Can bearded dragons eat apples? Yes, your bearded dragon can safely eat apple.
However, due to the high sugar content, it’s recommended that fruits make up 5-10% of the diet.
Quick Key Takeaways
- Bearded dragons can eat apples as an occasional treat, but not every day.
- Apples provide some vitamins, minerals, and fiber, but fruits like apples also contain sugar and phosphorus that can be harmful in excess.
- Apples should be peeled, cored, and cut into small pieces before feeding to bearded dragons.
- Apples should make up no more than 10% of the bearded dragon’s diet, and should be mixed with other healthy vegetables and greens.
- Bearded dragons need a balanced diet that provides enough calcium and limits phosphorus intake to prevent metabolic bone disease.
- Other safe and healthy fruits for bearded dragons include blackberries, blueberries, cantaloupe, grapes, mangos, strawberries, and watermelon.
Nutrient Benefits Of Apples For Bearded Dragons
Feeding apples to bearded dragons can have many nutritional benefits.
Apples are:
- Rich in vitamins, fiber, carbohydrates, potassium, and iron, which are beneficial nutrients for bearded dragons.
- Contain vitamin A and vitamin C, which help with vision, growth, and fortifying the immune system of bearded dragons.
- High water content, which helps in good digestion and hydration. However, apples should be fed to bearded dragons sparingly due to their high sugar content.
- Good source of vitamins, fiber, and other beneficial nutrients for bearded dragons. However, due to the high sugar content of apples, they should be fed sparingly. Apples can be fed weekly but should not make up more than 10% of the bearded dragon’s diet.
Nutritional breakdown:
| Nutrient | Amount per 100g |
|---|---|
| Calories | 52 |
| Carbs | 13.8g |
| Fiber | 2.4g |
| Sugar | 10.4g |
| Fat | 0.2g |
| Protein | 0.3g |
| Vitamin C | 4.6mg |
| Vitamin A | 3mcg |
| Potassium | 107mg |
| Calcium | 6mg |
| Phosphorus | 11mg |
Best Way To Feed Apples To Your Beardie
When feeding apples to a bearded dragon, follow these guidelines:
- Preparation: Peel the apple and cut it into small cubes that are the right size for the bearded dragon to consume.
- Frequency: Feed apples sparingly, limiting it to a small amount once or twice weekly. Avoid daily feeding of apples.
- Proportion: Apples should only make up approximately 10% of the bearded dragon’s diet.
- Calcium Supplementation: For added calcium try dusting the apple cubes with calcium supplements to partially correct the fruit’s calcium-to-phosphorus ratio.
- Safety: Do not feed apple cores to bearded dragons as they can pose a choking hazard.
By following these recommendations, you can ensure a safe and balanced approach to incorporating apples into your bearded dragon’s diet.
How Often Can They Eat Apples?
Bearded dragons can eat apples once or twice a week at most. Apples should be fed to bearded dragons sparingly due to their high sugar content. Feeding too much apple to bearded dragons may cause running stools.
Baby bearded dragons can’t handle the same sugar intake as an adult bearded dragon, so they should only be fed one or two small bite-sized pieces every second week. When feeding apples to bearded dragons, it is recommended to peel the apple first and cut it into small cubes that are the right size for them to dig into.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Green And Red Apples?
Yes, they can red and green apples have the same nutritional values.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Apple Peels
It is recommended to peel the apple before feeding it to bearded dragons. Baby bearded dragons should not be fed apple skin or peels because they can choke on them and they are toxic and dangerous. The outermost flesh is the safest part of the apple for a bearded dragon to eat. The apple peel, stem, seeds, and core pieces should not be fed to bearded dragons because they cannot digest these parts of the apple and may cause impaction.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat The Seeds?
Bearded dragons should not eat apple seeds because they contain traces of cyanide, which may poison them. Removing the seeds and stem from the apple before feeding it to bearded dragons is important because they can be a choking hazard. Baby bearded dragons should not be fed apple skin or peels because they can choke on them and they are toxic and dangerous.
Can Baby Bearded Dragons Eat Apples?
Baby bearded dragons can eat apples but should not be fed apple skin or peels because they can choke on them and are toxic and dangerous. It is recommended to peel the apple first and cut it into small cubes that are the right size for them to eat. It is best to feed only a small amount of apple to bearded dragons, including baby dragons, because feeding them too much may cause running stools. Apples are a nutritious food to give bearded dragons, but they should be fed in moderation.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Apples Every Day?
No, it is not recommended to feed bearded dragons apples every day. While apples can be included as part of their diet, they should not be a daily staple. Bearded dragons require a diverse and balanced diet consisting of various fruits, vegetables, insects, and other appropriate food items. Feeding apples in moderation as an occasional treat is generally advised. Regularly feeding apples in large quantities can lead to imbalances in their nutrient intake, particularly with regards to sugar, calcium, and phosphorus. It is important to provide a varied diet to meet all their nutritional needs and prevent any potential health issues.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Applesauce?
