When you first get a baby bearded dragon, you may be wondering what else you can feed them besides crickets. After all, you want to provide your pet with a nutritious, varied diet. Don’t worry – there are plenty of other food options available for your baby bearded dragon. In this article, we’ll go over some of the other food items that are safe and healthy for your baby bearded dragon to eat.You can feed your baby bearded dragon a variety of dark leafy greens, such as collards, mustard greens, and turnip greens. Other vegetables that they enjoy include sweet potatoes, carrots, squash, and green beans. Fruits such as apples and pears can also be fed in moderation. Live prey items like crickets, roaches, mealworms, and wax worms are also important to provide your baby bearded dragon with the necessary protein. Make sure to dust all feeder insects with calcium powder before feeding them to your dragon.
Types of Fruits and Vegetables Suitable for Baby Bearded Dragons
Bearded dragons are a species of lizard native to Australia, and they make great pets. When it comes to feeding your baby bearded dragon, it is important to provide them with the right types of fruits and vegetables that are suitable for their age and size. This article will discuss the types of fruits and vegetables that are best for baby bearded dragons.
Fruits such as apples, bananas, oranges, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, cherries, grapes, kiwis, melons, peaches, nectarines, apricots and plums can all be fed to baby bearded dragons in moderation. It is important to make sure that any fruit you feed your dragon is washed thoroughly beforehand.
When it comes to vegetables, baby bearded dragons can eat many different kinds including dark leafy greens such as kale and spinach; squash; zucchini; bell peppers; carrots; tomatoes; cucumbers; sweet potatoes; peas; corn; broccoli and cauliflower. It is important to feed your dragon a variety of vegetables in order to ensure they get all the necessary vitamins and minerals needed for growth and development.
It is also important not to overfeed your baby bearded dragon as this can lead to obesity or other health issues. As a general rule of thumb when it comes to feeding baby bearded dragons you should provide them with 1-2 teaspoons of fruits or vegetables per day per 10 grams of body weight.
In addition to providing your baby bearded dragon with the right diets it is also important that they have access to clean water at all times. You should also provide them with appropriate sized hiding spots such as caves or logs so that they can feel secure in their environment. With proper care and nutrition your baby bearded dragon will grow up healthy and happy!
What Insects Can I Feed My Baby Bearded Dragon?
Feeding your baby bearded dragon the right diet is essential for its health and wellbeing. Insects should make up the majority of a baby bearded dragon’s diet, as they are an excellent source of protein and other nutrients. Common insect options that can be fed to a baby bearded dragon include crickets, mealworms, waxworms, silkworms, and cockroaches. It is important to note that larger insects should be avoided until the baby dragon is at least 6 months old.
Crickets are probably the most common insect offered to baby bearded dragons. They are readily available from pet stores or online vendors and come in sizes suitable for smaller lizards. Mealworms and waxworms are also popular options for baby dragons, as they provide a good source of fat and protein. Silkworms should only be offered occasionally as a special treat due to their high-fat content. Cockroaches should also be avoided until the baby dragon is at least 6 months old.
It is important to gut load all insects prior to feeding them to your baby bearded dragon. Gut loading involves feeding the insects nutritious foods such as vegetables or fruits so that when they are eaten by your dragon, they provide additional nutrients. It is also important to dust all insects with calcium or vitamin supplement powders prior to feeding them to your baby dragon in order to ensure it receives all of the essential vitamins and minerals it needs for proper growth and development.
In addition to insects, you can also feed your baby bearded dragon small amounts of leafy greens such as dandelion greens, collard greens, mustard greens, endive, escarole, or kale. You can also offer chopped vegetables such as carrots, squash, bell peppers or green beans occasionally as treats. It is important not to overfeed your baby bearded dragon on vegetables as this can lead to digestive issues such as bloating or diarrhea.
By providing your baby bearded dragon with a variety of nutritious foods including insects and vegetables you can ensure it receives all of the essential nutrients it needs for proper growth and development. Remember that larger insects should be avoided until your beardie is at least 6 months old and always gut load any insects you offer prior to feeding them to your pet reptile!
Other Protein Sources for Baby Bearded Dragons
Baby bearded dragons require a higher protein intake than adults, so it is important to provide them with adequate protein sources. Common protein sources for baby bearded dragons include crickets, mealworms, and waxworms. Additionally, there are several other sources of protein that can be given to baby bearded dragons, such as silkworms, roaches, and even some fruits and vegetables.
