Although there are many fruits, vegetables, and insects that are good to feed a bearded dragon, there are several things you should avoid.
There are obvious things to avoid feeding a bearded dragon, but there are some things that many owners may not know about. It’s always very important to provide your bearded dragon a balanced, proper diet to ensure it maintains the best health possible.
To make sure you do not mistakingly feed your bearded dragon, here are five foods to avoid feeding a bearded dragon.
Lettuce
Bearded dragons love lettuce, especially Bibb lettuces.
Unfortunately, lettuce is a vegetable you should avoid feeding a bearded dragon unless it’s an absolute emergency and it is all you have available.
Lettuce does not contain any nutritional value for a bearded dragon, and cause cause some digestive conditions such as diarrhea.
It might be tempting to offer your pet a little lettuce, but escarole, watercress, dandelion leaves, and kale is a much better food item.
Fireflies
Never, ever feed your bearded dragon fireflies. Fireflies are extremely toxic to bearded dragons and other reptiles.
You may think catching a few fireflies to feed your bearded dragon might be an easy, inexpensive treat, but be warned – fireflies can kill your beardie.
Avoid feeding a bearded dragon fireflies at all costs. If you let your pet roam around outdoors keep a watchful eye on it, and make sure the beardie doesn’t go after any wild insects, especially fireflies.
Avocados
Avocados should never be feed to a bearded dragon. They have a high amount of oxalic acid which can be fatal to bearded dragon in very high doses. A small amount of avocado could make the bearded dragon ill, while large amounts over time could result in death for the lizard.
You should avoid feeding avocados to your bearded dragon and choose leafy greens as a good substitute.
Rhubarb
Avoid feeding your bearded dragon rhubarb. Rhubarb is very toxic to bearded dragons and should be always avoided.
If you accidentally give your bearded dragon rhubarb, give him water immediately and contact a veterinarian.
Beet Tops
Beet tops are very nutritious, containing good levels of magnesium and vitamin A. Unfortunately, beet tops also contain a chemical that inhibits calcium absorption in bearded dragons.
The chemical bind calcium in the digestive system which prevents it from being absorbed into the blood stream. This can actually cause a calcium deficiency in your bearded dragon and can lead to Metabolic Bone Disease.
Beet tops can still be given to bearded dragons, but in moderation. Offering a few beet tops pieces once per month should be just fine. The bearded dragon will get plenty of the nutrients from the beet greens while not causing any long term health effects.
Spinach
You should treat spinach the same as beet tops. Spinach contains the same calcium-binding chemical, which can lead to possible Metabolic Bone Disease. Spinach should be offered in very small amounts in moderation.
jan says
How long can beadedragon live with out food
lisa says
probley not long why do u ask they need to be fed every day like people please feed ur dragon daily if u don’t have food they can go maybe 2 days with out food but need to be fed soon its less then $3 to go to Walmart and get collard greens please please feed ur dragon daily and dust the food with calcium powder
Jessica says
Do u dust vegetables and fruits like u dust insects?I’m not really sure why must dragon is not eating the vegetables
Reagan says
No… as long as you are constantly feeding your Beardie dusted insects ofton you don’t need to dust the vegetables. Also some dragons only eat certain vegetables so you just have to find a favorite, and if it won’t eat any at all make sure they have water, and continue to find a good vegetable.
uhh says
No, they don’t need water they are desert animals. But they do need baths like once a month.
Giselle says
I find that my bearded dragon ( Draco) really loves broccoli.
Chace says
I’ve seen perfectly healthy dragons not eat for a couple weeks. It depends on the dragon, like people tgey are all very different.
Debbie says
Collard greens in Canada are very hard to find
shannon hardy says
do i give my beardie food calcium everyday or once a month?
Kiersa says
A Bearded Dragon should not be fed more than a day apart from each feeding. Beardies need to eat every day so the absolute max amount of days would be three to four days, but their health will be declining each day with out proper food and supplements.
Umar says
In the winter mine might not eat for weeks at a time. He loses some weight in the winter but is otherwise fine. It scared me the first winter it happened but they often just sleep for weeks or even months and its fine. Its part of their natural lives in the wild.
Carolyn says
It can also be their way of hibernation which is called brumation. Don’t feed them or else they can have many issues from that.
Izzy says
They can go to about two months but don’t starve them please!
Susan says
My Bearded Dragon Artex is 3 years old going to be 4 in November, the past week i noticed she has what looks like a lip infection. there is a small swollen spot on her lip and she keeps trying to scratch it. What is it and what can I do for her also for some reason she doesn’t like when i pick her up.
lisa says
hmm weird maybe stuck shed? try to give her a warm bath and put a small amount of coconut oil on the spot. try looking at her body do u see anything that looks yellow? if so take her to the vet ASAP! that could be yellow funguses and will kill ur dragon please keep me updated. hope she gets better!
