Can bearded dragons eat pear?

Yes! If you’re wondering “Can bearded dragons eat pear?,” the answer is a qualified yes, bearded dragons can eat pears, in moderation. While beardies enjoy the taste of pears, it shouldn’t be fed to them daily. 

In this article, we’ll explore the nutritional value of pears 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 pear?

Pear Nutritional Value for Bearded Dragons: 

Pears contains a lot of vitamins and minerals like: 

• Fiber (great for bearded dragon’s digestion)
• Protein
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin K 
• Potassium 
• Copper
• Folate 
• Niacin 
• Vitamin A 

Source: Healthline

How often should you give pear to your beardie? 

A good rule of thumb is one slice (roughly the size of your thumb) at most twice a month. If you’re feeding a baby or juvenile bearded dragon, you can aim for one slice every month. 

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

Pears have a high phosphorus to calcium ratio. 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 pear, 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 pear to your bearded dragon: 

• Cut your pear into slices, removing the core. 
• Beardies can eat the pear skin, it’s nutritious and full of antioxidants. 
• Cut your slice into smaller chunks. 
• Mix the chunks into their vegetable bowl. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Can bearded dragons eat pears?

What fruit can bearded dragons not eat? 

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 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 apples?

Yes, bearded dragons can eat apples, roughly once a week. Apples are actually one of the safer fruits to feed them regularly, as they provide a lot of nutrients that are great for bearded dragons. Make sure to remove the inner seeds and the outer skin of an apple, and to cut the fruit up into smaller chunks easier for your beardie to chew. 

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. 

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 oranges?

No, bearded dragons should not eat oranges, or any citrus. The oxalic acid could seriously harm their digestive system. 

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 pears? 

• Bearded dragons can eat pears, including the skin. 
• Remove the core before feeding them. 
• Cut the bearded dragon into small slices to avoid them choking. 

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

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