Strawberries probably got the most appealing look compared to any other fruit out there. So, the urge of having a bite once you see them is kind of hard to ignore. But do bearded dragons feel that way too? More importantly, can bearded dragons eat strawberries in the first place?
Bearded dragons can eat strawberries. With plenty of vitamin C and antioxidants, strawberries seem to be good for beardies. But we don’t suggest giving them the fruit daily, as it’s missing lots of required nutrients for the reptile. Plus, excessive consumption of it can lead to numerous health issues.
So, how much of it won’t cause danger to your reptile? And even if you decide to put that on your lizard’s plate, what should be the frequency? Well, let’s dive a bit deeper to get the answer.
How Strawberries Are Good For Bearded Dragons?
When it comes to the good side, every fruit got something to offer, even if it’s for a bearded dragon. So, here are the ones of the strawberries.
1. Vitamin C
When it comes to maintaining a healthy immune system, vitamin C can be really helpful for bearded dragons. One of the interesting facts about bearded dragons is they can make their own vitamin C. But that doesn’t mean they never need to get more of it from their food. Around 58% of the daily need for vitamin C in an adult beardie can be met by feeding them 100 grams of strawberries.
2. Carbohydrates
Strawberries are an excellent source of carbohydrates, and we guess you already know how badly bearded dragons need that for energy. One of the interesting facts here is – to fuel its functions and promote development, the reptile’s body converts carbohydrates into glucose. FYI, this element is amazingly good at providing energy
3. Antioxidants
If you’re asking for something that will prevent your lizard’s cell damage from free radicals, then we say try getting them antioxidants through strawberries. After all, cell damage like that can lead to inflammation and other health issues, which we bet you don’t want.
The thing is, antioxidants that come from strawberries include anthocyanins and ellagic acid. These two are proven effective in reducing inflammation and improving cardiovascular health.
4. Hydration
Like any other living being, bearded dragons too can’t resist the need for water on a regular basis. But we don’t think you’d see them drinking enough water on their own. So, your best chance is feeding them with food that can get them that additional hydration. This is where strawberries can come in handy as they’re high in water content.
5. Calcium
Bearded dragons really need calcium because it helps their bones and tissues to stay healthy and strong. We guess you already know that Metabolic bone disease is characterized by soft, brittle bones and other symptoms. But when you’re getting the reptile all the calcium it needs, fighting MBD becomes way easier.
6. Fiber
A high-fiber diet is more than essential for bearded dragons to avoid digestive issues and constipation. Thankfully, the fiber in strawberries aids in the maintenance of regular bowel motions in beardies.
Why You Shouldn’t Feed Strawberries To Bearded Dragons Too Often?
There’s no way to deny that strawberries got tons of benefits and you should make them useful. But does that make this fruit a perfect ‘everyday’ eat? Well, no. There are some drawbacks as well that prevents the reptile owners from feeding it daily to their dragons.
1. Sugar Content
Strawberries, like many other fruits, contain a lot of sugar, which can be harmful if consumed in large quantities. In case you didn’t know, beardies are prone to obesity, and excessive sugar can lead to other health issues as well. So, to prevent obesity and those health issues in bearded dragons, it’s recommended to get them a diet low in sugary fruits like strawberries.
2. Oxalates
Yes, it’s Oxalates – the old nemesis of bearded dragons. This element is found in strawberries as well, which have been shown to compete with the body for calcium, preventing its full absorption. High intake of this element can cause major health issues like kidney stones.
So, it’s better to stay away from giving your lizard strawberries daily. But you don’t need to cut it off totally, as the amount of oxalates in this fruit is comparatively lower than the other high-oxalate foods,
3. Pesticide Residues
Not all strawberries are grown organically. So, finding pesticides in them is nothing surprising. But the pesticide residues in there can surely be toxic to bearded dragons. So, before you give it to your lizard, carefully wash the fruit.
How Much Strawberry Is Okay For Bearded Dragon To Consume?
You already know that strawberries have a high sugar content and poor nutrient density. So, portion sizing is something that you simply can’t avoid while feeding this fruit to your reptile.
If your bearded dragon is a fully grown adult, you better follow the general rule of feeding, which is one whole small-sized strawberry. By the way, it’s totally safe if you want to feed that top-leaf part of the fruit as well.
Half of a strawberry is the perfect quantity to feed a young or growing bearded dragon. After all, that’ll be providing them with all the nutrition they need without overloading them with sugar.
But if you’ve got a baby dragon, a quarter of a strawberry and a few of the top leaves should be enough to provide its required nutrition. And if you’re asking about frequency, we’d say don’t feed the lizard more than once a week, whether it’s an adult, young, or baby.
Is It Wise To Let The Bearded Dragons Eat Strawberry Leaves?
We don’t know about you, but lots of bearded dragons owners have come up with a question lately asking if it’s OK to give their pets strawberry leaves to munch on or not. Seeing the growing confusion on the fact, we think it’s better to set things right with the correct answers.
Well, yes, it’s totally okay to let the beardies have a bite of strawberry leaves. There are several health benefits of eating strawberry leaves, including a reduction in blood sugar, an increase in immunity, and the maintenance of healthy body weight.
On top of that, these leaves have even been used to treat diarrhea and other gastrointestinal problems. Nonetheless, strawberry leaves, like any other “treat”, should be given seldom and in moderation.
Before We Go…..
If you’ve got this question about whether your beardie can eat strawberries or not, then we won’t be surprised if you feel curious about other fruits as well. Don’t worry; we’ve secured that answer too in our blog What Fruits Can Bearded Dragons Eat? So, what are you waiting for? Click and get your answer.
