
Bearded Dragon Feeding Chart By Age
Age of Bearded Dragon | Quantity & Types of Food | Number of Meals per Day |
1-3 months | As many crickets as they’ll eat in 5-10 ... | 5 |
3-6 months | 50% veggies, 50% insects | 4 |
6-12 months | 50% veggies, 50% insects | 3 |
12-18 months | 50% veggies, 50% insects | 2 |
How much should I Feed my bearded dragon and when?
- Avocado
- Dairy products
- Seafood
- Poultry
- Red meat
- Wild insects
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Onion
- Rhubarb
What fruits can bearded dragons 'actually' eat?
What Fruits Can Bearded Dragons Eat?
- Apple
- Banana
- Blackberry
- Blueberries
- Grapes
- Mango
- Peach
- Pears
- Strawberry
- Kiwi
What is the best food for a bearded dragon?
Our live food list tells you what meat your Beardie can eat:
- Crickets
- Kingworms
- Waxworms- these fatty worms should only be fed as a treat
- Earthworms
- Cockroaches
- Locusts
- Butterworms
- Silkworms
- Phoenix worms
- Crickets
What insects should I Feed my bearded dragon?
What insects are the best for bearded dragons?
- Hornworms. The first one on our list are hornworms (or goliath worms). ...
- Phoenix Worms. This insect for bearded dragons is very popular among breeder and bearded dragon owner. ...
- Crickets. The next one on our list is a really popular feeder among bearded dragon owners. ...
- Superworms. ...

What do you feed a malnourished bearded dragon?
4 Ways to Correct Malnutrition in Your Bearded DragonFruits and vegetables – most importantly, leafy greens – but you can also give them fresh treats like apples, carrots, mango, peaches, squash, and strawberries in moderation.Feeder insects – like superworms and dubia roaches.More items...•
Why is my bearded dragon so skinny?
While you need to decrease food portions for your adult bearded dragon, feed your baby dragons as much as they want. Not feeding enough, especially coupled with lack of lighting & heating, will cause weight loss and make your bearded dragon skinny and lethargic.
How do I get my weak bearded dragon to eat?
If their tank is setup correctly, one of the best ways to get bearded dragons to eat is to feed them treats. Fatty insects like waxworms, hornworms and silkworms are often a good choice. Fruits such as raspberries, strawberries, cantaloupe and mango also work well.
What do I do if my bearded dragon is weak?
If you discover that your bearded dragon is dehydrated, try coaxing them to drink fresh water by placing a bowel in their tank. If this doesn't work, you can offer them some water through a dropper as well. Also, you can mix Powerade by a ratio of 1:1 with water to give them some electrolytes and perk them up sooner.
How do I fatten up a bearded dragon?
While the domestic cricket is a fine staple for your bearded dragon, if she's thin, she will benefit from insects with a higher fat content. Mealworms, superworms and waxworms all possess a higher percentage of fat than crickets and roaches do.
What can bearded dragons eat to gain weight?
Providing fatty foods is a great way to improve the weight of your bearded dragon fast. If there aren't any other underlying problems, consider adding high fat foods to the diet – like mealworms, locusts, crickets (high in protein), wax worms, and butter worms.
Will a bearded dragon starve itself?
So they could potentially live up to three months without eating while in brumation, assuming they stay asleep the whole time. However, even during brumation, bearded dragons sometimes wake up to eat, drink, or find a better spot to sleep.
How long can a 1 year old bearded dragon go without eating?
So an average bearded dragon can go without food for 1-3 months in the wild. Juvenile bearded dragons would not survive that long since they don't have enough fat reserves. They can hardly last a week before their body demands food.
How can I tell if my bearded dragon is Brumating?
Bearded dragon brumation signs:Spending less time in the basking area.Retreating to cooler areas of the enclosure.Loss of appetite.Sleeping for longer periods of time.Seeking dark places to hide or digging to make a nesting spot.
What are the signs of a sick bearded dragon?
Signs That Your Bearded Dragon is SickRespiratory Issues. Healthy lizards should breathe quietly and smoothly. ... Secretion. Discharge from the eyes, ears, nose, or mouth can also be indications of sickness. ... Weight Loss. ... Eye Issues. ... Lethargy. ... Bathroom Issues. ... Discoloration. ... Strange Behavior.More items...•
How do I know if my bearded dragon is deficient in calcium?
Signs of Calcium Deficiency in Bearded DragonsLack of appetite.Lethargy and weakness.Stress.Constipation.Receded lower jaw.Swollen limbs and jaw.Bumps along the spine or bones.Soft jaw and facial bones.More items...•
Why does my bearded dragon look flat?
When bearded dragons lay flat, they are trying to get more heat from the ground or other surface that they're laying on through “thermal conductivity” where heat travels through different materials to the dragon's body. Raise its ambient temperature. They might also be scared or sick.
How can I tell if my bearded dragon is dehydrated?
