Because these worms are so small, serving them as a snack rather than the main course will save money if you have a giant adult dragon.
Cockroaches: Beardies enjoy eating cockroaches. The greatest roach to feed your dragon is the Dubia roach. Dubai roach contains higher protein and low fat. Bugs are five times more nutritious than any other insects. The Dubai roach is also very silent, cannot climb or fly away (and if they do, they will not infest your home), and does not bite or stink.
Morioworms are fatty worms that should only be fed as a treat.
Mealworms: you should feed mealworms to adults. Their hard size can create Impaction in young Bearded Dragons.
Superworms are larger versions of mealworms. They should, once again, only be served to adult Bearded Dragons.
How do you prepare insects for bearded dragons’ feed?
Because young bearded dragons require a lot of calcium, calcium supplements should be coated on feeder insects 3 to 5 times per week for adults and every day for newborn bearded dragons.
Ensure that the new insects you give your Beardie are nutritious and vitamin-rich.
Placing insects in a small bowl is the best way to feed them to your bearded dragon. After feeding, ensure no insects remain in the cage since they can bite and contaminate the water supply.
What kinds of insects should I feed my bearded dragon?
When feeding insects to your bearded dragon, make sure the food is relative to the dragon’s size. If you feed your beardie insects too large for them to eat or capture, your bearded may experience intestinal obstructions and convulsions.
What types of greens can Bearded Dragons eat?
Bearded dragons can eat greens. You can feed the following greens to your bearded dragons:
- Greens in the spring
- Floret mix
- Kale
- Collards
- Parsley
- Clover
- Green dandelion
- Green turnip
- Endive
- Rocket
- Coriander
- Watercress
What fruits can Bearded Dragons eat?
Bearded Dragons can eat a wide variety of fruits.
The following is a list of fruits to feed to your bearded dragon.
- Figs
- Watermelon
- Apples
- Mango
- Papaya
- Dates
- Peaches
- Apricots
- Plums
- Kiwi
- Pears
- Strawberries
- Raspberries
- Blueberries
- Guava
- Grapes
- Raisins
- Apricots
Precautions when feeding fruit to bearded dragons?
Fruits are high in sugar, and daily fruit feeding can lead to obesity. You should also avoid acidic fruits like lemon and oranges because they can disturb the stomach.
Owners should be cautious when giving soft fruit because sweetness in fruits creates more fermentation—higher fermentation results in more acidity that can affect bearded dragon teeth.
It is better to peel certain fruits and veggies or cut them into small bite-sized pieces.
What Weeds Can Bearded Dragons Eat?
Bearded dragons can eat the weeds listed below.
- Dandelion
- Catsear
- dead nettle
- Plantain
What do bearded dragons drink?
Beardies obtain the majority of their water from the things they eat. You must, however, ensure that your lizard has access to fresh drinking water. It’s ideal for keeping the water in a shallow dish in the enclosure.
What type of food Bearded Dragons cannot eat?
If you stick to the food listed above, you should be fine, but there are a few foods that Bearded Dragons cannot consume.
Dragons can swallow things even if they are hazardous. Thus it is your responsibility to ensure they are not given them in the first place.
Suppose your pet eats food that is not recommended and becomes ill. You should consult with a veterinarian for medical assistance.
You should not feed the following list of harmful foods to bearded dragons.
- Boxelder Bugs
- Mushrooms
- Rhubarb
- Beet Tops
- Tomatoes
- Oranges
Lettuce has no nutritional benefit. Because lettuce includes a large proportion of water, feeding it to bearded dragons can result in various issues, including diarrhea.
Lemons: This citrus fruit will disrupt your dragon’s digestive tract.
Spinach and beet greens are filled with oxalates, which inhibit calcium absorption. Foods like these raise the risk of Metabolic Bone Disease. Avoid such meals for the safety of the bearded dragon.
Insects obtained from the wild: Wild insects may transmit harmful parasites to your Beardie.
Fireflies: Any insect that glows is harmful and can kill your reptile. The cardiotoxins in a half firefly can kill an adult bearded dragon.
