Bearded Dragon Feeding Guide: Insects, Greens & Supplements

Feeding your bearded dragon properly is one of the most important aspects of reptile care. These fascinating omnivores require a carefully balanced diet that changes as they grow from hatchlings to adults. Understanding what to feed your bearded dragon, when to feed them, and how to supplement their diet will ensure your scaly companion lives a long, healthy life.

What Do Bearded Dragons Eat in the Wild vs. Captivity?

In their natural Australian habitat, bearded dragons are opportunistic omnivores that adapt their diet based on availability and seasonal changes. Wild bearded dragons consume a diverse array of insects, small vertebrates, flowers, fruits, and vegetation. Young dragons in the wild eat primarily insects for rapid growth, while adults shift to a more plant-based diet.

Since they are omnivores, they eat both plants and animals and can dine on a wide range of food, from live mealworms, kingworms and crickets to greens such as parsley and kale and vegetables like pepper and sweet potato.

In captivity, we must replicate this natural diet as closely as possible. The key difference is that captive bearded dragons rely entirely on us to provide the proper balance of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals they would naturally obtain from their varied wild diet.

Wild Diet Components:

• Insects (beetles, ants, termites, flies)
• Small vertebrates (mice, birds, smaller lizards)
• Native plants and flowers
• Fruits and berries
• Leaves and shoots

Captive Diet Components:

• Commercially available feeder insects
• Store-bought vegetables and greens
• Occasional fruits as treats
• Vitamin and mineral supplements

The transition from wild to captive diet requires careful planning to ensure all nutritional needs are met. This is why understanding proper feeding protocols is crucial for every bearded dragon owner.

How Does a Bearded Dragon's Diet Change with Age?

One of the most critical aspects of bearded dragon nutrition is understanding how dietary needs change throughout their life cycle. The protein-to-vegetation ratio shifts dramatically as your dragon matures.

Hatchlings (0-3 months)

Hatchlings (0-6 months old) — Insects 2x/day, vegetables daily

Baby bearded dragons require a diet that's approximately 80% insects and 20% vegetables. Their rapid growth rate demands high protein intake for proper development.

Daily Feeding Schedule:

• Morning: 15-20 appropriately sized crickets or dubia roaches
• Evening: 10-15 insects plus a small salad
• Feeding sessions should last 10-15 minutes
• Offer vegetables daily, even if they're not eaten

Juveniles (3-12 months)

Juveniles (6-12 months old) — Insects 1x/day, vegetables daily

Juvenile dragons transition to a 60% insect, 40% vegetable diet. This gradual shift encourages them to start eating more plant matter.

Daily Feeding Schedule:

• One main insect feeding (15-25 insects)
• Fresh vegetables offered daily
• Supplements dusted on food regularly
• Water available at all times

Adults (12+ months)

Adults (>12 months old) — Insects 2-3x/week, vegetables daily

Adult bearded dragons should eat a diet that's 80% vegetables and 20% insects. Adult bearded dragons do not need to eat insects everyday, this increases appetite and helps ensure they are getting enough greens.

Weekly Feeding Schedule:

• Insects: 2-3 times per week (8-12 insects per feeding)
• Vegetables: Fresh salad daily
• Supplements: Calcium 2-3 times per week, multivitamin twice monthly

Understanding these age-related dietary changes is essential for preventing obesity in adult dragons while ensuring proper nutrition throughout their life.

What Are the Best Insects for Bearded Dragons?

Selecting the right feeder insects is crucial for your bearded dragon's health. Not all insects are created equal, and variety is key to providing balanced nutrition.

Primary Feeder Insects

Dubia Roaches Dubia roaches are considered the gold standard of feeder insects for bearded dragons. Unlike Dubia Roaches which can carry parasites but they are generally cleaner than crickets, they offer excellent nutritional value with high protein content and appropriate calcium-to-phosphorus ratios.

Benefits of Dubia Roaches:

• High protein content (20-25%)
• Good calcium-to-phosphorus ratio
• Low chitin content (easier to digest)
• Less likely to carry parasites
• Quiet and don't smell
• Cannot infest your home if they escape

Crickets Crickets are widely available and affordable, making them a popular choice. However, they require more careful management due to their tendency to carry parasites and their noise level.

Cricket Considerations:

• Readily available and affordable
• Good protein source
• Young bearded dragons should be fed pinhead crickets, which are freshly hatched crickets, because they are small and have softer exoskeletons
• Higher parasite risk than dubia roaches
• Can be noisy
• May bite your dragon if left in the enclosure

Mealworms and Superworms These worms should be offered in moderation due to their high fat content and hard chitin shells.

