Bearded dragons can eat a wide variety of food just like fruits, vegetables, insects, greens, etc. But they cannot eat everything. Not all types of food are safe for bearded dragons. Bearded dragons can consume neither cooked nor processed food. The digestive system of bearded dragons is not made to digest either cooked or processed food.
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Can Bearded Dragon Eat Dog Food?
The clear answer to the question is, can bearded dragons eat dog food? Is No. This is because of the reason that dog food is processed. And as I mentioned above that the digestive system of bearded dragons cannot digest processed food. But not all types of dog food are dangerous for beardies. If you exactly know what your bearded dragon can eat and whatnot, you can feed your dragon dog food.
Reasons why bearded dragons can’t eat dog food
1. Presence of high protein content in dog food:
Dog food includes a high content of proteins to resemble the wolf diet. Dog food includes animal meat from different parts such as muscle meat and organ meat. It may also include bones as well as vegetables. On the other hand, the source of protein for a bearded dragon is different.
They eat insects and not animal meat as their digestive system is not made to digest animal meat. The consumption of meat can affect the kidneys of bearded dragons. Consequently, it can cause serious illness.
2. Change in the proportion of protein content with age:
The protein consumption of the bearded dragon changes as it grows older. A young beardie eats about 80% of live insects and about 20% of vegetables. When it grows older, the proportion of protein changes. As a beardie grows older, the requirement for protein decreases.
They only eat 20% of live insects and 80% of vegetables. When a beardie is young, a high amount of protein is required for the development of the body. As it grows older, the body has been fully developed so, the requirement for protein decreases.
There are wide varieties of insects that are safe for bearded dragons. The lists of insects that are safe for bearded dragons are as follows:
- Earthworms
- Silkworms
- Crickets
- King worms
- Butter worms
- Locusts
- Waxworms
- Mealworms
- Super worms
Mealworms:
Mealworms should be fed only to an adult dragon. This is due to the reason that mealworms have a hard exoskeleton that may not be digested by a baby or an old bearded dragon. Otherwise, it may cause a serious digestive issue.
Super worms:
These are larger types of mealworms. These are also suitable for adult bearded dragons. Just like mealworms, they cannot be fed to young as well old bearded dragons. This may cause a serious digestive issue.
Fruits that bearded dragons can eat
Bearded dragons can eat a wide variety of fruits. But not all types of fruits are safe for them. This is because most of the fruits are too watery for them. Some of the safe fruits are listed below: –
- Apple
- Mango
- Papaya
- Figs
- Dates
- Kiwi
- Plums
- Guava
- Pears
- Grapes
- Apricots
- Strawberries
- Peaches
It is also advised that only a minimal amount is fed to them. This is because fruits contain a lot of water as well as sugar in them. This can cause a health issue in bearded dragons.
Vegetables that can be fed to bearded dragons
Just like fruits, not all vegetables are healthy for bearded dragons. Vegetables contain some substances which are not suitable for them. Some of the safe vegetables are listed below:
- Acorn Squash
- Peas
- Cabbage
- Celery
- Green Beans
- Okra
- Asparagus
- Bell Pepper
- Sweet Potato
- Butternut Squash
Greens that can be fed to bearded dragons
Just like vegetables, greens are also an integral part of the diet of bearded dragons. But not all greens can be fed to them. This can be harmful to them. List of some of the safe as well healthy greens are listed below: –
- Coriander
- Clover
- Kale
- Turnip Greens
- Parsley
- Mustard Greens
- Collards
- Endive
Food that cannot be fed to Bearded dragons
As I mentioned above the bearded dragon can have a wide variety of eatables such as fruits, vegetables, greens as well as insects. But not all of them are safe of them. Some of them can cause serious effects on the body. Some foods cannot be fed to them under any circumstances. The list is mentioned below: –
Spinach and Beet Top
Both spinach, as well as beet top, cannot be fed to bearded dragons. Although, some of the owners fed their pets with these occasionally their consumption is strictly prohibited. The consumption of spinach, as well as beet top, can cause a deficiency of calcium in the body. The deficiency can cause serious health issues in beardies. Thus, both spinach and beet tops are not recommended for beardies.
Wild Insects
One important piece of advice for beardies owners is never to feed your pet with the insects captured in wild. This is due to the reason that you never know whether the insect is safe or not. It may contain any harmful chemical or bacteria that may cause health issues to your beloved pet.
Fireflies
Fireflies are highly poisonous to bearded dragons. Even if a small amount of firefly is fed to a bearded dragon, it can kill your beloved pet. Thus, you are advised to strictly avoid the thought of feeding your pet with a firefly.
Avocadoes
You can feed your pet with fruits but not all fruits are safe for beardies. Some of the fruits can cause health issues. Avocado is one of the prohibited fruit fruits for a beardie. It can cause serious health issues to your pet. Thus, you are advised not to feed your bearded dragon with avocadoes as they cause health issues to your loving pet.
Rhubarb
Rhubarb contains a high amount of oxalic acid in it. It is extremely poisonous for bearded dragons. It is deadly for other reptiles too. Thus, its consumption is highly prohibited to all reptiles.
Quick Reminder
Whenever you are feeding your bearded dragon with fruits or vegetables, always chop them finely into very small pieces. There is a high risk of choking in beardies due to large chunks of fruits and vegetables. Beardies are also prone to impaction if they consume large chunks of food.
Concluding Lines
Bearded dragons cannot eat dog food due to a very high content of proteins in it. Dog food contains meat to meet the need for high protein content. Thus, meat from different parts such as muscles, organs, and even bones are added together to meet the high demand for proteins. Any kind of process, as well as cooked food, is highly dangerous for your beardie.
Moreover, the digestive system of beardies is not made to digest animal meat. If fed with dog food, beardies can have serious health issues. Thus, it is advised to feed your beardie with some safer and healthier food instead.
You can feed your pet with fruits, vegetables, greens as well as insects. But not all fruits, and vegetables are safe for them. Thus, proper care should be taken while feeding your pet some new food items. You can also seek advice from the vet. In case of any health issue, always visit a vet.
More:
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Apples?
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Raisins?
