Feeding fruit to your bearded dragon can be a great way to stimulate eating, but it must be done carefully and appropriately.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- What fruits can bearded dragons have
- Safe feeding tips for each fruit
- Is fruit required in their diet?
Is fruit required in a Bearded Dragon’s diet?
Fruit is not necessarily required to maintain the health of your bearded dragon. It can provide nutrients you feel may be lacking, but most nutrients they require are provided through feeding greens to your bearded dragon. It can also be beneficial to stimulate their appetite if your dragon is going through a hunger strike or if you feel they are dehydrated.
Feeding fruit to juveniles is more beneficial as fruit provides nutrients that can help them develop and grow strong, but for adults, it contains excess sugars that can lead to obesity. As long as the fruit is offered in moderation, it can be a great way to bond with your dragon, and it is entertaining to watch them try new delicious snacks! Each dragon will have their favorite. Use this list to see which fruit is most desirable to them.
20 Safe Fruits For Bearded Dragons
This table suggests how often you can safely feed your bearded dragon fruit. This is not a diet plan, and bearded dragons should only be fed fruit occasionally.
| Fruit | Suggested Feeding Frequency |
|---|---|
| Apples | Weekly |
| Peaches | Twice per month |
| Strawberries | Every other week |
| Apricots | 1-2x per year (very high in sugar) |
| Blackberries | 1-2x per month |
| Cherries | Every other week |
| Cranberries | 1-2x per month |
| Figs (dried) | Weekly |
| Grapes | Weekly |
| Bananas | 1-2x per month |
| Melon | Every other week |
| Plums | 1x per month |
| Guavas | 1x per month |
| Nectarines | 1-2x per year |
| Prunes | 2-3x per year |
| Pears | 2-3x per year |
| Pineapples | 1-2x per month |
| Papaya | 1-2x per month |
| Mango | 1-2x per month |
| Blueberries | 1x per week |
Apples
Apples can be a great addition to your dragon’s diet as they contain vitamin C, fiber, carbohydrates, and sugars.
How to feed Apples safely
Be sure to cut the apple into small cubes your dragon can easily lift with their tongue and chew without choking. Feel free to leave the skin on as it contains most of the vitamins, but always wash the produce well before providing it to your dragon. You can also puree the apples into applesauce, but this spoils faster. Avoid store-bought applesauce as it often contains added sugars and spices like cinnamon.
How often can you feed Apples to your Beardie?
Compared to other fruits, apples have a relatively low sugar content. You can feed apples to your bearded dragon weekly if you like! The high fiber content allows your dragon to feel full for longer, but you don’t want to overdo it, as it can cause constipation.
Caution
Avoid the seeds of all fruits. Many fruit seeds, like apples, contain amygdalin, a natural form of cyanide, and this toxin can be lethal to pets! Remove all seeds before offering your pet a snack.
Peaches
Peaches are loaded with beneficial components for your bearded dragon. They contain vitamins C, A, E, niacin, folate, iron, choline, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, zinc, and copper.
How to feed peaches safely
Cut the peach into small bite-size pieces, including the skin, wash it well, and never provide the pit.
How often can you feed Peaches to your Beardie?
They are relatively high in sugar compared to other fruits, so they should be offered occasionally; I recommend twice a month. Do not offer your beardie peaches from ‘fruit cups’ sold in the store, as they can contain excess sugars.
Caution
Never provide the pit of the peach to your Beardie. Your dragon could bite off small bits that can obstruct their digestion and be a choking hazard.
Strawberries
Strawberries are high in antioxidants that can remove free radicals from the body and prevent cancer. They are sweet to taste but do not rapidly increase blood sugar levels, making them an excellent treat for your dragon. Even the leaves of the strawberry are edible to your dragon
How to feed strawberries safely
Be sure to chop strawberries into small, bite-sized bits, and always wash the produce first.
How often can you feed strawberries to your Beardie?
Strawberries can be offered every other week or so, and I recommend about half a strawberry per serving. Their bright red color is attractive to your dragon and can stimulate eating if they have been on a hunger strike.
Pro-Tip ⚡
If your bearded dragon is a picky eater, offer them things that are bright in color, like strawberries, carrots, and blueberries.
You can also wiggle the fruits around to get their interest. Bearded dragons and omnivores and movement in their food trigger their prey response.
If your dragon closes their eyes while you are offering them food, it is a clear sign they are not interested at the moment and to try again later.
Apricots
How to feed apricots safely
Apricots should be cut into small bits, and the pit should be removed. The skin can be left on, but wash the produce first. Only feed your dragon fresh apricots, and avoid offering them dried apricots, as it has a disproportionate water-to-sugar ratio.
How often can you feed apricots to your Beardie?
