Quick Answer
Bearded dragons should not eat every day. Young, growing bearded dragons need to eat more frequently than adult bearded dragons. Baby bearded dragons should be fed insects 1-2 times per day. Juvenile dragons need live feeder insects once or twice daily. Adult bearded dragons only require insects 3-4 times per week. They get most of their nutrition from fresh vegetables and leafy greens. Overfeeding your bearded dragon can lead to health issues like obesity and metabolic bone disease. It’s important to feed an age-appropriate diet for bearded dragons.
Do Baby Bearded Dragons Need to Eat Every Day?
Yes, baby bearded dragons generally need to eat small insects at least once daily. Some experts recommend feeding babies 2 times per day. This is because young bearded dragons are growing rapidly and have high energy requirements.
In the first 4-6 months of life, bearded dragons can grow up to 6 inches. They need a lot of protein and nutrients to support this fast development. Feeder insects like crickets, mealworms, waxworms and small dubia roaches provide baby beardies with the protein they require.
You should feed baby bearded dragons live insects once or twice daily. Offer as much as they will eat in a 10-15 minute period. Remove any uneaten insects. It’s also important to lightly dust insects with calcium and vitamin supplements a few times per week for growing babies.
The size of the feeder insects matters too. Young bearded dragons should be fed 1/4 inch insects. As they grow, you can increase insect size. By 4-6 months old most juveniles can eat 3/4 inch insects.
In addition to live insects, chop up fresh vegetables for babies. Greens, squash, bell peppers, endive and dandelion greens are excellent choices. Go easy on fruits, which are sugary treats.
So in summary, yes baby bearded dragons under 6 months old should get feeder insects like crickets or small roaches at least once daily to support growth and development. Proper nutrition is crucial at this age.
Should Juvenile Bearded Dragons Eat Daily?
Juvenile bearded dragons have high energy demands and should eat live insects once or twice daily. A juvenile is considered a young bearded dragon between 6-18 months old. They are past the baby stage but not fully grown adults yet.
Like babies, juvenile dragons need ample protein, vitamins and minerals to fuel rapid growth. Their appetite is hearty at this age. Feed juveniles live insects 1-2 times per day. Crickets, dubia roaches, mealworms and calcium worms are excellent options.
You can still offer finely chopped greens and veggies daily too. But the primary diet for juveniles should consist of appropriate sized feeder insects. Dust them with supplements 3-4 days per week as well.
The serving size of insects for juveniles depends on the age and weight of your bearded dragon. Follow these general guidelines:
– 6-12 months old: Feed 1-2 times daily, as much as they will eat in 10-15 minutes
– 12-18 months old: Feed 1-2 times daily, up to 30-50 small insects
Make sure the insects are not wider than the space between your dragon’s eyes. Remove uneaten insects after 15 minutes.
So in summary, yes juvenile dragons that are under 18 months old should get daily feedings of nutritious insects like dubia roaches, crickets and mealworms. This will provide the calories and nutrients they need to continue growing big and strong.
Should Adult Bearded Dragons Eat Every Day?
No, adult bearded dragons do not need to eat insects every day. Adults over 18 months old should be fed live insects 2-4 times per week. Their growth has slowed down, so they have decreased calorie needs compared to babies and juveniles.
Here are some general feeding guidelines for adult bearded dragons:
– Insects: Offer 2-4 times weekly, about 30 insects per feeding
– Vegetables: Provide fresh chopped veggies daily
– Fruits: Give as treats 1-2 times weekly
– Calcium powder: Lightly dust insects 1-2 times weekly
– Multivitamin powder: Dust insects 1-2 times weekly
Adult dragons get most of their nutrition from fresh greens and veggies like collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, kale, carrots, butternut squash, bell peppers, green beans, broccoli and snap peas.
Feeder insects should make up no more than 20% of an adult bearded dragon’s diet. Crickets, roaches, mealworms, waxworms and calciworms are good options 2-4 times per week.