Silkworms are a great source of protein for baby bearded dragons. They are high in fat and proteins but low in calcium which makes them an ideal snack for young lizards. They should be fed sparingly as they can be quite fatty so only offer a few at a time.
Roaches are another great source of protein for baby bearded dragons. They can be purchased in pet stores or online and come in different shapes and sizes. Roaches have a soft exoskeleton making them easier to digest than other insects. Roaches also contain calcium which is beneficial for the growth and development of baby bearded dragons.
Fruits and vegetables also contain proteins that can provide your baby dragon with essential nutrients. Fruits such as apples, pears, melons, oranges, and bananas are all good options for providing protein to young lizards. Vegetables such as kale, spinach, squash, sweet potatoes, carrots, peas, beans, broccoli and cauliflower are all excellent sources of proteins that can help your baby dragon grow healthy and strong.
In addition to these foods there are many other sources of proteins available for baby bearded dragons including insects like mealworms or waxworms as well as commercial foods specifically formulated to meet their dietary needs. It is important to provide your dragon with a variety of proteins from different sources to ensure they receive the nutrients they need to thrive.
By offering your baby dragon a variety of proteins from different sources you will be giving them the nutrition they need for healthy growth and development during their early stages of life!
Preparing Fruits and Vegetables for a Baby Bearded Dragon
Feeding a baby bearded dragon can be a fun and rewarding experience. It is important to provide them with the right nutrition to ensure they grow healthy and strong. Fruits and vegetables can make up a large part of their diet, but they must be prepared properly in order for them to be safe for your pet. Here are some tips on how to prepare fruits and vegetables for your baby bearded dragon:
The first step is to wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly under cold running water. This will help remove any dirt or bacteria that may be present on the produce. You can also use a mild vegetable wash if available.
Next, you will need to cut the produce into small pieces that are suitable for your baby dragon’s size. It is important not to cut the pieces too small as this can cause choking hazards. Aim for pieces that are no larger than one-quarter of an inch in diameter.
Once the produce is cut up, it should be blanched in boiling water for 2-3 minutes. This helps kill any potential bacteria or parasites that may be present on the fruits or vegetables. Afterward, you can either serve them warm or chill them in an ice bath before serving.
Finally, it is important to always offer foods in moderation. Too many fruits or vegetables could lead to digestive problems in your bearded dragon. Always keep track of how much food you are offering so that you know when it’s time to stop feeding them.
By following these simple steps, you can easily prepare fruits and vegetables that are safe and nutritious for your baby bearded dragon. With proper care and nutrition, your pet will thrive!
Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Baby Bearded Dragon
It is important to understand that baby bearded dragons have a very different diet than their adult counterparts. Since they are still growing and developing, it is important to feed them the proper foods that will provide them with essential vitamins and minerals they need. While there are a few foods that are okay for adult bearded dragons, there are also some foods that should be avoided when feeding your baby dragon. Here are some of the foods to avoid when feeding your baby bearded dragon:
- Fruit: Fruits should not be fed to baby bearded dragons as it can cause gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea and vomiting.
- Nuts: Nuts, including peanuts, should be avoided for baby bearded dragons because they can cause gastrointestinal issues as well as choking hazards.
- Insects: Insects such as crickets and mealworms should not be fed to baby dragons as they can cause impaction due to their hard exoskeleton.
- Vegetables: Vegetables such as lettuce, spinach, and kale can cause digestive problems in baby bearded dragons due to their high fiber content.
It is important to note that while these are all foods that should be avoided for baby bearded dragons, there are still plenty of other safe foods you can feed your dragon. There are also many commercial diets available specifically designed for juvenile reptiles. These diets usually contain a variety of vitamins and minerals needed for proper growth and development of your pet. It is important to consult with a reptile veterinarian before changing your pet’s diet in order to ensure it is nutritionally balanced.
Benefits of Variety in Diet for a Baby Bearded Dragon
A baby bearded dragon’s diet should include a variety of food to ensure they receive all the necessary nutrients for healthy growth and development. Including a variety of food items such as insects, vegetables, and fruits can provide the essential vitamins, minerals, and proteins needed for good health. Feeding your baby bearded dragon different types of food can also help keep them interested in their meals.