Kadie says
She may be trying to shed. and id do some research on the lip, but it could be from rubbing on stuff like the sides of her cage cause they see their reflection.
Erik says
I accidentally fed my bearded dragon a leaf of spinach thinking it was water crest what do I do?
Nicholas says
If it was once then its okay
Dragonfire says
I think it is ok my beardie is fine when we give it spinach
lisa says
please don’t feed them that they will eat collerds mustatd kale and other vegies
Victoria says
My sister gave a little peace of bread to my bearded dragon steve is that ok
dena says
I put a frog in the cage with m bearded dragon. The dragon bite the frog , to my sorrow my bearded dragon was dead in 15 minutes. Did not know the frog would kill Are frogs poison to the lizard/
lisa says
wow I’m so sorry for your lose yea dragons shoudnt eath things like that I don’t even like them eating pinky mice the best stuff to dfeed them is fresh vegiees and bugs from pet stores or bug breeders
Seth says
why would you house them together?
Nathan says
Wow Why would you put a tropical creature with a desert creature ?
Lrc says
Yes frogs are poisonous to other animals if ingested. Even dogs and cats have died from trying to eat a frog. I am very sorry for your loss.
Josh says
I feed my beardie a few fireflies and now I think he’s sick what do I do
lisa says
how is he doing now? what I would do if it gets worst is go to the vet ASAP! not sure if there is anything u can do from ur home hope he gets better please keep me updated
Seth says
did you read this article?
Savannah says
Hi, my name is Savannah. I just got a 2 year old male beaded dragon. I’m afraid that he isn’t eating because his last owners fed him pellet food and now I’m giving him live crickets (from a pet store) and I’m giving him kale and carrots which I think he’s eating but I think the crickets that he isn’t eating are eating the veggies. Please help what should I do?
Ene238& says
Sometimes it helps mine when I get some tweezers and squeeze the cricket so it doesn’t move as much. Its a bit cruel, but you should see if it works.
Erika H says
Bearded dragons love Dubia Roaches, hornworms, mealworms and so on but I was told to stay away from crickets because of their smell and I think they said they have bones?
Erika Gray says
I was on another site and it had said that collard greens and cabbage and raw bell peppers are okay to feed your dragon. Is this true??
Tee Riddle says
Hi Erika,
Yes, collard greens, cabbage and raw bell peppers are okay to feed a bearded dragon. Make sure to chop them up fine enough so the bearded dragon can chew and swallow the veggies/fruit. Here’s a list of the best foods for a bearded dragon – https://www.beardeddragoncare101.com/best-foods-bearded-dragon/
Hope this helps and thanks for your comment.
Derrick says
I just got my bearded dragon about a week ago its 5 or 6 months old he has been eating fine and Tuesday he started to shed and yesterday and today he would eat what should I do
Tee Riddle says
Hi Derrick,
It’s usually not typical for a bearded dragon to stop eating when shedding. Sometimes the bearded dragon will eat the shed skin, so he may not be hungry much. He could be a bit stressed by the shedding process and doesn’t feel like eating. I would continue to offer food and his appetite should return within a couple days. Make sure to continue offering water, misting and bathing him.
Derrick says
If a bearded dragon is shedding does it stop eating
Evelyn says
He is most likely to be in stress
Evelyn says
He is most likely to be in stress.
Has he been shedding for the first time
Haggis says
Can a bearded dragon eat tomatoes? I don’t really want to feed them that because personally I hate them, I just want to know. Thanks.
Tee Riddle says
Hi Haggis,
Thank you for your question.
No. Bearded dragons should not be fed tomatoes because of the high acidic levels.
Bailey says
My vet said tomatoes are fine for beardies. Mine is going on 11 years and he gets tomatoes every other day and he is as healthy as can be.
Ava says
How many super worms should I feed my 1year old bearded dragon each day?
Victoria says
I don’t know if he’s ok he puffs up his beard
big boi says
that’s why there called bearded dragons
Brenda P. says
It means he is annoyed or scared/defensive. It can turn black as well– especially males.
Stacy W Foster says
My dragon is about 7 months old I want to get one more can I put them together in the same tank
Beard says
No, bearded dragons should not be cohabbed for any reason.
Ricky says
I have 3 in one cage and there fine. Thats not true!
Lily says
Why are so many people on this thread dumb and neglectful?
Mat says
Had two beardies co-hab for three years. Maybe you just don’t know what you’re talking about. Even had a vet and a zoolologist say it was ok. I’m sure you’ll say you know more than them though.
