Several people love to pet bearded dragons. But the problem is that many people do not know what to give or not in the diet of their dragon to maintain the health of their pet. So here I am who will help you to in the diet of your lovely pet.
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Can Bearded Dragons Eat ?
The answer to this question can bearded dragons eat blackberries is Yes. You can give blackberries to your bearded dragon but not continuously. There are several benefits of giving blackberries to your dragon but on the other hand, if you feed continuously blackberries to your dragon then there are risks too. Bearded dragons are omnivores in nature so they need a variety of food in their diet like vegetables, herbs, insects, rodents, and fruits. So I will give you a brief explanation about the benefits and health risks of blackberries for your bearded dragons.
In this article, we will talk about blackberries in the bearded dragons’ diet and the proper way to feed the bearded dragon. We will also discuss the nutritional values of blackberries and other kinds of fruits that you can serve to your pet.
Yes, bearded dragons can eat blackberries. Bearded dragons love to eat fruits and blackberries are not an exception. The reason behind this is blackberries contain a lot of water content that helps beardies to stay hydrated and also dragons love the taste of blackberries too.
They are non-toxic also and do not contribute to calcium deficiency and are also rich in many properties. Blackberries contain lots of vitamins and fibers and are very good for the health of your dragon but they should be an occasional snack for your pet. Blackberries should be given as a part of a healthy and balanced diet for your dragon.
Benefits of Blackberries for Dragons
Blackberries are rich in vitamins, fibers, antioxidants as well as minerals. Bearded dragons love blackberries because they are a sweet and juicy taste. So fruits should be given every week to your dragon. Here are some of the major benefits for the bearded dragons from the consumption of blackberries.
Minerals: Blackberries are a major source of Zinc and Manganese that help to maintain the dragon’s immune system and metabolism rate.
Vitamins: Blackberries are rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin K. All these vitamins provide benefits to your dragon with good vision, growth, tissues, bones, organs, and blood.
Fiber: Fibers helps dragon in the smooth digestive system. But fibers can be both good and bad for your pet. It should be given in an appropriate amount but too much in quantity can cause diarrhea and intestinal issues. So you have to be very careful.
Antioxidants: Blackberries are famous for their antioxidant properties as they can prevent inflammation and also protect your dragon’s cells from free radicals. They also play a vital role in various body functions that include the production of proteins that help to grow healthy tissue and also heal the wounds of the dragon.
Sugar: Blackberries are rich in sugar that helps to reduce blood pressure problems, high risk of obesity, heart failure, and many other problems.
Water: Blackberries contain around 86-88% of water. A couple of blackberries every week hydrate the dragon but on the other hand, excess berries can cause diarrhea which in turn can severely dehydrate your dragon.
Oxalates: A cup of blackberries contains around 0.4g of oxalic acid which is quite low. This indicates that it is safer than many other plants.
Calcium-to-phosphate Ratio: The deciding factor of whether food is healthy or dangerous is the ratio of calcium-to-phosphate ratio. For bearded dragons, the calcium-to-phosphate ratio lies between 1.5 to 2:1 and this ratio for blackberries is 1.3:1 which is good and puts blackberries in a safer zone. Therefore blackberries are safer than other fruits which contain much phosphorous.
Nutritional Values of Blackberries
Let’s have a look at the nutritional values of blackberries.
- Water- 88g
- Proteins-1.3g
- Energy- 43Kcal
- Fiber- 5.2g
- Sugars-4.7g
- Fat- 0.5g
- Carbohydrates- 9.6g
- Calcium-28.5mg
- Phosphorous-22mg
- Potassium- 163mg
- Iron- 0.6mg
- Magnesium- 20mg
- Vitamin C- 21mg
How Many Blackberries You Can Feed to Bearded Dragon?
So this question arises in the minds of many people that how much the number of blackberries they should feed to their dragon. Here is a simple answer to this problem. For an adult dragon, you should feed three to five medium-sized blackberries once every two weeks. There are several reasons why they cannot be included in the dragon’s diet.
Risks of Blackberries for Bearded Dragon
Acidic Nature: Blackberries are not dangerous like citrus fruits but slightly acidic that can cause a problem as the digestive system of bearded dragons are sensitive to the acidity that leads to damage to their digestive tract by highly acidic citrus fruits.
Excessive Water: As we know now that blackberries contain around 88% of water and this can cause a problem if your dragon eats too many blackberries. Too much consumption leads to overhydration which can trigger diarrhea which can be fatal.
Excess Sugar: Having fruits that contain a high amount of sugar leads to many health problems like dental decay, weight issues, digestive problems
High Fiber Quantity: You know what; a cup of blackberries contains around 7-8 grams of fiber. Fiber plays an important role to maintain a healthy and smooth digestive system but excessive consumption of fibers can cause diarrhea which is quite difficult to treat in bearded dragons.
How to Feed Blackberries to Bearded Dragon?
If served whole, blackberries are difficult to ingest and digest for the bearded dragons. Large pieces of blackberries can cause choking to your dragon. So it is advised to break blackberries up into pieces before offering them to your pet.
Can Bearded Dragon Eat Blackberry Leaves?
Yes, they can eat blackberry leaves but they do not have that much high nutritional value so cannot be a staple diet. But be careful before serving leaves to your dragon, they must be properly washed to avoid the risk of pesticides. Also, avoid the leaves of the plant that grows near the roadside because they can absorb toxins from passing vehicles.
Other Fruits You Can Feed to Dragon
- Apples
- Bananas
- Peaches
- Pineapples
- Plums
- Grapes (fruit and leaves)
Summary
Blackberries are a good fruit to serve a bearded dragon but they should be in proper quantity and should be served occasionally. As it offers your dragon several nutrients and boosts their vitamin C level and fiber intake too. It is recommended that you should serve blackberries as a salad or as a part of a variety and balanced diet but not on daily basis.
More:
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Wheatgrass?
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Raisins?