Avocados: Avocados are toxic to bears, and you should avoid them in feed.
Rhubarb has high quantities of oxalic acid, which is lethal to a bearded dragon.
Avoid any seafood like prawns because they are not suitable for your Beardie.
Diet of a bearded dragon in different stages of life
There are different reasons why bearded owners did not provide a healthy diet consistently. Some of them are
- Inability to find specific types of vegetables and budget issues.
- Lack of awareness of what beaded dragons need to feed at different stages of life.
- Unwillingness to accept bearded as a pet
Above mentioned reasons are especially valid for newbie dragon owners who purchase hatchlings. Bearded dragons have highly specialized nutritional needs throughout this period of development.
A bearded dragon hatchling’s diet should primarily consist of meat in the form of tiny insects (about 75 to 80 percent). Those whose bearded dragon diet does not include most of the insects will experience stunted growth, malnutrition, and possibly death from famine. Some reports available shows young Beardie eat their tale(anabolism) due to persistent low protein feeding
In addition to knowing what your bearded dragon requires, you also need to know-how how much and how frequently you need to feed your bearded dragon.
Underfeeding your bearded dragon can be fatal, but overfeeding them can be just as harmful. Being mindful of the size of the fruit and plant matter in your bearded dragon’s diet is also vital.
The following general suggestions are your first steps toward understanding what your bearded dragon’s diet should consist of at various phases of development:
What do baby Bearded Dragons eat?
Hatchlings: 0-2 months. The diet of a bearded hatchling dragon should include appropriately sized crickets 2-3 times each day. Also, offer the hatchlings a variety of chopped-up greens.
Juveniles: 2-4 months. Crickets should be consumed twice a day by a juvenile bearded dragon. It would help if you fed a range of fruits and vegetables.
Diets for Sub adults and Adult Bearded Dragons
Sub adults range in age from 4 to 18 months. It would be best to feed Crickets to sub-adult bearded dragons once or twice a day, although you are feeding vegetables frequently. You can also introduce other foods such as super worms, fruits, and commercial bearded dragon food in moderation.
Adult:18 months old: bearded dragon every day or every other day; an adult bearded dragon should be fed greens and insects. Allow them to consume as many greens as they desire. You can add a smaller quantity of fruits to adult beardies’ feed.
You can add Commercial bearded dragon food to your regular diet. Adult dragons may also like the old (every 4-6 weeks) pinky mouse.
What is the best live food for a bearded dragon?
Crickets and mealworms are the most popular and used food for bearded dragons. These food items are not costly and readily available .you can find this food via an online store or pet shops.
Gut filled insects
Any insects you give your dragon should be gut loaded. It’s better to feed your insects before offering them to your pet.
This procedure significantly increases the number of nutrients that your bearded dragon receives.
When your dragon eats such insects, he will consume the bug’s nutrients. It will boost the nutritional content of your bearded diet even more.
Is a bearded dragon need vitamin-mineral supplements in a feed?
Young bearded dragons need vitamins and minerals regularly in a higher amount to ensure strong bones. You should add calcium to your diet a few times per week.
In reptiles, a lack of calcium consumption can lead to metabolic bone disease.
In adults, there is no need for additional supplements such as calcium and vitamins if a nutritious diet is provided in addition to UV light.
To ensure that breeding/egg-laying females retain good egg production and do not lose calcium from their bones, you should give them calcium daily.
What Should You Do If Your Bearded Dragon Doesn’t Eat?
There are multiple situations when bredie stops eating, like
- extreme temperature due to fault in enclosure setup.
- Beardies usually stop eating during shedding, parasitic attacks.
- The loose substrate causes Impaction.
- Brumation may also cause your Beardie to lose its appetite.
You should find the cause and try to solve the feeding problem.
Appetit loss does not always mean your Beardie is sick. Adult dragons can survive without eating for a day. However, if they are losing weight, something is wrong. Consult with a veterinarian for medical assistance.
- Check the temperature if your Beardie isn’t eating. The basking spot should be between 95°F and 110°F, with a cooler side of 80°F to 90°F.