Kimberly Fraley says
Because they don’t know any better especially the younger ones . Most Parents Look at it as ” it’s a reptile it only needs food water and a place to sleep ” which is true but of course most of us do our research and we know what our animals need before getting them or immediately after. It can’t be preached enough DO YOUR RESEARCH BEFORE GETTING YOUR ANIMAL OR REPTILE !!!! That’s the problem it’s not that their dumb and neglectful. That’s why we have these threads it’s basically for those that don’t know stop the only thing we can do is answer their questions and teach them otherwise they’ll stay neglectful and never learn until it’s to late. The reptile education is truly never ending there’s always going to be some type of questions but some need to know facts before answering them and/ Or simply say ” well this is what works for me” . ☺☺☺have a great day my friend
April says
This is untrue. It is better off for them to be housed separately however if the terrarium is large enough and both lizards have enough space to do their own thing it is perfectly fine to house them together. Two males housed together are more likely to fight then two females but there is always that risk. Housing them in the right conditions together is not harmful to them. Hell, how do you think that they mate? At some point in time they have to be in the same terrarium
Tawn says
A comment says no not to cohabitat this is just not true. I have a male and a female in a tank together and they are great friends. Be weary however to put two males in the same habitat I would recommend not doing that all together. A female can cohabitate with another female or a male but a male should only cohabitate with females.
tweeft says
my 10 yr old beardie had a sister once. they were housed together when they were younger and when he grew faster than his sister he ended up eating his sister when his owners at the time were gone at work. they will literally eat their siblings do not house them together
Mario says
I have 2 bearded dragons. 1 is a year old the other is 2. Why does the 2 year old poop like twice a week only. Sometimes she goes a few days then I put her in warm water and she poops really dark. I rarely give them water because they never drink any when I put any.
big boi says
no you’re supposed to give them water Mario, they are not a cactus that’s also why she’s not pooping it’s because she is dehydrated. get them water now
Gavin says
My bearded dragon ate some mushrooms from our houseplant, Is he okay?
Darlene says
Can beardies eat corn?
Jean says
Wow, a lot of you really needed to read up before getting a dragon or any other pet.
Mat says
Wow. You really need to either be constructive or shut up.
Shelby Lowry says
No if you don’t do the research before you get the animal at least the basics you don’t deserve a herp
Archie says
Do beared dragons urinate
X says
Yes, but i believe that its a white powdery substance instead of liquid and is commonly thought to be poop.
Aunt Beardie says
I am beardie sitting for my sister bc her house is too cold. My husband and I cleaned it’s house and put everything back. Gave it some grapes, pears and a few meal worms. It pooped ate a free worms. Was going crazy in the tank running back and forth. Looked like it was trying to get out. We thought it was just being feisty bc it just ate and it was the middle of the night when we saw it acting crazy. When I woke up it looked like it wasn’t breathing. It was really close to the top. Like it was sticking it’s now out trying to get air or something. It ate it’s own poop. I changed the light bulbs to red and white and took out the blue like she said. It was almost 100°F. Any idea why it isn’t moving? Is it just full? Do they act up and get crazy in the middle of the night? Please help. I can’t get in touch with my sister and shes really fond of this little guy.
M says
Bunch of mostly retards on here…never look after an animal if u don’t 100% know how to!!!
Jtcovey says
Asking is kind of how you learn that.
Cherie says
I read on another site that bearded dragon can’t eat rice I would like to know why.
Alexander says
I’ve had my bearded dragon for 7 years and I noticed that her eye is swollen shut and it looks infected and the other eyes looks as if it has no moisture in it at all. She moves weird and doesn’t seem to know where she’s going. Please help I don’t know what to do about it, thanks.
Brenda P. says
Take it to a vet who treats exotic animals.
Chester says
Is it ok to feed my beardie cheetos? I just did. He is going nuts for more. He wont eat bugs anymore, but the other day I held a cheeto to the window…he went apeshit again and jumped off his branch into the glass in front of my hand hholding the cheeto, He really wants another! What should I do…maybe give him a freeto?
kera says
No, you can cause him to get blocked up. They should never be fed processed food.
colton says
i love bearded dragons and snakes and reptiles. how many diseases and bad things can kill your beardie in a day?
what is the best food choice to give one and also how much does it cost to get a bearded dragon and its stuff it needs?
Leticia A Easterling says
Well…we got one,my bf and I, and Kaoz was $220 and his needs with all the lamps (uvb,uva,and basking) ,food, dusting calcium and vitamin D,it was about $400 and crickets are loud so we can’t buy in bulk 100 cost $4 but for 5 they are .20¢ /cricket. But he’s a cool Lil guy and I love him and he shows me he loves me. He’s eight months old.
colton says
i love bearded dragons and snakes and reptiles. how many diseases and bad things can kill your beardie in a day?
what is the best food choice to give one and also how much does it cost to get a bearded dragon and its stuff it needs?
