Can Bearded Dragons Eat Hot Dogs?
Bearded dragons are omnivores; in the wild, beardies intake various insects, plants, and small mammals. In captivity, they can be fed vegetables and insects. Here the question is, can bearded dragons eat hot dogs? Feeding your bearded dragon any processed foodstuff or meat is not recommended because it harms your pet’s health. Some studies also state that meat can be served to bearded dragons as an occasional meal. Some beardies owners feed their bearded dragon hot dogs as one of the occasional treats. But remember that hot dogs are not a natural diet for beardies. They can not be safely given in large amounts.
Also read: Can Bearded Dragons Eat Goldfish?
Hot dogs have a high amount of fats and sodium. The high amount of fats and sodium are not safe for bearded dragons, so they should not be given to beardies regularly. While serving hot dogs to Bearded Dragon, chop them into little pieces.
You may also read: Can Bearded Dragons Eat Calci Worms?
Some people say that Bearded Dragons can be fed hot dogs, while other pet lovers believe that the beardies can’t eat. According to some pet owners, bearded dragons can technically intake hot dogs, but they can’t be a regular portion of beardies’ diet.
Hot dogs have a high content of sodium and fat, which are bad for Bearded Dragons in large amounts. This is also an unnatural food for Bearded dragons, so they may not properly digest hot dogs. If you are going to feed your Bearded Dragon a hot dog, you should ensure that it is completely cooked, then cut small pieces.
Pros and cons of feeding hot dogs to bearded dragons
No doubt, hot dogs are a great source of fat and protein, which are vital nutrients for Bearded Dragons. There are pros to feeding hot dogs to Bearded Dragons; however, you can’t ignore the cons caused by bearded dragons. One of the largest cons is that these are high in sodium and fat and harmful to beardies ( in large quantities). The second con is that these are processed meat, which means that the hot dogs are not as good for Bearded Dragons as other options.
The hot dog may have harmful preservatives and additives. They are processed food, so they are not nutritious as natural foods. A hot dog is not a healthy option for bearded dragons. If you choose to give your pet hot dogs, give a small amount of this food. But first, you have to cook it thoroughly to remove the extra fat.
Can baby bearded dragons eat hot dogs?
The food that is unsafe for adult bearded dragons must also be unsafe for baby bearded dragons. We don’t recommend hot dogs for this little pet. Baby bearded dragons are compassionate little creatures, so you must be conscious about their proper diet and health. Try to feed your pet a varied and nutritious diet for its proper growth.
What are the other foods that bearded dragons can not eat?
Some foods are dangerous for bearded dragons that are very hard to digest. It is important to point out unsafe foods. Food with high phosphorus levels than calcium is bad for your pet. Foods with a high level of oxalate are also unsafe. Following are some foods that you can’t feed your bearded dragon.
- Onion
- Chives
- Leeks
- Mushroom
- Garlic
- Rhubarb
- Avocados
- Iceberg lettuce
- Eggplant
- Fireflies
- Buttercup
- Ladybugs
- Box elder bugs
- Caterpillars
- Acidic fruits
- Dairy products
Some best foods for bearded dragons
Some good foods are that you can feed your bearded dragon every day. These foods contain many nutrients that are beneficial for your pet.
- Arugula
- Alfalfa
- Clover
- Mustard leaves
- Dandelion
- Squashes
- Collard greens
Conclusion:
As it is clear from the above discussion that hot dogs are processed food and loaded with unhealthy ingredients. Avoid feeding these processed foods to your bearded dragon. There are many nutritious and healthy options available for bearded dragons. Some pet lovers believe that hot dogs can be served to bearded dragons as an occasional treat, but we can’t suggest any processed meat or food as they are unnatural.
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.
