Can bearded dragons eat applesauce?

Can bearded dragons eat applesauce

Yes! Bearded dragons can eat applesauce. However, it should only be in moderation and as a treat. Additionally, high quality applesauce with very little preservatives is best, as too many preservatives may harm their stomachs. 

Can bearded dragons eat applesauce?

What are the benefits to bearded dragons eating applesauce?

Applesauce

Bearded dragons genuinely enjoy the taste of applesauce and apples. Apples are a great source of vitamins, fiber, hydration, iron, and potassium for your beardie as well. These nutrients help keep them healthy, regulate their digestion and immune systems, and monitor their blood pressure. It’s a win all around. 

Applesauce is also wonderful for bearded dragons because it’s easy for them to eat, and poses no risk of a choking hazard. 

How Much Applesauce Should Bearded Dragons Eat? 

Besides their normal diet of insects and vegetables, about 10-20% of their vegetable portion can be made up of fruit. So a splash of applesauce every few days is a great treat for them. 

As a reminder, adult bearded dragons should get 20% of their diet from insects and about 80% from plants. More details below. 

Foods bearded dragons can eat: 

If you’re wondering what you should feed a bearded dragon, read our guidelines below. Bearded dragons are insectivores, which just means they thrive on insects as well as plant materials.  

If you have a juvenile bearded dragon (between six and eighteen months old), give them about 80% vegetables and 20% live insects. 

As your bearded dragon transitions into adulthood, give them the inverse, so 20% plant materials and 80% insects. 

Vegetables to feed your bearded dragon: 

Note: Bearded dragons can also eat fruit in moderation. See here for a complete list of fruits bearded dragons can eat

Insects to feed your bearded dragon: 

Quick note: Live insects raised by you or bought from the pet store are best because they’re definitely pesticide free. 

How often should you feed a bearded dragon?

During the first 3-6 months of your beardie’s life, try to feed them four to five times a day by giving them as many insects as they’d like in 10 minutes. They’re growing and need lots of protein during this stage. 

Reduce the number of feedings to about two to three times a day when they’re growing into their juvenile years (between six and eighteen months). 

As they become an adult, you can feed them once daily. 

What should a bearded dragon not eat? 

Avoid feeding your bearded dragon: 

  • Onions 
  • Leeks 
  • Chives 
  • Mushrooms
  • Garlic
  • Acidic fruit like oranges, lemons
  • Rhubarb (can be toxic to them) 
  • Avocados (surprisingly, these make them ill) 
  • Eggplant
  • Insects caught in the wild (there may be pesticides covering them) 
  • Venomous insects 
  • Dairy 
Bearded dragon enjoying the outdoors

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 

How often can bearded dragons eat apples?

Bearded dragons can eat apples more often than they can most fruits – sprinkle it into their meals weekly, or every 4-5 days at most. 

What fruit is toxic to bearded dragons?

Citrus is toxic to bearded dragons, so do not feed them anything like oranges or lemon. As well, avocados are toxic to beardies. 

Can beardies eat scrambled eggs? 

Yes, beardies can safely eat scrambled eggs. Remember not to mix in any additional ingredients that they can’t eat, and not to feed them more than roughly half an egg at a time. 

What foods do bearded dragons love most? 

Bearded dragon’s favorite food would have to be live bugs, which is typically crickets or roaches. 

What fruit do bearded dragons love? 

Many bearded dragons LOVE eating fruits like peaches, strawberries, grapes, melons, and apples. 

Can Beardies eat cheese? 

No – do not feed beardies cheese or any type of dairy. It isn’t good for them. 

Can Beardies eat potatoes?

Yes, beardies can eat potatoes, although it’s recommended to only feed them potatoes sparingly as there could be nutritional issues if you make it a part of their regular diet. 

Recap: Can bearded dragons eat applesauce? 

  • Yes! Bearded dragons can eat applesauce, and it’s good for them. However, make sure to give it to them in moderation. So it should make up only 10-20% of the vegetable portion of their diet if they’re adults. 
  • Feed them insects and plants as part of a healthy diet. 

For our full list of food to feed a bearded dragon, see our guide here

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