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Top 10 Foods Your Bearded Dragon Will Love – Plus Surprising Treats!
When I first brought my bearded dragon home, I was overwhelmed by the long list of “dos and don’ts” for their diet. I wanted to ensure my little scaly friend thrived, but what I discovered went beyond the basics.
From crunchy favorites to unexpected treats that had my dragon practically dancing in their tank, these top 10 foods are a must-know for every owner.
Top 10 Foods For Bearded Dragon
Feeding a bearded dragon is an adventure. Mine’s a picky eater, so I’ve learned the hard way what works and what doesn’t.
Let me save you some trouble with this list of top foods your scaly buddy will love!
| Food | Frequency | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Collard Greens | Daily | High in calcium. |
| Dubia Roaches | 2–3 times weekly | Excellent protein source. |
| Mustard Greens | Daily | Nutrient-rich green. |
| Butternut Squash | 1–2 times weekly | Vitamin A boost. |
| Blueberries | Occasionally | Fun, antioxidant-rich snack. |
| Hornworms | Occasionally | Hydrating protein treat. |
| Turnip Greens | Daily | High calcium, low oxalate. |
| Papaya | Occasionally | Sweet and hydrating treat. |
| Crickets | 2–3 times weekly | Protein for active dragons. |
| Cactus Pads | Weekly | Hydration and fiber source. |
1. Collard Greens
Why It’s Great:
- Rich in calcium, which prevents metabolic bone disease.
- A staple leafy green that’s easy to find in stores.
How to Feed:
- Chop into small pieces.
- Serve fresh and raw, mixed with other greens for variety.
Tips:
✅ Use as a daily food source.
❌ Don’t serve only collard greens—mix things up!
Don’t know if a food is safe for your bearded dragon? Ask this tool.
2. Dubia Roaches
Why It’s Great:
- Packed with protein, especially for growing dragons.
- Easier to digest than crickets.
| Feeding Details | Tips |
|---|---|
| Dust with calcium powder before serving. | ✅ Feed live for stimulation. |
| Feed 3–5 for adult dragons or more for juveniles. | ❌ Avoid wild roaches—they carry diseases. |
Watching my dragon hunt these is like watching a mini Jurassic Park!
3. Mustard Greens
Why It’s Great:
- High in calcium and low in oxalates.
- A great alternative to collard greens.
How to Feed:
- Chop and serve fresh.
- Pair with other greens like turnip or dandelion greens.
Tips:
✅ Rinse thoroughly before feeding.
❌ Don’t let them dominate the salad—dragons need variety.
4. Butternut Squash
Why It’s Great:
- Packed with Vitamin A for eye and skin health.
- Bright orange color makes it irresistible.
| Preparation | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Peel and dice into small cubes. | Offer 1–2 times per week. |
| Steam lightly if too tough. |
I call this “dragon dessert” because mine devours it like candy!
5. Blueberries
Why It’s Great:
- Loaded with antioxidants.
- Juicy, fun-to-eat treats for dragons.
How to Feed:
- Wash thoroughly.
- Offer 2–3 berries at a time.
Tips:
✅ Use as an occasional snack.
❌ Avoid overfeeding—too much sugar isn’t good.
After blueberries, my dragon always has the cutest messy face.
6. Hornworms
Why It’s Great:
- High in moisture, helping with hydration.
- Great source of protein.
How to Feed:
- Offer live and fresh.
- Feed 1–2 worms as a treat or supplement.
Tips:
✅ Perfect for hot weather or dehydrated dragons.
❌ Too many can upset their stomach.
Hornworms wiggle a lot, and my dragon’s hunting skills go into overdrive!
7. Turnip Greens
Why It’s Great:
- Full of calcium and vitamins.
- A nutritious, low-oxalate option.
| How to Serve | Tips |
|---|---|
| Chop finely and mix with other greens. | ✅ Use in daily salads. |
| Always serve raw. | ❌ Don’t overpair with oxalate-rich veggies. |
My dragon loves these mixed with collard greens for extra crunch!
8. Papaya
Why It’s Great:
- Sweet and full of hydration.
- Packed with Vitamin C and antioxidants.
How to Feed:
- Peel, remove seeds, and dice.
- Serve occasionally as a treat.
Tips:
✅ Use for a tropical twist in their diet.
❌ Don’t feed too often—high sugar content.
