Bearded dragons need a healthy diet if they are to remain healthy. It is not advisable to feed them 100% insects. However, you can offer them a mixture of vegetables, fruits, and insects. The best diet for your beardie is one that contains a combination of these foods. Vegetables and fruits are excellent sources of essential nutrients. Live insects are also beneficial for your beardie’s health.
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Fruits
While fruit is a tempting treat for your dragon, it should be given in small amounts, as they are high in sugar and oxalates. Your dragon will still love to nibble on fruit, however, as long as it is not too sweet or overly acidic. However, fruit should only be served as a treat, as they contain large amounts of sugar. Mango, papaya, bananas, and kiwi are also safe for your dragon’s diet.
Vegetables
While insects are a staple part of a healthy diet for bearded dragon, you can also add fruits and vegetables to the mix for your beardie. Providing your beardie with a varied diet is a key element of keeping your pet in good health. Below are some healthy diet ideas for your beardie. The ratio of insects to vegetables will vary depending on its age, size, and gender.
Bananas
Many fruits provide essential nutrients for your pet, and bananas are no exception. They contain calcium and B vitamins. However, bananas are high in phosphorous, which prevents the absorption of calcium. You should also consider reducing the amount of bananas you give your beardie to avoid health risks. However, bananas aren’t the only fruit your beardie should eat!
Live insects
Insects are a great source of protein for your bearded dragon. While they can get enough plant protein from veggies, grass, and fruits, their diet is not complete. Live insects, such as crickets, provide the protein they need. Most bearded dragon owners will frequently feed their pets crickets as they are cheap and easy to find. Roaches are also excellent live foods for bearded dragons.
Leafy greens
As long as you offer your bearded dragon a varied diet, you can feed him leafy greens on a daily basis. While your beardie may not love the taste of greens, he’ll adapt to them with time. Try mixing them with his favorite food, such as berries. Once your beardie has adjusted to greens, you can decrease the multivitamin and calcium/D3 rate.
Raisins
Raisin is a healthy food for bearded dragons. Raisin is a small fruit, similar in size to grapes. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber and good amounts of Vitamin C and K. As raisins are high in sugar, it is best fed in small amounts. Raisin is also rich in phosphorus and 50 mg of calcium. Raisin can be a calcium deficiency for pets, but raisins are a good choice for bearded dragons.
Apples
A bearded dragon can enjoy the taste of apple flesh. To feed an apple to your dragon, you must first peel and cut it into pieces. Then, you must remove the seeds, stem, and pieces of core. You must also peel off the outer flesh from the apple so it is more digestible. Never feed your dragon the flesh inside the core. Impaction can lead to death. Therefore, always peel and slice the apple before feeding it to your beardie.
