Bearded Dragons: Feeding

What do bearded dragons eat in the wild?

There are eight species of bearded dragons and the most popular kind to be kept as a pet is the inland or central bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps), which is discussed in this handout. Their native habitat is the arid to semi-arid southeastern parts of Australia. In this habitat, food may be sparse, so bearded dragons accept a wide variety of foods.

Bearded dragons are omnivorous, which means they eat both plant and animal-based foods, including insects. They have sharp vision and a keen sense of smell. Young, growing bearded dragons tend to be primarily carnivores or insectivores, and adults tend to be more herbivorous (vegetation eaters).

What should I feed my bearded dragon?

A bearded dragon's diet should generally be about 50% plant-based and 50% animal-based (insect) material, although it varies depending on their age. Provide food in a shallow, clean dish that is not easily tipped over.

To ensure balanced nutrition for your bearded dragon, feed a wide variety of healthy food items from all the food categories listed here. Eating an imbalanced diet will lead to serious health conditions such as hypocalcemia (low blood calcium) or metabolic bone disease (MBD). Always discuss your lizard’s diet with your veterinarian.

Vegetables

Most of the plant-based material you feed your bearded dragon (80% to 90%) should be leafy green vegetables. Vegetables can be offered cooked or raw, although raw is more natural and retains more nutrients. Thoroughly wash all vegetables and chop them finely. Mix the vegetables to ensure your bearded dragon eats a wide variety of food types and does not select a single, preferred food item.

• Recommended vegetables include alfalfa hay, beans (green), beet greens, bell peppers, bok choy, broccoli, cabbage (red or green), cilantro, clover, collard greens, dandelion greens, escarole, kale, kohlrabi, mustard greens, parsley, savory, Swiss chard, turnip greens, and watercress.
• A smaller percentage of the diet can include asparagus, cactus, carrots, cooked sweet potato, corn, cucumber, mushrooms, okra, parsnips, peas, sprouts, and squash (various).
• Swiss chard, spinach, and beet greens should be fed sparingly, as they contain oxalates, which are chemicals that can prevent the absorption of calcium and other trace minerals. Diets composed primarily of these foods can lead to nutritional deficiencies.
• Be cautious about feeding cabbage, kale, and mustard greens because they contain goitrogens. These substances can interfere with iodine uptake, suppress thyroid gland function, and, if consumed in excess, may lead to hypothyroidism.

Fruit

Fruit should comprise only 10% to 20% of the plants fed to bearded dragons (along with yellow, red, and orange vegetables). Fruit should be fed as a treat only, because it is low in mineral content. Acceptable fruits include apple, apricot, banana (with skin), dates, figs, grapes/raisins, guava, kiwi, mango, melon, peach, pear, raspberry, star fruit, strawberry, and tomato.

Flowers

Flowers may also be offered as treats, including geraniums, carnations, dandelions, hibiscus, nasturtiums, and roses. Flowers can be homegrown or purchased from floral shops. Often, floral shops throw out older, wilted flowers, and you can get them at no charge. Before feeding flowers to your dragon, be sure that no chemicals have been applied to the flowers or their water.

Animal-based protein

Appropriate animal-based protein sources include:

• Calcium-dusted crickets, mealworms, and dubia cockroaches
• Silkworms and hornworms
• Pinkie mice or young "fuzzy" mice may be fed to larger bearded dragons, but sparingly
• Waxworms and “superworms” should be given sparingly (not be offered daily) because they are high in fat and can cause obesity

Live prey such as crickets and various worms may be raised by owners or purchased from pet stores, bait stores, or reptile breeders. Collecting insects from outside or from the home garden is not recommended, as fertilizers and insecticides may be present in or on these insects, and may be toxic if fed to bearded dragons.

All insects should be gut-loaded (fed nutritious food that is then passed on to the lizard) within 12 hours of being fed to your dragon. Most pet stores carry a variety of “gut loading” diets for insects. You can also feed fresh vegetables to the insects before feeding them to your pet. Never feed fireflies to bearded dragons, as they are generally toxic to lizards.

How often should I feed my bearded dragon?

Most young, bearded dragons should eat once or twice daily. Adult dragons may only eat every 24 to 72 hours, since they are no longer in a growth phase. It also depends on each pet's individual appetite.

Does my bearded dragon need vitamins and minerals?

Yes, bearded dragons have a higher need for dietary calcium than phosphorus, especially when they are young and their bones are growing. For that reason, veterinarians generally recommend that you lightly sprinkle a “phosphorus-free” calcium powder (calcium gluconate, lactate, or carbonate) on their food, daily.

In addition, you can lightly sprinkle their food with a calcium powder that contains vitamin D3, two to three times per week. Supplements should be dusted onto small portions of salads or moist foods, and those portions should be fed first to ensure that your bearded dragon consumes them.

A common problem seen in pet bearded dragons is inappropriate supplementation with calcium and vitamins (especially vitamin D3) and minerals. Ask your veterinarian for specific recommendations about supplementing your pet's diet.

How much water does my bearded dragon need?

Fresh, clean water should be always available. Provide it in a bowl that cannot be tipped over easily. Change the water daily and clean, disinfect, and rinse the water bowl each day. In the wild, bearded dragons get most of their water from rain, morning dew on plants, and the food they eat. As a result, some do not recognize a water dish as a source of drinking water.

You can help keep your bearded dragon hydrated by misting or washing vegetables before feeding them, leaving them very wet. You can also lightly mist your bearded dragon with water from a plant mister. In addition, soaking your bearded dragon in warm water for several minutes a few times a week can help keep it hydrated.

Is there anything else I should know?

Ultraviolet light is essential. Bearded dragons need ultraviolet (UV) light to effectively use vitamin D3, which helps the body absorb calcium from the diet. Consult the lighting guide with your UV bulb to decide which bulb they recommend for bearded dragons.

Individual needs vary. Different types of bearded dragon may have slightly different nutritional needs. Opinions vary on the most appropriate diet for captive bearded dragons, and knowledge of this subject continues to evolve. Be sure to discuss your bearded dragon’s specific dietary needs (based on his age, weight, and health status) with a reptile-savvy veterinarian.

Wash your hands. Always wash your hands thoroughly after feeding, cleaning, or handling a bearded dragon, as they can carry bacteria and parasites that may not be harmful to them, but might be harmful to humans.