Bearded dragons do not need to eat every day. Adult bearded dragons can go without food for 1-2 days, and some can even go up to a week without food, but they need access to water daily.
Bearded dragons are desert-dwelling reptiles adapted to survive in arid environments with limited food and water. Their slow metabolism allows them to conserve energy and survive on fewer meals. Overfeeding a bearded dragon can lead to obesity and other health issues. Therefore, providing a balanced diet and monitoring their weight is important to maintain their health.
How Often Should You Feed Your Bearded Dragon?
Bearded dragons are known for their healthy appetite, but how often should you feed them? The answer depends on their age and size. Generally, baby bearded dragons require more frequent feedings than adults.
Feeding Frequency by Age
● 0-3 months: Feed baby bearded dragons 3-5 times daily. A variety of protein sources should be offered, including crickets, mealworms, and dubia roaches. In addition, collard greens, kale, carrots, and other vegetables should be offered every day.
● 3-6 months: Feed baby bearded dragons 2-3 times daily, and continue to offer a variety of protein sources and vegetables.
● 6-12 months: Feed juvenile bearded dragons 1-2 times daily, and offer a variety of protein sources and vegetables.
● 12+ months: Adult bearded dragons can be fed every other day or every few days, offering a variety of protein sources and vegetables.
It’s important to note that bearded dragons are opportunistic eaters and will eat until they are full. Overfeeding can lead to obesity and other health issues, so monitoring their food intake is important.
What to Feed Your Bearded Dragon
A balanced diet of vegetables, fruits, and protein is recommended for bearded dragons. Insects should make up most of their protein intake, with vegetables and fruits offered as supplements.
Some good protein sources for bearded dragons include:
● Crickets
● Dubia roaches
● Mealworms
● Waxworms (in moderation)
● Superworms (in moderation)
● Pinkie mice (in moderation)
Vegetables and fruits should be offered daily, focusing on leafy greens and vegetables high in calcium. Some good options include:
● Collard greens
● Kale
● Mustard greens
● Dandelion greens
● Carrots
● Squash
● Bell peppers
● Blueberries
● Apples
It’s important to avoid feeding bearded dragons certain foods, such as spinach and avocado, which can harm their health.
Tips: The frequency of feeding your bearded dragon depends on their age and size. The baby bearded dragon should be fed more frequently than the adult, with a focus on a balanced diet of protein, vegetables, and fruits. Therefore, monitoring their food intake is important to avoid overfeeding and health issues.
Bearded Dragon Diet
Bearded dragons are omnivores, meaning they eat plant- and animal-based foods. They require a balanced diet that includes a variety of insects, vegetables, and fruits. Here’s what you need to know about what bearded dragons eat.
What Do Bearded Dragons Eat?
Insects
Insects should make up a significant portion of a bearded dragon’s diet. Some of the most common insects that bearded dragons eat include crickets, mealworms, waxworms, and roaches. It’s important to feed your bearded dragon insects that are appropriate for their size. Young bearded dragons require smaller insects, while adults can handle larger prey.
Vegetables
Veggies hold a very important place in the diet of bearded dragons. Some good vegetables to feed your bearded dragon include collard greens, kale, mustard greens, and turnip greens. You can also feed your bearded dragon vegetables like carrots, squash, and sweet potatoes. It’s important to provide a variety of vegetables for your bearded dragon in order to ensure that it gets enough nutrients.
Fruits
It is recommended that fruits be eaten in moderation, as they contain a high amount of sugar. Some of the best fruits to feed your bearded dragon include apples, blueberries, and strawberries. Removing any seeds or pits from the fruit before feeding it to your bearded dragon is important, as they can be a choking hazard.
Feeding Schedule
Bearded dragons should be fed once a day, with occasional snacks throughout the day. Establish a routine for feeding your bearded dragon every day is essential. Compared to adults, baby bearded dragons need to be fed more frequently, and should be fed 2-3 times a day. As your bearded dragon grows, you can reduce the frequency of feedings.
Tips: A variety of insects, vegetables, and fruits is necessary for bearded dragons. It’s important to feed your bearded dragon appropriate foods for their size, and to establish a regular feeding schedule. A healthy diet can contribute to the long and healthy life of your bearded dragon.
Feeding Schedule
Bearded dragons are known for their voracious appetite and can eat a variety of foods. However, it’s important to establish a feeding schedule that suits your bearded dragon’s age, size, and activity level.
Age of Your Bearded Dragon
The age of your bearded dragon plays a crucial role in determining its feeding schedule. Bearded dragon babies require more frequent feedings than adult bearded dragons. A baby under 3 months of age should be fed 5 times a day. For babies aged 3-6 months, 3 to 4 feedings a day are recommended. For those between 6-12 months should be fed 3 times a day, slowly reduce to 2 times a day as they reach a year of age. The bearded dragon can be fed once or twice a day as an adult.
Size of Your Bearded Dragon
The size of your bearded dragon also plays a role in determining its feeding schedule. Smaller bearded dragons require less food than larger ones. Generally, feed your bearded dragon as much as possible in 10-15 minutes, 2-3 times daily. However, be careful not to overfeed your bearded dragon, which can lead to obesity and other health problems.
Activity Level of Your Bearded Dragon
The activity level of your bearded dragon is another factor to consider when determining its feeding schedule. Bearded dragons that are more active require more food than those that are less active. For example, if your bearded dragon spends much time basking in the sun, it may need less food than one constantly moving.
Tips: Establishing a feeding schedule that suits your bearded dragon’s age, size, and activity level is crucial for its health and well-being. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your bearded dragon gets the right amount of food at the right time.
Feeding Tips
Bearded dragons are omnivores and require a balanced diet to stay healthy. Here are some feeding tips to keep your bearded dragon healthy and happy.
Provide Fresh Water
There should always be clean, fresh water available to bearded dragons. Water should be available in their enclosure in a shallow dish. The water should be changed daily and the dish should be cleaned regularly to prevent bacteria growth.
Offer a Variety of Foods
Bearded dragons require a variety of foods to meet their nutritional needs. A balanced diet for an adult bearded dragon should consist of 80% vegetables and 20% insects. You should provide a variety of vegetables, such as collard greens, kale, and carrots, and insects, such as crickets and mealworms.
Avoid Overfeeding
If bearded dragons are overfed, they can become obese and develop other health problems in bearded dragons. Offer your bearded dragon the appropriate amount of food based on their age and size. A general rule of thumb is to offer insects once a day and vegetables twice a day. To prevent bacterial growth and spoilage, remove uneaten food after 30 minutes.
Supplement with Vitamins and Minerals
Bearded dragons require certain vitamins and minerals to stay healthy. For example, dusting insects with a calcium supplement is recommended to prevent metabolic bone disease. A multivitamin supplement can also be added to their food once a week.
By following these feeding tips, you can ensure your bearded dragon gets the proper nutrition they need to stay healthy and happy.
Conclusion
Bearded dragons are omnivorous animals requiring a balanced diet to maintain health and wellbeing. While they do not necessarily need to eat every day, it is recommended to feed them daily to ensure they get the necessary nutrients and energy they need.
In younger bearded dragons, feedings are more frequent, while in older ones may need less. A good rule of thumb is to feed them every other day, but this may vary depending on the age and size of the dragon.
Providing a varied diet that includes both plant- and animal-based foods is important. Bearded dragons can eat various foods, including insects, fruits, vegetables, and greens. It is best to avoid feeding them foods high in fat, sugar, or salt, as these can harm their health.