Bearded dragons usually have a very large palate of what they like to eat. As a matter of fact, their willingness to eat all types of food is one of the many reasons they are so easy to care for. Similar to humans, bearded dragons will eat any food they find palatable. While they do best with a varied diet.
How often do bearded dragons eat? You will need to feed adult bearded dragons, or those older than 18 months, just once a day, every day. On the other hand, you should feed babies 3 to 5 times a day. Depending on how young they are exactly. Under 3 months, you should feed them as many crickets as they’ll eat in 10 minute increments. Lastly, if they’re over 3 months to a year old, feed them as many crickets as they’ll eat in a 10 minute period 3 times a day.
The following information will be addressing eating habit of bearded dragons:
- Do Bearded Dragons Need to Eat Every Day
- best thing to feed a bearded dragon
- what bearded dragons eat
- bearded dragons feeding on meat
- bearded dragons feeding on vegetable
- what bearded dragons can’t eat
- bearded dragons food and diet
- baby dragon diet
- juvenile and adult bearded dragon diet
- what do do if a bearded dragon is not eating
- bearded dragons feeding on fruit
Do Bearded Dragons Need to Eat Every Day?
While bearded dragons don’t really need to eat every day. However, it is important that you feed them every day. You don’t want to let feeders or veggies to just sit around in the cage for longer than 15 to 20 minutes or so during the feeding periods.
What is the Best Thing to Feed your Bearded Dragon?
In terms of protein, there could be no better option than Dubia roaches. Dubias are very easy for dragons to digest. And tend to be safer than crickets which can carry parasites.
You could also feed them Phoenix worms which are so rich in calcium, You won’t even need to dust them every time. However, Phoenix worms can be very expensive, so just be prepared.
Crickets are going to be your next best option after Dubias and Phoenix worms. Though they’re obviously not as protein-rich. And can be quite dirty if you want to breed them.
Further, crickets are also just about cost-effective and accessible too. Another feeder that you can feed your bearded dragons is mealworms. Although they should never be given to a bearded dragon younger than 2 years. As their hard chitlin shell is very hard to digest.
Because of this, you really won’t want to make mealworms your adult bearded dragon’s staple feeder either, but more of an occasional treat.
However, in terms of the best vegetables to feed your bearded dragon. You’re going to want to offer dark leafy greens like collard, endive, dandelion,
What do Bearded Dragons eat?
Bearded Dragons eat a wide range of live insects such as
- crickets
- mealworms and
- kingworms.
Vegetables, such as
- sweet potato and
- pepper and leafy greens such as kale and parsley .
They can also eat fruit.
In the wild Bearded Dragons mostly eat animals, they make up about 75% of their diet. And can include
- crickets
- cockroaches
- worms and
- even small creatures such as mice
Greens, vegetables and fruit make up the other 20% to 25% of their diet.
Bearded Dragon food and diet
Your Bearded Dragon’s diet ought to replicate what he (or she) would eat in the wild. It should include meat, vegetables, fruit and greens.
However, as your Bearded dragon gets older, you’ll need to reduce the amount of meat he’s eating. As he won’t be getting as much exercise as his wild cousins. Too much meat can lead to obesity.
Can Bearded Dragons eat meat?
Bearded Dragons can eat meat that comes in the form of insects. Our live food list tells you what meat your Bearded Dragon can eat:
- Crickets
- Mealworms
- Kingworms
- Waxworms
- Earthworms
- Cockroaches
- Locusts
What Fruit Can Bearded Dragons Eat?
Bearded Dragons can feed on a wide range of fruits. Our food list tells you what fruit your Bearded Dragon can eat:
- Figs
- Melon
- Apples
- Mango
- Papaya
- Dates
- Peaches
- Apricots
- Plums
- Kiwi
Exotic vet John Chitty recommends that owners usually exercise caution when feeding soft fruit as it is sugary and can ferment and cause teeth problems. Therefore soft fruit like kiwi is best fed about once a month as part of a fixed diet that includes fibrous veg.