Your dragon can have ten of these per day with no problem when fed alongside another less fatty staple such as Dubia Roaches. Superworms are sometimes mistaken for giant mealworms but are, in fact, different, as well as being nutritionally better than mealworms.

Occasional Treat Insects

Hornworms Excellent source of hydration and low in fat. Great for dragons recovering from illness or needing extra hydration.

Silkworms High in protein and calcium, considered a premium feeder insect. More expensive but highly nutritious.

Waxworms High in fat and should only be offered as occasional treats. Useful for underweight dragons or as training rewards.

Insects to Avoid

Never feed wild-caught insects, as they may contain parasites or have been exposed to pesticides. Avoid fireflies, which are toxic to bearded dragons.

Which Vegetables and Greens Are Safe for Bearded Dragons?

Vegetables and greens should make up the majority of an adult bearded dragon's diet. However, not all plants are safe, and some should be offered more frequently than others.

Daily Staple Vegetables

Collard Greens Rich in calcium and vitamin A, collard greens are an excellent daily staple. They have a good calcium-to-phosphorus ratio and are readily accepted by most dragons.

Mustard Greens Another excellent daily green with high calcium content and good nutritional value.

Turnip Greens High in calcium and vitamin A, turnip greens are a nutritious daily option.

Dandelion Greens Wild dandelion greens (from pesticide-free areas) are highly nutritious and most dragons love them.

Weekly Vegetables

Squash (Butternut, Acorn, Yellow) High in vitamin A and fiber, various squashes provide excellent nutrition and most dragons enjoy them.

Bell Peppers Rich in vitamin C and available in multiple colors for variety.

Sweet Potato High in beta-carotene and fiber, sweet potatoes should be offered cooked and in moderation.

Monthly or Occasional Vegetables

Kale While nutritious, kale contains oxalates that can interfere with calcium absorption. Offer sparingly.

Spinach High in oxalates and should be offered very rarely, if at all.

Broccoli Contains goitrogens that can interfere with thyroid function. Offer occasionally and in small amounts.

Vegetables to Avoid

Iceberg Lettuce Low in nutritional value and high in water content.

Celery High in oxalates and low in nutritional value.

Rhubarb Toxic to bearded dragons and should never be offered.

What Supplements Do Bearded Dragons Need?

Supplementation is crucial for captive bearded dragons because their diet cannot perfectly replicate the variety and nutritional content they would receive in the wild.

Calcium Supplements

Generally, veterinarians recommend that you lightly sprinkle a "phosphorus-free" calcium powder (calcium gluconate, lactate, or carbonate) on their food, daily. Additionally, you can lightly sprinkle food with a calcium powder containing vitamin D3, two to three times per week.

Calcium Without D3 Used for daily supplementation, especially important for growing dragons and females who may lay eggs.

Calcium With D3 Dust food with a calcium/Vitamin D3 powder: 4-5x a week (juveniles); 2-3x a week (adults)

Multivitamin Supplements

Dust food with a multivitamin 1x a week (juveniles); 2x a month (adults), or as directed by your veterinarian

Multivitamins provide essential vitamins and minerals that may be lacking in captive diets, including:

• Vitamin A for eye health and immune function
• B vitamins for metabolism
• Vitamin E for antioxidant protection
• Trace minerals like zinc and selenium

Supplement Schedule by Age

Hatchlings and Juveniles:

• Calcium without D3: Daily
• Calcium with D3: 4-5 times per week
• Multivitamin: Once weekly

Adults:

• Calcium without D3: Daily or every other day
• Calcium with D3: 2-3 times per week
• Multivitamin: Twice monthly

Understanding the importance of calcium and vitamin D3 for reptiles is crucial for preventing metabolic bone disease and ensuring proper development.

How Often Should You Feed Your Bearded Dragon?

Feeding frequency depends on your dragon's age, size, and health status. Overfeeding is a common problem that can lead to obesity and health issues.

Age-Based Feeding Schedule

Babies (0-3 months):

• 2-3 times daily
• A baby 4 months and under should eat between 30 and 60 crickets a day over the course of 3 10 minute feedings
• Offer vegetables daily even if not eaten

Juveniles (3-12 months):

• Once daily for insects
• A baby between the ages of 4 months and a year should eat between 20 and 40 crickets over the course of 2 feedings
• Fresh vegetables daily

Adults (12+ months):

• Insects 2-3 times per week
• Once they've reached a year, go down to one feeding a day of 10 insects
• Fresh vegetables daily

Portion Control

The size of insects offered should be no larger than the space between your dragon's eyes. This prevents choking and ensures proper digestion.

