Introduction ✨
The proper diet is crucial for the well-being of your bearded dragon. Lizards are omnivores that require diverse food, despite the common misconception that they are simple predators.
What treats are suitable for a bearded dragon? Are apples safe for bearded dragons to eat? Well, yes, they can consume raw, ripe apples, but not the seeds. Apples, meanwhile, should only be modest supplements to a balanced diet.
In addition to explaining whether or not bearded dragons can eat apples, this article will explain how to safely prepare them and how to incorporate them into their current diet.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Apples❓🐉 🍎
As omnivores, these reptiles consume a variety of foods in the wild, including veggies, fruit, insect species, and occasionally tiny vertebrae. Also, their general health in captivity depends on their nutrition being as close to their native diet as possible. Let’s see how much apple intake is safe for bearded dragons.
Are Apples Safe for Bearded Dragons❓🐉 🍎
Yes, when given sparingly, apples can be a safe and delightful treat for your bearded dragon. Because they provide water, some fiber, and energy (as carbs), apples are said to be good for bearded dragons.
Apples are a nutritious and well-balanced portion of a bearded dragon’s diet. But remember, before offering any apple to your bearded dragon, you should make sure that it has been peeled and sliced into little pieces to avoid choking.
╰┈➤How Often Can They Eat Apples❓
Depending on its age and diet, your bearded dragon may require apples more or less frequently. Here are some recommendations:
Dragon babies (2-4 months): Baby beardies can safely eat apples two or three times a week. To make sure they don’t take the place of any dietary mainstays, continue to serve them in small, snack-sized portions.
Bearded dragons (6-12 months): Occasionally (once a month), adult bearded dragons may include apples in their diet as they are a rare treat. Greens and insects should now be the main foods they eat.
Adult Bearded Dragon (Over 12 months): Adult bearded dragons consume a diverse range of foods. Weekly servings of finely sliced apples are OK. However, leafy greens and adequately sized invertebrates must make up the majority of their diet.
Remember that adult bearded dragons should consume 70% vegetables and 30% protein. On the other hand, baby dragons need 70% proteins and 30% veggies as they are in the growth stage.
╰┈➤Nutritional Profile of Apples 🍎
Let’s have a look at the nutritional information of one medium-sized, raw, unpeeled apple (182 grams) from a reliable source:
- 95 grams of calories
- 155 g of water
- 0.48 g of protein
- 25 g of carbohydrates
- 19 g of sugar
- 4.50 g of fiber
- C:P ratio is 0.5:1
- 0.3 g of fat
Furthermore, Vitamin C and potassium are among the vitamins and minerals that apples typically contain in good amounts.
Vitamin C is a prevalent antioxidant found in fruits, also known as ascorbic acid. It is a dietary nutrient that is necessary for boosting the immunity of your pet bearded dragon.
Potassium, when taken in excess, may help heart health.
╰┈➤Pros of Feeding Apples & other Fruits 🍎
Your beardie’s diet will include fruit for two reasons.
- To begin with, fruit will be used as a treat. Definitely, your beloved pet reptile will love the treat. Therefore, it’s acceptable to offer your beardie a tiny amount of fruit once in a while, roughly once a week.
- Fruit serves as a digestive help in its second function. A dish of fruit will be very beneficial to a bearded dragon that is constipated or has moderate gastrointestinal issues.
╰┈➤How to Feed Apples to Your Bearded Dragon❓🐉 🍎
Bearded dragons have trouble chewing properly. Therefore, you should feed it in the manner shown below to make it easier for them.
Preparation Tips
- To ensure that no pesticides or chemical substances adhere to the apple, give it a good cleaning.
- Peel the apple’s skin first since leaving it on could induce a gut obstruction, which is a blockage in the beardie’s digestive system. This illness has the potential to be fatal.
- Before serving, peel the apple and cut off the stem because it could be poisonous or present a potential risk of choking.
- Don’t forget to deseed the apple.
- To make it easier for them to put food in their mouths, cut them into tiny cubes or thin slices. Feed them in small amounts to avoid diarrhea.
- As your beardie eats the tiny apple slices, watch it closely to avoid any trouble in swallowing.
- In the end, to make the water taste better, you may mix apple juice with water.
╰┈➤Risks of Feeding Too Much Apple 🐉 🍎
Remember that Bearded dragons are native to deserts. As a result, their bodies have adjusted to the local meals. Compared to the fruits that bearded dragons eat in the wild, apples nowadays are considerably sweeter and have a different nutritional profile. Having stated that the primary health issues with apples are listed below.
