You should consider adding more fruit and vegetables to your eastern bearded dragon’s diet. While the dragon is not finicky, it’s not advisable to give it too many different types of fruits and vegetables. Though it may be tempting to serve them citrus fruits, they contain high amounts of acid that can upset the tummy. Also, avoid giving them iceberg lettuce, which has little nutritional value. Additionally, be sure to avoid beet tops, which inhibit the absorption of calcium.
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Leafy greens
One of the best foods to feed your bearded dragon is leafy greens. Not only are they delicious, but they’re also rich in calcium and phosphorus. Some greens are better than others, and you can easily experiment with different combinations to see which ones your beardie enjoys best. You can even try flower blossoms as treats. You can also use mealworms as your dragon’s staple diet. Mealworms are easy to find at pet stores or grow yourself in a “mealworm farm” at home. Earthworms, too, are a good option. Make sure you use smaller ones that fit your beardie’s head size.
Kale is a great choice because it’s full of vitamins and is low in oxalates and goitrogenic. Kohlrabi, a member of the cabbage family, is also an excellent green for your beardie. This cabbage has plenty of calcium, fiber, and Vitamin C. Be sure to chop it up small for maximum nutrition. Fresh cilantro is an excellent salad topper. It’s also packed with antioxidants, calcium, and potassium.
Insects
In the wild, the eastern bearded dragons eat an assortment of vertebrate and invertebrate prey, as well as plant material. Providing your beardie with a varied diet is important for a healthier lifestyle. It’s especially important to feed insects to your bearded dragon after molting to prevent impaction of the digestive system. Because insect exoskeletons are relatively soft, feeding insects to your beardie is safer for both of you than giving it raw food.
While mulberry leaves are a natural food for beardie reptiles, you should avoid feeding them the real thing as they often contain pesticides and may carry parasites. Instead, offer your beardie dragon fresh mulberry leaves as a treat. Mulberry leaves are also high in calcium and contain a 2:1 Ca:P ratio. In addition to bugs, be sure to offer your beardie dragon fresh salads once a week.
Fruits
Aside from vegetables, you can also feed your eastern bearded dragon some fruit. Fennel is an excellent treat for your dragon and can be mixed with other salads about every 10 days. While it is high in vitamin C, fennel has a low Ca:P ratio, which makes it unhealthy. Apples are a good treat too, but make sure to peel and cut them into bite-sized pieces before giving them to your bearded dragon. Other fruits that are great for your beardie include figs, strawberries, and watermelon. But be careful to not overfeed your bearded dragon with these foods, as they are high in sugar and are not very nutritious.
Butter lettuce and leek leaves are not recommended for your beardie. While these plants are high in fat, they are not beneficial for your beardie’s health. Also, do not feed your dragon ham or deli meat as they can contain preservatives and salts. Earthworms and dew worms are also good snacks for beardies. As long as you don’t feed them too much lettuce, your beardie will be healthy.
Supplementation
If you have an eastern bearded dragon, you must add calcium powder to its diet at least twice a week. Bearded dragons need calcium for bone development, neurologic processes, and a variety of bodily functions. Their diet is quite diverse, with greens, fruits, and insects making up a large part of their daily diet. However, it can be tricky to determine the exact dosage for each species. It’s a good idea to get a weekly feeding chart for your beardie.
Fruits and vegetables should be fed only to your dragon in small amounts. Fruits, like bananas, can cause a calcium deficiency in your beardie. However, kale is a great choice and is rich in vitamin C, K, and A. Other fruits you can offer to your beardie dragon include apples, blueberries, figs, guava, and dates. For a more varied diet, you can also feed your beardie dragon a few bite-sized pieces of mango and pineapple.
