Do you have a bearded dragon as a pet? If so, you might be wondering what kind of fruits and vegetables you can feed them. You might also be curious if they can eat bananas, one of the most popular and delicious fruits in the world.
Well, you've come to the right place. In this guide, we will answer the question "can bearded dragons eat bananas?" and provide everything you need to know about feeding bananas to your beardie.
We will cover the pros and cons of feeding bananas to bearded dragons, how much they can eat, how often they can eat them, how to prepare them, and what other fruits and vegetables are safe for them.
By the end of this, you will have a better understanding of your bearded dragon's diet and nutrition, and how to keep them happy and healthy.
Table of Contents
The Pros of Feeding Bananas to Bearded Dragons
The short answer is yes, bearded dragons can eat bananas, but only in moderation. Bananas are rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, antioxidants, and other nutrients that are beneficial for bearded dragons' health. These nutrients can help prevent diseases, improve kidney function, support growth and development, enhance heart health, and boost immunity. Here are some of the health benefits of bananas for bearded dragons:
- Vitamin C helps heal wounds and infections
- Vitamin A helps maintain vision and skin health
- Calcium helps build strong bones and teeth
- Magnesium helps regulate muscle contractions and nerve impulses
- Iron helps transport oxygen in the blood
- Potassium helps balance fluids and electrolytes
- Antioxidants help fight free radicals that cause oxidative stress
We like to feed our bearded dragons bananas as a treat once in a while, and we notice that they enjoy them very much. They also seem to have more energy and vitality after eating them.
The Cons of Feeding Bananas to Bearded Dragons
However, bananas also have some drawbacks that may affect bearded dragons' health if fed too often or in large amounts. These drawbacks include:
- High sugar content: Bananas contain natural sugars that can raise blood glucose levels if eaten too frequently or in excess.
- High oxalate content: Bananas contain oxalates that can bind with calcium in the digestive tract and reduce its absorption.Â
- Low calcium-to-phosphorus ratio: Bananas have a low calcium-to-phosphorus ratio compared to other fruits like apples or oranges. This means that they do not provide enough calcium relative to phosphorus for bearded dragons' bones.
- Potential pesticide residue: Bananas may have traces of pesticides on their peels or stems if they are not organic or washed thoroughly before feeding them to your beardie.Â
We learned these drawbacks the hard way when one of our bearded dragons developed kidney stones after eating too many bananas. We had to take him to the vet and get him treated. It was a scary and painful experience for both him and us. Since then, we have been more careful and cautious about feeding bananas to our bearded dragons.
How Much Bananas Can Be Fed to Bearded Dragons
Here are some guidelines on how much banana pieces (about half a banana) or banana baby food (about one tablespoon) should be given per week per beardie:
| Age | Banana Pieces (About Half a Banana) | Banana Baby Food (About One Tablespoon) |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 0.5 per week | 0.5 per week |
| Younger | 0.25 per week | 0.25 per week |
We usually feed our bearded dragons banana pieces, as they are easier to prepare and serve. We also like to watch them munch on them and make funny faces. Sometimes, we mix banana baby food with other fruits or vegetables that are safe for bearded dragons, such as blackberries, blueberries, tomatoes, carrots, or cucumbers. This way, we can provide them with more variety and nutrition.
How Often Can Bearded Dragons Eat Bananas
How often can bearded dragons eat bananas? As we mentioned before, bananas should be fed as a treat once or twice a month, or every couple of weeks, depending on their age and health condition. Feeding bananas too often or in large amounts can cause health problems for bearded dragons, such as obesity, diabetes, dental issues, metabolic disorders, kidney stones, calcium deficiency, weak bones, or fractures.
We usually feed our bearded dragons bananas once a month, or every three weeks, as a special treat. We also monitor their weight, blood glucose levels, and calcium levels regularly to make sure they are not affected by the sugar or oxalate content of bananas. Also, we provide them with plenty of water, fresh greens, insects, and calcium supplements to balance their diet and keep them hydrated.
How to Prepare Bananas for Bearded Dragons
- Use organic or pesticide-free bananas, as they are safer and healthier for bearded dragons.
- Rinse them well under running water, and scrub them gently with a brush or cloth to remove any dirt or residue.
- Peel off the skin and discard it, as it may contain pesticides or bacteria that can harm your beardie.
- Cut the banana into small pieces that are easy to chew and swallow, or mash it with a fork or blender until smooth.
- Store the banana pieces or mash them in an airtight container in the fridge, and use them within a day or two.
- Offer the banana pieces or mash in a shallow dish or bowl, and place it near your bearded dragon's basking spot or hideout.
- Remove any uneaten banana pieces or mash after an hour, and clean the dish or bowl thoroughly.
We usually prepare bananas for our bearded dragons in the morning and feed them in the afternoon or evening. We also make sure to wash our hands before and after handling the bananas, and avoid touching our bearded dragons' mouths or eyes with our fingers.
What Other Fruits and Vegetables Can Bearded Dragons Eat
- Leafy greens, such as kale, collard greens, mustard greens, dandelion greens, or turnip greens
- Squash, such as butternut squash, acorn squash, spaghetti squash, or zucchini
- Carrots, such as baby carrots, carrot tops, or carrot slices
- Apples, such as red apples, green apples, or apple slices
- Berries, such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries
- Melons, such as watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, or melon balls
- Grapes, such as red grapes, green grapes, or grape halves
- Kiwis, such as kiwi slices, kiwi chunks, or kiwi puree
We like to feed our bearded dragons a variety of fruits and vegetables, as they provide them with different colors, flavors, textures, and nutrients. We also like to experiment with different combinations and recipes and see what our bearded dragons like or dislike. And we always choose organic or pesticide-free produce, wash them well, chop them into bite-sized pieces, and rotate them to provide variety.
Conclusion
So, can bearded dragons eat bananas? The answer is yes, but only in moderation and as a treat. Bananas have some benefits for bearded dragons, such as providing them with vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, antioxidants, and other nutrients.
However, bananas also have some drawbacks for bearded dragons, such as containing high sugar, high oxalate, low calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, and potential pesticide residue. Therefore, bananas should be fed sparingly and carefully to bearded dragons, and only after preparing them properly.
We hope this article has answered your question and provided you with everything you need to know about feeding bananas to your bearded dragon. If you have any questions, comments, or feedback, please feel free to leave them below. We would love to hear from you and help you out. Thank you for reading, and happy feeding!
Additional Resource
FAQS
Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about male vs female blue tongue skinks.
Can bearded dragons eat bananas?
Yes, bearded dragons can eat bananas, but only in moderation and as a treat. Bananas have some benefits, but also some drawbacks for bearded dragons.
How often can bearded dragons eat bananas?
Bearded dragons can eat bananas once or twice a month, or every couple of weeks, depending on their age and health condition. Feeding bananas too often or in large amounts can cause health problems.
How much bananas can be fed to bearded dragons?
Bananas should be fed as a treat once or twice every couple of weeks for adult bearded dragons. Younger bearded dragons should eat bananas even less frequently. Half a banana or one tablespoon of banana baby food per week is enough.
How to prepare bananas for bearded dragons?
Bananas should be peeled, sliced, mashed, or mixed with other fruits or vegetables that are safe for bearded dragons. They should be washed well, stored in the fridge, and served in a shallow dish or bowl.
What other fruits and vegetables can bearded dragons eat?
Bearded dragons can eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, such as leafy greens, squash, carrots, apples, berries, melons, grapes, or kiwis. They should be organic or pesticide-free, washed well, chopped into bite-sized pieces, and rotated to provide variety.