Can Bearded Dragons Eat Fish? Safe or Not
Can bearded dragons eat fish? The answer might surprise you. Bearded dragons are omnivores and will eat anything you put in front of them, but that doesn’t mean they will all eat everything they see. Many people wonder if bearded dragons can eat fish, especially now that the new bearded dragon diet craze has taken off and become popular among bearded dragon owners. We’re here to tell you: not only can bearded dragons eat fish, but they should also be eating fish. Here’s why.
Myths about Bearded Dragons eating Fish?
Throughout their long history, different bearded dragon caretakers have come up with some myths surrounding bearded dragon diets. For example, there is a myth that bearded dragons should not be fed food that has been refrigerated, but rather only room temperature foods.
Another misconception is that they should never be fed with insects because they aren’t in their natural habitat and are likely to become picky eaters as a result of feeding them insects. However, both of these myths are completely untrue! In fact, most people who keep pet reptiles opt for feeding them primarily insects or at least providing them with insect feeders to help maintain a healthy diet.
Good alternatives to feeding your beardie raw meat
A balanced diet is essential to your pet’s overall health, which means it’s important to avoid feeding him or her too much protein. Bearded dragons can develop kidney issues when they consume too much protein, so to protect your lizard, it’s a good idea to feed him leafy greens and a variety of other plants every day, including things like apples and carrots.
In addition to helping your beardie maintain a healthy weight, fruits and vegetables will help him get his recommended daily dose of vitamins and minerals without having an excess of protein. (Read more about bearded dragon diets here.)
What can be dangerous if I feed my bearded dragon live, raw meat?
Feeding your pet live, raw meat is a good way to get your lizard sick. First of all, there’s no guarantee that live food is free of harmful bacteria like salmonella and e coli that can make both you and your pet sick for days on end. Secondly, because bearded dragons are desert lizards, their bodies aren’t meant to process large amounts of protein; it can actually be extremely dangerous for them to consume a high-protein diet in great quantities. Thirdly, feeding them raw meat carries a risk of infection from parasites and worms that can come along with wild-caught live prey.
What should I know before I get my beardie started on a raw diet?
All reptiles are carnivores by nature, meaning they require a high-protein diet to stay healthy and active. If your pet reptile is used to eating processed or low-nutrient foods, it may struggle initially with a dietary change like going raw. Adding new raw food items or supplements (which are available at pet stores) will provide extra nutrients that may help ease your reptile into its new diet while ensuring it stays healthy over time. When transitioning from a processed diet to a more natural one, be patient—and be prepared for some stinky burps! With careful planning and supplementation, however, most beardies can easily adapt to their new lifestyle.
How do I switch my bearded dragon over to a carnivorous diet?
A lot of people have a tough time switching their pets to a carnivorous diet, but here are some helpful tips that may make it easier for you and your beardie! Get your pet used to eating insects: It’s important that your new pet is used to eating insects before transitioning them over to a more nutritious diet; otherwise, they may not trust new food sources if they’re introduced suddenly! Start by offering small amounts of crickets, mealworms, wax, and worms every few days; let them get used to chewing these critters. Once they’ve begun enjoying an insect-based diet, move on to bigger prey items like silkworms or roaches.
People also read: Bearded Dragon Mouth Rot (Causes, Treatment, Symptoms)
What other benefits will I notice once my beardie starts eating only fresh, raw foods?
Once my beardie stopped eating dry foods, his shedding became less noticeable, and all of his shed nails began to grow normally again. One time I accidentally stepped on one of his toes (darn those sharp claws!), and he dropped it right away instead of holding onto it for days before coming out with a new one.
How much money will I save by switching to a raw diet for my beardie?
If your beardie is eating a commercial diet, switching to a raw diet will save you a lot of money over time. If your dragon is underweight and not thriving, it’s likely because he isn’t getting proper nutrition from his current food—if that’s happening to him, feeding him cooked meat will help him gain some weight, but if he’s being fed an improper mixture of nutrients on his current food then he won’t be gaining any weight at all!
The side effect of feeding my bearded dragon with fish
Just about all common pet-store fish (goldfish, feeder guppies, etc.) are loaded with
I am Nick James, I have been three male beardies since 2015. I love to take care of my pets and their diet. Here, I am sharing my personal experiences and strategies to grow up your cute pet.
