Quick Answer
Yes, it is possible to overfeed a bearded dragon crickets. Bearded dragons should only be fed as much as they can eat within a 10-15 minute period, 1-2 times per day. Overfeeding crickets can lead to obesity, nutritional deficiencies, and other health issues. Moderation is key when feeding crickets to bearded dragons.
How Many Crickets Should You Feed a Bearded Dragon?
The number of crickets a bearded dragon should eat depends on their size and age:
- Hatchlings (under 3 months): 10-15 small crickets per day
- Juveniles (4-8 months): 15-30 small crickets per day
- Subadults (9-18 months): 20-50 medium crickets per day
- Adults (18+ months): 30-80 medium/large crickets every other day
As a general rule, feed babies and juveniles 1-2 times per day as much as they can eat within a 10-15 minute period. Adults can eat a larger amount every other day. Never leave live crickets in the tank, as they may bite your bearded dragon.
Signs of Overfeeding Crickets
Some signs that you may be feeding your bearded dragon too many crickets include:
- Obesity – Bulging fat pads along the neck, spine and tail base
- Nutritional deficiencies – Despite eating a lot, your bearded dragon may develop things like metabolic bone disease from not getting proper nutrition
- Lethargy – Too many crickets can lead to decreased activity and movement
- Loose stool – Overfeeding can cause diarrhea or loose/runny stool
- Impaction – Indigestible cricket parts get blocked in the digestive tract
- Rectal prolapse – Overstrained muscles from too much stool can lead to prolapse
If your bearded dragon is exhibiting any of these symptoms, it’s time to cut back on the amount of crickets you are feeding.
Dangers of Overfeeding Crickets
There are a few key dangers associated with feeding a bearded dragon too many crickets:
Obesity
It’s easy to overfeed crickets since bearded dragons seem constantly hungry. But excess calories lead to obesity, resulting in fat deposits along the neck, spine and tail. Obesity stresses the heart, lungs, liver and skeleton. Obese reptiles are also at greater risk for fatty liver disease and other problems.
Nutritional Imbalances
Eating too many crickets can cause vitamin and mineral deficiencies, even though you are feeding lots of food. Crickets are high in phosphorus but low in calcium. The imbalance can lead to metabolic bone disease. Symptoms include rubbery legs, twitching, lethargy and fragile bones.
Intestinal Blockages
Overfeeding crickets gives your bearded dragon more chitin than it can digest. Chitin is the hard, indigestible exoskeleton of insects. Too much of it can cause impactions in the GI tract, leading to a blocked bowel.
Rectal Prolapse
A rectal prolapse is when the inner lining of the colon slips outside the vent. Pushing out too much watery stool from overfeeding puts excessive strain on the muscles. Weakened muscles allow the prolapse to occur, requiring immediate vet treatment.
Parasites
Crickets may harbor potentially harmful parasites like pinworms or protozoa. The more crickets eaten, the greater the exposure to parasites. Overfeeding raises the parasite load, increasing the risk of parasitic infections.
Tips to Prevent Overfeeding
Here are some tips to feed your bearded dragon a healthy amount of crickets:
- Know the proper number of crickets to feed per day based on your dragon’s age and size
- Feed younger dragons smaller meals 1-2 times daily. Feed adults larger meals every other day
- Always finely gutload your crickets 24-48 hours before feeding for optimal nutrition
- Use calcium powder to lightly coat crickets to balance phosphorus levels
- Time your dragon while eating – they should eat all crickets within 10-15 minutes
- Remove any uneaten live crickets from the tank so they don’t bite your dragon
- Weigh your dragon weekly and adjust feedings if gaining or losing too much weight
- Increase exercise opportunities if your dragon is becoming obese
Following these guidelines will help prevent health problems from overfeeding crickets. Monitor your bearded dragon closely and adjust portions if you see any symptoms.
