Bearded dragons are omnivorous lizards, so they require a diet consisting of both meat and vegetables. Potentially, a bearded dragon can be fed once a day, but most adult dragons should be fed every other day or 3 times a week.
For young bearded dragons, they can typically be fed daily. When feeding, it’s important to provide an appropriate balance of food and the right amount. In general, your adult dragon should eat the equivalent of one feeding bowl-full of food, which is usually about 10-15 crickets or 6-10 wax worms.
In order to make sure your dragon is getting the proper nutrition, it’s also important to provide them with 20-35 minutes of UVB sunlight a day and to have plenty of sources of calcium. Calcium can be found in things like collard greens, kale, squash, and other vegetables.
It’s also important to dust each meal with a multivitamin supplement.
By providing the right balance of food and UVB sunshine, combined with plenty of calcium, your bearded dragon can stay healthy and happy.
What are the times to feed a bearded dragon?
It is recommended to feed a bearded dragon 2-3 times a day and no more than 5 times a week. Young dragons should be fed every day while adult dragons can be fed 3-4 times a week. The quantity of food provided should be based on the size of your dragon.
The Hatchling and Juvenile beardies will require 2-3 small meals a day and adults should be fed 2-3 large meals a week. The smaller and younger dragons should have a small 1-inch long insect with their meal, while large and adult bearded dragons can safely consume 2 large insects.
It is also important to provide vitamin and mineral supplements to your dragon at least once a week to ensure your beardie remains healthy. Feeding your dragon at the same times each day will help your dragon develop a regular routine.
Is it okay to overfeed a bearded dragon?
No, it is not okay to overfeed a bearded dragon. When it comes to caring for a bearded dragon, there is a fine line between providing a balanced diet and overfeeding. Overfeeding your pet can lead to obesity, which can cause serious health problems, such as metabolic bone disease and liver disease.
Additionally, it can cause digestive and hepatic issues as well as impact their general immunity. To make sure your bearded dragon is getting the best nutrition, you should feed them an appropriate amount of insect prey and a high-quality, nutrient-dense diet, such as a commercial bearded dragon pellet with vitamin and mineral supplements.
Depending on the age of the bearded dragon, the diet and amount of food will vary. For instance, juveniles need to eat 2-3 times a day, while adults should be fed 2-3 times a week. Lastly, it is important to monitor your pet’s weight and adjust the diet accordingly.
Do bearded dragons need to eat bugs everyday?
No, bearded dragons do not need to eat bugs every day. However, they should be fed an insect-based diet several times per week. This can include gut-loaded (recently fed nutritious food) crickets, locusts, roaches, wax worms and occasionally mealworms.
Additionally, they should also receive a variety of fruits and vegetables to ensure they get a balanced diet. It is important to supplement their diet with calcium and vitamin D3, as these are essential to their health.
In general, adult bearded dragons should receive live prey items every other day (three to four times a week), with the rest of the days being based around a variety of fruits and veggies. They should also have access to food and water at all times.
Can I feed my bearded dragon vegetables everyday?
Yes, you can absolutely feed your bearded dragon vegetables everyday. It’s best to provide a variety of vegetables, with leafy greens and other plant-based items making up the bulk of your dragon’s diet.
Vegetables should be finely chopped, lightly steamed, cooked, or frozen and thawed to make them easier to digest. Be sure to offer a variety of vegetables such as kale, collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, endive, escarole, dandelion, cilantro, radicchio, spinach, sweet potato, carrot, squash, zucchini, peppers, broccoli, and green beans.
Additionally, some vegetables, like sweet potato and squash, can be offered as a whole food. This way your dragon can better exercise their natural instinct to crunch their food. Vegetables should ideally make up the majority of your dragon’s diet, with a small percentage of fruit, insects, and other proteins making up the rest.
What is a good feeding schedule for a bearded dragon?
Bearded dragons require a mixture of vegetables, fruits, mealworms, and/or crickets in order to stay healthy. A good feeding schedule for a bearded dragon consists of offering food at least once every day or every other day.
Offer them between 5 and 15 crickets or other type of insect prey a day, up to the size of the space between their eyes. Juveniles should be fed a variety of insect prey every day, while adults should be offered one to three times a week.
When it comes to vegetables, offer a variety of dark leafy greens, such as spinach, endive, and turnip greens, along with vegetables like squash, carrots, bell peppers, and sweet potatoes. For fruits, provide them with a small amount of apples, pear, blueberries, or melon.
Additionally, give them a vitamin and calcium supplement at least three to five times a week. It is important to remove any uneaten food from the enclosure after an hour to prevent molding and bacterial growth.
Be sure to provide your bearded dragon with fresh water in a shallow dish every day.
Should I Feed My bearded dragon once or twice a day?
It is recommended to feed your bearded dragon once per day. You can feed them in the morning or in the evening, whichever is more convenient. Generally, young bearded dragons under 12 months of age need to be fed small portions of insects that are appropriate for their size.
Adults over 12 months of age can be fed a broader variety of insects and vegetables, as well as occasional treats. It’s important to feed your bearded dragon a balanced diet that is properly supplemented with vitamins and minerals to ensure optimal health.
When feeding insects, it’s important to feed a variety of sizes to avoid adverse health issues related to over-eating of large food items. Overall, feeding your bearded dragon once per day can help ensure they get the nutrition they need and avoids overeating.
How many times a week do you have to clean a bearded dragons cage?
The frequency of cleaning a bearded dragon’s cage depends on various factors, such as the size and number of dragons, the type and quantity of substrate used, and the size and number of decorations. In general, it is recommended to clean the cage at least once a week.
A suggested schedule is to spot clean the cage daily and deep clean the cage weekly. During a spot clean, check all of the corners of the tank and replace uneaten food, remove droppings, and generally tidy up the enclosure.
During a deep clean, remove all furniture, decorations and substrate and carefully clean each one with warm water and a gentle scrubbing brush. The substrate should be replaced at least every month and the tank should also be sprayed with a 10 percent bleach solution and rinsed off with fresh water.
Finally, make sure the enclosure is completely dry before replacing all of the objects and setting up the cage again.
Do you trim bearded dragon nails?
Yes, bearded dragon nails should be trimmed regularly. Depending on the age and size of your bearded dragon, it may need trimming every few weeks. Before trimming, examine the nails to determine which parts of the nail should be cut.
Generally, it is best to use clippers to trim the nails in a beveled angle. It is important to avoid cutting the quick, as this could cause bleeding and discomfort for the bearded dragon. If the nails need to be shortened more substantially, it is best to take the dragon to an experienced reptile handler for professional trimming.
Additionally, provide your dragon with a variety of substrates and perches for their feet to help naturally wear down their nails.
Can bearded dragons survive a week without food?
No, bearded dragons cannot survive a week without food. While they may be able to survive without food for a few days, it is not healthy and will cause long-term harm to their health. A lack of food in a bearded dragon’s diet can cause them to become malnourished, potentially leading to serious health issues such as digestive problems, weak bones, and a weakened immune system.
Additionally, even if a bearded dragon does survive a week without food, the side effects can last much longer and could even be fatal in some cases.
That’s why it is so important to ensure your bearded dragon is eating a well-rounded diet that provides adequate nutrition. A diet based on insects such vegetables, fruits, and salads should be provided daily.
Bearded dragons need vitamins and minerals, as well as sufficient protein, fats, and carbohydrates for optimal health. If your bearded dragon goes without food for a week or more, seek immediate professional assistance to help them recover and rebuild their health.