Do this
- Use the exact species diet and a reviewed supplement plan.
- Remove spoilable food and uneaten insects promptly.
- Keep fresh water and monitor bearded dragon behavior every day.
- Record changes so a reptile veterinarian receives useful evidence.
Bearded dragon · Daily diet
What should I feed a bearded dragon?
Feed a bearded dragon the species diet below. Keep fresh water available, prepare each meal cleanly, and remove leftovers promptly.
The right menu must fit the dragon's age and body condition while delivering balanced nutrition safely.
Use the practical checks
The short answer
Use the species diet, not a generic reptile menu for bearded dragons
Feed a bearded dragon the species diet below. Keep fresh water available, prepare each meal cleanly, and remove leftovers promptly.
- Adult home
- At least 120 × 60 × 60 cm (48 × 24 × 24 in) for one adult; larger usable floor space is welcome
- Warm zone
- RSPCA bright-end basking zone 38–42°C (100–108°F); RVC guidance 35–40°C (95–104°F)
- Cool and night
- Cool shaded end 22–26°C (72–79°F); All lights off; controlled non-light heat if needed to stay at least 20–22°C (68–72°F)
- Humidity
- Low ambient humidity around 30–40%, measured with a hygrometer and supported by good ventilation
- UVB
- High-output linear UVB with a measured UVI gradient of 3.0–5.0 at the basking zone down to zero in shade
- Food
- An age-adjusted mix of varied safe greens and gut-loaded, supplemented captive-bred invertebrates
The honest fit
Would the adult routine work in your home?
Avoid this
- Do not make one treat or feeder the entire diet.
- Do not combine supplements without checking the instructions.
- Do not copy another reptile species' setup.
- Do not treat a persistent health change as a shopping problem.
01
Build the correct menu
For a bearded dragon, build meals around varied dark leafy greens and safe vegetables plus appropriately sized, gut-loaded, supplemented captive-bred invertebrates. Portion food for the dragon in front of you rather than treating treats or one favored feeder as the whole diet.
Follow the formulated-food or supplement instructions carefully. Vitamin and mineral products can be overdosed, so do not stack powders or add extra vitamin D without a reviewed plan.
02
Prepare feeders properly
When feeding insects to a bearded dragon, buy captive-bred species, keep them well fed and hydrated, gut-load them before use, and offer prey the dragon can safely take.
Dust immediately before feeding according to the reviewed schedule. Remove uneaten live insects promptly because they can hide, stress, or bite a resting dragon.
03
Use appetite as one data point
Serve fresh food in a clean dish, replace water daily, and wash hands and tools afterward. Keep reptile equipment away from human food-preparation areas.
Track body weight, body condition, droppings, appetite, and activity together. A sudden appetite change with weight loss, weakness, abnormal stool, swelling, or poor temperatures needs more than a different flavor or feeder.
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