Healthy Crickets Feeding Schedule Example
Here is an example of a healthy cricket feeding schedule for a juvenile bearded dragon (5 months old, 15 inches long):
| Day | Number of Crickets | Cricket Size | Other Food |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 20 crickets | 1/4 inch | 1 teaspoon chopped greens |
| Tuesday | 20 crickets | 1/4 inch | 1 teaspoon chopped greens |
| Wednesday | 20 crickets | 1/4 inch | 1 teaspoon chopped greens |
| Thursday | No crickets | None | 1 teaspoon chopped greens |
| Friday | 15 crickets | 1/4 inch | 1 teaspoon chopped greens |
| Saturday | No crickets | None | 1 teaspoon chopped greens |
| Sunday | 15 crickets | 1/4 inch | 1 teaspoon chopped greens |
This schedule feed the juvenile bearded dragon around 75 small crickets each week, along with small amounts of vegetables for variety. The 2 non-cricket days allows the dragon’s digestive system to rest.
Determining the Right Amount of Crickets
Determining the right number of crickets to feed your bearded dragon requires paying attention to their appetite, weight, and bowel movements:
- Appetite – Feed babies and juveniles crickets at each meal until they lose interest. Adults can eat more at one time. But stop when appetite declines.
- Weight – Weigh your dragon weekly. If weight gain is too rapid, gradually reduce cricket amounts. If they are losing weight, increase cricket quantities if other husbandry parameters are good.
- Bowel movements – Look for normal, formed stool. Increase cricket feedings if stools are infrequent. Decrease quantities if stool is loose or diarrhetic.
Make cricket feeding adjustments slowly over the course of weeks. Also reassess heating, humidity, housing, and other factors that could affect appetite and digestion. Consult an exotic vet if you are unsure of the right cricket feeding amount.
Switching to Commercial Bearded Dragon Food
For owners who don’t have the time or desire to breed feeder crickets, commercial bearded dragon diets are available. They offer complete nutrition in dry pelleted formulations. Some popular options include:
- Zoo Med’s Adult Bearded Dragon Food
- Fluker’s Buffet Blend Bearded Dragon Food
- Repashy’s SuperVeggie Bearded Dragon Gel
- Pangea’s Fruit Mix Complete Crested Gecko Diet
When transitioning from live insects to pellets, do so slowly over 2-3 weeks. Start by offering just a few pellets after the normal cricket feeding. Gradually increase commercial food amounts while decreasing crickets. This gives the gut flora time to adjust.
Since hydration is critical when feeding dry pellets, provide fresh water daily. Lightly misting vegetables also increases moisture intake. Commercial diets simplify feeding, though some dragons may show less interest than with live prey.
FAQ
How long can I leave crickets in my bearded dragon’s tank?
You should not leave crickets in the tank for any extended period. Only feed as many crickets as your bearded dragon will eat within a 10-15 minute mealtime. Uneaten crickets may bite your dragon.
Can I freeze feeder crickets to kill them before feeding?
Freezing crickets kills them humanely. Let them thaw before feeding so the frozen cricket bodies are no longer rigid and your bearded dragon can properly digest them.
Is it OK to feed superworms instead of crickets?
Superworms are higher in fat than crickets. They should only make up a small portion of a bearded dragon’s diet. Overfeeding superworms risks obesity and impaction.
Can substrate cause impaction if a bearded dragon eats too many crickets?
Yes, any loose particulate substrate like sand or crushed walnut shells carries a risk of impaction if a bearded dragon eats too many crickets. It’s best to use textured tile, reptile carpet, or paper towels.
How often should I clean my bearded dragon’s tank if I am feeding lots of crickets?
Clean the tank at least 2-3 times per week when feeding higher numbers of crickets. Crickets raise waste levels in the enclosure. Frequent cleaning prevents bacterial and fungal growth.
Conclusion
Bearded dragons should only be fed as many crickets in a meal as they can fully eat within 10-15 minutes, 1-2 times per day. Overfeeding crickets poses significant health risks including obesity, nutritional imbalances, impaction, and parasite exposure. Monitor your dragon’s appetite, weight, and stool quality closely to determine the appropriate cricket amounts. Adjust slowly as needed to prevent overfeeding. With proper cricket quantities and gutloading, these insects can form the healthy staple of a bearded dragon’s diet as juveniles and adults.