If your bearded dragon is constipated, you can give it some applesauce to help ease its digestion. However, you should be careful about how much applesauce you feed your pet.
Choose organic applesauce that has no added sweeteners, such as sugar, maple syrup, or honey. Non-organic applesauce may have traces of harmful chemicals, such as herbicides and pesticides, that can poison your bearded dragon.
Also, limit the amount of applesauce you give your bearded dragon, as it is very high in sugar. Applesauce is made from pureed apples, so it contains the sugar of multiple apples in one serving. Too much sugar can cause obesity, diabetes, and tooth decay in bearded dragons.
A small amount of unsweetened applesauce is equivalent to feeding your bearded dragon apples for a whole week. Therefore, you should only use it as an occasional remedy for constipation, not a regular part of their diet.
Risks Of Eating Apples
Feeding bearded dragons too much apple can lead to diarrhea, overweight, diabetes, and fatty liver disease. Apples contain a lot of fructose, so it is best to break up the apple and serve it to bearded dragons in small amounts. Apples should not be fed to bearded dragons every day, and they should only make up around 10% of their diet. Apple cores should not be fed to bearded dragons as they can become a choking hazard. Baby bearded dragons should not be fed apple skin or peels because they can choke on them and are toxic and dangerous.
What Are Some Signs That a Bearded Dragon Has Eaten Too Much Apple?
Feeding bearded dragons too much apple can cause diarrhea, tooth decay, and fatty liver disease. Signs that a bearded dragon has eaten too much apple include lethargy, bloating, constipation, and difficulty moving. If a bearded dragon consumes too many apples, it can become overweight, diabetic, and have fatty liver disease.
How to Prevent a Bearded Dragon from Eating Too Much Apple
To prevent a bearded dragon from eating too much apple, it is best to feed them only a small amount of apple. Apples should not be fed to bearded dragons every day, and they should only make up around 10% of their diet. When serving an apple to a bearded dragon, it is recommended to peel the apple first and cut it into small cubes that are the right size for them to dig into. Apple cores should not be fed to bearded dragons as they can become a choking hazard. Baby bearded dragons should not be fed apple skin or peels because they can choke on them and are toxic and dangerous.
What Other Fruits Can Bearded Dragons Eat?
Here is a list of alternative fruits that are safe and healthy for bearded dragons to eat:
| Fruit | Frequency | Ca:P | Calcium (mg) | Phosphorus (mg) | Sugar (g) | Vitamin A (IU) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apples (without skin) | Once per week | 0.5:1 | 5 | 11 | 10.1 | 38 |
| Bananas (raw) | Never | 0.2:1 | 5 | 22 | 12.23 | 64 |
| Blackberries (raw) | Twice per week | 1.3:1 | 29 | 22 | 4.88 | 214 |
| Blueberries (raw) | Once per week | 0.5:1 | 6 | 12 | 9.96 | 54 |
| Cantaloupe (raw) | Once per week | 0.6:1 | 9 | 15 | 7.86 | 3,382 |
| Grapes (American) | Once per week | 1.4:1 | 14 | 10 | 16.25 | 100 |
| Mangos (raw) | Once per week | 0.8:1 | 11 | 14 | 13.66 | 1,082 |
| Peaches | Once per month | 0.3:1 | 6 | 20 | 8.39 | 326 |
| Pears (raw) | Once per week | 0.8:1 | 9 | 12 | 9.75 | 25 |
| Pineapple (raw) | Once per month | 1.6:1 | 13 | 8 | 9.85 | 58 |
| Strawberries (raw) | Once per week | 0.7:1 | 16 | 24 | 4.89 | 12 |
| Watermelon | Once per week | 0.6:1 | 7 | 11 | 6.2 | 569 |
Courtesy https://www.thebeardeddragon.org/
Why Ca:P Is Important When Discussing Your Bearded Dragons Diet
Ca:P stands for calcium to phosphorus ratio, and it is important for bearded dragons because it affects their bone health and metabolism. Bearded dragons need more calcium than phosphorus in their diet, ideally a ratio of 2:1 or higher.
Calcium helps to prevent metabolic bone disease, a common condition that causes weak and deformed bones in bearded dragons. Phosphorus can interfere with calcium absorption, so too much of it can cause calcium deficiency and imbalance.
Therefore, bearded dragons need a balanced diet that provides enough calcium and limits phosphorus intake. Some foods that have a good Ca:P ratio are leafy greens, squashes, and some insects.
Some foods that have a poor Ca:P ratio are bananas, peaches, and mealworms. You can also supplement your bearded dragon’s diet with calcium powder to ensure they get enough of this vital mineral.
Conclusion
Apples are a nutritious and delicious fruit that can be enjoyed by bearded dragons in moderation. However, they should not be fed to bearded dragons every day, as they can cause health problems if eaten in excess. Bearded dragons need a varied and balanced diet that provides enough calcium and limits phosphorus intake to prevent metabolic bone disease. By following the guidelines in this article, you can ensure that your bearded dragon gets the best of both worlds: the benefits of apples and the optimal nutrition for their health and wellbeing.