Apricots should only be offered occasionally, once or twice a year as a treat, and only about one-fourth of the apricot. Apricots have a disproportionate calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, but they are safe for occasional ingestion. They also have a relatively high sugar content.
Blackberries
Blackberries are a powerful food source that contains vitamins C, K, and manganese. These vitamins can help improve your dragon’s immune system, growth, vision, and other functions.
How to feed blackberries safely
When offering your dragon blackberries, be sure to cut them if they are relatively large compared to the size of the lizard. Always wash them thoroughly first.
How often can you feed blackberries to your Beardie?
Blackberries should be offered to your dragon occasionally; I recommend once or twice a month. If your dragon is battling some health issues, they can be provided a little more as they tend to boost their immune system!
Cherries
Cherries contain vitamins C, K, and B, potassium, manganese, copper, and magnesium.
How to feed cherries safely
Cherries should be chopped into small bits, at least quarterly, and the pits should always be removed. Be sure to wash your cherries well.
How often can you feed cherries to your Beardie?
Cherries can be provided as an occasional treat; they are relatively low in sugar and can be offered every other week or so.
Important
Always remove the pits of cherries before feeding them to your dragon. They contain amygdalin, essentially cyanide and this toxin can be lethal to your dragon, and the pits can also cause impaction in its digestive system.
Cranberries
Cranberries can be a good summer treat because they contain a lot of water or a fun seasonal treat during the winter. Fresh or frozen is the best.
How to feed cranberries safely
Cranberries have seeds, but their size is small, and they are safe to eat. They are a bit bitter, but your dragon should not mind. Only offer one to two cranberries per serving and chop them into smaller bits to avoid a choking hazard.
How often can you feed cranberries to your Beardie?
Cranberries should only be offered one to two times a month. They are acidic, and too much can cause abscesses in the mouth. They also have an unbalanced calcium-to-phosphorus ratio.
Figs
Dried figs are an excellent option for your dragon. They contain beta-carotene but not too much vitamin A, avoiding any chance of vitamin A poisoning that occurs when too much is present in their diet. Dried figs also have more phosphorus than fresh figs.
How to feed figs safely
Keep in mind that there is still a high sugar content, so only a little bit should be offered and chopped up into small bits.
How often can you feed figs to your Beardie?
Figs have a relatively balanced calcium-to-phosphorus ratio. For that reason, dried figs can be offered to your dragon weekly, but be sure there is water available to them in their enclosure as the dried figs lack a high water content.
Grapes
Grapes contain tartaric acid, which can be toxic to other animals like dogs. This acid does not affect bearded dragons, and it is safe for them to consume grapes.
How to feed grapes safely
The seeds should be removed, and the grapes should always be washed and chopped into quarters for easy consumption. They can also make greens more appealing by rubbing the juices on salad.
How often can you feed grapes to your Beardie?
Grapes are an excellent food source for your dragon, and one grape can be offered weekly. Do not offer too much, as grapes contain oxalates that bind to minerals, and Oxalates can make calcium intake a challenge for your dragon. An occasional sweet treat is the best option.
Pro-Tip ⚡
If your dragon is not eating their dark, leafy greens, adding a bit of fruit juice from these listed fruits is a great appetite enhancer. The sweet taste can trigger them to start eating; eventually, you may not need to add it.
Bananas
How to feed bananas safely
Bananas should be peeled and chopped before offering them to your dragon. This occasional treat should only be provided in small quantities, one or two slices maximum with their dark leafy greens, and they may also help your dragon feel full for longer.
How often can you feed bananas to your Beardie?
Bananas may be one of your dragon’s favorite foods. In my experience, I have found that they love them! Just be sure only to offer bananas once or twice a month as they contain very high amounts of sugar.
Melon
Melons and watermelons contain a variety of vitamins that can be beneficial to your bearded dragon’s diet. They contain vitamins A, C, potassium, and phosphorus and have a very high water and sugar content.
How to feed melon safely
Remove any seeds when prepping some melon for your dragon’s meal, and cut the rind off. The skin can also be offered to your dragon, but it is much more rigid than the fruit, so be sure to cut it into tiny pieces, and it must be washed.
How often can you feed Melon to your Beardie?
Melon can be offered to your pet every other week due to its high sugar content. If you feel like your dragon is dehydrated and is not drinking an appropriate amount of water on their own, you can provide them with watermelon a little more often.
Plums
Plums have a disproportionate ratio of calcium to phosphorus, and it is best for each proportion to be equal or to have more calcium available. Even though the balance is off, it is still a safe food to provide your Beardie in moderation.
How to feed plums safely
When you give plums to your dragon, cut them into small, manageable pieces, leave the skin on if you can wash it well, but remove the pit.
