What Do Bearded Dragons Eat? Diet, Food, & Nutrition Guide

Wondering what bearded dragons eat to stay healthy and happy? From live insects to fresh greens, this complete food guide covers everything you need to know.

Bearded dragons are omnivores, meaning they eat a wide variety of insects, vegetables, greens, and fruits. A proper, balanced diet is essential for their health, growth, and longevity. I will break down what bearded dragons can eat, what to avoid, and how to create the best feeding schedule for both juveniles and adults.

What to Feed Bearded Dragons

Insects & Live Food

Bearded dragons love insects, especially in their juvenile stage. These should be gut-loaded (fed nutritious food) before offering them to your pet. Common live foods include:

  • Crickets
  • Mealworms
  • Superworms
  • Waxworms
  • Calciworms
  • Hornworms
  • Roaches
  • Kingworm
  • Silkworms
  • Earthworms
  • Butterworms
  • Cockroaches

Insects should make up about 70–80% of a juvenile’s diet and 20% of an adult’s. Always ensure the insect is no larger than the space between the dragon’s eyes. Remove uneaten bugs promptly, as they can bite and harm the lizard.

Insects to Avoid

  • Wild-caught bugs (pesticide risk)
  • Fireflies, elderbugs, venomous insects
  • Dead insects
  • Bait shop bugs

Gut-Load Reminder: Feed insects nutrient-rich food 12 hours before offering them to your dragon.

Vegetables & Greens

Vegetation forms the bulk of an adult bearded dragon’s diet. Safe and nutritious vegetables include:

  • Kale
  • Collard greens
  • Mustard greens
  • Turnip greens
  • Dandelion greens
  • Endive
  • Escarole
  • Carrots
  • Bell peppers
  • Squash (butternut, acorn, spaghetti)
  • Bok choy
  • Parsley
  • Cilantro
  • Celery
  • Zucchini
  • Cabbage
  • Radicchio
  • Okra
  • Artichoke heart
  • Pumpkin
  • Yams
  • Chicory

    Offer a variety of chopped, raw vegetables daily. Avoid spinach, as it interferes with calcium absorption.

    Vegetables to Avoid

    • Iceberg lettuce, celery, light greens (low nutrient, high water)
    • Spinach, beet greens (bind calcium)
    • Avocado, mushrooms, rhubarb (toxic)

    Pro Tip: Introduce veggies early—even baby dragons will grow to like them!

    Fruits

    Fruits should be given in moderation due to their sugar content. Safe fruits include:

    • Apples
    • Bananas
    • Mango
    • Papaya
    • Grapes
    • Watermelon
    • Blueberries
    • Strawberries
    • Peaches
    • Cantaloupe
    • Cherries
    • Figs
    • Guava
    • Nectarine
    • Apricots
    • Cranberries
    • Grapefruit
    • Pineapple
    • Pears
    • Plums
    • Raisins

    Fruits should be cut into bite-sized pieces and removed after 10 hours to prevent spoilage

    Fruits to Avoid

    • Citrus fruits (too acidic), raisins, dates (sugar overload)

    Flowers

    Dragons enjoy edible flowers occasionally:

    Safe Flowers: Dandelions, hibiscus, geraniums, carnations, roses, nasturtiums. Make sure they’re pesticide-free!

    Hydration

    Bearded dragons absorb water from food and humidity.

    • Always provide fresh, clean water in a shallow bowl
    • Mist vegetables and fruits before feeding
    • Spray your dragon 1–2x/day or offer warm water baths

    Feeding Ratios by Age

    AgeInsects (%)Plants (%)Feeding Frequency
    Baby (0-4 mo)80%20%3x/day, up to 60 insects/day
    Juvenile (5-12 mo)50–70%30–50%2x/day
    Adult (12+ mo)20%80%1x/day or every other day

    Pro Tip: Feed insects no larger than the space between your dragon’s eyes!

    During insect feeding, allow the dragon to eat for up to 10 minutes. Remove any leftovers after feeding time. For fruits and vegetables, leave them in the enclosure for no more than 30 minutes.

    Vitamin Supplements

    Bearded dragons require three types of supplements:

    • Calcium with Vitamin D3 – every other day
    • Calcium without Vitamin D3 – alternate days
    • Multivitamin Powder – once a week

    Dust insects by placing them in a container with the supplement powder and shaking gently.

    Additional Feeding Tips

    • Gut-load all insects with greens or a cricket drink before feeding.
    • Avoid feeding wild insects due to the risk of parasites.
    • Offer water in a shallow dish; use bottled water if your tap water is high in sodium.
    • Avoid loose substrates in feeding areas to prevent ingestion.
    • Keep food varied to maximize nutrient intake.
    • Bearded dragons are not picky eaters—they can crush hard insects and also enjoy fruits, veggies, and even dehydrated food options like Zilla Munchies or pellets.

    Health & Habitat Hygiene

    • Healthy signs: Bright eyes, thick tail base, vibrant color after basking.
    • Calcium deficiency signs: Twitching, swollen limbs, fragile bones, deformities.
    • Clean the vivarium daily, remove leftover food, and do a full substrate change 1–2 times a month.
    • Take your dragon outside on warm, sunny days for natural UV, but always provide shade and supervision.

    Final Notes

    • Monitor weight and appetite
    • Wash your hands after handling or feeding (they can carry salmonella)
    • Consult a reptile-savvy vet regularly

    FAQ’s

    Yes, bearded dragons can eat grapes in moderation. Serve them occasionally as a treat, cut into small pieces, and without seeds to avoid choking or digestion issues.

    Bearded dragons can eat bananas, but only rarely. Bananas are high in sugar and phosphorus, which can affect calcium levels if fed too often.

    No, spinach is not recommended. It binds calcium and may lead to metabolic bone disease. Instead, offer safe greens like collard or mustard greens.

    Yes, strawberries are safe for bearded dragons as an occasional fruit treat. Feed in small, bite-sized pieces to avoid sugar overload.

    Bearded dragons can eat tomatoes, but only in small amounts. Too much acidity can upset their stomach, so treat them as an occasional snack.

    Yes, bearded dragons can eat apples in moderation. Peel the skin, remove seeds, and cut into small chunks before serving.

    Yes, carrots are safe and nutritious. Offer them raw or cooked, shredded into small pieces, but don’t overfeed since they are high in vitamin A.

    Yes, cucumbers are safe but should be fed sparingly. They are mostly water and provide little nutrition, so mix them with other veggies.

    Bearded dragons can eat watermelon, but only occasionally. It’s hydrating but very high in sugar and should not replace staple foods.

    Yes, blueberries are safe for bearded dragons in small amounts. They are antioxidant-rich but should be offered as a treat, not daily.

    Bearded dragons can eat broccoli, but rarely. It contains goitrogens that may affect thyroid function if fed too often.

    Celery is safe in moderation, but it’s mostly water with limited nutrients. Chop finely and mix with more nutritious greens.

    Bearded dragons can eat collard greens, mustard greens, dandelion greens, turnip greens, and squash daily. These are nutrient-rich and calcium-friendly.

    Yes, bearded dragons can eat cabbage in small amounts. However, too much can cause bloating and interfere with calcium absorption, so feed sparingly.

    Similar Posts