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Owning a bearded dragon is rewarding and taking care of their every need is vitally important to their health and well-being. For your beardie to be as healthy and happy as possible, diet is a key factor. Just like humans, your bearded dragon needs a variety of vitamins and nutrients in its diet for optimal health. Naturally, you may have some questions about what they can and cannot eat, including different fruits like apples.
So, can bearded dragons eat apples? Bearded dragons can eat apples as part of a healthy and nutritionally balanced diet. Owners should be mindful that any apple fed to their bearded dragon should be peeled and cut into bite-size chunks before serving.
Whilst apples contain lots of nutrients and vitamin C that are beneficial to the health of bearded dragons, fruits like apples, should only make up around 10% of their dietary intake.
That being said apples are a great treat that can be enjoyed safely by your beardie!
When choosing foods to offer your pet bearded dragon, it is important to understand their nutritional needs.
That way, you can ensure your beardie is of optimal health and that they have all the nutrients they need to grow and thrive.
It is important to note, that bearded dragons under 6 months of age should primarily be fed protein sources that are derived from animals and insects owing to the fact that they are still growing.
However, a little apple or other fruit from time to time should do no harm.
Bearded Dragons Nutritional Needs
Understanding what constitutes a healthy diet for your bearded dragon is vital in keeping them healthy, active and believe it or not happy.
If your bearded dragon feels good from what they are eating, they are likely to be contented and relaxed.
Bearded dragons are omnivores, meaning their diet typically consists of a variety of both animal/insect based and plant-based foods.
This means that they can safely eat a number of different foods such as vegetables, insects, and (non-citrus) fruits.
The key to providing a nutrient rich and healthy diet for your bearded dragon is to consider the quantities of each of these different foods that you offer them.
Apples, for example, should constitute only around 10-20% of your bearded dragons’ diet.
Apples are naturally rich in nutrients and vitamins, including vitamin c, making them a great source of fruit to offer to your bearded dragon in moderation.
However, apples also have high water content, and whilst this makes them incredibly hydrating, too much apple can lead to your bearded dragon getting diarrhea.
As a general rule, a healthy diet for an adult bearded dragon consists of roughly 20% protein derived from insects and 80% plants.
If you were to break this dietary information down even further of the 80% plants, only around 10-20% of this should be fruits such as apples.
Do Bearded Dragons Eat Apples?
Bearded dragons are omnivores. If you give a bearded dragon some apple: the likelihood is they will eat it.
It is in a bearded dragon’s instinctive nature to eat whatever food is available, so it is down to the owner to provide the right amount of each food source they are feeding their beardie.
A balance of insects, vegetables and a little fruit is typically considered to be a healthy diet for a bearded dragon.
Providing set mealtimes and a routine is also good for your dragon’s happiness and contentment.
Knowing when and where their next meal is coming from reduces stress for your beardie.
Apple can be given as a treat every now and then, or included as part of the meal you are feeding your bearded dragon.
Either way, moderation is key when it comes to apples as a food source. However, there are certainly benefits to offering them!
Benefits Of Apples For Bearded Dragons
When prepared correctly (peeled and chopped) and fed to your bearded dragon in moderation, apples make a nutrient packed snack for your pet.
There are many benefits to feeding apple to your bearded dragon, it can be healthy in moderation. Apples are a great source of:
- Carbohydrates, which provide energy,
- Fibre, which helps to promote good digestion and keeps your beardie regular with their bowel movements,
- Hydration, because they contain a lot of water.
- Iron, helping to keep your bearded dragon’s blood oxygen-rich and healthy,
- Potassium, which regulates blood pressure, aids muscle function, prevents kidney problems, and lowers water retention,
- Vitamins A and C, which strengthen and rejuvenate your beardie’s immune system, vision, and growth.
Apples undoubtedly offer your bearded dragon lots of health benefits, but it should be noted that apples alone do not provide your pet with all the nutrients they need and hence should only form part of your bearded dragons diet.
How To Feed Apple To Your Bearded Dragon
The most important thing to remember when feeding your bearded dragon apple is to peel them first.
Whilst it is perfectly safe for humans to consume apple peel, the same cannot be said for your bearded dragon for a number of different reasons.
