Answer: Yes, bearded dragons can eat dragon fruit in moderation. Many dragons love the sweet taste too! Just don’t overdo it or diarrhea could occur.
Dragon fruit is safe and healthy for bearded dragons to eat. It contains beneficial vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, calcium, and iron.
Dragon fruit hydrates bearded dragons well because of its high water content. This can be helpful especially when they are shedding.
The fiber in dragon fruit also aids healthy digestion for bearded dragons. It should not cause diarrhea like some other fruits might.
Dragon fruit is naturally sweet so most bearded dragons enjoy eating it.
You should feed dragon fruit in moderation – no more than once or twice a week. Too much can cause loose stool due to excess natural sugars.
Dice up the dragon fruit into small bite-sized pieces for easy eating. The skin can also be fed safely.
Although the seeds in dragon fruit are generally safe, it’s a good practice to remove them to avoid any potential risk of choking or digestive issues.
According to sources, fruits, in particular, should constitute only a small portion of a bearded dragon’s diet, ideally around 5% or just as a treat.
Benefit of Dragon Fruit For Bearded Dragons
Since you can feed dragon fruit to your bearded dragons. The hydration, fiber, added nutritional variety, vitamins/minerals, and low fat content in dragon fruit can offer great complementary health benefits for bearded dragons. Feeding some regularly checks several boxes for supporting their dietary needs.
- Hydration – Dragon fruit is composed of around 80-90% water, making it great for hydrating bearded dragons. Proper hydration aids healthy sheds and prevents dehydration.
- Fiber – The fiber in dragon fruit can help stimulate digestive processes and bowel regularity for bearded dragons. This helps prevent constipation which dragons can be prone to.
- Nutrition – Dragon fruit contains beneficial nutrients like antioxidants, vitamins C and E, calcium, carotenoids, iron, and B vitamins. All these support a healthy immune system, bones, muscles, eyesight, skin/scales, energy levels and more.
- Low Fat – With only 1 gram of fat per 100g serving, dragon fruit makes for a healthy low-fat treat for bearded dragons compared to other fruits and proteins. This equates to extra nutrients without lots of fat calories.
- Antioxidants: It contains antioxidants, which can help in reducing the risk of certain diseases and contribute to overall health.
- Variety – Adding a small amount of dragon fruit into a bearded dragon’s diet gives them access to an exciting food they don’t normally have. This makes meals more stimulating and can potentially spur appetite.
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How Often Bearded Dragon Should Have Dragon Fruit
It’s recommended to offer dragon fruit to your bearded dragon about once or twice a month. This infrequency is primarily due to the high sugar content in dragon fruit, which, while safe in small quantities, can lead to health issues like obesity and dental problems if consumed too often.
Baby bearded dragon under 1 year old should not have more than 1-2 small bites of dragon fruit per week and only as an occasional treat. Their digestive systems are more sensitive.
Juvenile Dragons 1-2 years old can have around 2 inches (or 50 grams) of chopped dragon fruit 1-2 times per week maximum. Monitor for loose stool.
Fully mature adult dragons can handle slightly more – aim for around 3-4 inches of chopped dragon fruit up to twice weekly. But as with all fruits, moderation is key.
Keep portions small, chop the flesh into bite-sized pieces, monitor for signs of an upset digestive system after feedings, and remove if diarrhea occurs. Limit high-fruit meals to no more than 25% total diet for balanced nutrition. With these precautions, most healthy dragons enjoy dragon fruit as a periodic part of their menu.
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Can Baby Bearded Dragons Eat Dragon Fruit?
Yes, you can feed Baby bearded dragons with dragon fruit, but it should be given with caution and only in very small amounts.
Only feed babies 4-6 months and older. Their digestive systems before that may be too sensitive or underdeveloped to handle fruit sugars and fiber well.
Feed only very small amounts a few tiny pieces around 2-3 mm in size – and only 1-2 times maximum per week. Their tiny stomachs fill up fast.
Monitor carefully for signs of loose stool or diarrhea afterwards and stop feeding immediately if they occur. Baby dragon digestive systems are quite delicate.
Make sure to chop any pieces fed into tiny bite sizes. Babies should not be allowed to bite off large chunks they could potentially choke on. Carefully dice any flesh fed to them.
Feed other more essential proteins and vegetables much more regularly than fruit treats. Babies need nutrients from greens, insects, and calcium to grow.
What Other fruits can bearded dragons have?
In addition to dragon fruit, bearded dragons can eat a variety of other fruits, but always in moderation. Safe options include apples (peeled and cored), bananas, blueberries, strawberries, melons, peaches, and grapes.
Here are some other fruits that can be safely fed to bearded dragons:
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
- Raspberries
- Bananas
- Apples
- Melons
- Mango
- Bananas
- Peaches
- Apricots
- Figs
- Kiwi
- Pears
Can bearded dragons eat dragon fruit seeds?
Yes, bearded dragons can eat dragon fruit seeds. These seeds are small and soft, posing no significant risk of choking or digestive issues. However, it’s still important to serve dragon fruit in moderation due to its high sugar content.
Can bearded dragons eat dragon fruit raw?
Yes, bearded dragons should only eat dragon fruit in its raw form. Cooked fruits can lose some of their nutritional value and may become harder for the bearded dragon to digest. Ensure the dragon fruit is fresh, properly washed, and served in small, manageable pieces.
Can bearded dragons eat dragon fruit cactus?
While the dragon fruit comes from a type of cactus (Hylocereus spp.), it’s not advisable to feed the cactus plant itself to bearded dragons. The focus should be on the fruit, not the plant, as other parts may not be safe or suitable for their digestive system.
Can bearded dragons eat yellow dragon fruit?
Yes, bearded dragons can eat yellow dragon fruit, also known as yellow pitaya. Like the more common red variety, yellow dragon fruit should be given as a treat and not as a staple in their diet. The same precautions apply: serve it raw, in small pieces, and without seeds.
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