Baby bearded dragons are wonderful pets to have. They are not only curious creatures but affectionate ones as well. However, because they are young and still growing, they have a strict diet you need to adhere to. If not followed, your pet could end up getting very sick.
Baby bearded dragons can eat a vast selection of food, but need a lot of protein, vegetables, and fruits.
Below you’ll discover more behind what exactly your new pet needs and some of the best food options to feed them.
What Do Baby Bearded Dragons Eat?
So, what can baby bearded dragons eat? Surprisingly, quite a bit. While you need to be careful at first when giving them food, they have numerous diet options. This includes crickets, pumpkin, bell peppers, and apples.
Baby bearded dragons also need a lot of protein due to their quick metabolism. Because of this, it’s important to make sure they consume plenty of protein.
Tips for Feeding Your Baby Bearded Dragon
While feeding your pet is somewhat simple, there are some things you should keep in mind.
Watch the Size of the Food
It’s extremely important to watch the size of the food you give your pet. Pieces that are too big could be difficult for your bearded dragon to chew. It could also cause them to choke or have poor digestion. To help prevent this, it’s crucial to make sure to chop up the food into small pieces. In addition to this, if you give your bearded dragon insects, they should be no longer than the space between your pet’s eyes. This way, you can be sure your pet will be able to easily chew and digest their food.
Don’t Overfeed Them
It can be very easy to want to give your baby bearded dragon a lot of snacks. However, it’s important to not do so. Overfeeding your baby bearded dragon not only could make it difficult for your pet to digest their food, but could lead to serious health problems as well, such as obesity. This can add pressure to their legs which might lead to paralysis.
Baby bearded dragons under three months old should eat about five times per day. Once they reach three to six months old, they should have about four meals per day. After your pet has passed six months, they should be fed no more than two to three times each day.
Always Wash the Fruits and Vegetables
Another thing you’ll want to make sure to do is to wash any fruits and vegetables you plan to give your pet. These items might contain dirt or pesticides on them which could be harmful to their health. To wash them off, simply run them under cold water and scrub them for a few minutes.
If you’re concerned about possible pesticides, it’s a good idea to buy organic items. These are grown naturally without chemicals. Because of this, it can reduce the risk of your pet consuming this harmful spray.
Try to Give Them Fresh Options
While frozen fruits and vegetables can be given to your pet, they aren’t always the best option. This is because they tend to be slightly dried which reduces the number of vitamins and minerals in them. They also have a lot of water content. If you want to make sure your baby bearded dragon gets enough vitamins, it’s ideal to give them fresh fruits and vegetables.
Dust the Food with Calcium Powder
Young bearded dragons need calcium in order for their bones to grow strong and healthy. In fact, most bearded dragons need to consume a source of calcium around three times per week. By sprinkling a bit of calcium powder on their food, you can ensure they get enough of it.
However, it’s very important to not overdo the calcium. While young bearded dragons need it, too much calcium can be deadly. If your pet takes too much calcium, it can lead to hypercalcemia. Due to this, make sure to carefully research how much calcium powder to use for your bearded dragon’s age and weight before you give them some.
What to Feed Baby Bearded Dragons: The Best Fruits and Vegetables for Them
Below are some of the best fruits and vegetables to give your baby bearded dragon.
Collard Greens
Collard greens are packed with vitamins and nutrients, especially Vitamin C. This can help to keep your pet’s immune system strong.
Carrots
Carrots are a superfood for bearded dragons. They are filled with beta-carotene and many antioxidants. They also have a somewhat sweet taste which most bearded dragons enjoy. However, make sure to mash carrots up. This can help your pet to digest this vegetable a little easier.
Strawberries
Strawberries are a nice sweet treat to give your baby bearded dragon. You should wash fresh strawberries thoroughly and then chop them up into small pieces. You might also try removing some of the seeds from the skin of the fruit.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are high in vitamins and minerals. However, too much of them can cause problems due to their high acidic content. Because of this, it’s best to only give tomatoes to your pet as an occasional treat. You also want to make sure to remove the seeds before you give the tomato pieces to them.
Bell Peppers
Bearded dragons tend to love bell peppers. This is because they are very flavorful. They also contain plenty of vitamins and water in them. As with all food, make sure to chop the peppers up well and remove any seeds. Baby bearded dragons can eat all bell pepper colors, although most seem to enjoy red the best.
Watercress
This leafy green is filled with Vitamin K and can be beneficial to your pet’s heart health. You can put whole leaves into your pet’s tank or rip them up into smaller pieces. Watercress is a staple in a bearded dragon’s diet which is why it’s important to regularly give it to them.
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are high in many vitamins which can help to keep your pet healthy. This vegetable does need to be cooked ahead of time and you need to mash it up before you give it to your pet. You could also grate raw sweet potatoes into small pieces if you prefer not to cook it. Give sweet potatoes to them as a treat, not as a regular meal.
Green Beans
You can give your pet green beans, although make sure to wash and chop them up well. This legume is full of many health benefits, such as Vitamins K and C.
Blueberries
Blueberries are full of antioxidants which can help to keep your bearded dragon healthy. You need to make sure to wash the berries off before you give them to your pet. For baby bearded dragons, you might also mash them up a bit to help your pet better chew and digest this snack. Blueberries should also be given in moderation and are not a staple food.
Top Protein Choices for Baby Bearded Dragons
It’s extremely important that your pet gets enough protein for their growing body. Otherwise, their bones won’t develop correctly.
How Many Crickets to Feed a Baby Bearded Dragon
A baby bearded dragon should receive around 30-80 crickets. Make sure that the crickets are somewhat small to help your pet digest them well. As they grow older, you can slowly increase this amount.
How Many Mealworms to Feed a Bearded Dragon
While you can occasionally give your pet mealworms, it’s not often recommended. This is because their hard shell can be difficult for baby bearded dragons to digest. The shells can also cause gut impaction. If you do decide to give your pet mealworms, make sure the insects are young. This is when they are more chewable which can make it easier for your pet to digest. Only one or two mealworms should be given to your pet per week.
How Many Earthworms to Feed a Baby Bearded Dragon
Another protein to give your pet is earthworms. These insects tend to be very soft which makes them easy to digest and chew. However, make sure the earthworms are from a pet store and aren’t bait worms. This is because they might otherwise be too fatty or contain parasites in them. You ideally should only give them one or two per week as they are a little high in fat.
What to Not Feed Your Baby Bearded Dragon
While baby bearded dragons can eat most things, there are a handful of things to watch out for. This includes rhubarb, avocados, fireflies, and spinach. These contain high levels of certain chemicals that hinder calcium absorption. Because of this, if your pet eats them, it can lead to Metabolic Bone Disease or prove to be instantly fatal.
Bearded dragons are wonderful pets to have. However, when they are young, they have a strict diet that needs to be followed. Because of this, it’s important to keep the information above in mind. By doing so, you’ll help to make sure your pet grows to be happy and healthy.
