Surprising Fruits That Are Safe for Your Bearded Dragon (And the Ones to Avoid!)

When I first got my bearded dragon, I had no idea that not all fruits were safe for him. I figured if it was healthy for me, it had to be fine for him too, right?

Wrong!

It turns out, some seemingly harmless fruits can cause serious issues for your scaly friend. Let’s explore the fruits your bearded dragon will love—and the ones you should keep far away.

Do Beardies Like Fruits?

Yes, bearded dragons do like fruits! However, you have to be careful about how much you give them.

Fruits can be a tasty treat for them, but they should only make up a small part of their diet. They love fruits like strawberries, blueberries, and mangoes. But too much fruit can give them diarrhea because of the sugar content.

When I had a bearded dragon, I noticed it would get super excited for a little piece of watermelon. Just be sure to remove seeds and don’t overdo it!

Here’s a quick list of fruits they can enjoy:

• Strawberries
• Blueberries
• Apples (without seeds)
• Mango
• Watermelon

Just remember, moderation is key. Their main diet should be veggies, greens, and insects!

What Fruits Can I Feed My Bearded Dragon?

You can feed your bearded dragon a variety of fruits, but only as an occasional treat. Here are some fruits that are safe and healthy in moderation:

Fruit	Benefits	Cautions	How Often?
Strawberries	High in vitamin C and antioxidants.	High in sugar, so offer in small amounts. Remove the leaves.	1-2 times per week.
Blueberries	Packed with antioxidants and vitamin K.	High sugar content. Too many can cause diarrhea.	1-2 times per week.
Apples	Good source of fiber and vitamin C.	Remove seeds and core, as they contain cyanide. Only give in small, peeled pieces.	Once a week.
Mango	Rich in vitamins A and C, great for their immune system.	High in sugar. Make sure to remove the pit and skin.	1-2 times per week.
Watermelon	High water content, good for hydration.	Low in nutrients and high in sugar. Limit to small pieces.	Occasionally (once every 2 weeks).
Pineapple	Rich in vitamin C and aids digestion due to bromelain enzyme.	Acidic, which can cause digestive issues if given too much. Peel and remove the core.	Rarely (once a month).
Pears	High in fiber and vitamin C, gentle on their digestive system.	High sugar content. Make sure to remove seeds.	Once a week.
Peaches	Contains vitamins A and C, which promote eye health and immunity.	Remove the pit and skin. High in sugar.	Occasionally (once every 2 weeks).
Papaya	Rich in vitamin C and fiber, good for digestive health.	Seeds should be removed, and only give in small amounts due to sugar.	1-2 times per week.
Cantaloupe	Contains vitamins A and C, and high in water for hydration.	High water content but low in overall nutrition. Too much can cause diarrhea.	Occasionally (once every 2 weeks).

Things to Remember:

• Portion size: Always cut fruit into small, bite-sized pieces.
• Frequency: Fruits should only make up around 10% of their diet, with vegetables, greens, and insects being the main part.
• Always remove seeds and pits: Many fruit seeds and pits can be toxic or a choking hazard.

My bearded dragon loved strawberries, but I had to be careful not to overdo it. Keep the fruit as a special treat, and your bearded dragon will be happy and healthy!

What Fruits Are Bad For Bearded Dragons?

There are some fruits that are unsafe or not ideal for bearded dragons. These fruits can cause health issues due to high acidity, improper calcium-to-phosphorus ratios, or toxicity.

Here’s a detailed explanation of the fruits to avoid, along with the reasons why, in a table format.

Fruit	Why It’s Bad	Details
Avocado	Contains a toxin called persin, which is poisonous to bearded dragons.	Even small amounts can cause serious health issues or death.
Citrus Fruits (e.g., oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruits)	High in acidity, which can upset their digestive system and cause severe stomach irritation.	Can lead to diarrhea, dehydration, and mouth sores.
Rhubarb	Contains oxalic acid, which can be deadly for bearded dragons.	Even small amounts can cause calcium deficiency, leading to metabolic bone disease.
Tomatoes	While technically a fruit, tomatoes are too acidic for bearded dragons, and the leaves and stems are toxic.	Regular consumption can cause digestive issues, and parts of the plant contain toxins like solanine, which is harmful.
Grapes	High in sugar and poor calcium-to-phosphorus ratio.	Can lead to digestive issues and nutritional imbalances.
Bananas	Poor calcium-to-phosphorus ratio (1:3), which can disrupt their ability to absorb calcium.	Regular consumption may lead to metabolic bone disease if overfed. Occasional small amounts are fine, but not ideal for frequent feeding.
Plums	Very high in sugar and acidity, which can upset their digestive system.	Too much sugar and acid can cause diarrhea and weight gain. The pit is also a choking hazard.
Cherries	High in sugar and acidity, and the pits contain cyanide, which is toxic.	The high sugar and cyanide content make cherries dangerous for bearded dragons.
Kiwi	High in oxalates, which can bind to calcium and prevent its absorption.	Can lead to calcium deficiency over time, especially if fed regularly.
Starfruit	Contains oxalates, which can cause calcium deficiencies and are potentially toxic.	Can lead to kidney issues and metabolic bone disease due to its calcium-binding properties.
Fig (fresh)	Very high in oxalates and sugar, which can be harmful to bearded dragons.	Oxalates can interfere with calcium absorption, and high sugar can cause digestive upset.

If Bearded Dragon piqued your interest, this article will take you even further. Top 10 Foods Your Bearded Dragon Will Love – Plus Surprising Treats!

How Much Fruit Can A Bearded Dragon Eat?

Bearded dragons can enjoy fruit, but it should make up only a small part of their diet—around 10-15%. The rest should be mostly leafy greens and vegetables (about 75-80%) and some live insects (about 10-15%).

Here’s a simple guide on how much fruit to feed your bearded dragon:

• Adult bearded dragons: 1-2 small fruit servings per week.
• Juveniles: Even less fruit, as they need more protein for growth, so focus on insects and veggies.

Example Feeding Schedule:

Here’s a sample weekly feeding schedule for an adult bearded dragon, which includes a safe amount of fruit.

Day	Veggies/Greens	Protein (Insects)	Fruit (Optional)
Monday	Collard greens, butternut squash	5-6 crickets or mealworms	None
Tuesday	Mustard greens, bell peppers	None	Small piece of mango or a few blueberries
Wednesday	Dandelion greens, carrots	5-6 crickets or mealworms	None
Thursday	Kale, zucchini	None	Small slice of apple or a few pieces of strawberry
Friday	Collard greens, yellow squash	5-6 crickets or mealworms	None
Saturday	Mustard greens, bell peppers	None	Small piece of papaya or a few raspberries
Sunday	Kale, carrots	5-6 crickets or mealworms	None

Important Points:

• Fruit portions: Offer fruit in small pieces—about the size of a blueberry or a little slice of apple is perfect for a serving.
• Focus on veggies: Veggies and greens should be the majority of their diet.
• Protein days: Insects like crickets, mealworms, or dubia roaches should be part of their diet about 3-4 times a week.

When I had my bearded dragon, I would use fruits as little treats on certain days, like Tuesday or Saturday, and she’d always go for the strawberries! Just make sure to balance it with the right amount of veggies and insects.