Papaya is like vacation food for dragons. Mine acts like it’s a rare treasure!
9. Crickets
Why It’s Great:
- A classic protein source that’s widely available.
- Great for younger dragons and active adults.
| Feeding Tips | Warnings |
|---|---|
| Dust with calcium powder before feeding. | ❌ Don’t leave uneaten crickets in the tank. |
| Use as an occasional treat for adults. | ❌ Can stress or bite your dragon. |
The chase is hilarious—my dragon leaps for them every time!
10. Cactus Pads (Prickly Pear)
Why It’s Great:
- High in water content for hydration.
- Loaded with fiber and nutrients.
How to Feed:
- Remove spines carefully.
- Dice into small, safe pieces.
Tips:
✅ Excellent for hot climates or summer months.
❌ Avoid untreated or spiny pads.
Cactus pads might seem exotic, but my dragon loves the soft texture.
Creating the Perfect Bearded Dragon Salad
A daily salad is one of the best ways to ensure your bearded dragon gets a balanced mix of nutrients. The key is variety, proper proportions, and knowing which ingredients to emphasize at different life stages.
The Basic Formula
A healthy bearded dragon salad should follow this ratio:
- 70-80% leafy greens (the foundation)
- 10-20% vegetables (for variety and nutrients)
- 5-10% fruits (occasional treats, 1-2 times per week)
Best Leafy Green Bases
Start every salad with these nutrient-rich greens:
- Collard greens (top choice – high calcium, low oxalates)
- Mustard greens
- Turnip greens
- Dandelion greens
- Endive or escarole
Avoid: Iceberg lettuce (no nutritional value), spinach (high oxalates), and kale (use sparingly due to goitrogens)
Vegetables to Add
Chop finely and mix in small amounts:
- Butternut squash (high in vitamin A)
- Bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange)
- Carrots (shredded, not too often)
- Green beans
- Sweet potato (cooked, occasional)
- Snap peas
Fruit Garnish (1-2x Weekly)
Top with small amounts:
- Blueberries
- Strawberries (quartered)
- Mango pieces
- Papaya
- Figs
5 Sample Salad Recipes
1. The Daily Classic
- 2 parts collard greens, chopped
- 1 part mustard greens
- Sprinkle of shredded butternut squash
- Small dice of red bell pepper
2. Vitamin A Boost
- Turnip greens base
- Grated carrot (small amount)
- Diced butternut squash
- 2-3 blueberries
3. Colorful Variety Mix
- Mixed collard and dandelion greens
- Yellow bell pepper strips
- Snap peas, chopped
- Occasional strawberry slice
4. Calcium Power Salad
- Collard greens (extra portion)
- Turnip greens
- Small amount butternut squash
- Topped with bee pollen (natural supplement)
5. Weekend Treat Bowl
- Endive and mustard green mix
- Bell pepper variety
- Green beans, chopped
- Topped with mango chunks and raspberries
Preparation Tips
Size matters: Chop all ingredients smaller than the space between your dragon’s eyes to prevent choking.
Freshness counts: Prepare salads fresh daily. Wilted greens lose nutritional value.
Temperature: Serve at room temperature, never cold from the fridge.
Mixing it up: Rotate your greens and vegetables throughout the week to provide diverse nutrients and prevent boredom.
Calcium dusting: Lightly dust the salad with calcium powder 4-5 times per week for juveniles, 2-3 times for adults.
Age-Specific Adjustments
Juveniles (under 12 months): They need more protein, so salads should be a smaller portion of their diet (20-30%). Focus on softer greens and finely chopped vegetables.
Adults (12+ months): Salads should make up 70-80% of their diet. They can handle larger pieces and more variety.
Seniors (6+ years): Keep salads easy to digest with softer greens and well-chopped vegetables.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using the same greens every single day (leads to nutritional imbalance)
- Too much fruit (causes diarrhea and sugar dependency)
- Pieces too large (choking hazard)
- Forgetting to remove uneaten salad after 1-2 hours (attracts bacteria)
Building the perfect salad takes practice, but once you establish a routine, it becomes second nature. Your bearded dragon will thrive on the variety!
About Author
Hello, I’m Muntaseer Rahman, the owner of AcuarioPets.com. I’m passionate about aquarium pets like shrimps, snails, crabs, and crayfish. I’ve created this website to share my expertise and help you provide better care for these amazing pets.
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