Yes, bearded dragons eat flies, but it is not recommended as a regular part of their diet. Flies can carry parasites and diseases and may not provide the appropriate balance of nutrients that bearded dragons require. However, if you choose to feed your bearded dragonflies, it’s important to ensure they are from a clean and reliable source and are appropriately sized for your bearded dragon’s age and size.
Other insects, such as crickets, mealworms, and dubia roaches, are more beneficial for bearded dragons to consume. These insects provide a more balanced diet with essential nutrients such as protein and calcium. In addition, research and providing a varied diet for bearded dragons is important to ensure their health and well-being.
Benefits of Feeding Flies to Bearded Dragons
Flies are a good source of protein, which is essential for the growth and development of bearded dragons. They also contain some vitamins and minerals, such as calcium and iron, which are important for maintaining a healthy diet. Flies are also easy to find and purchase, making them a convenient food source for bearded dragon owners.
If you choose to feed your bearded dragonflies, it’s important to ensure they are from a clean and reliable source and are appropriately sized for your bearded dragon’s age and size. Additionally, it’s important to gut-load flies with a nutritious diet before feeding them to your bearded dragon, as this can help ensure they get the appropriate nutrients.
It’s generally recommended to stick to a balanced diet of insects and vegetables that are safe and nutritious for bearded dragons, such as crickets, mealworms, dubia roaches, and a variety of greens and vegetables. This can help ensure that your bearded dragon gets the appropriate balance of nutrients for their health and well-being while minimizing the risk of potential health issues associated with feeding flies.
Risks of Feeding Flies to Bearded Dragons
While flies can be a good source of protein, they also come with some risks when feeding them to bearded dragons. Store-bought flies are generally safe, but ensuring they are free of parasites or diseases is still important before feeding them to your bearded dragon. Another risk of feeding flies to bearded dragons is that they provide less nutritional value than other insects, such as crickets and mealworms.
There are several risks associated with feeding flies to bearded dragons, including:
- Disease transmission: Flies can carry a variety of diseases and parasites, which can be transmitted to bearded dragons through their diet. This can lead to serious health issues or even death.
- Parasite infestation: Flies can also be carriers of internal parasites, such as tapeworms, which can infect bearded dragons if they eat infected flies.
- Nutritional imbalances: Feeding too many flies to your bearded dragon can upset the balance of its diet, as flies may not provide all the necessary nutrients that they require.
- Choking hazard: Flies can be difficult for bearded dragons to catch and swallow and may pose a choking hazard if they are too large or your bearded dragon cannot chew them properly.
Because of these risks, limiting the number of flies you feed to your bearded dragon is generally recommended, ensuring the flies are from a clean and reliable source. It’s also important to ensure that your bearded dragon’s diet is balanced and provides all the necessary nutrients for their health and well-being.
Other Foods for Bearded Dragons
Vegetables
Bearded dragons are omnivorous and require a balanced diet of vegetables and protein. Vegetables should make up 50% of their diet, while the remaining 50% should be made up of insects. Here are some vegetables that are safe for bearded dragons to eat:
- Collard greens
- Mustard greens
- Turnip greens
- Dandelion greens
- Kale
- Endive
- Escarole
- Watercress
- Carrots
- Squash
- Bell peppers
- Cucumber
- Zucchini
- Sweet potato
- Butternut squash
It is important to note that vegetables should be chopped into small pieces and mixed to provide a variety of nutrients. I suggest that vegetables are finely chopped or shredded, as bearded dragons have difficulty chewing and digesting large pieces.
Additionally, it’s important to avoid feeding them vegetables high in oxalates or goitrogens, such as spinach or kale, as these can interfere with calcium absorption and thyroid function. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to research and consult a veterinarian or experienced reptile keeper to ensure your bearded dragon gets a balanced and nutritious diet.
Fruits
Fruits are a great way to add variety to a bearded dragon’s diet, but they should be given in moderation because of their high sugar content. Here are some fruits that are safe for bearded dragons to eat:
- Apples (without seeds)
- Berries (strawberries, raspberries, blackberries)
- Melons (watermelon, cantaloupe)
- Mangoes
- Papayas
- Peaches
- Pears
Insects
Insects are 50% part of a bearded dragon’s diet, providing protein and other essential nutrients, according to VCA Animal Hospital. Here are some insects that are safe for bearded dragons to eat:
- Crickets
- Dubia roaches
- Superworms
- Phoenix worms
- Black soldier fly larvae
It is important to avoid feeding wild-caught insects, as they may contain harmful chemicals or parasites. In addition, insects should be gut-loaded (fed a nutritious diet before being fed to the bearded dragon) to ensure they provide the necessary nutrients.