An adult bearded dragon may only eat 8 to 10 Dubia roaches or feeders per serving. At most, adult bearded dragons eat insects once a day.

Why Is Gut Loading and Dusting Insects Important?

Gut loading and dusting are essential practices that significantly improve the nutritional value of feeder insects. These techniques ensure your dragon receives maximum nutrition from their insect prey.

Gut Loading Process

Gut loading involves feeding nutritious foods to your feeder insects 24-48 hours before offering them to your dragon. This process essentially turns the insects into vitamin and mineral delivery systems.

Best Gut Loading Foods:

• Commercial gut loading diets
• Sweet potato
• Carrots
• Collard greens
• Squash
• High-quality grains

Gut Loading Timeline:

• Purchase insects 2-3 days before feeding
• Provide gut loading diet for 24-48 hours
• Keep insects well-hydrated with water crystals or fresh vegetables
• Remove uneaten gut loading food to prevent spoilage

Dusting Technique

Dusting involves coating insects with vitamin and mineral powders immediately before feeding.

Proper Dusting Method:

1. Place insects in a plastic bag or container
2. Add appropriate supplement powder
3. Shake gently to coat insects evenly
4. Offer immediately to your dragon
5. Don't store pre-dusted insects

Understanding gut loading and dusting feeder insects is essential for optimal bearded dragon nutrition and preventing deficiency-related health issues.

What Foods Are Toxic to Bearded Dragons?

Knowing which foods to avoid is just as important as knowing what to feed your bearded dragon. Some foods can cause serious health problems or even be fatal.

Toxic Foods to Never Feed

Avocado Contains persin, which is toxic to most reptiles and can cause heart problems and death.

Chocolate and Caffeine Extremely toxic to reptiles and can cause seizures, heart problems, and death.

Fireflies and Lightning Bugs Contain lucibufagin, which is highly toxic to bearded dragons and can cause death within hours.

Rhubarb Contains oxalic acid in dangerous concentrations.

Wild Mushrooms Can be toxic and should never be offered.

Foods to Avoid or Limit

High Oxalate Foods:

• Spinach
• Beet greens
• Parsley (in large amounts)
• Chives

High Goitrogen Foods:

• Kale (limit to occasional)
• Cabbage
• Broccoli (occasional only)

High Phosphorus Foods:

• Meat
• Dairy products
• Most nuts

Learning about safe and toxic plants for reptile enclosures helps ensure your dragon's environment remains safe and healthy.

How Do You Encourage Picky Eaters to Eat Vegetables?

Many bearded dragon owners struggle with dragons that refuse to eat vegetables. This is particularly common with young dragons who naturally prefer insects.

Strategies for Encouraging Vegetable Consumption

Mix Favorite Foods A popular solution is to mix in favorite fruits or insects with the greens so your dragon accidentally eats the leaves along with the stuff he likes. Berries can be especially helpful with this.

Presentation Matters

• Chop vegetables into small, manageable pieces
• Offer different textures (grated, chopped, shredded)
• Use colorful vegetables to attract attention
• Try hand-feeding to encourage initial interest

Patience and Persistence Another method is to experiment with different kinds of greens until you find ones your dragon prefers.

Reduce Insect Frequency For adult dragons, reducing insect feeding frequency can increase motivation to eat vegetables.

Environmental Factors

• Ensure proper lighting and temperature
• Offer vegetables when your dragon is most active
• Remove uneaten vegetables after a few hours to prevent spoilage

What Are the Signs of Nutritional Deficiencies?

Recognizing nutritional deficiencies early is crucial for maintaining your bearded dragon's health. Poor diet can lead to serious health problems that may require veterinary intervention.

Common Deficiency Signs

Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) Caused by calcium/vitamin D3 deficiency or improper calcium-to-phosphorus ratios.

Symptoms:

• Soft, deformed bones
• Swollen limbs
• Lethargy
• Difficulty moving
• Twitching or seizures

Vitamin A Deficiency Common in dragons fed poor diets lacking in orange vegetables.

Symptoms:

• Swollen eyes
• Respiratory infections
• Poor appetite
• Skin problems

Dehydration Can result from poor diet and inadequate water provision.

