When it comes to feeding your bearded dragons, you probably have so many questions – mainly because they eat a variety of things. We’re sure no one wants to feed their beardie anything that could be potentially dangerous for them.
Now, grapes are an excellent alternative for children and adults looking for a quick and nutritious snack. But can bearded dragons eat grapes, as well?
Yes, bearded dragons can eat grapes – but only on rare occasions. It’s not suggested to provide grapes to your beardie daily since they contain higher levels of sugar and oxalates – which are harmful in large quantities.
Stick around to learn more!
The Nutritional Value Of Grapes
The table below shows the nutritional info about grapes in 100 grams.
| Name | Amount |
|---|---|
| Water | 80 g |
| Fat | 0.15 g |
| Energy | 70 kcal |
| Potassium | 190 mg |
| Calcium | 10 mg |
| Phosphorus | 20 mg |
| Dietary Fiber | 1 g |
So, the table above shows us the following facts:
- There is a lot of fiber, which assists digestion and reduces constipation.
- Grapes contain antioxidants – particularly in red grape skin – that minimize and prevent inflammatory problems, cut the risk of cardiovascular disease, and could even keep your dragon from acquiring allergies.
- There’s also potassium – a mineral that controls blood pressure.
- High water content (45% to 68%) can enhance renal function and avoid dehydration in suitable amounts.
- Grapes have a low acid level, so they won’t burn their mouths or harm their stomach walls like other citrus fruits or higher-acid meals.
- Grapes are almost fat-free and cholesterol-free. They’re high in vitamins, which provide several health advantages to bearded dragons.
How Often Should Bearded Dragons Be Fed Grapes?
So, now that you’ve learned that grapes are, indeed, okay to offer to bearded dragons, you must comprehend how many grapes your beardie can consume – and how frequently you should offer them some.
When – and how much – your bearded dragon can eat grapes will be determined by its general wellbeing.
If your little dragon doesn’t have diabetes, obesity, or other health issues, feeding it a grape or two per week should be harmless.
But if your dragon is suffering from any health difficulties, once a month is preferable, and you should always consult with your veterinarian first. You want to ensure that they won’t hurt your beardie – even in such a tiny amount.
Why Can’t Beardies Eat Grapes Every Day?
Grapes can be given to bearded dragons as a treat but should not be consumed regularly since they can be harmful to your bearded dragon.
There are quite a few reasons why – so, allow us to elaborate.
Dehydration & Overhydration
You may be surprised right now since you have always assumed that water cannot be harmful to bearded dragons.
The fact is that in high dosages, fruits that are mostly water – like grapes – can lead to serious dehydration in the long term since excessive hydration induces diarrhea.
And diarrhea dehydrates your beardie.
Remember that bearded dragons originate from the Australian deserts. Our point?
They’re accustomed to staying dehydrated for long periods – but not to the severe and continuous dehydration that results from over-hydrating.
Fruit Acid & Sugar
Grapes have a lot of fiber, which is terrific for bearded dragons.
They do, however, contain sugar and fruit acid, as well – which might be harmful to the health of your bearded dragon.
That’s why fruits in general – not only grapes – should always be given to beardies in moderate amounts.
Maybe you didn’t realize this, but most pet bearded dragons are overfed and, in turn, obese – and feeding high-sugar meals (even something healthy, like fruit) might aggravate the situation.
Metabolic Bone Disease
No beardie wants to deal with MBD. It’s excruciatingly unpleasant and, in severe circumstances, can result in paralysis and mortality!
And yes, too many grapes could put your pet beardie at risk of developing this severe condition – which is commonly caused by a calcium deficiency.
Keep reading to learn why!
Oxalates
We’re assuming you’ve never heard of oxalates. Don’t worry; we’re here to explain everything.
Even though your beardie enjoys a calcium-rich diet, too many grapes can be harmful because the oxalates essentially “take” the calcium that its blood would typically acquire.
Grapes are low in oxalates – but they still include them. And eating too many grapes may cause them to absorb too much calcium, which your bearded dragon desperately needs.
Phosphorus
Bearded dragons should consume calcium-rich meals – and foods containing equal amounts of calcium and phosphorus. Why?
Phosphorus, like oxalates, prevents calcium from being incorporated into circulation.
