Age Group	Insects (%)	Vegetables (%)	Feeding Frequency
Hatchlings (0 to 4 months)	70% to 80%	20% to 30%	3 to 5x per day
Juveniles (4 to 12 months)	50% to 60%	40% to 50%	2 to 3x per day
Adults (12+ months)	20% to 30%	70% to 80%	1x per day

Bearded dragons are omnivores and freshly washed raw greens should be offered daily to all dragons.

Veggies should form the foundation of an adult dragons meal while a younger bearded dragon diet requires more insects and less vegetables.

Adjusting your bearded dragon’s vegetable intake as they grow will provide them with the nutrition they need.

Daily Staple Veggies:

• Collard greens
• Mustard greens
• Turnip greens
• Dandelion greens
• Endive
• Escarole
• Squash (butternut, acorn, spaghetti – shredded or cooked)
• Bell peppers (raw, chopped)
• Carrots (grated, in moderation)

Occasional Veggies (1 to 2x/week):

• Kale (high in oxalates)
• Spinach (binds calcium – limit use)
• Swiss chard
• Zucchini
• Broccoli (small amounts only)

Fruits are not essential for bearded dragons but they can be offered occasionally as treats.

Bearded Dragon Friendly Fruits (1 to 2x/week):

• Blueberries
• Strawberries
• Mango
• Papaya
• Watermelon
• Apples (peeled, finely chopped)
• Grapes (seedless, halved)
• Raspberries

Some foods are toxic or unhealthy and should never be offered to your bearded dragon.

Never Feed:

• Citrus fruits (too acidic)
• Avocado (toxic)
• Rhubarb (toxic)
• Fireflies or wild insects (toxic or may carry parasites)
• Iceberg lettuce (zero nutrition)
• Onions
• Leeks
• Garlic
• Processed human food
• Dairy

Bearded dragons require supplementation to avoid metabolic bone disease (MBD), a serious and often fatal condition caused by calcium deficiency. Dusting insects or veggies lightly before feeding is an easy way to give your dragon calcium and other supplements.

Core Supplements:

1. Calcium – daily for juveniles and 3 to 5x/week for adults
2. Multivitamin – 1x/week
3. Vitamin D3 – 2 to 3x/week

Bearded dragons love bugs – but not all bugs are created equal. In order to give your beardie the most nutritional insects, it’s best to gut load them before feeding them to your dragon.

Gut loading insects improves their nutritional value and helps your dragon’s diet be as healthy as possible. The easiest way to gut load insects is to feed the bugs the same “salad” you feed your dragon.

For more information on how to gut load insects for your bearded dragon click HERE

Gut Loading Diet for Insects:

• Dark leafy greens
• Squash
• Sweet potato
• Carrot slices
• Commercial cricket feed or high-quality dry dog food (for roaches)

Insects provide your mini dragon with essential protein and fat. They’re eaten by beardies of all ages but are especially important during your dragon’s early growth.

In order to provide your beardie with all of the nutrition they need, remember that insects should be dusted with supplements and gut loaded prior to feeding.

Staple Live Feeders:

• Dubia roaches (top choice – high protein and easy to digest)
• Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL)
• Crickets (popular but less nutritious than roaches)
• Silkworms

Occasional Treat Feeders:

• Hornworms (hydrating and low in fat)
• Mealworms and superworms (only for adult dragons due to their hard exoskeleton)
• Waxworms and butterworms (high in fat – feed as occasional treats only)

Feeding Tips:

• Feed insects that are smaller than the space between your dragon’s eyes
• Remove uneaten live insects after 15 to 30 minutes to prevent biting or stress

Bearded dragons originate from the arid Australian deserts, so they’re adapted to low water needs – but they still need proper hydration.

Hydration Methods:

• Daily misting of greens (especially for juveniles)
• Drip method (a drop of water on their nose)
• Shallow water dish (change daily, some may never drink from it)
• Soaking baths 1 to 2x/week (also helps with shedding)

WARNING: Dehydration signs include sunken eyes, wrinkly skin, and lethargy. If your Bearded Dragon appears to present any of these signs contact your veterinarian straight away.

• Track feeding with a food journal
• Rotate greens and insects to prevent boredom and maximize nutrition
• Observe droppings – runny or undigested food can signal issues
• Keep everything fresh – spoiled food can make your dragon sick

Providing bearded dragons with a healthy diet is one of the most effective ways to help these reptiles live a long healthy life. While it might seem overwhelming at first, feeding time doesn’t have to be complicated.

With the right balance of live protein, fresh leafy greens and proper supplements, your bearded dragon can thrive for many years.