For the most effective diet, adult bearded dragons should receive at least twenty live insects per day. As long as you provide a steady stream of insects, your dragon will consume them at a steady rate. Overfeeding your beardie can lead to obesity, which increases its risk for heart and joint problems. In addition, feeding mealworms to juveniles can stunt their growth, since they contain chitin. Instead, look for superworms that are suited to the age of your beardie.
Contents
Crickets
As a bearded dragon owner, you have probably noticed that crickets are a great option for live feed. Crickets are a good source of protein, calcium, and iron. Additionally, unlike mealworms, crickets are easier to digest. And because they are cheap and easy to breed, crickets are a great choice for the growing beardie. Listed below are the reasons why crickets are the best choice for live feed for your bearded dragon.
As a rule of thumb, adult bearded dragons should eat about ten crickets per day, but the amount depends on age and size. To keep your beardie interested, try a variety of crickets, including Dubia roaches and superworms. In addition to crickets, offer your beardie other insects such as flies and snails. The variety of food will stimulate its mind and appetite.
Waxworms
Incorporating waxworms in your bearded dragon’s live feed is an excellent way to increase the fat reserves of the species. Additionally, waxworms can also help your bearded dragon regain lost weight. If your beardie is recently pregnant, waxworms are especially beneficial for regaining weight. But be sure to feed your beardie only in moderation. Waxworms contain a high amount of fat, which can lead to growth problems in young beardies. If you decide to introduce waxworms to your beardie, be sure to feed it in a shallow, escape-proof dish, and supplement it with calcium.
Although waxworms are considered a high-quality food item, you should always choose the best supplier for your pet’s diet. You should buy your beardie live feed from a reputable seller. Beardied dragon diets should reflect the beardie’s size and age. In general, a baby beardie should eat 70% insects and 30% plant matter. Adult beardies, on the other hand, should eat smaller meals.
Goliath worms
Superworms are often mistaken for giant mealworms, but they are actually a very useful insect feeder for beardie dragons, and they can be fed in conjunction with crickets and Dubia roaches. These worms are softer to the touch and chewy, making them a good choice for adult dragons. They are also very high in fat, making them an excellent protein and fat source.
Crickets are notoriously hard to keep, and they can jump out of their cages. They also stink awful and often die, and they can also carry parasites. Therefore, you should get regular fecal exams for your beardie dragon to detect parasites. If your beardie shows any of these signs, consider switching to Goliath worms instead.
Locusts
The first step in providing your bearded dragon with a healthy diet is to purchase some locusts. The size of locusts varies from baby to adult. Babies can easily jump over them and are not as difficult to catch as the larger adults. In addition, they are easy to handle and store. They can be fed up to twice per day, so this live feed is a good idea during the growth period.
Locusts are an excellent source of protein, water, iron, and calcium. You should be able to choose locusts that are about the size of a baby beardie’s eyes. Locusts are generally more appealing to beardies if they are alive. However, keep in mind that even a tiny beardie can swallow a locust!
Fruits
While some of the common fruits that you can include in your bearded dragon’s live feed are not healthy for your pet, you can feed your beardie a few pieces of fruit every day. Strawberries, for example, are a great choice. They’re high in Vitamin A and contain a great Calcium-Phosphorus ratio. However, be careful to avoid serving your beardie baby spinach as it’s high in acid, which can make him uncomfortable.
When choosing fruit and vegetable foods for your beardie, make sure to cut them into small enough chunks to make them easy for your pet to digest. It’s best to cook vegetables for your beardie, since this will improve their digestion and make them more appealing. You should always allow the food to cool before offering it to your beardie. If you’d like to include insects in your bearded dragon’s diet, make sure you buy them from a reputable source. Trying to catch them yourself can result in health problems.