If your bearded dragon isn't being given water, chances are it is dehydrated. Signs of dehydration include:wrinkled skin.the saliva tackiness, double strands forming when the mouth opens.decreased elasticity in the skin, the skin tents when gently pinched.sunken eyes (Gibbons, 2009)
How do I know if my bearded dragon has metabolic bone disease?
MBD does have some specific warning signs. These include swelling of the face, mouth and/or back legs, lethargy, and trembling limbs. In more severe cases, we may also see muscle twitching, general weakness, unusual postures, and deformities.
How do you know if your bearded dragon is healthy?
Signs That Your Bearded Dragon is SickDo you have a bearded dragon? ... Healthy lizards should breathe quietly and smoothly. ... Discharge from the eyes, ears, nose, or mouth can also be indications of sickness. ... Rapid weight changes are often a red flag in our animal companions. ... Your pet's eyes should be clear and bright.More items...•
How much of a diet should a bearded dragon eat?
For omnivore lizards (i.e. bearded dragons) Stahl and Donoghue (2010) recommend between 60 to 75% of the diet may be a commercially prepared food.
What do dwarf bearded dragons eat?
His observations of what the Dwarf Bearded Dragon eats in the wild included grasshoppers, beetles, termites, insect larvae, ants, wasps, phasmids and other bugs. Grasshoppers made up the majority of the diet at 30%, beetles 17% of the diet and termites almost 12% of the diet.
What are the antinutrients in bearded dragon food?
Antinutrients in Foods. Compounds such as oxalates, goitrogens and tannins are typically considered anti nutrients in the bearded dragon diet however, this is not necessarily the case. Foods high in oxalates and goitrogens may be safe to feed bearded dragons and other lizards.
How big is a bearded dragon's snout?
Wild juvenile bearded dragons were found with plant content only after reaching a snout to vent size of 80-100 mm (3-4 inches). Their choice of invertebrate included much more active species than adults including grasshoppers and locusts.
Why do bearded dragons eat carrots?
The main reason to cook foods for bearded dragons is to soften hard vegetables , such as carrots and pumpkins. When cooking foods for bearded dragons, don’t cook them all the way. The foods should remain firm, not hard. Foods that are too soft stay in the mouth longer and can contribute to periodontal disease.
How much energy do reptiles need?
For reptiles it is generally accepted that they have 10% of the energy requirements as that of mammals (Voe 2014). This is important to keep in mind when assessing volumes and food types.
What insects eat predators?
If feeding insects in the enclosure, remove uneaten insects when feeding time is over. Some insects, such as crickets, have a reputation for eating the predator. This will likely start in moist areas such as eye lids and the nose. The nutritional quality of the insects is important.
What kind of insects do bearded dragons eat?
Most likely, you’ll end up choosing one of the big three. Crickets, dubia roaches, or black soldier fly larvae are by far the most common choices of primarty feeder insects for bearded dragons. Between crickets and roaches, we strongly prefer roaches ( you can see why here in our comparison article ).
How often should a baby beardie eat live insects?
Baby beardies (up to about 6 months in age) should get live feeder insects one to three times per day, every day. This is when they are growing the fastest ( for a detailed review of just how big your beardie will get, see our article here ). Therefore, this is when they need the most protein.
What is the best food to eat for baby food?
Processed human food – Outside of pureed apple or pumpkin baby food, stay away from anything that comes in a can, box, or jar. Stick to fresh produce, fruits, and live feeder insects. Lettuce – This includes iceberg, loose-leaf, green, butter, and red. Lettuce, on the whole, is almost devoid of nutrients.
Do bearded dragons eat the same thing every day?
They start to treat them like little people instead of captive wild animals. While you or I would get bored eating the same thing every day, your bearded dragon does not. They are perfectly happy eating the same exact thing every single day. Bacardi never every gets tired of roaches….
Can a bearded dragon be vegan?
Another important point is that your beardie is an omnivore. It cannot be a vegetarian or vegan. Period, end of story. If you are not comfortable feeding your beardie live feeder insects then you should not have a bearded dragon. Beardie’s need a live protein source several times a week. And yes, it needs to be live.
Is lettuce good for beardie?
Lettuce, on the whole, is almost devoid of nutrients. If your beardie fills up on lettuce, they will not get the nutrients they need to be healthy. Choose more nutrient-dense and healthier greens. Mushrooms – Specifically portabella mushrooms, but all of them are a bad idea.
Can you buy organic bearded dragons?
Because of the small size of bearded dragons, we recommend buying organic if you can. Even the smallest amount of pesticide could cause problems for your beardie. If organic isn’t an option, make sure to wash your produce well before serving it to your bearded dragon. Acorn squash.
How to get a bearded dragon to gain weight?
In short, the best way to get your bearded dragon to gain weight, is to make sure their UVB setup is accurate and adjust their diet. Chances are if your dragon is underweight, one of these two variables is to blame.
Where are the fat pads on a dragon's head?
The fat pads on the head lay on top of the head behind each eye. A healthy weight dragon will have normal fat pads that are slightly raised, whereas a malnourished dragon will have fat pads that sink down some.
What to feed a bearded dragon?
