Nutrition Archives - Lizard Pets

Can bearded dragons eat grapes? How often can bearded dragons eat grapes? In this post, we'll talk about how to feed your bearded dragon grapes safely! Can Bearded Dragons Eat Grapes? It turns out it’s not that simple. Yes, bearded dragons can eat grapes! However, there are a few things you should know before you start dishing out grapes left, right, and center! So, let’s dive in and find out the safe way to feed your bearded dragon grapes! How Often Can Bearded Dragons Eat Grapes? Some bearded dragons love grapes! Seriously, they can get enough of them! If your bearded dragon has developed a taste for the sweet fruit, it’s best to keep them as a treat! Grapes should definitely not be a big part of your beardies' diet! Depending on your dragon's size, how often you can feed your bearded dragon grapes will vary. As a general rule, you can give your beardie grapes once a week. How Many Grapes Can I Give My Bearded Dragon? For small bearded dragons, one and a half grapes are the recommended amount. In comparison, larger dragons can be given around three grapes every week. Make sure that your bearded dragon is in excellent health before giving them grapes. If a sick beardie eats grapes, their wellness could be put at risk. As for baby bearded dragons, err on the side of caution and feed them safer meals before handing out grapes. 4 Reasons Grapes Can Be Bad For Bearded Dragons There are a few aspects of grapes, which can be harmful to your beardie. In this section, we'll talk about each aspect and what you can do to prevent your bearded dragon from being harmed! 1. Grapes Contain Seeds Seeds are life-threatening for bearded dragons. If swallowed, they can clog up their digestive system and leave them unable to defecate - or worse! Therefore, it’s crucial to take a pair of tweezers and methodically remove every seed from inside a grape before feeding it to your dragon. If you have poor eyesight, use a magnifying glass, so you don’t miss any seeds. So, does that mean you can feed your bearded dragon seedless grapes without worry? Nope. Even seedless grapes can have small seeds inside them. Use the method described above for seedless grapes to avoid a trip to the veterinarian. 2. Grapes Contain A Lot Of Water Bearded dragons aren’t used to drinking lots of water. They come from Australia’s desert, after all! As a result, giving them too many grapes (composed of 81% water) can cause diarrhea and digestive issues. This may confuse some people who like to drink the recommended 2 liters of water a day and stay hydrated. First of all, good on you, health is wealth! Secondly, bearded dragons are biologically different from humans, and giving them too many grapes (or any kind of watery fruit or vegetable) is a recipe for disaster. Adult bearded dragons weighing 100-150 grams only require 1 to 1.5mL (0.033 to 0.050 oz) of water a day. Considering that one grape is around 0.1oz (2-3 mL), and grapes are 81% water. This means even a few grapes can over hydrate your bearded dragon! You should also remember that bearded dragons absorb moisture from their skin. If you’ve bathed your beardie in the past 24 hours, it’s best to avoid giving them grapes for a day to avoid overhydration. 3. Grapes Contain Sugar Although bearded dragons can eat sugar, Fruits contain A LOT of sugar. So, even a modest amount of fruit can exceed the bearded dragon’s daily sugar limit. Feeding your bearded dragon too much sugar regularly can lead to diabetes, high blood pressure, and toxic buildup in the kidneys. Basically, if you're serious about the health of your bearded dragon, keep the sugar to a minimum. 4. They Contain Oxalates Oxalates are an ingredient found in some plants (grapes, kale, beans, berries...), and they are a controversial food ingredient for bearded dragons. Although oxalates are not fatal in small amounts, high concentrations can lead to health complications for your beardie. Oxalates bind with calcium molecules preventing the essential calcium from getting into the bearded dragon’s bloodstream. Whilst not immediately fatal, if oxalates prevent calcium from getting into the dragon’s blood repeatedly, metabolic bone syndrome can occur. Metabolic bone syndrome is a paralyzing and potentially lethal disease that causes bearded dragons to become lazy and develop deformed limbs. If you've already overloaded your bearded dragon on oxalates accidentally, you might still be able to reverse the damage. To do this, try giving your beardie some calcium supplements. However, if your bearded dragon has been affected by metabolic bone syndrome to the point where he/she cannot walk, consult a veterinarian. My Bearded Dragon Won't Defecate After Eating Grapes! If your adult bearded dragon hasn’t defecated in the past two weeks, or if your baby bearded dragon hasn’t defecated in the past week, it’s time to take him/her to the veterinarian. Otherwise, you risk permanent organ failure for your bearded dragon. However, if your beardie hasn’t pooped for just a couple of days, it’s worth trying out a couple of home remedies first. Try bathing your bearded dragon in a warm bath for ten to fifteen minutes; any longer, and you risk over hydrating them. If that didn’t work, you could administer a few drops of oil as a natural laxative. You can use pretty much plant-based oil, but olive oil and sunflower oil are popular and effective choices. As a last resort, you can try giving your bearded dragon some homemade purée. Pumpkin, apple, and banana purée are all viable choices, but you’ll want to avoid giving them too much as these purées contain high amounts of sugar. Summarising Can Bearded Dragons Eat Grapes You've learned a lot about bearded dragons and grapes. You can now answer the question, "can bearded dragons eat grapes?". You also know how to prepare grapes for your beardie and some possible health hazards associated with grapes. It's safe to say you know what you're doing when it comes to beardies and grapes. If you enjoyed the post, share it with some of your lizard loving friends so they can be as clued up as you! Can bearded dragons eat tomatoes? If you want to find out, read this article! Author Bio Emily is a Melbourne-based freelance writer with a love for nature. She goes camping weekly and adores the outdoors.