Please anwser back thank you
colton says
how many diseases and bad things can kill your bearded dragonin a day?
what is the best food choice to give one and also how much does it cost to get a bearded dragon and its stuff it needs
colton says
what disease can kill a beaded dragon and can you feed one a toad
Brenda P says
NEVER FROGS OR TOADS! There are several other foods/vegetables that can. Google “foods that can kill bearded dragons” and then “food that is good for bearded dragons”.
You can also download a booklet from https://www.beardeddragoncare101.com/ It has everything you need to know without having to ask questions one at a time.
Read before you Feed!!!
kera says
No, you can cause him to get blocked up. They should never be fed processed food.
noreen henderson says
my beardie Crash is 6 years old,he hasnt shed his skin in a very ong time til now,he looks aweful,hes hiding alot,i gave him a warm bath yesterday but he has never looked this bad during shedding
any suggestions
Leticia A Easterling says
Cool name
Rod says
I fell asleep with my bearded dragon I I woke up suddenly and I was laying on top of him. He wasn’t breathing so I pumped his lung. He took two big gasps of air and now he’s breathing super heavy and barley moving. There’s not many 24hr vets around. What did I do?i got him in the cage now under the basking lamp
Ray says
Holy hell, never sleep with your reptile! it’s not a dog or cat, you can easily kill it and it probably will die or be suffering, seriously, before you do anything like that look it up! “can i sleep with my bearded dragon” it’s not that hard people
Paul says
Can a bearded dragon eat small amounts of nuts? Like almond, pine nuts, peanuts??
Izzy says
No i wouldn’t give him nuts but instead give him fruits or vegetable for a snack
Bri says
My male beardie has not been eating lately. We have been giving him his favorites (crickets, cucumbers, bananas, etc). We have a female who is the same age and is eating well, but he is acting like he is on a hunger strike. He looks good, but just not eating for more than 2 weeks. They are housed separately, but in tanks next to each other. We usually keep a towel to keep him from seeing her, because he gets all fired up now that he is about a year old and likely at sexual maturity. But, is it possible that just being near her is enough to mess with his hormones? We were thinking that maybe he is just hormonallly upset and maybe that has impacted his appetite. Trying to avoid the costly trip to the vet when he is looking so healthy, still.
Tina Paternoster says
Is it ok to feed my beardie leave because I have been feeding him that for about two months before Christmas but lately I have been seeing things about how you should not feed them lettuce so just checking with you
Izzy says
dont give him lettuce
Wes says
I do not use pesticides in my yard. I feed my beardies a nice salad of clover three to four times a week and they chow down. I also feed crickets, mealworms, super worms, and Dubai roaches. Any thought on clover? It’s free and my yard is full of it.
April switzer says
HELP I JUST REALIZE I HAVE BEEN FEEDING MY BABY BEARDED DRAGON ROACHES THAT HAVE BEEN EATING ORANGES! I feel so stupid! Should I take her to the vet??!?!
Jaelis says
I accidentally fell asleep i woke up on top of my 1 year old bear die she’s not moving i out her under the basking lamp but she is not moving she is laying on her back stiff. She won’t open her eyes either! WHAT DO I DO?!
Ray says
Holy hell, never sleep with your reptile! it’s not a dog or cat, you can easily kill it and it probably will die or be suffering, seriously, before you do anything like that look it up! “can i sleep with my bearded dragon” it’s not that hard people
karly says
all you guys helped me a lot. you guys have so much knowledge. THANK YOU. what gender of bearded dragon should i get what do you guys think . and if you guys hand and other pets like horses,rabbits,dogs and more you can go to sweet potato snaps
Ezra says
Hi I’m wondering if my beardie can eat the green leaves from cauliflower? Not the flower itself though..
Ava staples says
i was about to ask the same thing.
Ava staples says
I just got a baby beardie, but he doesn’t want to eat insects it only likes lettuce!?
what should I do?
Ava staples says
he is only 3 weeks old and i’m really woried. PLEASE HELP!!!!!!
Leticia A Easterling says
They shouldn’t easy lettuce but they can way collards, mustards, and kale.
mataylah says
can I feed my beardie Chinese long beans?
Ellowyn says
I just got a 4 year old bearded dragon from some folks this summer and they were only feeding him 3 crickets a day, were not making sure he had veggies, and also had a heat mat in the tank. He has lived his whole life this way and is now fairly lethargic. What can I do to help him?
sariah says
im 9 and about to get a beardie any tips at all.
shannon hardy says
do i give my beardie food calcium everyday or once a month?
one more thing i give my bearded dragon lettus everyday and spinach very often will he be okay?