Can Bearded Dragons Eat Grapes?
Written by Dr. Dilber Hussain, DVM, Clinical Veterinarian
Yes, bearded dragons can occasionally eat grapes; however, they should not be offered as a regular snack.
Grapes are a good source of fiber and antioxidants, two nutrients essential for bearded dragon health, but they are also high in oxalates and sugar which have their own challenges.
Bearded Dragon Pet Owner Summary About Grapes:
- You can feed your bearded dragon grapes, sparingly.
- Recommended serving: 2 grapes; 1x a week
- How to prepare grapes: No seeds, cut into pieces, served as part of a balanced diet
- Ideal Diet includes 60-70% insects, 20-30% vegetables, 10-20% fruits (depending on age)
- See the full Bearded Dragon Diet Guide written by a licensed veterinarian
Let’s dive into what to consider before feeding grapes to your dragon.
Contents
2 Bearded Dragon Pet Owner Summary About Grapes:
3 What makes grapes safe for bearded dragons to eat?
3.1 Essential nutrients present in grapes include
4 Can bearded dragons eat grape seeds?
5 Red, green, and concord grapes for Bearded Dragons
6 How often should bearded dragons eat grapes?
7 Are Grapes Unhealthy for Bearded Dragons?
7.1 Calcium-deficiency from oxalates
8 How to prepare Grapes for Bearded Dragons?
10 Can bearded dragons eat human food?
11 What to consider before feeding Bearded Dragons grapes?
12 Is it necessary to have a healthy diet with grapes?
12.1 Protein or insects your dragon can eat:
12.2 Vegetables that bearded dragons can consume include:
13 Just took home a Bearded Dragon?
What makes grapes safe for bearded dragons to eat?
Grapes are a healthy snack for bearded dragons due to their nutritional content and minerals in calcium, fiber, and additional antioxidants.
The calcium contributes to the bearded dragons’ stronger bones and muscles.
Additionally, grapes have a healthy quantity of fiber, which is crucial for promoting a smooth digestive process and preventing constipation.
In addition, grapes provide antioxidants that protect against allergies, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Grapes’ high water content aids in keeping bearded dragons hydrated. Therefore, if occasionally given to bearded dragons, grapes are healthy snacks.
Essential nutrients present in grapes include
| S.No | Nutrient | Amount per 100g |
| 1 | Fiber | 0.9 g |
| 2 | Sugar | 16 g |
| 3 | Carbohydrate | 17 g |
| 4 | Fat | 0.4 g |
| 5 | Sodium | 2 mg |
| 6 | Potassium | 191 mg |
| 7 | Protein | 0.6 g |
| 8 | Calcium | 10 mg |
| 9 | Phosphorus | 20 mg |
Can bearded dragons eat grape seeds?
No, bearded dragons are unable to digest grape seeds.
As a result, seeds may accumulate in the intestine and result in impaction. Therefore, it is vital to cut the grapes and remove the seeds before serving them. Buy seedless grapes if you’re buying them for a bearded dragon. However, watch out for indications of impaction if the bearded dragon has consumed grape seeds. If the bearded dragon is not pooping, consult a vet to treat the condition.
Red, green, and concord grapes for Bearded Dragons
Red, green, and concord grapes can all be consumed by bearded dragons because of their nearly same nutritional value. Grapes of all colors include nutrients like calcium and fiber that are good for bearded dragons. The grapes’ size does matter, though. To reduce the chance of impaction, chop large grapes into smaller pieces.
How often should bearded dragons eat grapes?
If bearded dragons are in good health and do not have any underlying medical conditions, they can consume grapes once per week.
Recommended less than two grapes per week.
Are Grapes Unhealthy for Bearded Dragons?
Grapes are not unhealthy but should be given as treats in moderation and limited in their diet. They contain nutrients that can cause health issues if offered regularly or in a large amount, including oxalates and sugar; therefore, their high concentration may result in a number of health problems, including bone problems, diabetes, and diarrhea.
Calcium-deficiency from oxalates
The calcium-phosphorus ratio in grapes is erroneously close to 1:2. Fruits should include a calcium-phosphorus ratio of 2:1. Therefore, a high phosphorus concentration can make it difficult for calcium from the intestine to be absorbed, leading to metabolic bone disease.
Metabolic bone disease or MBD is a very common issue for bearded dragons pets. It’s extremely painful and could lead to serious harm, even death. According to Animal Care Hospital there are specific warning signs to look for like swelling in the mouth, face, and legs, sometimes shaking legs. In more severe cases, you may see leg twitching, unusual postures, deformities, and general weakness. Call your veterinarian immediately if you see any of these signs.