Insects are an important source of protein, so it is important to feed your baby bearded dragon a variety of insects. Feeding them crickets, mealworms, or waxworms is a great way to provide the protein they need. Make sure to provide different sizes and textures of insects to ensure they are getting the right amount of nutrients from their meals.
Vegetables are a great source of vitamins and minerals that are essential for healthy growth and development in baby bearded dragons. Offer your beardie a variety of dark leafy greens such as collard greens, dandelion greens, kale, turnip greens, and mustard greens. You can also offer vegetables like carrots, squash, peas, and bell peppers as occasional treats. To ensure your beardie gets enough nutrients from their veggies, try lightly steaming or blanching them before feeding them to your pet.
Fruits should be offered sparingly due to their high sugar content but can be used as an occasional treat. Berries like blueberries or strawberries are great options for baby bearded dragons as they contain valuable vitamins and minerals that can help boost their immunity and keep them healthy. Avoid fruits with seeds like apples or pears as these can be difficult for your pet to digest properly.
By providing your baby bearded dragon with a variety of food items you will ensure they get all the essential nutrients needed for proper growth and development while keeping their diet interesting at the same time!
Commercial Foods Suitable for a Baby Bearded Dragon
Bearded dragons are omnivorous reptiles that require a balanced diet of both animal proteins and plant matter to stay healthy. As a baby, their diet should consist of a variety of foods that provide essential nutrients for growth and development. Commercial foods are an important part of any bearded dragon’s diet, especially for babies. These products are specially formulated to meet the nutritional needs of young bearded dragons, making them an ideal choice for providing essential nutrients. Some popular commercial foods suitable for baby bearded dragons include mealworms, crickets, dubia roaches, wax worms, and fortified pellet diets.
Mealworms are one of the most popular feeder insects for baby bearded dragons. They are small in size and easy to digest, making them an ideal choice for young lizards. Mealworms can be purchased in bulk from pet stores or online suppliers and can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer until needed. They also provide a good source of protein and vitamins that help with growth and development.
Crickets are another option when it comes to feeding baby bearded dragons. These insects are high in protein and contain essential amino acids that help promote muscle development in young lizards. Crickets can be purchased from pet stores or online suppliers in bulk quantities. They should be kept refrigerated or frozen until needed to ensure freshness and quality nutrition.
Dubia roaches are another popular feeder insect suitable for baby bearded dragons. These large cockroaches contain higher levels of calcium than other feeder insects and provide essential vitamins and minerals necessary for growth and development. Dubia roaches should be purchased from reliable sources to ensure they have not been treated with chemicals or pesticides before feeding them to your pet lizard.
Wax worms are small moth larvae that are high in fat but low in nutrition compared to other feeder insects such as crickets or mealworms. They should only be fed as occasional treats because they do not provide the same level of nutrition required by young lizards as other feeder insects do. Wax worms can be purchased from pet stores or online suppliers in bulk quantities.
Fortified pellet diets are another great option when it comes to feeding baby bearded dragons as they provide complete nutrition without having to supplement with other food sources such as live insects or plant matter. These pellets contain all the necessary vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and fiber required by young lizards for proper growth and development while also helping them maintain good health overall.
All of these commercial foods provide important nutrients necessary for proper growth and development in baby bearded dragons; however it is important to remember that no single food source provides all the necessary nutrients on its own so a variety of food sources is recommended for optimal health benefits
Conclusion
Feeding a baby bearded dragon can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience for both you and your pet. As long as you provide a variety of fresh, nutritious foods, your baby bearded dragon will have everything it needs to remain healthy. In addition to crickets, there are many other foods that can be offered, including vegetables, fruits, worms, insects, and even pinkie mice. Providing a balanced diet with the appropriate amounts of proteins and calcium will help keep your baby bearded dragon in good health. With careful consideration and research into the nutritional needs of your pet, you can have peace of mind knowing that your baby bearded dragon is receiving the best nutrition possible.
In conclusion, crickets should not be the only food source for a baby bearded dragon. While crickets are an important part of their diet, they should also receive other nutritious foods in order to maintain their health. With careful consideration and research into the nutritional needs of your pet, you can provide them with a balanced diet that meets all their needs for growth and development.