You should peel the apple before feeding it to your bearded dragon because apple peel is a choking hazard.
The texture and waxy consistency make apple peel difficult and even uncomfortable for beardies to chew and hence swallowing it can be dangerous for them.
Another reason that apples should be peeled before being fed to your bearded dragon is that pesticides and chemicals that farmers use in the growing of apples may leave a residue.
If your bearded dragon ingests this peel, the pesticides and chemicals may be harmful to them. It is best not to risk it, peel the apple before offering it to your bearded dragon.
On this topic, organic fruits and vegetables are undoubtedly the safe choice to feed to your bearded dragon as they do not contain any chemicals or pesticides in their production.
It is also important to chop the apple you are offering to your bearded dragon into bitesize pieces that they can enjoy.
This will prevent choking hazard, if the flesh of the apple has been sliced into small enough pieces.
If there is any uncertainty in your mind about whether or not you have prepared the apple correctly, its best to monitor and observe them whilst they are eating.
Apples are a great treat to offer your bearded dragon from time to time, so you may be wondering if there are any other tasty food sources that you can give them too.
Other Treats For Bearded Dragons
If you are wondering about what other foods might make tasty treats for your pet bearded dragon, you will be pleased to know that owing to the fact that are omnivores there are many different things that you can give them!
To best know what foods your bearded dragon enjoys the most, try observing them at meal times: which foods to they tend to eat first?
If your bearded dragon always eats the same thing first, then that tends to suggest that they enjoy that the most!
Treats such as crickets and mealworms are what most bearded dragon owners report to be the most popular with their pet.
Fluker’s Medley Treat for Bearded Dragons available on Amazon provides a blend of insect based protein treats for your bearded dragon that other owners have reported their dragon enjoys a lot!
From there, look to offer your bearded dragon some fruit, a couple of times per week. Remember, fruit should never make up more than 20% of a beardies 80% plant based quota.
Here are some of the best fruits to offer as a treat:
- Grapes
- Pears
- Mango
- Kiwi
- Papaya
- Guava
- Melon
- Apricots
- Plums
- Strawberries
- Dates (less frequently)
- Figs (less frequently)
- Raisins (less frequently)
Be careful with soft fruit, such as dried dates, figs and raisins as these are higher in sugar and can lead to fermentation causing dental issues.
Finally
Bearded Dragons can eat apple; so long as you have peeled the skin and cut it into manageable chunks for them to eat.
Being a fruit, apples should never make up a significant part of your beardies diet. That being said, apples do have a good nutritional profile so when fed sparingly can be an excellent treat.
Beardies generally really enjoy this fruit, but of course, you’ll have to offer it to your pet and see for yourself.
It goes without saying never to force it, especially if you are seeing signs that it is not being enjoyed.
Alternatively, you also need to be careful that your bearded dragon doesn’t take too fondly to them – leaving other important foods alone.
Related Questions
Baby bearded dragons can eat apples. However, due to their small size, you need to be very careful with the skin and the size of the piece you offer them. Cut the apple into very small chunks prior to serving and remove the skin.
Bearded dragons can eat applesauce and one of the major benefits of it is that it is easier for them to consume. It is often fed to bearded dragons when they are constipated. However, applesauce is calorie-dense and high in sugar even in small amounts so you need to be very careful of the serving size. It is best mixed into other foods and vegetables than offered as a standalone meal. Equally, you need to ensure you purchase applesauce without additives and preservatives as these can cause issues in excess.
Bearded dragons can eat green apples; just like they can with any other type of non-poisonous apple. Just be sure to remove the skin, cut it into manageable and small chunks and only offer them in moderation.
Bearded Dragons should not eat apple skin – whether on its own or intact on an apple piece. The skin is tough and can be a potential choking hazard. It also usually carries chemicals (like herbicides – unless organic).
Wondering what else to feed your bearded dragon? Check out my comprehensive guide below:
I am an experienced pet owner with decades of experience owning a number of different pets, from traditional pets like dogs and cats, to the more exotic like reptiles and rodents. I currently own a Cockapoo (pictured) called Bailey. I am also the main writer and chief editor here at Pet Educate; a site dedicated to sharing evidence-based insights and guidance, based on my vast pet ownership knowledge, experience, and extensive research.