A common cause is in part a calcium deficiency. The oxalates found in grapes react with the calcium in the digestive tract to generate calcium oxalate, which blocks calcium absorption. Calcium oxalate can accumulate in the kidney and can cause renal issues. Grapes should therefore occasionally be provided to bearded dragons.
Dragon obesity from sugar
Similar to humans, too much sugar can cause obesity and other health issues. Grapes are a natural sugar and contain almost 1.5 grams of sugar for two grapes. Will grapes cause obesity? Probably not. But remember, sugar should be no more than 10% of their diet and, like humans, should be a treat.
How to prepare Grapes for Bearded Dragons?
- Remove the seeds. To be one step ahead, buy seedless grapes.
- Wash the grapes – Completely remove all possible pesticides and germs to lower the risk of developing health issues.
- Slice the grapes into pieces – to reduce the chance of impaction and make the grapes easier to consume, cut them.
- Serve and monitor your dragon – you should always monitor your pet when serving new treats. Identify anything out of character and they can properly consume grapes without issue.
Can they eat grape leaves?
Absolutely. Leaves are a great source of calcium which is very healthy for dragons.
Can bearded dragons eat human food?
Bearded dragons are omnivores. They may consume both plant-based and animal-based foods, including fruits, vegetables, and insects. Human foods are also edible to bearded dragons. The food should, however, have a balanced calcium-phosphorus ratio and little oxalate content. Bearded dragons should consume:
- 60–70% insects
- 20–30% vegetables
- 10–20% fruits
Bearded dragons’ food, however, varies with age. To encourage better muscle and tissue growth, juvenile bearded dragons and babies should consume high-protein foods. So, omnivore bearded dragons can eat human food having a proper balance of nutrients and minerals.
What to consider before feeding Bearded Dragons grapes?
You should always consider age and pre-existing health conditions before feeding your pet any new food. Because they include nutrients that are beneficial to bearded dragons, grapes are a suitable food source for them. Bearded dragons in their infancy and juvenile stages require a diet high in protein. They require a good source of protein for growth and development. It is essential to assess the bearded dragon’s health before offering grapes.
Do not offer your bearded dragon if you notice the following:
- Dehydration
- Diarrhea
- Renal problems
- Has or had MDB
- Bone issues – Oxalates and phosphorus present in grapes contribute to the severity of the bone problem.
Is it necessary to have a healthy diet with grapes?
Fiber, antioxidants, carbohydrates, calcium, and other minerals are all necessary for a healthy life and present in grapes. Antioxidants counteract the accelerated aging process by preventing abnormal cell division in muscles and tissues. Fiber aids in promoting optimal nutrient and mineral absorption from the intestines and supporting digestive health.
Additionally, fiber promotes smooth bowel movements and balances the microbial flora in the digestive tract. Sugar serves as an energy source and aids in the maintenance of cellular metabolic processes. However, these ingredients can also be detrimental to bearded dragons’ health.
Grapes are a snack or a dessert, not the main course.
Consider feeding your dragon healthy, natural food as a main source of protein and vegetables.
Protein or insects your dragon can eat:
- goliath worms
- earthworms
- wax worms
- mealworms
- dubia roaches
- crickets
Vegetables that bearded dragons can consume include:
- broccoli
- mustard greens
- kale
- beet greens
- collard greens
- alfalfa hay
An adult bearded dragon should consume 60% insects, 30% vegetables, and 20% fruits in order to maintain good health. As a result, you may maintain your bearded dragon healthy and active by giving it grapes once a week if you provide a proper, healthy diet.
Just took home a Bearded Dragon?
Author Bio:
Dr. Dilber Hussain is a veterinarian, who studied veterinary medicine at the Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam. After completing the degree, he worked as a veterinary surgeon in different vet surgeries and clinics in Pakistan. He is also working for Animal Welfare and Animal Rights in Pakistan. Besides this, he is giving lectures, some of them at the University of animal sciences, Lahore, and publishing articles about pet health, nutrition, diseases, and animal welfare issues. As an expert and animal rights activist, he often has to be at a court of justice to support lawsuits regarding animal welfare.
AIW Veterinary Council is a group of certified veterinarians or animal health professionals. We strive to publish information with diverse opinions and multiple citations. All content through the AIW Veterinary Council is either written or reviewed by professionals including but not limited to the people below. Dr. Dilber Hussain is a veterinarian, who studied veterinary medicine at the Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam. After completing the degree, he worked as a veterinary surgeon in different vet surgeries and clinics in Pakistan. He is also working for Animal Welfare and Animal Rights in Pakistan. Besides this, he is giving lectures, some of them at the University of animal sciences, Lahore, and publishing articles about pet health, nutrition, diseases, and animal welfare issues. As an expert and animal rights activist, he often has to be at a court of justice to support lawsuits regarding animal welfare.
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