As you saw in the table above, grapes have higher phosphorus to calcium ratio of 1:2, which causes the level to be disproportional.
That’s one of the main reasons grapes should be consumed in moderation.
Diabetes, Obesity & Other Problems
Grapes contain a lot of sugar – and excess sugar is terrible for people and beardies alike.
Too much sugar, even from fruit, could contribute to tooth decay, fatty liver disease, obesity, and diabetes, as we’ve already mentioned. Cardiovascular damage and death can occur, too – albeit in the rare, worst-case scenario.
Seeds
We’re sure you’re aware that seedless grapes are a thing. Unfortunately, although those grapes have fewer seeds than “regular” grapes, they are not guaranteed to be completely seedless.
That’s why it’s critical to inspect each grape you give to your beardie for seeds. Remove every single seed you come across – regardless of how big or little it might be.
Believe it or not, bearded dragons can be affected by those seeds; they might not be able to have a bowel movement without the vet’s assistance. And in some cases, they could die.
Many bearded dragons have perished due to eating stone fruits such as grapes. So, proceed with caution.
If your bearded dragon has previously consumed a lot of grapes and now you’re concerned that it might have swallowed a seed and is unable to defecate, give it a warm bath and gently touch its tummy.
Warm baths can help relax the muscles and “get things going.”
But if your bearded dragon hasn’t been able to defecate in a week, you should take it to a reptile vet right away!
Type Of Grapes For Your Bearded Dragon
You may be wondering what kind of grapes we’re referring to at this point. After all, grapes can be red, green, or purple.
The answer is all of the above – although, many beardies seem to prefer red or green grapes.
Unless there are any existing medical problems that you’ve acknowledged with your vet, your bearded dragon can easily consume a grape or two of any color each week.
Grapes are the favorite fruit of several bearded dragons. If this is the case with your pet, you can incorporate grapes into its diet.
If a dragon refuses to eat, including grapes in the diet will help persuade the beardie to accept the meal.
You may serve grapes to your beardie by hand, which is a viable choice. Bearded dragons are not all the same; some like to eat grapes exclusively and love doing so.
So, choose any method your bearded dragon prefers; they are all “right” in their own way.
However, not all bearded dragons will consume grapes; bearded dragons can be picky eaters. If your dragon doesn’t like grapes, try for alternative fruits that it will eat.
Several fruits are safe for bearded dragons – including blueberries, bananas, and blackberries, to name a few. Moderation is key, though.
How To Prepare Grapes For Bearded Dragons?
Though bearded dragons can consume grapes as a whole, many people choose to cut them up into tiny pieces to make the chewing easier – and minimize the choking hazards. Here’s another reason to cut the grapes:
You get to “look inside” and ensure there are no seeds because, again, even seedless grapes can contain some.
Feeding Grape Leaves To Your Grapes Leaves
Did you know that grape leaves are incredibly nutritious?
They contain more calcium, protein, potassium, phosphorus, vitamin K, energy, and vitamin C than the actual grapes!
One significant benefit of grape leaves over grapefruits is that they contain more calcium than phosphorus.
Due to their great nutritional value, these leaves are a good snack for bearded dragons. In fact, grape leaves can be served as a regular vegetable for bearded dragons since they include more beneficial elements.
Here’s another interesting fact: Bearded dragons can consume grape peel.
The skin’s easily digested and doesn’t clog the intestines. Plus, it’s easy to swallow for beardies. And that means you don’t have to peel the grapes before serving them.
However, you should wash them thoroughly to eliminate chemicals and debris from the skin.
Conclusion
We don’t want to be fun killers; we know how exciting it is to feed a bearded dragon its favorite meal. So, let’s wrap up everything we’ve learned today – and settle the matter once and for all: Can bearded dragons eat grapes?
Yes, bearded dragons can eat grapes – but only in moderate amounts. You can occasionally give them grapes since they’re high in fiber and calcium, both of which are beneficial to beardies.
If you do so, be sure to chop up the grapes and remove all the seeds!
But again, grapes are heavy in water, sugar, and oxalates – all of which might be harmful to your pet’s health.
So, it’s all about balance!
Learn More: What Can Bearded Dragons Eat? 101 Food List