Can bearded dragons eat raisins?

If you’re wondering “can bearded dragons eat raisins?” – the answer is more complex than a simple yes. While bearded dragons can eat raisins, they need to eat it in moderation. 

Read on to learn about raisins nutritional value for bearded dragons and how to feed them a proper diet to keep them healthy and happy. 

Can bearded dragons eat raisins?

Raisin Nutritional Value

Raisins do have some nutritional value for bearded dragons like: 

• Protein 
• Calcium (very important for bearded dragons) 
• Fiber 
• Water 

The fiber in particular can help your bearded dragon with a bowel movement if they’re backed up. 

Why should a beardie eat raisins in moderation? 

Raisins should not be a regular part of their diets because: 

• High sugar content – raisins have a LOT of sugar, which can be very bad for bearded dragons, who are already prone to obesity. 
• Calcium to phosphorus ratio – beardies need calcium to grow and be healthy. However, phosphorus prevents proper calcium absorption. The recommended ratio is two parts calcium to one part phosphorus. In raisins, there is far more phosphorus than calcium. Read more below on how to get your bearded dragon the right amount of calcium. 

How often should I feed my bearded dragon raisins?

Feed your beardie one raisin a month at the most. There are much better tasty snacks out there for them that won’t spike their sugar content and contain so much phosphorus. Consider watermelons or peaches instead. 

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 

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

What fruit is toxic to bearded dragons? 

High acid fruit like citrus should never be fed to your bearded dragons. 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. 

What fruits do bearded dragons love most? 

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

What calms bearded dragons? 

Baths calm bearded dragons down, followed by a nice cuddle in a warm soft towel. Keep the room quiet to keep them calm as well.  

Why are carrots bad for bearded dragons?

Two reasons – carrots don’t contain a lot of calcium, which they need, and they contain too much vitamin A, which can poison them in large enough quantities. 

Can bearded dragons eat eggs?

Yes! Bearded dragons can eat eggs, both scrambled and hard boiled. Make sure you aren’t adding in other ingredients that could harm them.

How do you mentally stimulate a bearded dragon?

You can get a laser pointer and aim it around them – they may chase it or make a game of tag with it. 

Will bearded dragons cuddle with you?

Surprisingly, yes! Bearded dragons can and do cuddle with their owners. They may lay calmly with you as you read or watch TV. If you treat your bearded dragon right, they’ll feel the love and cuddle with you. 

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. 

Recap: Can bearded dragons eat raisins? 

• Yes, although in moderation. One raisin per month is a good rule of thumb. 
• Raisins have far too much sugar and phosphorus to be considered healthy for bearded dragons to eat regularly. 
• 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. 

Related articles: 

• Can bearded dragons eat slugs?
• Can bearded dragons eat dog food?
• Can bearded dragons eat rice?
• Can bearded dragons eat frogs?
• Can bearded dragons eat applesauce?