What vegetables can Bearded Dragons eat?
Bearded Dragons can a wide range of vegetables. Our food list tells you what veg your bearded Dragon can munch on:
- Peas
- Green beans
- Courgette
- Butternut squash
- Sweet potato
- Bell pepper
- Ocra
- Brocolli (small bits weekly)
What can’t Bearded Dragons eat?
Stick with food in the lists above and you should be fine. However, there are a few food items that bearded dragons can’t eat.
Dragons will likely consume things even if they are harmful. Thus, it is your responsibility to make sure they don’t eat harmful things.
If your pet does get sick, seek advice from a vet. Insurance can cover many problems that can affect bearded dragons.
Iceberg lettuce
It’s mostly water and has little nutritional value. So don’t let your Bearded Dragon eat it
Spinach and beet tops
Some guides will say these are fine for your bearded dragon, and they can be in small quantities. However, both contain chemicals that can cause calcium deficiency, which in turn can lead to metabolic bone disease.
However, an occasional taste shouldn’t harm a bearded dragon. But with so many other options available it may be best to choose different greens
Insects captured in the wild
Wild insects may have parasites in them that can harm reptiles. Exotic pet shops ought to have a range of live and dead insects for your bearded dragon.
Fireflies
Never feed Bearded Dragons, or any other reptile, fireflies. Any insects that glow are toxic and can kill reptiles
Avocados
Chemicals in avocados are toxic for bearded dragons. A small amount will make your reptile ill, while a large portion can be very fatal
Rhubarb
High levels of oxalic acid in rhubarb can be deadly poisonous for bearded dragons
What do baby Bearded Dragons eat?
You should feed your bearded dragons at least once a day, how much will depend on their age.
Baby Bearded Dragons
They will need to eat more insects than vegetables at this stage. And you will need to feed more often than older bearded dragons. They can be fed up to three times a day.
Therefore, if you leave vegetables and greens in their cage they’ll munch on them whenever they want. And subsequently, you can add insects over three 10 – 15 minute feeding periods.
Therefore, baby Dragons can eat up to 60 insects a day. However, it’s fine if they stop eating during the 10 – 15 minute feeding period, they’re just full!
Therefore, clear out any insects they don’t want and start again a few hours later for their next meal. As they get older, bearded dragons need fewer insects, otherwise, they’ll get fat.
Juvenile and adult Bearded Dragon Diets
Some owners usually recommend that Juvenile Bearded Dragons can eat 50% insects, 50% plants, vegetables and fruit.
Adult bearded dragons ought to eat fewer insects and animal matter, around 25% to 30%. You only need to give your Beardie insects once a day. The rest of his food should be vegetation.
Remember, adult Beardies don’t need too many insects and animal matter otherwise they’ll become obese.
In the wild, bearded dragons get a lot of
What to do if your Bearded Dragon is not eating or regurgitating food
If you are concerned about your bearded dragon go to a vet or call one as soon as possible. Find out how ExoticDirect’s pet insurance can cover vet fees or where you can find a specialist vet.
There are quite a number of reasons bearded dragons might refuse food or regurgitate it. And it is difficult to diagnose the exact cause or illness unless you are a vet.
Common reasons are the temperature being too high or low through incorrect setup, impaction caused by ingesting loose substrate, shedding skin, parasites or stress.
Brumation can also be a cause for your bearded dragon to lose its appetite
Refusing food doesn’t immediately mean something is wrong. Bearded Dragons do get full, and sometimes adults might not eat for a day or if they’re too hot they might just be only very thirsty. However, if they’re losing weight it’s a cause for concern.
If they’re not eating, check the temperature (there should be a basking area between 35oC – 43oC and a cool-down area 27oC – 32oC). And make sure that your bearded dragon hasn’t been eating loose substrate.
Also, dragons might also refuse food that is too big. A good guide is sticking to insects that are no larger than the space between your Bearded Dragon’s eyes.
Lastly, If your setup and food are good, check if your Bearded Dragon is shedding its skin because that can cause them to stop eating for a short period.
