If you’re wondering “can bearded dragons eat berries?” the answer is yes! Bearded dragons can eat berries, although the amount of berries they can eat depends on the berry type.
In this article, we’ll explore the nutritional value of different berries for bearded dragons and how to feed them properly.
Can bearded dragons eat berries?
Best berries for bearded dragons to eat:
The best berry for bearded dragons is likely the blueberry, which they can eat weekly. See our full guide to blueberries for bearded dragons here. Blueberries are a great source of nutrition for your bearded dragon and they also love the taste.
Other berries that bearded dragons can eat sparingly:
Your bearded dragon can also eat other berries, although they should eat them no more than every two weeks. It’s likely that the following berries have less nutritional value for bearded dragons than blueberries do, although your beardie will likely still enjoy the taste!
- Watermelon (Yes, they are technically a berry!)
- Kiwi
- Cranberries
- Strawberries
- Blackberries
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
What fruit is toxic to bearded dragons?
High acid fruit like citrus should never be fed to your bearded dragons. This includes lemons, limes, oranges, grapefruits, and kumquats. As well, avoid feeding them avocados!
Can bearded dragons eat blackberry leaves?
Bearded dragons can eat blackberries whole, including the leaves. The leaves themself have almost no nutritional value, so don’t make it a habit of feeding them blackberry leaves. We don’t want your bearded dragon to get full on a plant that doesn’t provide them with calcium or other nutrients they need to thrive.
Can bearded dragons eat watermelon?
Bearded dragons can eat watermelon, although sparingly. A good rule of thumb is to feed them a small cube, about 1 centimeter wide, once a month or less.
Can bearded dragons eat apples?
Yes! Apples are one of the safer fruits for beardies to eat. They can be fed apples weekly.
Can bearded dragons eat grapes?
Yes, bearded dragons can eat grapes, sparingly. Although high in calcium, they are also high in oxalates, which can harm a beardie’s digestion and overall health. Stick to feeding them grapes every few weeks at most.
Can Beardies eat bananas?
Yes, beardies can eat bananas. However, they should only eat bananas sparingly, every two to three weeks at most.
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 is a bearded dragon’s favorite fruit?
Bearded dragons are drawn to fruits like melons, watermelons, peaches, strawberries, grapes, and apples (including applesauce).
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.
Getting your bearded dragon calcium:
Calcium is especially vital to a bearded dragon, especially a young one that is still growing. There are several ways to introduce more calcium into your beardie’s diet:
- Add in more high calcium vegetables like dandelions, bok choy, and collard greens.
- Dust calcium powder over their insects and vegetables to increase calcium levels.
- Make sure they’re getting their 12 hours of UVB exposure as they need this light to be able to properly absorb nutrients.
Vegetables to feed your bearded dragon:
- Peas
- Dandelion
- Green beans
- Cabbage
- Zucchini
- Pumpkin
- See our full list of 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:
- Crickets
- Kingworms
- Waxworms
- See our full guides to insects you can feed your bearded dragon and worms 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 of any kind
- Rice and grains of any kind
- Frogs or toads
- Ham or other processed meats
Recap: Can bearded dragons eat berries?
- Bearded dragons can eat almost every berry type. Blueberries are especially great for their health, and they can eat one or two blueberries weekly.
- Keep them on a steady diet of insects and plant matter, with a lot of calcium mixed in.
For our full list of food to feed a bearded dragon, see our guide here.
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