Overfeeding your adult beardie insects can cause obesity, which leads to other health issues. Follow the above guidelines for a nutritionally balanced diet. An occasional extra insect treat is fine too.
So in short – adult dragons do not require insects every day like babies and juveniles do. Stick to insect feedings 2-4 times per week, along with daily fresh veggies.
What Health Problems Can Occur From Overfeeding Bearded Dragons?
Feeding bearded dragons too often, or too many insects at once, can cause several health issues over time. Here are some of the main problems that can develop:
– Obesity: Excess fat deposits around the limbs, belly and tail base
– Fatty liver disease: Excess fat buildup in the liver
– Metabolic bone disease: Improper calcium to phosphorus ratios leading to weak, brittle bones
– Parasites: Overfeeding can cause parasite flare ups
– Diarrhea: Too much food can cause loose stool
– Hypervitaminosis: Excess vitamin D3 from supplements builds up to toxic levels
Obesity is one of the most common issues from overfeeding bearded dragons. Lizards are opportunistic eaters and will keep eating insects if you keep providing them. Fat dragons have trouble moving around and are at risk for limb and joint problems.
Metabolic bone disease is another concern, especially if insects are not gutloaded and dusted properly. Bearded dragons need a precise 10:1 ratio of calcium to phosphorus. Too much phosphorus interferes with calcium absorption.
To prevent these issues, follow age-appropriate feeding guidelines. Do not free feed insects. Any uneaten insects should be removed after 10-15 minutes. Use proper supplement powders just 1-2 times per week. Routinely weigh your dragon to check for weight gain. With proper diet and care, bearded dragons can enjoy excellent lifelong health!
How Often Should You Feed Bearded Dragons Vegetables?
Here are some general guidelines for feeding vegetables based on your bearded dragon’s age:
– **Babies:** Finely chopped veggies daily or every other day
– **Juveniles:** Finely chopped veggies daily
– **Adults:** Chopped greens and veggies daily
Vegetables should make up about 80% of an adult bearded dragon’s diet. Offer a quality salad of chopped veggies each day. Try to include 2-3 different types of veggies.
Popular salad choices include collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, parsley, cilantro, carrots, bell peppers, butternut squash, zucchini, broccoli, snap peas, green beans and okra.
Avoid regular lettuce, as it has minimal nutritional value. Iceberg lettuce actually contains compounds that can bind with calcium and prevent proper absorption.
Chop greens and veggies into bite-sized pieces for juveniles and adults. Babies may need them minced into tiny pieces they can lick up.
Provide fresh, clean water in a shallow bowl as well. Mist greens to increase hydration. Bearded dragons get much of their water from food, so quality veggies are essential.
Conclusion
To wrap up, bearded dragons do not need to eat insects every single day. Follow these age-based feeding guidelines:
– **Babies:** Insects 1-2 times daily
– **Juveniles:** Insects 1-2 times daily
– **Adults:** Insects 2-4 times weekly
All ages need access to fresh chopped vegetables each day to stay hydrated and get key nutrients. Avoid overfeeding, which can lead to obesity and other problems. Feed a balanced, vitamin-rich diet based on your bearded dragon’s age and nutritional needs. This will provide them with the building blocks they need to grow and thrive for years to come!
References
- Warwick, C., Arena, P.C., Steedman, C. (2013). Reptile Ecology and Conservation: A Handbook of Techniques. Oxford University Press.
- de Vosjoli, P., Klingenberg, R., & Riggs, A. (2019). The Bearded Dragon Manual: Expert Advice for Keeping and Caring For a Healthy Bearded Dragon. Fox Chapel Publishing.
- Bartlett, P., & Bartlett, P. (2017). Bearded Dragons. Barron’s Educational Series.
- Kaplan, M. (2012). Bearded Dragon: The New Owner’s Guide to Bearded Dragons. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.
- Johnson, C. (2019). The Bearded Dragon Handbook: A Pet Owner’s Guide to Keeping Bearded Dragons. Dorrance Publishing.
