What Should I Feed My Bearded Dragon?
A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners and Experts
Welcoming a bearded dragon into your home is both extremely exciting and daunting. You’re probably feeling a bit overwhelmed. Or maybe you’ve had your bearded dragon for a while and you’re ready to take their care to the next level. Your mind might be racing with questions like:
- What should I feed my bearded dragon?
- How important is diet for bearded dragon’s health?
- Are some insects better for my bearded dragon than others?
- What does the ‘perfect’ bearded dragon diet look like?
The Obvious: Diet Is Critical For Pet Health
As a responsible pet owner, you have an obligation to feed your pet a healthy diet. Poor pet diet can cause health issues, and in extreme cases even death. A proper diet, while more effort, will help your pet live the healthy and happy life they deserve.
Some Studies estimate:
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What this post covers:
- What insects are best for bearded dragons
- How often you should feed your bearded dragon
- A suggested feeding schedule
- An easy system for feeding your pet
The Key Points of a Healthy Bearded Dragon Diet
- Diversity is king: This is the most important point on this list. In their natural ecosystems, bearded dragons eat an extremely varied diet. Replicating this diet in captivity ensures your pet gets the nutrients it needs to be healthy, avoid illnesses, and live an enriched life. You should be feeding your dragon AT LEAST 3 different types of insects regularly.1
- Diet should be made up of both insects and greens: Bearded dragons are omnivorous. This means they naturally consume both plant matter and animal matter (typically insects). Babies tend toward a primarily insect diet (90% insects and 10% plant matter), while adults usually consume 50% insects and 50% plant matter.
- Live and fresh food is important: Don’t go for canned options, they simply don’t have the nutritional value of a well cared for feeder insect.4
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Food Choices for Your Bearded Dragon
Insect Options
- Dubia Roaches: An excellent and versatile feeder due to their exceptional nutritional make up
- Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL): High in calcium, this is another excellent addition to any bearded dragons diet.
- Crickets: Frankly, we don’t love crickets. They stink, are loud, and can bite your pet (not kidding). But any list would be incomplete without them. We don’t recommend them for the above reasons, but they are a proven staple of the reptile world.
- Hornworms: High in water content, they are an excellent addition (in moderation) to a good diet
- Superworms: While you need to be careful with moderation, their high fat content provides ample energy to developing babies and larger adults.
- Mealworms: With a similar nutritional content to superworms, they are sometimes avoided due to their hard exoskeleton. In moderation, they are an appropriate addition.
- Waxworms: High in fat, they are ok occasionally, but we think there’s better options to choose from.
- Discord Roaches: For those of you in Florida (where dubia roaches are not allowed), the discord roach is a great choice as a replacement.
Plant Matter Options: Greens, Vegetables and Fruits
Plant matter is just as critical as the insects you feed your dragon. They obtain a large amount of the needed micro-nutrients from this part of their diet. Adults should be offered greens everyday. We consider there to be three main categories of plant matter you should feed your dragon5:
- Greens: Good greens are rich in nutrients like calcium, low in phosphorus, here are our favorites: alfalfa, dandelion, collard greens, mustard greens, kale, dark lettuces, romaine, and spinach. Switch things up as often as you can!
- Vegetables: A key addition for nutrients. We love finely chopped carrots, zucchini, and sweet potatoes.
- Fruits: Should be fed sparingly, less than 10% of the plant matter in your beardies diet. Great choices are strawberries, apples, and mango.
Foods to avoid When Feeding Your Bearded Dragon:
- Avoid feeding your dragon insects caught in the wild. As their source is unknown, they could contain pesticides or parasites.
- Avoid feeding iceberg/light colored lettuce, as it offers little to no nutritional value
Creating a Feeding Schedule
Now that you know what insects you can consider for your bearded dragon, let’s build a feeding schedule with the following in mind:
- Your dragon’s diet should contain AT LEAST 3 different types of insects7
- The bulk of your pet’s insect requirements should be met by low fat, high in protein choices. We recommend: Dubia Roaches, Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL), and hornworms.7
- The reminder of your pet’s insect requirements can be filled in with other options to provide the complete nutritional requirements. We love: superworms and mealworms.7
- As explained, greens are offered daily, so select a few options for greens, vegetables, and fruit that are easily accessible for you.
- Your dragon should eat insects everyday to every other day depending on their temperament.
How much should I feed my bearded dragon a day?
Every dragon is different. Some will have voracious appetites, while others not so much. Lucky for you, we’ve built a Bearded Dragon Feeding Estimation Calculator using the most modern research available in the field.
It’s important to note that reptile obesity is a serious issue. The industry standard for feeding has historically been feeding dragon’s as much as they want. You must recognize that bearded dragon’s are wild animals. Their instinct is to eat all that is available. In captivity, this can quickly lead to obesity, health problems, and death. By using our calculator, you can get a better idea of what your dragon truly needs on a day to day basis.
This tool provides estimates. All bearded dragons are different, and feeder insects come in different sizes/nutritional value depending on the source. Your focus should be proving sufficient quantity and quality in the form of diversity.
Calorie Estimator for Dragons
Enter Dragon Weight (g):
An Easy Solution For Feeding Your Bearded Dragon the Perfect Diet
HerpCare Bearded Dragon Subscription
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- Based on 10+ sciencetific research papers
- Backed by industry experts
- Best plan for your dragon
- Completely free, just promise you’ll take good care of your pet!
Monitoring and Adjustments
Always pay attention to your dragon’s behavior, weight, and overall health. If they seem disinterested in certain foods or show signs of distress, consider consulting a vet. Regular weigh-ins can also help track their growth and health.
The Importance of Hydration
- While bearded dragons obtain much of their hydration from their food, they still require water.
- A shallow water dish should always be available. Make sure it’s shallow to prevent drowning.
- Misting your dragon occasionally can also assist with hydration and help during shedding periods.
Best Wishes!
Raising a healthy bearded dragon involves understanding their dietary needs and making adjustments as they grow. This guide serves as a starting point. Whether you decide to do it yourself, or with the help of our experts here at HerpCare, your dragon’s health and happiness are well worth the effort!
Other Resources
Citations
Oonincx, D., Van Leeuwen, J. P., Hendriks, W., & Van Der Poel, A. (2015). The diet of free-roaming Australian Central Bearded Dragons (Pogona vitticeps). Zoo Biology, 34(3), 271–277. https://doi.org/10.1002/zoo.21209
Feeding Bearded Dragons | VCA Animal Hospital | VCA Animal Hospitals. (n.d.). Vca. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/bearded-dragons-feeding
Raiti, P. (2012). Husbandry, Diseases, and Veterinary Care of the Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps). Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery, 22(3), 117. https://doi.org/10.5818/1529-9651-22.3.117
Nijboer, J. (2023, July 19). Nutrition in reptiles. Merck Veterinary Manual. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/management-and-nutrition/nutrition-exotic-and-zoo-animals/nutrition-in-reptiles
Bearded Dragon Food Pyramid. (n.d.). Complete Critter. https://www.completecritter.com/bearded-dragon.html
Young, C. (2023). Conversation with Center For Snake Conservation.
Deczm, M. a. M. D. P. M. (2022, October 27). Diversity is the key to success with reptile diets. DVM 360. https://www.dvm360.com/view/diversity-is-the-key-to-success-with-reptile-diets
Raiti, P. (2012b). Husbandry, Diseases, and Veterinary Care of the Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps). Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery, 22(3), 117. https://doi.org/10.5818/1529-9651-22.3.117
Warwick, C. (n.d.). Reptilian welfare in a biological context. University of Portsmouth.