Can Bearded Dragons Eat Apples?
The simple answer is ‘yes’, bearded dragons can eat apples. In fact, they really love them.
Apples are also a really great way to give your bearded dragon the vitamins that they need and keep them hydrated at the same time.
Why Are Apples Good For Bearded Dragons?
Apples are around 85% water, without their skin. This means that an apple is a perfect and tasty way to get your dragon to hydrate.
They’re also an excellent source of vitamin C and fiber, which are both essential parts of a bearded dragon’s diet.
Without these vitamins, a bearded dragon could face issues such as stomatitis, bleeding gums, and bruising of their skin.
So, giving them an apple is not only an exciting change for them but really good for their health. The phrase, ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away’ has never been truer than with a bearded dragon.
Can Baby Bearded Dragons Eat Apple?
If you’re looking for a treat for your baby bearded dragon, look no further. They love the sweetness of apples and it’s a great way to give them those extra vitamins to help them grow.
However, you’ll need to ensure that you never give a baby bearded dragon apple skin.
Because the skin of an apple is more solid and harder to break up, this can cause compacting in their stomach.
Bearded dragons don’t have the kind of teeth that could break up apple skin, especially if they’re babies.
This means that the skin would be swallowed in larger pieces and would be indigestible. This could cause massive health problems for your baby, so make sure you peel it first.
Because of the high content of water in an apple, you also need to make sure that you don’t overfeed your baby.
A baby bearded dragon should have a dietary intake that’s around 80% protein. This is usually gained from their live food. It allows them to grow larger and stronger.
A higher fruit or vegetable content in their diet could cause diarrhoea, ultimately meaning that vitamins are lost, and their growth would be affected.
You should offer your baby bearded dragon a small piece of apple every other day, whilst live food is still daily. This can help them digest it properly, whilst still enjoying a tasty treat.
How to Correctly Feed Apples to Your Bearded Dragon
You should feed your adult bearded dragon a small slice of apple per day. This means that it doesn’t overtake the amount of protein and calcium that they receive from their live food.
Apples are quite sugary, so it’s best to keep them as a treat and not a part of their standard diet.
This avoids issues such as diarrhoea which can be caused by the acids and sugars in an apple.
To prepare the apple you’ll need to:
Cut it into bitesize pieces. Because of the way bearded dragons eat, they can’t usually use their cheeks to store food whilst they chew.
They also don’t move their jaws from side to side like we do, so most chewing is visible.
Imagine that person that you know who always opens their mouth when they chew.
That’s what happens to a bearded dragon if they’re attempting to eat a giant piece of apple. It’s not pretty and you’ll end up with a mushy mess.
Peel off all of the skin. Bearded dragons can’t digest the skin of any fruit.
It creates a blockage in their stomach which can result in lots of health problems and a giant vet bill.
Wash the apple thoroughly. Chemicals might have been sprayed on the apple during farming.
You’ll never know exactly what you’re feeding them, so it’s always best to wash it first.
Remove any pips. We’ve talked about the issues around the apple skin, so imagine the problems the pips could pose.
Make sure that any apple that you give to your bearded dragon is the fleshy part of the apple only. Nothing else.
Hand feed. Feeding your bearded dragon from your hand will emphasize the treat element for them.
However, if you aren’t confident at using your fingers than you can use a pair of feeding prongs which will still have the same bonding effect.
It’ll also really develop your bond as they’ll see you as the provider of something they enjoy.
Does it Matter What Type of Apple I Use?
Basically, no it doesn’t. Your bearded dragon won’t turn their nose up at any kind of apple really.
There are differences in taste and texture for them though.
Red apples tend to be sweeter and softer to eat, whilst green apples have a sour taste and are generally more solid.
Both apples have their benefits. Green apples have a higher protein, fiber and potassium content.
This would be better for a younger bearded dragon to help them grow and become strong and healthy.
On the other hand, an older bearded dragon may prefer the sweeter red apple.
This is just because it happens to be sweet; a taste which they crave more and more as they age. They’re also softer, which might be easier for them to chew as they get older and their jaws aren’t as strong as they used to be.
Can Bearded Dragons Have Apple Juice?
You shouldn’t give bearded dragons standard apple juice from a carton. This is because it’s rarely just apple juice.
Mass-produced apple juice is usually filled with more sugar than you’d get from a normal apple. That’s why we love it so much.
The overload of sugar could cause health issues for your dragon.
However, it’s acceptable to give your bearded dragon fresh apple juice if you have the means to make this yourself.
Obviously, they don’t actually drink apple juice in place of water. However, bearded dragons in the wild don’t generally drink too much at all.
They hydrate themselves from their food and from occasional rainfall. Because of this, they don’t naturally drink from a bowl.
They hydrate themselves from their food and from occasional rainfall. Because of this, they don’t naturally drink from a bowl.
Adding a small amount of apple juice to your bearded dragon’s water will encourage them to drink. The smell will entice them in, and they’ll eventually get the idea.
It is also important that you use an appropriate water dish for your bearded dragon, it should be shallow enough for them to drink from without getting their noses submerged.
A small drop of apple juice could solve a world of confusion for your bearded dragon when presented with a water dish.
This water dish is specifically made for bearded dragons and is made from a non toxic material that is easy to clean and is a great investment!
Summary
All in all, feeding your bearded dragon a small amount of apple every so often is a great idea.
They have excellent health benefits and your dragon will love them. But don’t go overboard. You can have too much of a good thing.
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I was just 15 years of age when I first met a bearded dragon. It was at my friend's house and I instantly grew an immediate attraction to, what has now become, my favourite animal on the planet! Making fantastic pets for both children and adults alike, they each have their own personality and are certainly full of character. There are, though, some important things that we should all know when it comes to caring for these amazing animals!