Can Bearded Dragons Eat Onions? - Essential Tips For Owners!

Bearded dragons are fascinating pets with specific dietary needs and restrictions. Understanding what foods are safe and beneficial for them is crucial for their health and well-being.

No, Bearded dragons must avoid eating onions. Onions are toxic to them, whether raw or cooked and can cause serious health issues. Avoid feeding them onions to keep your bearded dragon safe.

This article will explore the dangers of onions, including why they should be avoided, and address other related dietary concerns.

Table of Contents

The Dangers of Onions

Onions are dangerous for bearded dragons because they have too much acid. This can hurt their stomach and cause lousy digestion problems.

Onions also need the proper nutrients bearded dragons need. Even a little onion can make your dragon sick, so it’s essential never to feed them onions.

Why Can’t Bearded Dragons Eat Onions?

Bearded dragons can’t eat onions because onions have too much acid and phosphorus. This can make it hard for them to absorb calcium, weakening bones.

Onions can also upset their stomach and cause problems like diarrhea. It’s better to feed them safe vegetables that help them stay healthy.

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cooked Onions?

No, bearded dragons can’t eat cooked onions. Even though cooking onions lowers the acid, they are still harmful.

Cooked onions can upset your bearded dragon’s stomach and cause digestive problems like diarrhea. It’s best to avoid onions and stick to safe vegetables that provide the proper nutrients for your bearded dragon’s health.

What Vegetables Are Better for Dragons Than Onions?

While onions are off the menu, you can feed your bearded dragon plenty of other nutritious vegetables. Some safe and healthy alternatives include:

Bell Peppers: Packed with vitamins and safe to feed a few times a week.
Squash: A great source of nutrients, including butternut, acorn, and yellow squash.
Carrots can be given a few times a week and provide essential vitamins.
Peas and Green Beans: Both are excellent options for a varied diet.
Cucumber: In moderation, it’s hydrating and refreshing for your bearded dragon.

These vegetables are rich in vitamins and minerals without the high acidity of onions, making them much safer choices for your bearded dragon’s diet.

Other Foods to Avoid

Citrus Fruits: Oranges, lemons, and other citrus fruits are too acidic for bearded dragons, causing stomach irritation and digestive issues. Avoid offering any citrus fruits to your dragon.
Rhubarb: Contains oxalic acid, which binds to calcium, preventing proper absorption. This can lead to calcium deficiency and severe health problems like metabolic bone disease in bearded dragons.
Avocado: Avocados contain persin, a fungicide toxic to reptiles, including bearded dragons. Even a tiny amount can cause significant harm, so avoiding avocados entirely is best.
Iceberg Lettuce: Iceberg lettuce is mostly water with very little nutritional value. It can cause diarrhea and not provide nutrients for your bearded dragon’s diet.
Spinach: Spinach is high in oxalic acid, which interferes with calcium absorption, potentially leading to metabolic bone disease. Limit spinach in your bearded dragon’s diet to avoid these issues.

A Bearded Dragon’s Diet

A bearded dragon’s diet includes insects, vegetables, and fruits. As babies, they eat more insects, but they eat mostly vegetables and greens as they grow older.

Always offer a balanced mix of healthy foods and avoid harmful options like onions, citrus fruits, and avocado. Regularly check with a vet to ensure your dragon’s diet is proper.

Recommended Vegetables and Leafy Greens

Vegetables and leafy greens are essential to your bearded dragon’s diet, especially as they age. Here are some healthy and safe choices::

Asparagus: Good for occasional feeding and provides vital nutrients.
Bell Peppers: Rich in vitamins and antioxidants; offer a few times a week.
Carrots: High in vitamin A; feed a few times a week.
Cilantro: Nutrient-rich; can be given every other day.
Cucumber is low in nutrients but hydrating; it is offered every other week.
Green Beans: Healthy and nutritious; feed a few times a week.
Green Cabbage: Nutritional; offer every other week.
Okra: Good for variety; feed every other week.
Parsnip: Nutrient-dense; feed a few times a week.
Peas and Snap Peas: Provide vitamins; feed every other week.
Pumpkin: High in fiber; offer every other week.
Squash: Nutrient-rich; feed a few times a week.
Kale: Rich in vitamins; feed daily.
Collards: Good for calcium; feed daily.
Mustard Greens: Nutritional; feed daily.
Turnip Greens: Calcium-rich; feed daily.
Dandelion Greens: Highly nutritious; feed daily.
Parsley: Provides vitamins; feeds daily.
Watercress: Rich in vitamins and minerals; feed daily.

