Can Bearded Dragons Eat Dragon Fruit ? 4 Benefits | Full Guide
Bearded dragons are pets who are natives of the deserts of Australia. Now, these adorable dragons are the hearts of people, being their pets! They are habituated to surviving in a very exotic climate, and these adorable pets require much attention and care from their owners.
To keep the bearded dragons happy and healthy, pet owners should provide them with a great environment to live in, along with a healthy diet for them. These reptiles are natural omnivores; their diet includes fruits, insects, flowers, vegetables, and much more. To keep them healthy and away from health issues, one needs to ensure their diet is always safe and healthy. The most common question among pet owners for their diet is, can bearded dragons eat dragon fruit? Dragon fruit is a good choice for bearded dragons.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Dragon Fruit?
Yes! Bearded dragons can eat dragon fruits. However, they are only able to eat these fruits in minimal amounts. Dragon fruits have several benefits, and when pet owners serve this fruit to their bearded dragons in a limited portion, only then can they gain all those benefits. Along with dragon fruit, apples, papaya, and grapes are also beneficial for bearded dragons as they are rich in nutritional value.
When beardies are fed with a lot of dragon fruits, they cause many health issues. They can also be fatal to beardies.
While serving them dragon fruits, pet owners should follow certain things that will assist them in the safe feeding of their adorable beardies.
Before feeding them with this fruit, they should also remove the outer peeling of the dragon fruits. Bearded dragons cannot eat the outer peelings of this fruit. However, pet owners can serve them dragon fruits along with the seeds! They can eat the seeds of dragon fruits, which is safe for them.
How Often Can Bearded Dragons Eat Dragon fruit?
When it comes to bearded dragons, they should only be provided with dragon fruit once or twice a whole month. Dragon fruits are rich in many nutrients and contain numerous vitamins and minerals, and the abundant vitamin in dragon fruit is vitamin c.
Any extra amount of dragon fruit fed to the bearded dragons is unsafe. There is the presence of calcium in the dragon fruits, and by consuming it, bearded dragons can become fatal due to metabolic bone disease. Dragon fruits also have a certain amount of acid in them. If the quantity of dragon fruit is increased in the bodies of bearded dragons, then they may suffer fatal conditions.
Pet owners can feed the bearded dragons with ice cube-sized dragon fruits if the bearded dragons are adults.
When bearded dragons are babies, pet owners can feed them by measuring the dragon fruit with the length of their thumb. Until the time pet owners are serving their bearded dragons only one or two times a month, there is no question of risks.
4 Benefits of Dragon Fruit for Bearded Dragons
1: Calcium for the Bones
Dragon fruits are one good source of calcium, which is essential for the bones to become strong. Bearded dragons also need calcium for muscle contraction, adequate egg development, and better reproductive health in female dragons.
Appropriate calcium levels also prevent Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) in the pet dragon.
2: Minerals for Body Functions
Dragon fruits also contain a lot of minerals. And bearded dragons require minerals for their body parts to function and to keep them healthy. Minerals work to strengthen their immune system, thus making them strong to fight against diseases.
3: Fiber Improves the Digestion
There is a good amount of fiber in the dragon fruits as well as in apples. There is a good amount of fiber in the dragon fruits. Fibers assist in a living organism’s smooth and healthy digestion. The same happens with bearded dragons. When they consume dragon fruit, their digestion improves, and if they suffer from constipation, they are free from that too.
4: Antioxidants Prevent Illness
Dragon fruits are known to be a rich source of antioxidants. Antioxidants are known not to allow free radicals to harm the body cells. When the quantity of free radicals elevates in the bodies, they slowly hurt the cells of the bodies. As a result of this, bearded dragons can fall sick.
3 Risks of Feeding Dragon Fruit to Bearded Dragons
1: Acidic Nature Can Be Harmful
Dragon fruits contain acids in it. When bearded dragons consume a lot of dragon fruits, they face many health issues. Dragon fruit is enriched with fatty acids; overeating can upset the stomach lining and lead to heartburn and indigestion.
2: Phosphorus Content Causes Harm
When the contents of phosphorus rise in the body of bearded dragons, it does not allow the calcium content to get into the absorption processes inside the bodies of bearded dragons.
3: Sugar Content Cause Digestion Issues
Sugar in dragon fruit contains glucose and fructose. Glucose does not harm the bearded dragon, but fructose can lead to digestive issues like diarrhea and constipation.
How to Prepare Dragon Fruit for Your Bearded Dragons?
Prefer Fresh Dragon Fruit
Pet owners should always purchase fresh dragon fruits for their lovely pet, the bearded dragon. And also, they should always go for the organic options. No one wants to feed their pets anything that risks their health conditions.
Cleaning the Dragon Fruits Prevents Infection
Pet owners should look at the next point while feeding their pet bearded dragons is to wash the dragon fruits precisely. It may have some elements which may act harmful and infectious to the pets.
Removal of the Outer Peels
It is one of the most crucial points to look for while serving bearded dragons dragon fruits. The dragon fruit’s outer skins are not considered healthy for bearded dragons.
Include Other Veggies or Fruits Too
Along with the pieces of dragon fruits, pet owners should also try to serve other varieties of fruits and vegetables that are healthy for them. Mixing everything will also act as a healthy salad for bearded dragons. They can cut and serve other healthy fruits such as bananas, papaya, watermelon, etc.
Conclusion
So, can bearded dragons eat dragon fruit? Pet owners can serve their adorable let bearded dragons with dragon fruits. However, certain measures will help them to feed their pet beardies safely. It will assist them in getting all the essential nutrients from the dragon fruits safely and efficiently. Pet owners should take care of the quantity of dragon fruits served to bearded dragons. They also should check that they are serving them without the outer skins of dragon fruits.
Other Preferred Foods for Bearded Dragon Diet
- Turnip Greens
- Zucchini
- Sweet Potatoes
- Squash
- Radishes
- Pumpkin
- Pears
- Plums
- Peas
- Peaches
- Papaya
- Mint
- Kiwi
- Silkworms
- Basil
- Bok Choy
- Alfalfa Sprouts
- Applesauce
- Arugula
- Slugs
- Asparagus
- Darkling Beetles
- Hornworms
- Crickets
- Calci Worms
- Nightcrawler
- Wax Worms
- Rolly Pollies
- Mealworm Beetles
- Roaches
- Mealworms
- Ants
- Superworms
- Grasshoppers
- Dandelions
- Flowers
- Beetles
- Spiders
- Cherries
- Potatoes
- Eggs
- Parsley
- Green Beans
- Celery
- Blueberries
- Earthworms
- Cantaloupe
- Broccoli
- Kale
- Cucumbers
- Strawberries
- Cilantro
- Cabbage
- Tomatoes
- Raspberries
- Pineapple
- BlackBerries
- Mango
- Carrots
- Apples
- Spinach
- Watermelon
- Grapes
- Bananas
FAQs
Can baby bearded dragons eat dragon fruit?
Yes! Bearded dragons can eat dragon fruit, and pet owners can feed them dragon fruits.
Can beardies eat the skin of dragon fruits?
No! Bearded dragons can not eat the skin of dragon fruits, and pet owners can feed the dragon fruits with the skin if the dragon fruits are organic.
Can bearded dragons eat dragon fruit seeds?
Yes! Bearded dragons can eat the dragon fruit’s seeds, and pet owners can feed them the dragon fruits along with the seeds.