Can bearded dragons eat cranberries?

If you’re wondering “can bearded dragons eat cranberries?” the answer is a qualified yes. You can feed bearded dragon cranberries, although it should not be a regular part of their daily diet. 

In this article, we’ll explore the nutritional value of cranberries for bearded dragons and how to feed them properly. As well, see our full guide to what berries bearded dragons can eat here. 

Can bearded dragons eat cranberries?

Nutritional Value of cranberries: 

Cranberries are highly nutritious berries that contain: 

• Protein 
• Water
• Vitamin C
• Fiber 
• Potassium 
• Magnesium 

*It’s unclear how well bearded dragons digest cranberries, more on that below. 

How often should you feed your beardie cranberries?

You can give your bearded dragon one to two cranberries every two weeks. Give them the cranberry after they’ve had their normal vegetables and insects, so they don’t fill up on cranberries instead of what they should be eating. Treat it like a dessert. 

Possible risks to feeding cranberries to your bearded dragon: 

It’s unknown how well bearded dragons digest cranberries. Although it poses no real risk to them, it isn’t as nutritious for them as insects are or other plant matter. 

The big issue with regularly feeding them cranberries is that cranberries have a bad ratio of calcium to phosphorus. Beardies need to consistently eat foods that have a 2:1 ratio of calcium to phosphorus. Cranberries do not have that. It’s best to boost their calcium daily, as they need calcium while they’re growing and into adulthood. Best practices for boosting calcium in your bearded dragon are explored below. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): 

What berries can bearded dragons not eat? 

Bearded dragons can eat almost every berry, although they should be given to them sparingly as a treat. Fruit in general should only make up between 5 to 20% of their diet. Frozen fruit isn’t a great option for them as well, as there’s less water content and less nutrients overall in frozen fruit. Stick to fresh berries given once or twice a month. 

What fruit is toxic to bearded dragons?

Any citrus fruit is toxic to bearded dragons. This includes lemons, oranges, kumquats, limes, grapefruits, etc. As well, avocados are highly toxic to beardies – avoid feeding them avocados at all times. 

What is a bearded dragon’s favorite fruit?

Bearded dragons are drawn to fruits like melons, watermelons, peaches, strawberries, grapes, and apples (including applesauce). 

What foods do bearded dragons love most? 

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

Can bearded dragons eat raisins? 

Yes, bearded dragons can eat raisins, but only sparingly. See our full guide to feeding your bearded dragon raisins. 

Can bearded dragons eat cherries? 

Bearded dragons can eat cherries, but again, sparingly. You should feed your bearded dragon no more than three cherries every two or three weeks. 

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 cranberries? 

• Yes, bearded dragons can eat cranberries. 
• However, make sure to only feed them cranberries one to two times per month, as they don’t provide a great deal of nutritional value for them. 
• 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. 

Related articles: 

• Can bearded dragons eat blueberries
• Can bearded dragons eat raspberries