Feed your pet bearded dragon some frozen pinky or hopper mice (make sure you thaw it first). These are high in calories and fats for quick weight gain. Be careful you don’t feed them too much of this though. It can throw off their diet and make their bowels obstructed if you’re not careful. Warning!
How to help a bearded dragon gain weight?
To help your bearded dragon gain weight, use a feeder insect high in fat and nutrients 2 – 3 times daily. But first, check there are no underlying health issues before changing your beardy’s diet. Read on for more details on when and what to feed your bearded dragon if it’s too skinny.
How to tell if a bearded dragon is skinny?
A good rule of thumb is to look at the reptile’s hips and the base of their tail. If the bones of their hips are visible, they are too skinny. This is also the case if the base of the tail has an indent where it meets ...
How often do bearded dragons defecate?
In captivity, bearded dragons tend to go more frequently sometimes up to once a day.
Why is my bearded dragon hiding?
Excessive hiding – If your bearded dragon is hiding for extremely long periods, it’s a sign of possible health problems. They may be hiding to rest and heal their bodies. Try not to confuse the behavior with bearded dragon brumation.
Is a juvenile bearded dragon lighter than an adult?
A juvenile bearded dragon is supposed to be lighter than an adult dragon. If you have a baby bearded dragon you’re trying to “fatten” up, you’re not going to be successful. In these young reptiles, the calories are converted more to length than weight. A female bearded dragon is in a similar size range to male bearded dragons, ...
Is a female bearded dragon a male?
A female bearded dragon is in a similar size range to male bearded dragons, but they tend to be smaller, especially in the head for this species. The longer a bearded dragon, the more it should weigh. With the flexibility in size and weight ranges, it is hard to determine if your bearded dragon is too skinny. ...
What is the best food for bearded dragons?
Dubia roaches are widely considered to be the absolute best live food for bearded dragons due to their incredibly high protein content. Furthermore, they’re very clean insects and tend to be much safer than crickets, which have been known to carry parasites. Phoenix worms are also a great choice.
How much food do bearded dragons need?
These baby dragons need 75% of their nutrition to come from live insects and just 25% to come from plants. You can split their feeding into five meals.
Why is my bearded dragon not eating?
What to Do if Your Bearded Dragon Isn’t Eating. There are many reasons that dragons could refuse to eat. Stress is a big one. If you’ve recently changed your dragon’s environment, lighting, or diet, then they could be refusing to eat as a reaction to this, which will take a short time to sort out.
How many crickets should a dragon eat?
During insect feedings, allow them 10 minutes to eat as many as they can. This could be as many as 50 crickets each day. Once a dragon reaches three months, it’s considered to be a juvenile. Juvenile dragons need a diet that’s about 50/50 plants and live insects.
What is gut loading in dragons?
Gut loading is when you stuff the insects full of nutritious food before feeding them to your dragon.
Why won't my dragon eat?
Dragons might also refuse to eat when they’re shedding. You can tell they’re shedding when scales become dull-looking and the tip of the tail turns gray. Sick dragons may also refuse to eat. This could require a trip to the vet. Temperature can also have a major effect on a dragon’s appetite.
What to do if your dragon is eating everything?
If your dragon is eating every bit of the food you provide within the feeding window, then you might need to offer more food. On the other hand, if there’s always a lot of food leftover when the feeding window closes, then you should start reducing the amount of food you’re offering.
What supplements should I take for a baby bearded dragon?
Crickets, along with dusted calcium AND multi-vitamin supplements are essentially the ONLY staples in any baby bearded dragon’s diet. A little bit of a hotly debated topic, you’ll get a different answer depending on who you talk to….
Why do bearded dragons have obesity?
Typically, obesity in adults occurs when the diet is overly rich in yummy things (Read: insects) and deficient in veggies.
How many crickets should a 3 month old eat?
For babies under 3 months, feed them as many crickets as they’ll eat in 5-10 minute increments 5 times a day. For babies 3 to 12 months old, reduce these feedings to just 4 times a day, then 3 times a day, and eventually 2 times a day by the time they’re 12 months of age.
How old do bearded dragons get?
An adult bearded dragon will be one that has reached full sexual maturity. This typically happens around 18 months of age. It is at this point that their diet should consist of only around 20% protein, with the rest being that of a fresh salad.
How many times should a baby be fed?
For babies under 3 months, a im to feed them 5 times a day. Babies 3-6 months should be fed 3-4 times a day, while those six months old should be fed 3 times a day, working their way down to 2 times a day as they approach a year of age. On a personal note, I remember many moons ago having my first bearded dragon how lost I was!
How many crickets should a baby eat a day?
While some owners believe babies should be allowed to eat as much as they want in 5-10 minute intervals 3-5 times a day, others believe in capping their total cricket intake at around 50 crickets a day, give or take 10-20.
Do bearded dragons eat every day?
While bearded dragons don’t absolutely need to eat every day, you SHOULD feed them every day. Now, ff your bearded dragon has to go a day or so without eating because you’re out of town briefly, they should be fine. Just don’t make this a regular occurrence.
