Mealworms and fruit are great foods for your beardie’s main diet. Commercial diets are also available. If you aren’t sure which diet to choose for your beardie, you can always check out the article below. Insects are another great option for your pet’s diet. Kale is one of the few vegetables that is low in oxalates and recommended by kidney health experts. Kale should be offered regularly. Make sure to cut the vegetables into small pieces. You don’t want to make your dragon frustrated by feeding him a slimy piece.
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Mealworms
Mealworms are a great way to supplement your bearded dragon’s diet. Although mealworms do have a lot of protein, they are also high in fat and will make your beardie weigh more than it should. While mealworms are not a necessary part of a bearded dragon’s diet, you should be aware of the dangers associated with giving them mealworms regularly.
Mealworms are the main diet of a bearded dragon, but they are not the only source of nutrition. They are not a necessary part of your beardie’s diet, and if you’re feeding your beardie mealworms every day, it could lead to obesity or even impaction. A better choice is to feed your beardie mealworms as a treat or 5% of its diet. You can always replace mealworms with a more nutritious source of protein.
Crickets are also great for your beardie’s diet. These small worms are rich in calcium and protein, and are considered the most common feeder insect for beardies. Crickets should be no larger than the space between your dragon’s eyes. While mealworms are good for your beardie, don’t feed him large insects because he’ll have trouble digesting them. Crickets are also noisy at night and smelly.
Fruits
Vegetables and fruits are a common part of your bearded dragon’s diet. However, they should be fed in small amounts and as treats. Most beardies have difficulty with hard, fibrous vegetables such as spinach and lettuce, which are high in sugar and have laxative properties. Vegetables and fruits should be grated or cut into bite-sized pieces to avoid frustrating your beardie. They make excellent treats, but do remember to keep them away from your hands, as they can accidentally bite you!
Once your beardie reaches adulthood, you can gradually increase the amount of fruits and vegetables it eats. Try introducing different types of greens to your beardie’s diet. At about twelve months of age, you can increase the ratio of greens to feeders to 50-50. By the time your beardie reaches its adulthood, its green diet should account for 80-90% of its diet. By that time, its feeder consumption should be less than 20%.
Insects
The primary food your Bearded Dragon should eat is insects. These insects are also called mealworms and can be found almost anywhere that sells reptile feeders. While mealworms are not the best choice for your Beardie, they are a great choice for the young dragon as they do not have the hard shell and will be easily digested. Silkworms are another great choice for feeding your Beardie. Although silkworms are low in protein, they are a good source of calcium.
A balanced diet for your beardie should also include a variety of greens and vegetables. These contain a variety of vitamins and minerals that the insects can’t provide. Vitamins and minerals help keep the skin healthy and the eyesight clear. You should feed your beardie a wide variety of fruits and vegetables in addition to the insects it eats. By including highly nutritious vegetables and greens in its diet, you will help your beardie live longer.
Commercial diets
Many pet owners feed their bearded dragons commercially prepared diets. Although commercial diets are not regulated, they have improved over homemade foods. For example, crickets can be given to a hatchling beardie. But what about adult beardies? You’ll want to give your beardie a full-sized cricket to eat, not a pinhead one. This way, it’s more likely to be digested and not end up in the beardie’s digestive tract.
The ratio between insects and vegetables for a young beardie will shift to 75/25 when the pet is older. Once it reaches this age, the beardie can be given one salad per day, while insects are still offered three to four times a week. If this ratio is too high, the beardie may fall into brumation, which will greatly reduce its appetite. In such a case, it is best to provide a diet rich in insects.
