Can Bearded Dragon Eat Grapes?
Posted by Lucas Wilson on Apr 5th 2024
Feeding your bearded dragon nutritious food is necessary to keep them healthy, happy, and live a long life.
However, the diet of bearded dragons needs to change throughout the year. And it should always include insects, vegetables, and fruits. While insects and vegetables cover most of their diet, fruits can also be a great addition!
One such fruit that most pet owners wonder about is grapes. If you are considering including grapes in your pet’s diet, you must understand how much to offer and how frequently to ensure their well-being.
So, here we will answer all your grapes-related questions for your bearded dragon.
Are Grapes Good for Bearded Dragons?
Yes, bearded dragons can eat grapes. However, make sure to give them small pieces of grapes once a week.
Nutrient Composition of Grapes
Knowing the nutrients in the grapes before you feed them to your beardie is important. Here is the table showing the nutrients present in the grapes;
Nutrients |
Percentage |
Water |
82% |
Carbohydrates |
12-18% |
Proteins |
0.5-0.6% |
Fat |
0.3-0.4% |
Potassium |
0.1-0.2% |
Vitamin C |
0.01-0.02% |
Vitamin A |
0.0001-0.0015% |
Calcium |
0.01-0.02% |
Phosphorus |
0.08-0.01% |
Highlights
1. High Water Content
Grapes contain 82% of water, making them an excellent hydration source for bearded dragons.
2. Calcium to Phosphorus Ratio
This fruit contains higher phosphorus content than calcium, which can affect the calcium absorption in the bearded dragon. So, it is advisable not to feed your pet grapes excessively but in moderation.
Which Type of Grapes is Safe?
You might be wondering what color grapes you should feed your bearded dragon. You can serve your pet with any color grape, like green, purple, or red, without seeds, once a week. Make sure to discuss this with the veterinarian to ensure the overall well-being of your pet.
How To Feed Your Bearded Dragon Grapes Safely
Fresh grapes have more nutritional value than cooking or freezing them. So, place the grapes in a bowl. And follow the steps given below:
Step 1: Wash the grapes thoroughly.
Step 2: Remove the seeds.
Step 3: Cut the grapes into small pieces depending on the size of your bearded dragon and the grapes.
Step 4: Feed them in a small amount. You can also mix it with other food.
Step 5: Monitor your pet while feeding so it can eat pieces easily without choking hazards.
NOTE: Bearded dragons do eat grapes, but sometimes, they ingest the substrate present around the food. So, it is essential to feed bearded dragons with loose substrate. |
Alternative Fruits That Bearded Dragons Can Eat
Here are some fruits that are safe for bearded dragons,
Apples
Apples are safer fruits for bearded dragons to eat. They also enjoy eating apples. Remember, only feed it to your pet as treats, not more than once or twice per week.
Peaches
Peaches are highly acidic and have moderate sugar content and phosphorus. You can follow the below recommendations;
✔Don’t feed peaches more than once per month
✔Only serve fresh peaches
✔Mix the peach with other foods that have a high pH and are rich in calcium to balance the acidity and phosphorus present in peaches
Strawberries
Like humans, bearded dragons also love to eat strawberries. They are often high in fiber and have low sugar content. Make sure to serve it to your pet in moderation.
Apricot
Apricot can be a flavorful and rewarding treat for bearded dragons. It contains vitamins like A, C, E, and B-group, minerals, and antioxidants.
You can feed it only once a week in small amounts. Cut it into tiny chunks, and remove the seed. Keep the portions small so that it is easy for the bearded to swallow and digest the chunk.
Mango
If you have ever enjoyed a smoothie or dish sweetened with mango, you might want to share this popular fruit with your bearded dragon. So, here’s what nutrients mango contains:
- Vitamin A, C, E, K
- Fiber
- Folate
- Antioxidants
- Manganese
- Magnesium
- Zinc
You can serve your beardie ripe mango in small pieces to add sweetness to its diet.
The list of fruits that bearded dragons can eat is endless. You can include cherries, blackberries, pineapple, and other fruits in your pet's diet.
The Bottom Line
Fruits, apart from citrus fruits, can be a good source of nutrients for the bearded dragon. One fruit rich in antioxidants and nutrients is grapes, which can be an ideal snack for your pet.
However, grapes and most fruits are rich in sugar, so it is important to feed your pet occasionally with grapes by cutting them into pieces and removing the seeds.
You can add other nutritious foods such as Dubia roaches, crickets, earthworms, and leafy vegetables to maintain a balanced diet for your beardie. Also, TopFlight Dubia has done extensive research on bearded dragons. They have found that bearded dragons love grapes. Adding this fruit to their diet with other nutritious food like Dubia roaches can help to provide essential nutrients to your bearded dragon. Remember to consult with a veterinarian to ensure the overall well-being of your beardie.