Can bearded dragons eat papaya?

Yes! If you’re wondering “Can bearded dragons eat papaya?” the answer is a qualified yes, bearded dragons can eat papaya, on occasion. However, while beardies enjoy the taste of papaya, it shouldn’t be fed to them daily. 

In this article, we’ll explore the nutritional value of papaya for bearded dragons and how to feed them properly. As well, see our full guide to What fruit can bearded dragons eat?

Can bearded dragons eat papaya?

Papaya Nutritional Value for Bearded Dragons: 

Papaya contains a lot of vitamins and minerals like: 

• Fiber (great for bearded dragon’s digestion)
• Vitamin C
• Calcium 
• Vitamin A 
• Antioxidants
• Copper
• Magnesium
• Potassium

Source: Web MD

How often should you give papaya to your beardie? 

A good rule of thumb is one chunk of papaya (roughly 1.5 centimeters on all sides) at most twice a month. If you’re feeding a baby or juvenile bearded dragon, you can aim for one chunk every month. 

Why can’t I feed my bearded dragon papaya daily? 

Papaya have a higher phosphorus to calcium ratio than is optimal for bearded dragon health. In bearded dragons, it’s important to be aware of the phosphorus and calcium content in food you feed them. Why? Bearded dragons need a good amount of calcium to grow and to maintain bone and muscle health in adulthood. However, phosphorus inhibits the absorption of calcium if there’s too much of it, relative to the calcium amount. 

You should aim for a 2:1 ratio of 2 parts calcium to 1 part phosphorus. We’ve outlined ways to increase your beardie’s calcium intake below as well. 

Another reason beardies shouldn’t eat papaya, or fruit in general, daily is that the sugar content is usually quite high in fruit, and this can lead to obesity and even diabetes in bearded dragons. This is especially true since most bearded dragons that are raised as pets don’t get as much exercise as they would in the wild. Their sedentary lifestyle doesn’t allow for daily fruit intake since they’re more prone to obesity from not moving as much as they usually would.  

How to feed papaya to your bearded dragon: 

• Cut your papaya into chunks. It’s fine if they eat the skin as it’s got antioxidants and fiber in it. 
• Remove the seeds so they don’t choke on them. 
• Mix the chunks into their vegetable bowl. 
• Observe your bearded dragon over time to make sure they aren’t gaining unnecessary weight from too much fruit. Cut back if this happens. 

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! 

What is a bearded dragon’s favorite fruit?

Bearded dragons are drawn to fruits like melons, watermelons, peaches, strawberries, grapes, and apples (including applesauce). It’s hard to say what their favorite fruit is as each bearded dragon has their own individual tastes. Try out different fruits to see which one your dragon responds most enthusiastically towards. 

Can bearded dragons eat mango? 

Bearded dragons can safely eat mango once a week, and they love the taste of it. 

Can bearded dragons eat pineapple?

Yes! Bearded dragons love pineapple, and they can safely eat a small amount of pineapple every two to three weeks. 

Can bearded dragons eat dragon fruit?

Bearded dragons can eat dragon fruit on occasion. Only feed it to them about once a month or so. 

Can bearded dragons eat grapes?

Grapes are high in fiber and calcium, and make a wonderful snack for bearded dragons. So yes, bearded dragons can eat grapes, but only on occasion. They are also high in sugar and oxalates, which beardies should not eat daily.  

Can bearded dragons eat kiwi?

Bearded dragons can safely eat kiwi about twice a month. Make sure to remove the skin as it’s hard for them to digest!

Can bearded dragons eat peaches?

Yes, bearded dragons can eat peaches, and they’re considered one of the safer fruits to feed your beardie regularly. 

Can bearded dragons eat bananas?

While bearded dragons can eat bananas, they shouldn’t be given them regularly. There are other fruits with much higher nutritional values for beardies. 

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 papaya? 

• Yes, bearded dragons can eat papaya, although in moderation. 
• Remove the seeds before feeding them, and cut your papaya into chunks. 

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

Related articles: 

• Can bearded dragons eat nectarines?
• Can bearded dragons eat pomegranate?
• Can bearded dragons eat plums?
• Can bearded dragons eat pear?