My bearded dragons do not approve of much, but they do enjoy feeding on the insects, fruits, herbs, and vegetables on this list.
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FEEDING SCHEDULE
I offer fruits, herbs, and vegetables to my boys every day. The recipes are always different, but I try to balance nutrients as best I can.
ARUGULA. Keep in mind that this one is high in Vitamin A and there is such a thing as Vitamin A toxicity.1 Mayer, Joerg, and Joyce Huang. “Hypervitaminosis A in Reptiles.” Today’s Veterinary Practice, todaysveterinarypractice.com/hypervitaminosis-a-in-reptiles/.
APPLES. I offer round shredded slices that are easy for them to chew a few times a week.
BASIL. An herb that’s easy to find and is high in beta carotene—an antioxidant that converts to active vitamin A. That’s great because bearded dragons can excrete active vitamin A instead of absorbing excess levels, avoiding the aforementioned vitamin A toxicity!
BELL PEPPERS. A brightly colored salad topper that will entice most bearded dragons.
*BLACK SOLDIER FLY LARVAE (Phoenix Worms, ReptiWorms, and CalciWorms).
With a balanced Calcium: Phosphorus ratio and low fat content, these larvae are a dream. They contain lauric acid, “known for having excellent antimicrobial properties including potent activity against lipid coated viruses, clostridium, and pathogenic protozoa including coccidia.”2 “SUPERIOR NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS.” Phoenix Worm Store, phoenixworm.com/pages/why-they-are-a-superior-feeder.
I get my black soldier fly larvae through a subscription with Symton Black Soldier Fly.
Black Soldier Fly Larvae
BLUEBERRIES. BLOOBIES! An occasional snack due to being moderately high in oxalates, which interfere with calcium absorption, and we all know that dragons need calcium.
*BUTTERNUT SQUASH. Shredded squash as a salad topper is definitely the answer to your woes. My bearded dragons love various kinds of squash but they go mad for butternut.
DANDELIONS. Watching a bearded dragon attack a flower is one of the unique highlights that comes with being a reptile owner.
*Home-grown and pesticide-free, please, and thank you!
DANDELION GREENS. Endorsed as a staple on Beautiful Dragons Reptile Rescue’s Nutrition Content Chart 3, means I am lucky dandelion greens are a fan favorite around here!
DUBIA ROACHES. A great feeder when properly gut-loaded.
GREEN BEANS. High in oxalates, these are recommended for occasional feeding. But boy, do my bearded dragons love raw green beans and they make a convenient salad topper.
HIBISCUS. My bearded dragons like eating hibiscus leaves and they are easy to find in my local markets!
HORN WORMS. Any dragon would kill for a hornworm. Keep in mind that they are nutritious but high in fat.
KALE. I really just love chopping kale. An occasional treat because it is high in calcium and oxalates, which can block efficient calcium absorption.
MANGO. An occasional treat that is LOVED.
MINT. An occasional garnish for salads.
MUSTARD GREENS. Thankfully, Grimm and Norman always eat their greens (except collards).
PUMPKIN. Pumpkin is high in beta-carotene.
PRICKLY PEAR / NOPALES. Conveniently, most grocery stores sell pre-chopped nopales. A great daily feeding option because they are high in calcium.
RASPBERRIES. Honestly, I feed them raspberries to make it look like they did a murder.
a murder most foul!
ROSEMARY. A high calcium salad topper.
SAGE. Another salad topper that is high in beta carotene.
*SILKWORMS. There isn’t a bearded dragon alive that doesn’t enjoy silkworms! Fortunately, they’re high in calcium and B vitamins. Moreover, silkworms produce the enzyme Serrapeptase—a natural anti-inflammatory that makes calcium absorption more efficient and helps cleanse the blood and liver.
SPAGHETTI SQUASH. Squash is delicious, nutritious, and high in beta-carotene—we love antioxidants here.
SUPER WORMS. The boys would enthusiastically demolish this entire cup if I let them. Proceed with care, super worms may be high in protein, but they are high in fat too.
WAX WORMS. These little guys are high in fat and basically crack for a bearded dragon. Offer as a treat.
ZUCCHINI. I meant it when I said all kinds of squash!
Trouble with Feeding? Try Baby Food!
A suitable alternative when your bearded dragon isn’t feeding on raw fruits and vegetables is baby food. Buy organic baby food and offer it to a bearded dragon that is refusing to eat, malnourished, or just as a treat.
You can even combine some of the foods on this list to make your own baby food!
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S O U R C E S
1 Mayer, Joerg, and Joyce Huang. “Hypervitaminosis A in Reptiles.” Today’s Veterinary Practice, todaysveterinarypractice.com/hypervitaminosis-a-in-reptiles/.
2 “SUPERIOR NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS.” Phoenix Worm Store, phoenixworm.com/pages/why-they-are-a-superior-feeder.
3 “Nutrition Content.” Beautiful Dragons Reptile Rescue, www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html.
Thank you so much for a realistic view of beardie foods for picky beardies!
Thank you, it’s helped me reduce food waste in my house!