Can bearded dragons eat slugs?

If you’re wondering “can bearded dragons eat slugs?” – the answer is a qualified yes. While bearded dragons can eat slugs, they need to eat it in moderation and from the right sources (ideally from a pet shop).

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

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Why should a bearded dragon eat slugs?

Slugs are great for bearded dragons for many reasons including:

It’s a great treat to break up their diet if they’re becoming bored of their usual meals of insects and plants.
Slugs have a lot of protein, which is a vital component for growing bearded dragons. It also helps promote healthy muscles and bone strength in beardies.
Bearded dragons that are usually kept inside sometimes become lethargic because they’re used to the wild. Introducing slugs into their terrariums helps stimulate their brains and keep their minds sharp.

How to feed slugs to a bearded dragon:

First, make sure to get all your slugs from a pet store. Why? Any slugs you find in your yard or outside may contain harmful parasites or have pesticides on them.

Try to only feed them smaller slugs, as bigger ones pose a choking hazard. A good rule of thumb is a slug the size of the space between your bearded dragon’s eyes.

Clean the slug before feeding. You can also cook it if you like, but avoid seasoning. If the slug is large, you can cut it into smaller pieces for your beardie.

How often should a beardie eat slugs?

Slugs should not be part of a beardie’s daily diet. Instead, give it to them as a treat at most once a week. Why? Potential risks to bearded dragons of eating slugs are outlined below.

Potential risks to eating slugs:

Risks include:

Low nutritional value: While slugs have protein, they are very low on other nutritional values for slugs.
On that note, there could be too much protein if you feed your beardie excessive amounts of slugs. If they eat too much protein, it can cause gout in bearded dragons, as well as inflame their joints. They will be in pain if they have too much protein over too long a period of time.
Water content – because slugs have so much water, they make bearded dragons feel full quickly. Make sure they’re eating insects and vegetables first, so they get the proper nutrients they need.
Possibly exposure to parasites and chemicals – unwashed slugs found outside can carry diseases or chemicals that can seriously harm your bearded dragons.
Choking – the slug’s hard shell could cause your bearded dragon to choke, or irritate their sensitive digestive tracts.

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

Can baby bearded dragons eat slugs?

Technically, yes, but it’s not recommended because baby bearded dragons need a lot of calcium while they’re growing and slugs don’t provide great nutritional value to them.

Do slugs carry disease?

Yes, slugs can carry diseases or germs that can leave you sick. This is especially true if they’ve traveled over plants and left slime that you’ve eaten. Make sure to wash and cook your vegetables thoroughly. As well, raw slugs can contain larvae that can infect you.

Can lizards eat slugs?

Yes, lizards can and do eat slugs.

What bugs are poisonous to bearded dragons?

Bearded dragons can not eat any bug that is venomous or that glows (fireflies, lightning bugs, or worms that glow in the dark).

Can I eat garden slugs?

Yes, all slugs and snails are actually edible to humans. However, to ensure they aren’t carrying harmful parasites, make sure to cook them thoroughly.

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 bug?

Each bearded dragon will have slightly different preferences, but you’ll find that Dubia Roaches are extremely popular. As well, they love crickets.

What is a bearded dragon’s worst enemy?

Natural predators of bearded dragons include: birds, snakes, crocodiles, and dingoes.

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 slugs?

Yes, bearded dragons can eat slugs but only from the pet store, and make sure they’re small enough for them to eat easily. You can cook and cut up the slug if you’d like.
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.