How often can you feed plums to your Beardie?
Plums should be offered to your bearded dragon occasionally. I recommend a sweet treat like this once a month!
Guavas
Guavas are often cultivated in the homeland of bearded dragons, Australia. Guavas can be an excellent food source for them that tastes ‘close to home.’
How to feed guava safely
When providing guava to your Beardie, remove the hard seeds in the center as they can be a choking hazard to them. Always chop the fruit up into bite-sized bits! Guava skin is a bit tougher, so it may be helpful for your dragon to remove it
How often can you feed guava to your Beardie?
Guavas have more vitamin C than oranges and tons of antioxidants. They have sugar content in the medium range, so I suggest offering them to your Beardie every other week to once a month.
Nectarines
How to feed nectarines safely
When feeding your dragon nectarines, never provide the pit. Chop it into small pieces and offer them approximately a quarter of one nectarine. You can leave the skin on; just be sure to wash it well and remove any produce stickers.
How often can you feed nectarines to your Beardie?
Nectarines, like plums, have a disproportionate calcium-to-phosphorus ratio. Due to this content, I recommend offering your bearded dragon nectarines every six months or so as a sweet treat. Showing too much can cause blisters in the mouth due to acidity, and too much can also cause gout, hiccups, and kidney stones.
Prunes
The high fiber content in prunes can keep your dragon full longer and is high in vitamin K, B6, niacin, and riboflavin.
How to feed prunes safely
Prunes can be offered to your dragon in dried form. Be sure only to provide a little bit and chop it into tiny bits if it is not pureed. When purchasing prunes at the store, try to avoid any added sugar.
How often can you feed prunes to your Beardie?
Prunes can be difficult to digest due to their high fiber content. They should only be offered as a treat in small quantities every few months. Only provide a small amount, approximately one-quarter of a piece, with their dark leafy greens. Make sure water is available to them as the fruit is often dried.
Pears
How to feed pears safely
Pear skin is a bit thicker than other fruits, so it should be removed so your dragon does not choke. The best way to offer pears is to blend them or puree them. Most of the vitamins in pears, like vitamin C and potassium, are in the skin, and you can blend the skin with water or other safe fruit juice to provide those vitamins. Small quantities are best, usually about one-quarter of a whole pear.
How often can you feed pears to your Beardie?
Pears should be an occasional sweet treat, only offered once every few months.
Pineapple
Pineapple contains a high amount of sugar, water, phosphorus, vitamin C, vitamin A, and calcium. However, it is relatively balanced, although there is more phosphorus than calcium, and can be offered to your Beardie safely.
How to feed pineapple safely
Be sure to remove the skin and either puree it or chop it into tiny chunks.
How often can you feed pineapple to your Beardie?
Due to its high acid and sugar content, pineapple should only be offered once or twice a month as a special treat.
Papaya
Papaya has many nutritional benefits, like fiber, potassium, magnesium, and vitamin A.
How to feed papaya safely
The skin and seeds are edible but pose a choking hazard and should be avoided. The fruit can be pureed or chopped into tiny cubes. The fruit should be ripe, with orange/yellow skin slightly soft.
How often can you feed papaya to your Beardie?
Papaya has a very balanced calcium-to-phosphate ratio. This fruit can be offered once or twice a month as a treat.
Caution
Some dragons can have allergic reactions to new fruits. Continuously monitor your dragon after offering new food for signs of a reaction. Symptoms can include labored breathing, diarrhea, and abscesses forming in the mouth.
Mango
Mango contains essential nutrients like vitamins A, C, E, and K, fiber, folate, potassium, magnesium, zinc, and antioxidants.
How to feed mango safely
When offering mango to your dragon, peel the skin and puree it or chop it into tiny cubes. The skin can be provided blended with water or other fruit juice.
How often can you feed mango to your Beardie?
Mangoes are low in oxalates, which can prevent calcium absorption. Still, they have an almost equal amount of calcium and phosphorus (more calcium is preferred), so mango should only be offered to your dragon once or twice a month. Too much vitamin A and sugar can be bad for your dragon.
Pro-Tip ⚡
Blend your washed fruit skins with other safe fruit juices, water, or coconut water to give your dragon the health benefits of the skin without the choking hazard.
Blueberries
Blueberries are a fantastic addition to your dragon’s diet; they contain vitamins C and K, fiber, manganese, and potassium.
How to feed blueberries safely
Blueberries should always be washed first, sliced, or smashed to keep your dragon safe from choking.
How often can you feed blueberries to your Beardie?
A few blueberries can be offered to your dragon once a week. They are a great addition to their diet and can be provided as a ‘dessert’ once your dragon has eaten their dark leafy greens.
