Bearded Dragons are unimaginable companions; when you’ve got owned one, we’re certain you’ll agree. However if you’re new to the world of reptiles and nonetheless have extra to study, you’ll wish to take one of the best care of your Beardie by offering them with the healthiest eating regimen. Chances are you’ll know by now that Bearded Dragons can eat some fruits, however there are additionally some they shouldn’t eat. You can provide your Beardie cranberries as an occasional deal with, about one or two each different week. They shouldn’t eat cranberries as an everyday a part of their eating regimen, and on this article, we’ll clarify why.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cranberries?
Sure, Bearded Dragons can eat cranberries as an occasional deal with. One or two cranberries is sufficient, with most consultants solely recommending they’re fed a few times a month. Their well being could be in danger in the event that they had been fed cranberries each day or often. Cranberries are a scrumptious mix of candy and bitter and are the proper measurement for a tasty nibble.
They’re excessive in fiber and embrace a number of nutritional vitamins and minerals. Nonetheless, they do include extra phosphorus than calcium and one of the best meals for Beardies are calcium wealthy and low in phosphorus. Moreover, as with all fruits, they’re excessive in sugar which may result in well being points if fed in too massive quantities.
Dangers of Feeding Your Bearded Dragon Cranberries
Cranberries are bitter and include much less sugar than another berries, nonetheless dried cranberries might be greater in sugar. Extra sugar consumption may cause many well being points in your Beardie together with digestion issues, weight problems and dental points.
The opposite potential threat of feeding your Beardie too many cranberries often is metabolic bone illness (MBD). As talked about above, the ratio of phosphorus to calcium of cranberries is unsuitable for Bearded Dragons, often feeding a eating regimen which incorporates an inappropriate ratio of calcium to phosphorus can result in the event of MBD, which is a fancy and critical situation.
Moreover, dried cranberries could also be troublesome in your Bearded Dragon to eat.
Can You Give Your Bearded Dragon Cranberry Sauce?
Cranberry sauce incorporates extra added sugar and different components and preservatives. It is not going to profit your Beardie’s well being, and avoiding cranberry sauce altogether is finest.
How To Feed Your Bearded Dragon Cranberries
We now have decided that cranberries might be supplied to your Beardie as an occasional deal with, however it’s vital to know find out how to feed them to your pet. To take away any chemical substances, you need to wash recent cranberries first, particularly if they aren’t natural. You’ll then have to take away the seeds and reduce them into smaller items.
This goes for dried cranberries as nicely; though there are not any seeds to take away, it’s essential to nonetheless guarantee they’re sufficiently small to chew and never capable of get caught in your Beardie’s throat. Because of the greater sugar content material of dried cranberries we suggest sticking to recent ones.
What Ought to I Feed My Bearded Dragon?
Your Bearded Dragon will recognize and love a deal with once in a while, similar to a cranberry or two, however it will be important for them to have a well-balanced eating regimen.
Greens, Bugs, and Fruit
Your Beardie will profit from a various eating regimen of greens, reside meals, and restricted fruits. When selecting a eating regimen in your Bearded Dragon, their age will play an element. A juvenile’s eating regimen must be made up of roughly 80% reside meals and 20% crops. As your Beardie will get older, the ratio is flipped to about 80% crops and 20% reside meals.
Younger Bearded Dragons sometimes have to eat a few times a day; nonetheless, older Bearded Dragons could solely require feedings each 24 to 72 hours, relying on their urge for food.
Preferrred Proportion of Greens
Solely 10%–20% of the plant materials must be fruits, with 80%–90% being leafy green vegetables and flowers. Keep away from mild inexperienced veggies excessive in fiber, low in vitamins, and poor in nutritional vitamins, similar to iceberg or head lettuce, celery, and carrots.
Though uncooked greens are extra healthful and retain extra vitamins, each cooked and uncooked greens might be supplied. They need to be washed totally and reduce into applicable sized items or grated.
Fruit
Your Bearded Dragon could choose fruits, however as they’re sometimes low in minerals, they need to solely be supplied often. You may also provide treats like roses, geraniums, carnations, dandelions, hibiscus, and nasturtiums.
Appropriate Greens for Bearded Dragons
Collard greens
Kale
Uncooked zucchini
Uncooked asparagus
Parsnips
Pumpkin
Butternut squash
Cabbage
Peeled cucumber
Bell peppers
Endive
Appropriate Reside Meals for Bearded Dragons
Crickets
Earthworms
Mealworms
Silkworms
Waxworms
Appropriate Fruits for Bearded Dragons
Strawberries
Peaches
Seedless apples
Blackberries
Blueberries
Cherries
Mango
Pineapple
Pear
Watermelon
Papaya
Conclusion
You may supply cranberries as an occasional deal with in your Bearded Dragon, however they shouldn’t make up a part of their common eating regimen. They’re excessive in sugar and have a poor calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, which might put your Beardie at risk for MBD in the event that they devour them often. It is usually vital to do not forget that your Beardie’s eating regimen is primarily greens and reside meals, and all appropriate fruits must be restricted, together with cranberries. Should you determine to offer your Bearded Dragon cranberries, it ought to solely be one or two each few weeks, and you need to all the time seek the advice of along with your vet beforehand.
Featured Picture Credit score: Alexey Hulsov, Pixabay