Must Read: Can Bearded Dragons Eat Honeysuckle – Benefits And Risks!

Recommended Fruits

While fruits should be offered sparingly due to their high sugar content, they can still be a tasty treat for your bearded dragon. Some safe options include:

Apples: Offer in small, bite-sized pieces; provide vitamins and fiber.
Guava: High in vitamins; feed in small amounts.
Fig: Nutrient-rich; offer sparingly due to sugar content.
Watermelon: Hydrating and nutritious; feed in moderation.
Grapes: Provide vitamins; cut into small pieces and offer sparingly.
Raisins: High in sugar; feed in tiny amounts.
Mango: Rich in vitamins; offered in small pieces.
Papaya: Nutrient-dense; feed in small portions.
Dates: High in sugar; offer very sparingly.
Peaches: Provide vitamins; feed in small amounts.
Apricots: Rich in nutrients; offered in small pieces.
Plums: Provide vitamins; feed in small portions.
Kiwi: High in vitamins; offered in small amounts.
Pears: Nutritious and hydrating; feed in small pieces.
Strawberries: Rich in vitamins; offered in small pieces.
Raspberries: Nutrient-rich; feed in moderation.
Blueberries are high in antioxidants and are offered in small amounts.

Best Protein Sources

Dubia Roaches: High in protein and easy to digest; a great staple.
Hornworms: Nutritious and high in protein; offer occasionally.
Mealworms: Provide good protein but should be fed in moderation due to their high fat content.
Waxworms: High in protein and fat; offer sparingly as a treat.
Crickets: A popular choice; rich in protein and suitable for variety.
Phoenix Worms: Nutrient-dense and high in protein; ideal for regular feeding.
Butterworms: High in protein and fat; feed occasionally as a treat.
Earthworms are high in protein and beneficial and are offered as a regular part of the diet.
Silkworms are rich in protein and calcium and provide regular intake for a balanced diet.

Must Read: Can Bearded Dragons Eat Pomegranates – Safe Feeding Tips!

Bearded Dragon Feeding Schedules by Age

1. Baby (0-4 months)

Feed baby bearded dragons 4-5 times a day. Their diet should be about 80% insects and 20% vegetables. Offer fruits sparingly. Dust their food with calcium powder most days to support healthy growth.

2. Juvenile (5-12 months)

Feed juvenile bearded dragons 3 times a day. Their diet should be 70% insects and 30% vegetables. Fruits should be offered in moderation. Continue dusting their food with calcium powder every other day.

3. Sub-Adult (12-18 months)

Feed sub-adult bearded dragons twice a day. Their diet should be 30% insects and 70% vegetables. Fruits can be offered sparingly. Maintain calcium supplementation every other day to support bone health.

4. Adult (18+ months)

Feed adult bearded dragons twice a day. Their diet should consist of about 20% insects and 80% vegetables. Offer fruits in small amounts. Continue calcium supplementation regularly to ensure overall health.

Do Bearded Dragons Eat Eggs?

Yes, bearded dragons can eat eggs, but they should be cooked and offered in moderation. Scrambled or hard-boiled eggs are best. Do not season or add oils. Eggs provide protein and should be a small part of their balanced diet.

What Shouldn’t You Feed Bearded Dragons?

Avoid feeding bearded dragons onions, citrus fruits, avocados, iceberg lettuce, and spinach. These foods can cause digestive issues, toxicity, or calcium deficiency. Stick to recommended vegetables, fruits, and insects for a healthy diet.

Accidentally Fed Green Onion

If you accidentally fed green onion to your bearded dragon, monitor them for signs of digestive issues like diarrhea or vomiting. Green onions are too acidic and can be harmful. Consult your vet if you notice any symptoms or if you’re concerned.

My Bearded Dragon Might’ve Eaten Onions

If your bearded dragon might have eaten onions, watch for signs like upset stomach, diarrhea, or lethargy. Onions are harmful and can cause digestive issues. Contact your vet immediately for advice and possible treatment.

Not Exactly Recommended Foods

High-sugar fruits, fatty foods like avocado, and acidic items like citrus fruits are not recommended for bearded dragons. These can cause health problems such as obesity, digestive issues, or nutrient imbalances. Stick to safe, nutritious options for a balanced diet.