🟠 Sugar Content and Its Effects
In a peeled apple, natural sugar makes up almost 10% of an apple’s weight. They taste great because of this, but for a tiny reptile, that’s a lot of sugar. However, an excessive amount of sugar can cause oral issues like plaque & tooth decay, interfere with digestion, and result in obesity.
🟠 Calcium to Phosphorus Ratio Warning
The low calcium-to-phosphorus ratio is the primary problem with apples. Apples contain twice as much phosphorus as calcium, with a Ca:P ratio of 0.5:1. This is significant because phosphorus prevents bearded dragons from absorbing calcium, which is necessary for their health.
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╰┈➤Other Fruits Safe for Bearded Dragons 🐉
What Fruits Can Bearded Dragons Eat in Moderation?
Your beardie may benefit much by eating the appropriate fruit in moderation. A list of delicious and safe fruits that bearded dragons can consume is provided below.
- Apples 🍎
- Bananas 🍌
- Watermelon 🍉
- Kiwis 🥝
- Raspberries 🍓
- Peaches 🍑
- Pears 🍐
- Blackberries 🫐
- Blueberries 🔵
- Guava 🍈
- Apricots 🥭
All things considered, adding these juicy and delicious fruits to your Bearded Dragon’s diet can be quite beneficial to their health because they are rich in water, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. Additionally, fiber aids in digestion and maintains the balance of their systems, while vitamins like calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin C support healthy bones and steady growth. Fruit contains antioxidants, that fight free radicals which may otherwise harm a bearded dragon’s tissue cells, and the hydration it offers is an excellent way for them to take in needed liquids.
╰┈➤Fruits to Avoid Completely ❌
To assist you in identifying things that shouldn’t be a frequent part of your beardie’s diet, here are some brief dietary tips.
- Bearded dragons will not be able to absorb calcium when they eat plants high in oxalates because the oxalic acid will bind to the calcium in their digestive tract. In other words, bearded dragons’ ability to absorb calcium will diminish due to diets high in oxalates.
- Foods with a Ca:P ratio below 0.3:1 should be avoided and are deemed hazardous for beardies to consume because too much phosphorus binds to calcium and inhibits its absorption.
- Avoid eating foods that are deemed acidic since they can induce upset stomach and diarrhea. Fresh lemons, citrus fruits, grapefruits, and green grapes are all too acidic and should be avoided.
- Fruit should be given as a treat rather than as a regular component of their diet if it has more than 10g of sugar per 100g serving.
- Steer clear of avocados since they contain persin, which bearded dragons find harmful.
- Avoid rhubarb since it is rich in oxalate.
FAQs ❓❓❓
Can bearded dragons eat apple skin❓
NO, since leaving the apple’s skin on could cause a gut obstruction—a clog in the beardie’s digestive system. This condition can be lethal.
How often can I feed apples to my bearded dragon❓
If you offer apples to bearded dragons in controlled proportion two times weekly, they can be a healthy snack. Because bearded dragons have particular dietary needs, giving them excessive amounts of any one item might result in health problems and malnutrition.
Are green apples better than red apples for bearded dragons❓
The primary distinction between green and red apples is that the former have slightly higher levels of protein, dietary fiber, the mineral potassium, and iron. Your bearded dragon is okay to eat any color, but for both, be sure to peel off and deseed the apple.
Can baby bearded dragons eat apples❓
Sometimes, in the proper amount, baby bearded dragons can be offered apples. They shouldn’t be overfed, though, particularly if they are younger than six months. At this age, 80 percent of their diet should be protein from insects, with the remaining portion being plant protein.
What happens if my bearded dragon eats too much apple❓
Well if eaten too often, apples’ high sugar content and poor calcium-to-phosphorus ratio might cause health problems.
Can bearded dragons eat apple seeds❓
No, always remember to deseed apple before offering it to your pet dragon because there can be a risk of choking which can be fatal.
Final Words: (Can Bearded Dragons Eat Apple❓) 💡
Wrapping up all the discussion, it is stated that bearded dragons can occasionally savor an apple treat if they are being fed a diversified and balanced diet. However, all apple servings must be reasonable and according to the age of your pet reptile. Moreover, keep in mind that your bearded dragon will do well on a diet that includes a range of things, including vegetables, insects, and occasionally even an apple.
