If you want to provide your bearded dragon with a natural diet rich in protein, you can choose dubia roaches or phoenix worms. They are also considered clean insects, and so are a safer option than crickets. If you want to feed your beardie a more expensive option, you can also consider phoenix worms. These are high in calcium and are a great source of protein, but they are not cheap!
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Mealworms
Mealworms are a good food for young bearded dragons, as these insects contain high amounts of protein, fats, and calcium. They should be fed to beardies from about five to eighteen months old. But, you should be careful if you choose mealworms for your beardie because they are known to cause choking, impaction, and even death in small amounts.
Hornworms
As a reptile, hornworms are the best food to feed beardie dragons because they have a high nutritional value and are easy to find. The best way to provide your beardie with the right amount of hornworms is to prepare a weekly meal schedule and assign a different insect to the beardie dragon on each day. You should also provide three to five staple insects or hornworms for its protein meal each week.
Apples
Apples are a great choice for feeding your beardie. These tasty fruits are high in fiber and contain numerous vitamins, which will improve your dragon’s eyesight, growth, and immunity. They also contain various trace minerals, which most animals need. But apple peels and skins can choke your beardie, so you should always prepare your beardie’s food in small portions. This way, your beardie will have the correct amount of food every day.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are one of the best foods to feed a bearded dragon. They contain a large amount of vitamin A, which is essential for growth and reproduction. Regular tomatoes contain approximately 22 milligrams of Vitamin A per 100 grams. Grape tomatoes, on the other hand, contain less Vitamin A, but are higher in other nutrient content. To prevent a tomato from becoming too sweet, wash and peel it well before feeding your beardie. You can also prepare a puree of tomatoes for your beardie.
Lettuce
Although lettuce is a popular food for pet beardies, you should not give it to your dragon too often. It may dispense with other items that your beardie needs. This could lead to malnutrition and dietary inadequacies. Lettuce has very low sugar content, so you don’t have to worry about toxicity. It is also available in plastic bags. Buying lettuce in plastic bags is more convenient than rinsing it first. However, make sure that you thoroughly wash it before giving it to your beardie. Also, be careful to cut frilly lettuce leaves, as they can cause your beardie to choke on them.
Citrus fruit
If you’re looking for a variety of fruits for your pet, grapefruit is the perfect choice. Although grapefruits and other citrus fruits have many benefits for humans, they are not healthy for bearded dragons. Citrus fruit’s citric acid is too high for the bearded dragon’s liver and can cause problems for him. Instead, choose fruits that contain both citrus and a lower level of citric acid.
Lettuce is devoid of nutrients
While lettuce is low in nutritional value, it’s not toxic to bearded dragons. Although some debate exists over whether lettuce is safe to feed your beardie, most experts agree that a small amount is perfectly safe. Regardless of whether you choose to give your beardie lettuce or other leafy greens, it’s important to remember that the latter contain more nutrients. In addition to being low in nutrients, lettuce is also low in real energy. Lettuce also lacks Vitamin D. Because lettuce contains so much water, it can cause diarrhea.
Avocados are unhealthy for a bearded dragon
Despite the popular belief, avocados aren’t good for your bearded dragon. Avocados contain high levels of oxalates, a substance that can cause MBD, which is very bad for your beardie’s heart. It’s best to avoid these avocados in general and instead give your beardie carrots, apples, and strawberries. Avocados contain too much fat and sugar and are not recommended for beardies.
Lettuce is toxic for a bearded dragon
Bearded dragons eat both animal and plant matter, so you can’t feed your pet only plant food. The debate over whether lettuce is toxic to beardies is still ongoing. While some sources list it as acceptable plant material, others recommend that you avoid lettuce altogether. Either way, lettuce is a treat you should avoid giving your beardie. Read on to find out what types are safe for your beardie.
Citrus fruit is unhealthy for a bearded dragon
If you’re considering owning a bearded dragon, it’s important to know what to feed them and how to prepare it. While bearded dragons are allowed to eat the peels and pulp of citrus fruits, it’s best to avoid whole fruits. Citrus fruit is too high in sugar and is acidic for bearded dragons, which can lead to diarrhea and dehydration. This in turn can lead to shedding issues and kidney problems. Additionally, too much sugar can cause tooth decay.