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Tomatoes?

Bearded dragons can eat tomatoes, but only in small amounts. Tomatoes are acidic and can cause digestive issues if overfed. Remove seeds and feed as an occasional treat rather than a regular part of their diet.

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Garlic

No, Garlic is not safe for bearded dragons. Garlic is toxic to reptiles and can cause gastrointestinal issues, including nausea and stomach pain. Avoid feeding garlic to keep your bearded dragon healthy.

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Onions And Carrots

No, Onions are harmful to bearded dragons and should be avoided. They are too acidic and harmful. Carrots are safe and can be fed in small, chopped pieces. Avoid onions but include carrots in their diet occasionally.

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Potatoes

No, bearded dragons should not eat potatoes, as raw potatoes are too starchy and can cause digestive issues. Cooked potatoes are still not recommended. Stick to safer vegetables like leafy greens and bell peppers.

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Green Onions

No, Green onions are harmful to bearded dragons and should be avoided. They are too acidic and can cause digestive problems. Avoid green onions and stick to safe, nutritious vegetables for your bearded dragon’s diet.

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Carrots

Yes, bearded dragons can eat carrots in small, chopped pieces. Carrots are a good source of vitamin A but should be fed in moderation. Too much can cause digestive issues or nutrient imbalances.

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Broccoli

Yes, bearded dragons can eat broccoli in small amounts. It provides vitamins and minerals but should be given occasionally to avoid causing digestive issues. Ensure the broccoli is chopped into tiny pieces for easy eating and digestion.

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Grapes

Yes, bearded dragons can eat grapes, but only in small pieces. Grapes are high in sugar, so they should be offered sparingly. Cut grapes into small pieces to prevent choking and to reduce the risk of digestive upset.

What Are Some Vegetables That A Bearded Dragon Can Eat?

Bearded dragons can eat vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, squash, and green beans. These vegetables offer essential nutrients and should be chopped into small, manageable pieces. To keep their diet balanced, they should avoid starchy or high-oxalate vegetables.

What Types Of Fruit And Vegetables Are Suitable For Bearded Dragons To Eat?

Apples, strawberries, and blueberries are suitable fruits for bearded dragons. Carrots, bell peppers, and leafy greens are safe vegetables. Offer a variety of these in small amounts to provide balanced nutrition and avoid overfeeding any single type.

FAQs

1. Can Bearded Dragons Eat Scrambled Eggs?

Yes, bearded dragons can eat scrambled eggs. Cook them without seasoning and offer them as a protein source in small amounts.

2. What Should Beardies Not Eat?

Beardies should avoid onions, garlic, avocado, citrus fruits, and iceberg lettuce. These foods can cause health issues.

3. What Foods Do Bearded Dragons Love Most?

Bearded dragons love crickets, dubia roaches, and leafy greens like collard greens. They also enjoy fruits like blueberries.

4. Why Can’t Bearded Dragons Eat Celery?

Celery is too fibrous and low in nutrients for bearded dragons. It can cause digestive problems and is not ideal.

5. Are Bananas Good For Bearded Dragons?

Bananas can be given occasionally but should be limited due to high sugar content. Offer in small pieces.

6. Can Bearded Dragons Have Cucumbers?

Yes, bearded dragons can eat cucumbers, and they can be served in small, chopped pieces as a hydrating, low-calorie snack.

7. How Long Can A Bearded Dragon Go Without Eating?

Bearded dragons can survive for a few weeks without food, but feeding them regularly is best to maintain health.

8. What Is The Lifespan Of A Bearded Dragon?

Bearded dragons typically live 8-12 years in captivity with proper care, including a balanced diet and a suitable habitat.

9. How Do Bearded Dragons See Humans?

Bearded dragons see humans as more giant creatures. They use their vision to recognize and react to their owners and surroundings.

10. My Bearded Dragon Ate A Small Piece Of Onion (1-1.5 Inch). I Read That It Could Be Toxic To Them. Will He Be Ok?

Monitor for symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea. If necessary, contact a vet for advice, as onions are toxic and can cause health issues.

Wrapping Up Discussion

Bearded dragons should not eat onions due to their toxicity and potential health risks. Stick to safe vegetables, fruits, and proteins for a balanced diet. Always consult your vet if you have concerns about your dragon’s diet or health.