No, bearded dragons should not eat tomatoes every day. While they may enjoy the taste of tomatoes, they should only be fed as an occasional treat. Tomatoes, and other fruits, are not an ideal food choice for bearded dragons as they are high in sugar.
In small amounts they can be part of a balanced diet, but large amounts can lead to health problems, as well as causing digestive issues. It is important to ensure that all vegetables and fruits fed to a bearded dragon are washed properly and cut into small pieces appropriate for their size.
When giving treats, it is important to remember that their diet should still be mainly composed of insects. Additionally, flavonoids found in tomatoes and other plants can interfere with the absorption of calcium which can lead to Metabolic Bone Disease in bearded dragons so it is best to keep fruit and vegetable consumption limited to 10-20% of their total diet.
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What veggies should Beardies eat daily?
Beardies should eat a variety of fresh, green vegetables daily to ensure they get the nutrition they need. A few key vegetables to include in their diet are kale, spinach, collard greens, Brussels sprouts, squash, and carrots.
These vegetables are high in essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamins A, C, K and E, as well as calcium, potassium, and iron. It’s important to ensure your Beardie is getting a balanced diet by including a variety of different vegetables each day.
As an added bonus, some vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, and squash are great sources of dietary fiber, which can help support overall digestive health. You can offer them raw or cooked veggies, just be sure to chop them or steam them so they’re soft enough for them to eat.
You can also offer them occasional treats like cooked sweet potatoes, zucchini, and squash.
Can Beardies have veggies daily?
Yes, Beardies can have veggies daily. It is a good idea to rotate different vegetables, as it helps provide a diverse diet. A good ratio of fresh veggies to feed your Beardie would be 60%-75% vegetables, 10%-15% fruit, and 15% feeder insects.
When choosing vegetables to feed your Beardie, opt for leafy greens such as dandelion greens, endive, mustard greens, and collards. Other vegetables that can be fed include bell peppers, squash, green beans, sweet potatoes, carrots, and kale.
Be sure to chop vegetables into small pieces so they can be easily eaten and properly digested. All vegetables should be provided in a cut form and not in an uncut form, as the uncut vegetables can present a choking hazard for smaller lizards.
What vegetables can bearded dragons not eat?
Bearded dragons are omnivores, meaning they eat both meats and plants. However, there are some specific vegetables they should not consume. These include: onions, garlic, avocados, beetroot, rhubarb, potato, asparagus, celery, and spinach.
All of these vegetables contain substances that can be toxic to a bearded dragon if consumed in large quantities, and can cause digestive upset. Additionally, lettuce should be consumed sparingly, as it is low in nutritional value.
Feeding a variety of vegetables is important for a balanced diet, so by avoiding these vegetables, the bulk of their diet should consist of other vegetables, like bell peppers, zucchini, carrots, and broccoli.
Occasional treats like peas, corn, dandelion greens and mazuri greens can also be given, but should not be part of the daily diet.
What can I feed my bearded dragon everyday?
That’s a great question and the answer will depend on the age of your bearded dragon. The diet for a baby dragon (3-12 months) should consist mostly of insects. You can provide them with crickets, roaches, or mealworms.
Adult dragons (12+ months) should be fed a mix of both insects and vegetables. Offer your dragon a variety of greens such as collard greens, mustard greens, and turnip greens when possible. You can include some fruits like peppers, apples, mangoes, and berries as an occasional treat; however, fruits should not make up a major part of their diet.
Be sure to always feed your dragon a variety of proteins, minerals, and vitamins to ensure they are properly nourished. Finally, remember to dust the insects with a calcium and vitamin supplement before feeding them to your dragon.
How many cucumbers can a bearded dragon eat?
Most veterinarians recommend a diet of primarily vegetables and insects for bearded dragons, with cucumbers constituting only a small portion of the diet. In general, bearded dragons should only be fed cucumber on a very occasional basis, no more than once a week at most.
If a bearded dragon is fed cucumbers too often, it can cause digestive problems and other health issues. Additionally, cucumbers should only be fed to adult bearded dragons in small quantities (no larger than the dragon’s head) and must always be cut into slices or cubes and served plain with no added seasonings.
As a result, the exact amount of cucumbers a bearded dragon can eat can vary, but it is almost always a very small amount.
Can a bearded dragon live without eating insects?
Yes, a bearded dragon can live without eating insects, however, it is not ideal for the long-term health of the animal. An insect-free diet will lack essential nutrients and vitamins required to sustain proper health.
Without these nutrients and vitamins, a bearded dragon’s immune system can become weakened, putting it at risk of developing health issues. Additionally, an insect-free diet makes it difficult for a bearded dragon to get enough protein and other nutrients needed for their growth and development.
While insects are often the primary food source for a bearded dragon, it is possible to supplement their diet with other sources of protein, such as fish, red meat, and plant sources. Ideally, consult a veterinarian for dietary advice, as the requirements for an insect-free diet can be complicated and vary based on the individual animal.
