Bearded dragons are one of the most popular reptile pets, known for their friendly demeanor and unique appearance. As with all pets, feeding your bearded dragon a nutritious and balanced diet is essential to their health and wellbeing. In this article, we will discuss the best things to feed your bearded dragon, how often to feed them, and some tips on feeding them.
What should you feed your bearded dragon?
Bearded dragons are omnivores, which means they eat both plant and animal matter. Their diet should consist of a variety of vegetables, fruits, and insects. Here is a list of some of the best things to feed your bearded dragon:
Vegetables:
- Collard greens
- Mustard greens
- Kale
- Spinach (sparingly)
- Endive
- Escarole
- Carrots (grated or finely chopped)
- Squash (acorn, butternut, and spaghetti)
- Bell peppers (red, green, and yellow)
Fruits:
- Apples (without the seeds)
- Berries (strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries)
- Grapes (cut in half)
- Mango
- Papaya
- Watermelon (seedless)
Insects:
- Crickets
- Dubia roaches
- Mealworms
- Superworms
- Hornworms
- Waxworms (sparingly)
- Silk worms
How often should you feed your bearded dragon?
The frequency of feeding your bearded dragon depends on its age and size. Younger bearded dragons require more frequent feedings, while adult bearded dragons can be fed less often. Here are some general guidelines on how often you should feed your bearded dragon:
- Baby bearded dragons (up to 4 months old)
Baby bearded dragons are growing rapidly and need to eat frequently to support their growth. They should be fed twice a day, offering small amounts of food each time. A good rule of thumb is to feed them around 20-30 insects per feeding.
When feeding baby bearded dragons, it’s important to provide a variety of food to ensure they get all the nutrients they need. You can offer a mix of insects and vegetables, such as crickets, mealworms, kale, and squash.
- Juvenile bearded dragons (4-12 months old)
Juvenile bearded dragons still require a lot of food to support their growth, but they don’t need to eat as often as baby bearded dragons. They should be fed once a day, offering a mix of insects and vegetables.
A good feeding guideline for juvenile bearded dragons is to offer them 50% insects and 50% vegetables. This can help ensure they get a balanced diet that meets all of their nutritional needs.
- Adult bearded dragons (over 18 months old)
Adult bearded dragons are fully grown and require less food than younger bearded dragons. They should be fed once a day, offering mostly vegetables with occasional insects.
A good feeding guideline for adult bearded dragons is to offer them 80% vegetables and 20% insects. This can help ensure they get the nutrients they need while also avoiding overfeeding.
It’s important to monitor your bearded dragon’s weight and adjust their diet accordingly. If your bearded dragon is gaining weight, you may need to reduce the frequency or amount of food you’re feeding them. Conversely, if your bearded dragon is losing weight, you may need to increase the frequency or amount of food you’re feeding them.
Tips for feeding your bearded dragon:
- Offer a variety of food: Bearded dragons require a balanced diet that includes both insects and vegetables. Try to offer a variety of different insects, such as crickets, mealworms, and dubia roaches, as well as different types of vegetables, such as kale, collard greens, and squash. This will help ensure that your bearded dragon gets all the nutrients it needs.
- Use a feeding dish: Bearded dragons can be messy eaters, so using a feeding dish can help contain the mess and make feeding time easier. Choose a shallow dish that’s easy for your bearded dragon to access and clean it regularly to prevent bacteria from building up.
- Dust insects with calcium and vitamin supplements: Insects alone may not provide all the necessary nutrients for your bearded dragon, so it’s important to dust them with calcium and vitamin supplements. This can help prevent health problems such as metabolic bone disease. Follow the instructions on the supplement packaging to determine how much to use.
- Offer fresh water daily: Bearded dragons need access to fresh water at all times. Use a shallow dish that your bearded dragon can easily access and change the water daily to keep it clean.
- Avoid feeding wild-caught insects: Wild-caught insects may contain pesticides or other harmful substances that can be harmful to your bearded dragon. Stick to feeding insects that you purchase from a reputable source.
- Adjust feeding frequency based on age: As mentioned earlier, the frequency of feeding your bearded dragon depends on its age. Adjust the frequency and amount of food you offer based on your bearded dragon’s age and size.
- Monitor your bearded dragon’s weight: It’s important to monitor your bearded dragon’s weight and adjust its diet as needed. If your bearded dragon is gaining weight, you may need to reduce the frequency or amount of food you’re feeding it. If it’s losing weight, you may need to increase the frequency or amount of food you’re offering.
In conclusion, feeding your bearded dragon a nutritious and balanced diet is essential to their health and wellbeing. By offering a variety of vegetables, fruits, and insects, monitoring their weight, and following feeding guidelines based on their age, you can help ensure your bearded dragon lives a long and healthy life.
Recommended reading: Bearded Dragon Lifespan: How Long Do They Live?
