Bearded dragons are probably one of the best species of reptiles that people can have as pets, since they are beautiful,: friendly, and interesting. They can be great friends and if well taken care of they are capable of living long healthy lives. One of the essential elements in their care process is feeding them healthy, because a palette of nutrients is important for proper functioning of their bodies.
A well-rounded diet for bearded dragons generally includes three main types of food: , insects, vegetables and fruits. Proteins for growth of the animal and development of muscles are got from insects like crickets as well as mealworms. Such vegetables as the collard greens and the mustard greens are rich in nutrients that the body needs so much. Fruits are also provided as a supplementary diet with its flavor as well as additional nutrients for the dogs.
Feeding your bearded dragon a diverse meal plan goes along way in ascertaining that your pet gets all the nutrients required for a good immune system, strong bones, proper digestion, and overall well being. But there are some foods which must be omitted all together, Here they are:”. They do not consume food belonging to groups like sugar or fats, such as bread or processed snacks during their day to day life.
Bearded Dragon Diet Overview
However, under natural conditions, bearded dragons are versatile feeders and they feed on insects, vegetables and fruits. Generalists but more accurately, these reptiles are facultative or opportunistic feeders, thus, will eat anything they can get. They especially feed on insects such as crickets, meal worms, and roaches on which they depend for protein required in the building of muscles and other body parts. There’s also the matter of their natural predatory tendencies which go a long way toward encouraging their instincts.
In vegetables, the bearded dragons loves to eat the vegetables like collard greens, mustard greens and turnip greens. Contemporary vegetables contain adequate vitamins as well as minerals that enhance their immune systems, digestive systems,and bones. Occasionally, they can be given fruits which are not that common with their diet only in form of treats. It is also important to give bearded dragons other foods sources with supplements such as fruits such as blue berries, papaya or apples as they also contain water and vitamins.
Being conscious of the fact that bearded dragons good health is essential, it is important to feed it on a balanced diet. They are made to get all the foods they require in order to meet all the necessary nutrients in their body. They get a balanced diet that will boost their immunity and helps in their bone and muscle development besides boosting their growth. It is fundamental to take your bearded dragon’s age, size, and particular requirements while feeding him.
Is Bread Bad for Bearded Dragons: All You Need to Know
It is not safe to feed bearded dragons with bread because of a number of dangers that may arise. You can feed your bearded dragon bread as it is part of the human food but it is deficient in all the nutrients that your bearded dragon requires. Bread, which mostly comes from grains, lacks the protein and other nutrients required for the proper physical development of a child.
Further, one must bear in mind that bread is among the easiest foods for bearded dragons to choke to death from and for the same reason it is also a difficult one for the beasts to digest. Some of its side effects include; digestive issues such as bloating, constipation or diarrhea because of its high carbohydrates content and possibility of having additives or preservatives. To enhance the health of your bearded dragon, do not feed him or her on human foods since most of them are very unsuitable for the natural diet of your bearded dragon which should include insects, vegetables and occasionally fruits.
Safer Alternatives to Bread
Here are some safer fruit alternatives for bearded dragons:Here are some safer fruit alternatives for bearded dragons:
Mango: Mango is packed with vitamin A and vitamin C, the fruit strengthens immune system as well as encourages healthy skin and eyes.
Pears: Make contains high fibre and water, vitamins and minerals such as vitamin K and potassium.
Grapes: Fruits such as grapes are sweet juicy packed with antioxidants a source of vitamins and should only be given in limited quantity.
Peaches: Peaches provide vitamins A and C and dietary fiber which makes it quite healthy.
Raspberries: These tiny fruits are packed with antioxidants and give out vitamin C and manganese among other nutrients.
Fruits should not be given to the children often as they should be considered as a special meal that the children need to take once in awhile. It is also important to make sure that fruits are fresh, well washed and served in correct proportions.
Fruits to Avoid
Certain fruits should be avoided or given sparingly due to high sugar content or potential toxicity:Certain fruits should be avoided or given sparingly due to high sugar content or potential toxicity:
Citrus Fruits: The oranges, lemons and grape fruits are rich in an acid known as citric and this makes their stomach sensitive to it.
Bananas: Bananas contain lot of sugars and should not be fed to their animals in large quantities as this will lead to digestion complications.
Melons: So, watermelon and cantaloupe salad are very watery with high sugar, and must be eaten sparingly.
Avocado: It contains persin, a toxin that is dangerous for bearded dragons’ health.
Cherries: That is why, both the fruit and its pits/stems can cause certain harm.
Conclusion
In conclusion, one must know that bearded dragons may take mangoes, pears, grapes, peach or even raspberry as occasional snacks. Some fruits are toxic or very rich in sugar; therefore, do not feed your puppy citrus fruits, bananas, melons, avocados, or cherries. The most important types of food include insects, especially those that have been prescribed by the vet and green leaves in equal measure. Furthermore, strawberries being taken by bearded dragons in moderation and its proportion should always be balanced for nutritional worth of Bearded dragons diet.