If you’re looking for fruit for your bearded dragon, strawberries are a good choice. Strawberries are nearly all water, making them very filling, but they are low in Vitamin C and have a poor Calcium-Phosphorus ratio. While strawberries are not the best choice, feeding them will not harm your dragon at all. Read on to discover which fruits and vegetables are best for bearded dragons.
Contents
Mangoes
One of the many fruits your bearded dragon will love is mangoes. Their soft texture and sweet taste make them a favorite among bearded dragons. You can even try to trick your beardie with mango juice! But remember to watch the phosphorus content in mangoes. Too much of this mineral can cause metabolic bone disease in bearded dragons. Mangoes also contain a small amount of phosphorus, which can interfere with their calcium absorption.
Watermelon
Bearded dragons love the taste of watermelon, which is packed with vitamin C and beta carotene. Watermelon also contains a good amount of potassium, which can improve your beardie’s blood pressure and metabolism. Although most beardies enjoy the taste of watermelon, too much of this fruit may cause bloating and constipation. Additionally, watermelon also contains a high amount of sugar, which can lead to obesity.
Strawberries
Aside from being a tasty treat, strawberries are also good for your bearded dragon’s health. Strawberries are high in antioxidants, a great way to prevent tumor growth and lower cholesterol. Plus, strawberries are a good source of Vitamin C, which plays a key role in many regenerative processes. Strawberries help keep your beardie’s bones strong, immune system healthy, and absorption of iron. Strawberries are also high in water – in fact, they’re around 91% water, which will help your beardie get his daily dose of fresh water. However, there’s no substitute for a steady supply of fresh water!
Bell peppers
Bell peppers are one of bearded dragons’ favorite fruits and vegetables. Bell peppers come in various colors and are considered sweet by bearded dragons. While green peppers are generally the healthiest, red peppers are better for the dragon. Red peppers have a higher amount of vitamin A and C than green peppers, and they are rich in beta-carotene. Beta-carotene helps your beardie’s vision.
Figs
Figs are a treat that most bearded dragon owners feed their pet to keep their energy levels up. Despite the high sugar content, figs are high in calories and will ruin your bearded dragon’s teeth. Plus, fig leaves are much lower in nutrients than fig fruit. You should limit your beardie’s fig intake to a few per week. Whether fresh or dried, figs provide the right balance of vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Grapes
Whether you feed your bearded dragon grapes or not, they will enjoy chewing on the juicy red fruits. Grapes are packed with important nutrients, including calcium and phosphorus. Grapes can help your dragon synthesize calcium and phosphorus, but are low in Vitamin D. As with any fruit, green grapes have a high acid content that may upset your beardie. Grapes can also upset your beardie’s stomach, so be aware of what to expect.
Figs contain citric acid
Citrus fruits, such as oranges and grapefruits, can be harmful for your dragon. Citric acid can irritate the stomach lining in humans, causing heartburn. Bearded dragons, on the other hand, are not as sensitive to citric acid, but they should not eat large quantities. They may also experience diarrhea, which is harmful to their digestive system. Although beardies are used to diarrhea, prolonged dehydration can result in their inability to absorb the necessary nutrients.
Figs contain persin
Figs are a favorite fruit for bearded dragons because of their sweet taste. However, they should be fed to the bearded dragons twice a week at most. A 100-gram serving of fresh figs contains a high concentration of sugar, fat, and protein. Figs also contain vitamin A, beta carotene, calcium, iron, and magnesium.
Avoid feeding sweet potatoes to bearded dragons
If you’re considering adding some sweet potatoes to your bearded dragon’s diet, make sure you read the labels carefully. These fruits and vegetables contain high amounts of vitamin A, which is essential for bearded dragons. However, consuming too much vitamin A can be toxic for reptiles. Despite their need for vitamin A, bearded dragons should be fed supplements to keep their health in top condition.
Avoid feeding figs to bearded dragons with calcium deficiency
While it is tempting to feed your dragon a piece of fruit every day, you should know that figs have a high phosphorus content and should be avoided as a treat. Fresh figs are highly perishable and are also a source of salmonella. You should also avoid feeding your dragon white nectarines, as they contain a high amount of phosphorus, which restricts the amount of calcium available to its bloodstream. White nectarines can also be toxic for your bearded dragon and can cause metabolic bone disease.
