Bearded dragons are among the friendliest and most intelligent reptiles, making them popular pets. Although they are generally easier to care for than some reptiles, they do have unique dietary needs that can quickly become expensive and unwieldy. In the wild, these animals eat a diverse variety of plant and animal matter, and variety is also important in the diet of a captive bearded dragon. Dietary deficiencies are among the most common causes of health problems in bearded dragons. Feed your lizard an appropriate diet and you’re unlikely to encounter serious health issues.
Protein
Bearded dragons are omnivores who eat a variety of insects to obtain protein. In captivity, healthy choices for bearded dragons include crickets, mealworms, super worms, silkworms, hornworms, roaches, phoenix worms, repti-worms and fruit flies. Wax worms can be given in small quantities (5 to 10 a week) because of their high fat content. Bearded dragons can suffer from impaction, a life threatening condition that requires prompt veterinary care, if they eat insects that are too large. Never give your bearded dragon food larger than the space between its eyes. In the first year of life, these lizards are voracious insectivores who can eat a hundred or more prey items a day. Feed your dragon as much food as it can eat in 15 minutes. Bearded dragons under three months should be fed three times daily; until nine months they should be fed twice a day, and thereafter can eat once per day.
Vegetables
Bearded dragons require vegetables to remain healthy. While fruit can be given in very small quantities (a few berries a week) as a treat, avoid giving excess fruit because it can cause intestinal problems. Healthy choices are dark leafy greens such as collards, turnips, mustard greens and kale. Shred the vegetables into small, bite-sized pieces. In the first year of life, bearded dragons primarily eat insects, which should comprise 70 percent of their total diet. After the first year, these proportions switch and bearded dragons require 70 percent plant matter.
Calcium
Bearded dragons must get calcium and Vitamin D to prevent metabolic bone disease and several other life-threatening conditions. Dust your dragon’s food with calcium dust 3 to 5 times a week and provide it with a full-spectrum UVB bulb so it can metabolize the calcium.
Sources:
The Bearded Dragon Manual- Philippe de Vosjoli
The Bearded Dragon-Steve Grenard