Yes, bearded dragons should eat greens every day. Greens are an important part of a bearded dragon’s diet. Not only do they provide a variety of vitamins and minerals, but they also provide dietary fiber that helps keep a bearded dragon healthy and maintain their digestive system.
As a general rule, greens should make up around 30-40% of a bearded dragon’s diet. The type of greens available to you may be limited depending on where you live, but many of the most popular choices include collard, mustard, turnip and dandelion greens.
It is important to only give your bearded dragon fresh greens, as old greens may contain bacteria or toxins. It is also important to wash the greens thoroughly before feeding, even if they are organic or marketed as pre-washed, to ensure that no bacteria or other contaminants remain.
Bearded dragons should also have access to plenty of fresh vegetables like bell pepper, asparagus, and squash, as well as some fruit, and you can occasionally offer them a small piece of cooked lean meat as a treat.
However, be sure to keep these items to a minimum and never offer too much at once, as it could affect your bearded dragon’s health.
How often can bearded dragons eat greens?
Bearded dragons are omnivorous reptiles, which means they need both meat and plant-based foods to stay healthy. Greens should make up about 30-50% of their diet. Young and juvenile bearded dragons should have the higher end of the range whilst adults should have the lower end.
Greens can be fed 2-3 times a week depending on the age of the dragon. The portions should be around the size of the dragon’s head, chopped into small pieces for proper digestion.
Bearded dragons should be fed fresh produce every day and variety is key. Some dark leafy greens that can be safely fed to them are collard greens, turnip greens, mustard greens, kale, dandelion, and cilantro.
Other vegetables to give them include bell peppers, peas, carrots, and squash. The vegetables should be lightly steamed, boiled, or chopped into freshly fed salad.
Bearded dragons should not be given too much greens as this may lead to digestive issues and weight gain. Also, vitamin and mineral supplementation for the greens is important to ensure that the dragon is getting sufficient nutrients.
Varying the types of greens is essential to make sure your dragon is getting a balanced diet.
How much greens should I feed my bearded dragon daily?
The amount of greens you should feed your bearded dragon will depend on their age and size. For example, juvenile dragons up to 6 months old should be given a variety of leafy greens and vegetables every day in an amount that makes up around half of their total diet.
Juvenile dragons older than 6 months should be given a variety of leafy greens and vegetables every day in an amount that makes up around one-third of their total diet.
For adult dragons, leafy greens should make up around one-fourth of the daily diet. For optimal nutrition and health, it is important to provide your bearded dragon with a variety of vegetables, as well as dark, leafy greens such as turnip greens, collard greens, mustard greens, and kale.
It is also important to supplement their diet with insects, such as crickets, worms, and roaches, in appropriate amounts. In addition, many bearded dragons enjoy fruits, although these should be given no more than once or twice a week due to the high sugar content.
What should my bearded dragons daily diet be?
Your bearded dragon’s daily diet should include a variety of properly-prepared, vitamin- and calcium- supplemented fresh vegetables along with live insects such as crickets, mealworms, and wax worms.
The amount and type of insect should be appropriate for the age and size of your bearded dragon. Offer at least two different types of fresh vegetables each day and vary the diet over time. Dark leafy greens such as collards, mustard greens, turnip greens, and dandelion greens should make up the bulk of your bearded dragon’s veggie intake.
For calcium, dust the live insects with a calcium/vitamin D3 supplement, give cuttlebone, or feed your dragon pinky mice (1-2 times a week for adults). Adequate hydration is important, so provide a shallow dish of clean fresh water that your dragon can drink from or soak in.
Additionally, a shallow tub of lukewarm water should be provided for occasional bathing.
Is it OK to not feed your bearded dragon everyday?
No, it is not OK to not feed your bearded dragon every day or skip meals. Bearded dragons are insectivores and need a steady supply of live insects as their main source of food, along with some vegetables and occasional fruit.
Allowing them to go without food for more than a day at a time can cause health issues, such as malnutrition and decreased kidney and liver functioning. Additionally, feedings provide an opportunity for physical interaction with your bearded dragon, which can be hugely beneficial for their development and your relationship with them.
Therefore, it is important to feed your bearded dragon every day, making sure to provide them with a balanced diet and the necessary nutrition.
Can a bearded dragon eat too many vegetables?
Yes, a bearded dragon can eat too many vegetables. Just like any other animal, too much of any food can have negative consequences for a bearded dragon’s health and wellbeing. Therefore, it is important to provide their diet in moderation, as too much of any food in a bearded dragon’s diet can lead to excessive weight gain and other health issues.
Vegetables, including fruits, should make up only a small part of a bearded dragon’s diet. Generally, fruits and vegetables should make up about 30% of a bearded dragon’s diet, with the other 70% consisting of live insects, like crickets, and some calcium and vitamin supplements.
A variety of vegetables that have been properly washed should be offered, but avoid providing too much as it can lead to digestive problems and other health issues.
What live food is for bearded dragons?
Bearded dragons are omnivores, meaning they are capable of eating both plant and animal-based foods. A healthy and balanced diet for a bearded dragon should contain a variety of live foods, such as crickets, dubia roaches, mealworms, waxworms, and silkworms.
Live food should make up the majority of a dragon’s diet, and should be gut-loaded (fed nutrient-filled foods) before feeding them to your dragon. Non-live food items such as vegetables, fruits, and the occasional marine-based protein, like shrimp or squid, can be offered as well, however they should comprise a smaller portion of their diet.
Live prey offers entertainment and exercise to your dragon, helps them to process vitamins and minerals, and helps keep their teeth in check.
How do you know if you’re overfeeding your bearded dragon?
If you’re worried that you may be overfeeding your bearded dragon, there are several signs that can indicate that they’re not getting the proper amount of food. Firstly, you should monitor the size of your bearded dragon’s body to ensure it’s not growing too quickly.
Rapid weight gain can be an indicator that you’re overfeeding them and vice versa if they’re losing too much weight. Additionally, you should monitor their poops for any signs of fat – this is also an indicator of too much food as an overfed bearded dragon will have fat in their poop.
Lastly, you should monitor their behavior to make sure they’re not becoming lethargic – if they’re constantly sleeping and not interested in playing, it could be a sign that you’re overfeeding them. If you suspect this, you should speak to an experienced reptile vet for advice on how to adjust your feeding program.
Why did my beardie randomly stop eating?
There can be a number of reasons why your beardie has randomly stopped eating. First, it could be due to the lack of appropriate food sources in their enclosure. Bearded dragons require a balanced diet of fresh vegetables, fruits, and insects.
If there is not a variety of food sources available, they may become disinterested in eating. Second, it is possible that your beardie is unhealthy or undergoing a medical issue that could make eating difficult.
If they are not eating, it is essential to have them checked by a veterinarian to rule out any underlying conditions. Third, your beardie could be in brumation. During the cooler months, especially when temperatures drop low in their enclosure, beardies may begin to go into brumation where they will slow down their metabolism and only eat very little, as little as once a week, as their body gets used to the cooler temperature.
Lastly, it is possible that your beardie is stressed or scared by something in their environment. Make sure that their tank is secure, that they are not being bullied by another reptile, and that their basking area is not too hot or too cold.
If none of these answers provide an answer to why your beardie isn’t eating, it is essential to contact an exotic animal veterinarian immediately to ensure they are getting the proper care and attention they need.