Symptoms:

• Sunken eyes
• Wrinkled skin
• Lethargy
• Decreased appetite

Understanding how to recognize common signs of illness in reptiles helps ensure prompt treatment and prevents minor issues from becoming serious health problems.

How Do You Provide Proper Hydration?

Hydration is often overlooked but is crucial for proper digestion, shedding, and overall health. Bearded dragons obtain water from multiple sources.

Water Sources

Water Bowls Water - Cleaned daily and provided at all times

Provide a shallow water bowl that's cleaned and refilled daily. Some dragons prefer to drink from moving water sources.

Food Moisture Fresh vegetables provide significant hydration. Hornworms and other moisture-rich insects also contribute to hydration.

Misting Light misting can provide drinking opportunities for dragons who prefer to drink water droplets.

Baths Weekly baths in lukewarm water can help with hydration and shedding.

For more detailed information about providing clean water for reptiles, including proper misting techniques and water quality considerations.

What Should You Do If Your Dragon Stops Eating?

Loss of appetite can indicate various health issues and should be addressed promptly. Understanding potential causes helps determine when veterinary intervention is necessary.

Common Causes of Appetite Loss

Environmental Issues

• Incorrect temperatures
• Inadequate lighting
• Stress from handling or environmental changes
• Improper humidity levels

Health Problems

• Parasites
• Digestive issues
• Respiratory infections
• Metabolic bone disease

Behavioral Factors

• Brumation (natural hibernation-like state)
• Breeding behaviors
• Stress from cage mates or environmental changes

When to Seek Veterinary Care

Contact a reptile veterinarian if your dragon:

• Refuses food for more than a week
• Shows signs of illness
• Loses significant weight
• Displays unusual behavior

Learning about managing metabolic bone disease in reptiles and other common health issues helps you provide better care for your dragon.

How Do You Create a Feeding Schedule?

Establishing a consistent feeding schedule helps maintain your dragon's health and makes it easier to monitor their eating habits.

Sample Feeding Schedules

Adult Dragon Weekly Schedule:

• Monday: Fresh salad, calcium dusting
• Tuesday: Fresh salad only
• Wednesday: Fresh salad + insects, multivitamin dusting
• Thursday: Fresh salad only
• Friday: Fresh salad + insects, calcium with D3
• Saturday: Fresh salad only
• Sunday: Fresh salad + insects, calcium dusting

Juvenile Dragon Daily Schedule:

• Morning: Fresh salad with calcium dusting
• Evening: Insects with alternating supplements

Feeding Time Considerations

Best Feeding Times:

• Morning: 1-2 hours after lights come on
• Evening: 2-3 hours before lights go out
• Avoid feeding close to bedtime to prevent digestive issues

Seasonal Adjustments:

• Increase feeding frequency during growth periods
• Reduce feeding during brumation
• Adjust based on activity levels and appetite

Conclusion: Building a Healthy Feeding Routine

Proper nutrition is the foundation of bearded dragon health. By understanding the changing dietary needs throughout your dragon's life, providing appropriate insects and vegetables, and maintaining proper supplementation, you can ensure your scaly companion lives a long, healthy life.

Remember these key points:

• Diet composition changes dramatically with age
• Variety is crucial for balanced nutrition
• Quality supplements prevent deficiency diseases
• Gut loading and dusting maximize insect nutrition
• Hydration is just as important as food
• Consistency in feeding schedules promotes health

The journey of learning proper bearded dragon nutrition continues throughout your pet's life. Stay informed about the latest research, monitor your dragon's health regularly, and don't hesitate to consult with a reptile veterinarian when questions arise.

Your dedication to providing proper nutrition will be rewarded with a healthy, active, and long-lived bearded dragon companion. The investment in quality food, supplements, and feeding practices pays dividends in your dragon's overall health and happiness.

Additional Resources

For comprehensive reptile care information, explore these related guides:

• Feeding Leopard Geckos: Mealworms, Crickets & Supplementation
• Healthy Diets for Aquatic & Terrestrial Turtles
• Small Snake Feeding Guide: Appropriate Prey & Schedule

What has been your biggest challenge in feeding your bearded dragon? Have you found any particular techniques that work especially well for encouraging vegetable consumption or managing picky eaters? Share your experiences and questions in the comments below – your insights could help other bearded dragon owners provide better care for their pets!

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Disclaimer: This guide provides general information about bearded dragon nutrition. Always consult with a qualified reptile veterinarian for specific health concerns or dietary questions. Individual dragons may have unique dietary needs based on their health status, age, and environmental conditions.