Can bearded dragons eat grapes or are they best avoided? Seedless grapes are a safe, occasional treat for bearded dragons. But feeding too many grapes can pose serious risks. Today we’ll look at how to give your bearded dragon this sweet fruit. We’ll talk about ways to divide them up to make them easier to eat, and how to decide the right amount for your beardie’s age and size.
Contents
- Can bearded dragons eat grapes?
- Benefits and dangers of grapes for bearded dragons
- How often can bearded dragons have grapes?
- Bearded dragons and grapes – FAQs
- How to serve grapes for my bearded dragon
Bearded dragons are popular reptiles that can make wonderful companions as long as all of their care needs are properly met. They have a varied diet that owners can get quite creative with. Which leads to questions like: can bearded dragons eat grapes? It’s natural to want to share your own food with your beardy! But, it’s important to ensure you’re serving safe treats, and properly preparing them.
About the Bearded Dragon’s Diet
Bearded dragons are omnivorous reptiles that will consume both vegetable and animal matter in a healthy, balanced diet. Juvenile bearded dragons tend to chomp down a lot more live food than adults, due to higher protein needs.
A typical bearded dragon’s diet will consist of a wide variety of leafy greens. This can include Swiss chard, dandelions, bok choy, beet tops. They may also enjoy vegetables like carrots, zucchini, and squash. On top of this, they will enjoy insects like mealworms and crickets. You must also dust any veg you give your beardie with calcium powder.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Grapes?
Grapes are safe as an occasional treat for bearded dragons. And, many bearded dragons will really love the taste of grapes, because they’re sweet and refreshing. But, we shouldn’t feed too many.
Are Grapes Bad for Bearded Dragons?
Grapes might have a few good nutrients, but they can have more disadvantages than benefits. That’s because beardies have this annoying habit of getting fixated on one scrummy food. They are quite stubborn and will go without any other dinner, demanding just their favorites.
Because they are sugary and bind with calcium in your beardie’s body, they can stop him taking on that all important nutrient too. Or end up causing an upset stomach, and being a hydration risk! Whole grapes can be a choking hazard too, which is why I cut them into tiny pieces and avoid the seeded types.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Grapes Every Day?
Generally, bearded dragons should have grapes as a treat no more than once a week. And, you should not feed too many grapes in one sitting. Most bearded dragons will be happy to have 1 – 2 grapes chopped up, once a week. But, this amount and frequency will depend on their age and the rest of their diet. If your bearded dragon stops showing interest in their regular food, you should cut out fruits for a while.
Also, if they show any signs of dehydration, cut out grapes and speak to your veterinarian.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Green or Red Grapes?
Bearded dragons can eat grapes of any color. Some may show a slight preference to certain colors, but many will happily eat green grapes, red grapes, and black grapes.
It’s worth checking the nutritional content of new grape types before offering them to your bearded dragon. This way, you can be sure exactly which nutrients your reptile is consuming, and the oxalate level in their treats.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Seeded Grapes?
You should not give your bearded dragon seeded grapes. The seeds in grapes can pose a choking hazard. But, they can also put your bearded dragon at risk of internal blockages. No matter what color grapes you choose, make sure you’re picking a seedless variety.
Even when you choose seedless grapes, it’s worth cutting them open and checking inside for seeds. You might find the occasional seed in seedless grape varieties. And, whilst it won’t be a problem for you, it could be a fatal issue for your lizard.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Grapes Leaves?
Grape leaves, like grape skins, are more nutritious than the flesh of this fruit. So, it can be a better, healthier treat for your beardy than grapes! But, you should make sure they are well washed before serving them.
Since they are nowhere near as sweet and sugary, some bearded dragons won’t be interested in eating grape leaves. But, you could make these more appetising by chopping small pieces of grapes and placing them amongst the leaves.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Grapes When Dried?
Raisins are dried grapes. Since bearded dragons are able to eat grapes with no real problems, you might think the same is true of raisins. Raisins are not toxic to bearded dragons. But, they have a much higher sugar concentration than grapes.
As we already know, too much sugar in our bearded dragon’s diets is a bad thing. It can lead to obesity and related health problems. Grapes tend to be a better treat than raisins.
How to Serve Grapes for Bearded Dragons
Before anything else, it’s a good idea to wash the grapes you want to give your bearded dragon. This will remove any dangerous pesticides that could remain on the flesh of this fruit.
Grapes pose a choking hazard to bearded dragons. But, you can reduce this risk by chopping individual grapes into two or three pieces. You could serve grapes amongst other food for your dragon, such as by making a leafy green salad. Or, you can offer them as a treat by themselves.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Grapes?
Grapes are safe for bearded dragons as an occasional treat. But, they shouldn’t make up a large part of your lizard’s diet. Eating too many grapes can lead to obesity, dehydration, and other serious problems. Grapes and seeds can also be a choking hazard, so always choose seedless grapes, and chop them into smaller pieces.
Does your bearded dragon enjoy grapes as a treat? Let us know your favorite ways to prepare this fruit for your pet!
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References and Resources
- Oldfield, C. ‘Bearded Dragons: Common Husbandry and Nutrition-Related Problems’, Veterinary Nursing Journal (2014)
- Raiti, P. ‘Husbandry, Diseases, and Veterinary Care of the Bearded Dragon (Pogona Vitticeps)’, Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery (2012)
- Szalay, J. (et al), ‘Grapes: Health Benefits and Nutrition Facts’, Live Science (2022)
- Loeb, J. ‘Reptile Illness is Caused by Bad Husbandry’, The Veterinary Record (2018)
- Kischinovsky, M. (et al), ‘Husbandry and Nutrition’, Reptile Medicine and Surgery in Clinical Practice (2017)
- McWilliams, D. ‘Nutrition Research on Calcium Homeostasis I. Lizards (with Recommendations)’, International Zoo Research (2006)