How Often Do You Feed A Bearded Dragon?

Last Updated on February 7, 2025 by Miranda

It is important to feed your bearded dragon on a regular basis. Bearded dragons are omnivores and need both plant matter and meat in their diet. You should not feed them too often, as it can lead to obesity, but you also want to avoid underfeeding them. Follow these guidelines which will help you answer the question, “How often do you feed a Bearded dragon?”

Babies (0-3 months old)

Babies (0-3 months old) should be fed every day. They need to eat small meals more often than older dragons.

Juveniles (3-12 months old)

Juveniles (3-12 months old) can be fed every other day. They should have 2-3 meals per week.

Adults (over 12 months old)

Adults (over 12 months old) can be fed every 3 days. They should have 2-3 meals per week.

Diet Preparation

Now that you know how often to feed your bearded dragon, it’s time to start preparing their diet. Bearded dragons are omnivores, which means they can eat both plants and meat. You should provide them with a variety of food to make sure they’re getting the nutrients they need.

Your dragon’s diet should include:

Fruits and vegetables: dark, leafy greens like collard greens, kale, and Swiss chard; brightly colored vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, and red bell peppers; and fruits like apples, bananas, and berries.
Meat: live insects like crickets and mealworms; cooked chicken, beef, or shrimp; and hard-boiled eggs.
You can either feed your dragon their food raw or cooked. If you choose to cook their food, make sure you don’t add any seasoning or oil.

Specific Nutrient Requirements

Bearded dragons require a balanced intake of nutrients to thrive. Calcium and vitamin D3 are particularly important for preventing metabolic bone disease, a common issue that arises from an improper calcium-to-phosphorus ratio. Ensure to provide your bearded dragon with calcium supplements, especially if they are not regularly exposed to UVB light, which is essential for their ability to metabolize these nutrients effectively. Phosphorus should also be managed carefully, as an excess can inhibit calcium absorption. Include foods that are rich in calcium, and consider dusting insects with a calcium supplement before feeding.

Safe and Unsafe Foods

Knowing which foods are safe and which to avoid is critical when feeding your bearded dragon. Safe fruits include apples, blueberries, and strawberries, while safe vegetables include squash, green beans, and bell peppers. However, certain foods like avocado and rhubarb contain toxic compounds that can be harmful to bearded dragons. Always research new foods thoroughly before offering them to your pet, ensuring that they don’t pose any health risks.

Hydration Needs

Proper hydration is as important as a well-balanced diet for bearded dragons. They can absorb water through their skin, so regular misting can be beneficial. You should also ensure fresh, clean water is available in their enclosure at all times. Signs of dehydration include wrinkled skin and sunken eyes. If your dragon appears lethargic or constipated, it may be a sign they require more water. Offering foods with high water content, like cucumbers or melons, can also help maintain hydration levels.

What Can Cause a Bearded Dragon Overeat?

There are several things that can cause a bearded dragon to eat more often than the average. Bearded dragons become obese if they eat too much, so you want to be careful not to overfeed them. Other things that can cause a dragon to overeat include:

Unhealthy food: If your dragon is eating unhealthy food, like processed snacks, they will be more likely to overeat.
Stress: If your dragon is stressed, it may eat more as a way to cope.
Improper diet: If your dragon is not getting the nutrients they need, they may overeat in an attempt to make up for it.
Health problems: If your dragon is sick or has a health problem, it may eat more than usual as a way to cope.

Feeding Techniques

Feeding techniques can enhance the feeding experience for both you and your bearded dragon. Allowing your dragon to hunt live insects not only provides necessary physical activity but also mental stimulation, which is important for their well-being. Tong feeding can allow you to bond with your dragon and manage their diet more precisely. Experiment with these methods to see which suits your dragon best, always ensuring that live prey is healthy and appropriately sized.

Seasonal Changes

Bearded dragons may eat more during certain times of the year. For example, they may eat more during the winter when they’re not as active. If your dragon is eating more than normal, try to figure out why and make the necessary changes.

Seasonal Dietary Adjustments

Seasonal changes can affect your bearded dragon’s dietary needs. During cooler months, dragons might become less active and require fewer calories. Adjust their food intake accordingly to prevent obesity. In warmer seasons, or if they are more active, their caloric needs may increase, requiring more frequent feedings. Always observe your dragon’s behavior and adjust their diet to ensure they maintain a healthy weight and activity level throughout the year.

Diet Change

When your bearded dragon is eating more than usual, the first thing you should do is check their diet. Make sure they’re getting a variety of food that includes both plants and meat. If they’re not getting the nutrients they need, you may need to change their diet. You can either feed them a more varied diet or supplement their diet with vitamins and minerals.

If you’re not sure what to do, talk to a vet or reptile specialist. They can help you figure out what’s causing your dragon to overeat and how to fix it.

Obesity

Bearded dragons that eat too much can become obese. This can lead to health problems like liver disease, heart disease, and diabetes. If your dragon is obese, you need to make sure they’re eating the right food and getting enough exercise.

Stress

If your dragon is stressed, they may eat more as a way to cope. Stress can be caused by things like loud noises, changes in their environment, or being handled too much. If you think your dragon is stressed, try to find the cause and take steps to eliminate it.

Improper diet

If your dragon is not getting the nutrients they need, they may overeat in an attempt to make up for it. Make sure you’re providing them with a variety of food to get all the nutrients they need.

Health problems

If your dragon is sick or has a health problem, it may eat more than usual as a way to cope. If you think your dragon is sick, take them to the vet to get checked out.

Size of Bearded Dragon

The size of your bearded dragon will also affect how often they need to eat. Baby dragons need to eat more often than adults because they’re growing so quickly. Adult dragons can go longer between meals because they don’t need as many calories.

Bearded dragons typically eat every day, but how often they eat will depend on their size. Baby dragons need to eat more often than adults because they’re growing so quickly. Adult dragons can go longer between meals because they don’t need as many calories.

Change in Appetite

A change in appetite is not necessarily a sign that your dragon is eating too much or too little. Some dragons will be more active one day and less active the next. This can cause them to eat more or less on different days. If you think your dragon’s appetite has changed significantly, take them to the vet to get checked out.

What happens if you underfeed a bearded dragon?

If you underfeed a bearded dragon, they may become obese. Bearded dragons have an innate instinct to seek food and hoard it so if they are constantly overfed and not enough exercise is provided, they can suffer from health problems like heart disease and diabetes. If you think your dragon is not getting enough food, take them to the vet to get checked out.

Can you overfeed a bearded dragon?

Yes, you can overfeed a bearded dragon. If your dragon is eating more than normal, try to figure out why and make the necessary changes. Unhealthy food, stress, improper diet, health problems, and seasonal changes can all cause a dragon to overeat.

If your dragon is obese, you need to make sure they’re eating the right food and getting enough exercise. Overfeeding can also lead to other health problems, like liver disease and heart disease.

Bearded dragons are omnivores and typically eat every day, but how often they eat will depend on their size. Baby dragons need to eat more often than adults because they’re growing so quickly. Adult dragons can go longer between meals because they don’t need as many calories. If you think your dragon is not getting enough food, take them to the vet to get checked out.