- Like many other reptiles, Bearded dragons will refuse to eat if their meal is too huge.
- It’s also vital to ensure your dragons’ UV is working correctly. Ensure the heat lamp is placed far enough away from the basking area and that a reflector is employed.
- Before checking to see whether your Bearded Dragon is shedding, ensure your setup and food are in good functioning order. The Bearded Dragon may stop eating entirely during the shedding process.
How do you know your beaded is sick?
There are a few symptoms to look out for if your bearded dragon appears to be ill. These symptoms include diarrhea, weariness, and drooping or bulging eyes.
If you are concerned about your Bearded Dragon, take it to a vet as soon as possible.
Some bearded dragons refuse food for many reasons, and diagnosing the cause or condition without the help of a veterinarian can be difficult.
What is the best food for a sick Bearded Dragon?
Always follow the advice of your veterinarian, as they may be able to provide particular dietary suggestions based on your pet’s medical condition. Find an exotic pet specialist veterinarian.
There are feeding techniques for your dragon that can help with various diseases. Suppose your bearded dragon is dehydrated. Avoid giving them solid foods until they have recovered from dehydration, and use a small syringe to deliver an electrolyte solution at or near their mouth.
When you want to adjust your bearded dragon’s food schedule, consult with your veterinarian first.
Bearded Dragon Feeding tips
For new dragons, hand-feeding works well because a locust will usually sit on your hand and wait for its fate.
Allow your beard to move: Allow your Bearded Dragon to explore the living room and chase insects to encourage exercise and enrichment of their captivity. Beardies can be surprisingly rapid when they want to be.
You can encourage some climbing and jumping when they are being fed by positioning the locusts at different heights.
No other distractions when feeding: If you provide feed outside the vivarium/terrarium, make sure there is nothing else for them to eat around them, such as long hair, crumbs, dirt, and so on.
As a result, your lizards will begin to stalk their prey actively, and they will always find out where you keep the insects and discover the one cricket that got away – the Bearded Dragon’s eyesight is excellent.
Use high-quality substrate: When you feed your bearded dragon in the enclosure, they may eat some of the substrates as they rush for the food, but this is rarely a problem unless you use Calci-sand.
How can I keep my bearded dragon away from eating substrate?
To limit the risk of Impaction from consuming too much substrate, provide a selection of branches, plants, rocks, and pieces of bark for the insects to hide and sit on, rather than simply sitting on the vivarium floor.
Why is it vital to remove the leftover feed from the bearded enclosure immediately after feeding?
Never leave leftover live food (insects) in the tank after feeding because it will cause stress for your pet. In addition, insects can bite and cause illness, nipped tails, and other difficulties for juveniles.
How Often Should you need to feed your bearded dragon?
Feeding frequency is determined by the bredie’s age, size, and condition. For babies and young children, you should provide feed in smaller amounts, twice a day, with a mix of greens, insects, and worms. As the bearded dragon grows older, it can consume more food but less regularly.
You must feed something daily to ensure interaction. Adults can get 6-8 locusts and some plants every day. They don’t drink as much on some days, and the females eat more than usual during egg-laying. Thus you should feed female dragons more during the egg-laying period.
Adults are usually given greenery every other day.
Except for the pregnant female, who eats anything, juveniles appear to be much more willing to eat leaves and vegetables than adults.
How can I know if my feed is adequate for my bearded dragon?
If you see your bearded dragon is active, growing in size, completing his meal, and having routine activities like feeding, basking, breeding,egg-laying, etc. It indicates good health status. The width of the Beardie’s tail will give you an idea of how much fat it has – some can survive for weeks without eating – and will also tell you if you’re overfeeding or not.
You should also feed them at least a couple of hours before the lights go out, as they will need time to digest their meal while sitting under the UVB and basking in the heat.
Final Remarks
The bearded dragon’s Low feeding cost, gentle nature, and long life make it a perfect addition for any reptile lover family. The bearded dragon living in your captivity can eat meat, vegetables, insects, and greens. If you are interested in adding a bearded dragon to your family, these nutrition tips and feeding strategies will help your pets for a long healthy life.
