Does your bearded dragon need additional calcium in their diet?
Are you overwhelmed with the options trying to decide which brand of calcium is the best?
Keeping your bearded dragon healthy means having a proper amount of calcium in their system.
There are so many options available, and it is easy to be overwhelmed when you are trying to find the best supplement for your pet.
Here are our top choices when it comes to calcium supplements :
Keep reading this article for our top picks for calcium supplements.
Table of Contents
Why Does My Bearded Dragon Need A Calcium Supplement?
Just like people, bearded dragons need certain vitamins and minerals to maintain their health.
Low levels of calcium can harm the health of your pet.
Because your pet probably doesn’t get a whole lot of natural sunlight every day, they need calcium and vitamin D3 supplements to help them maintain healthy bones and proper development.
Bearded dragons can develop a range of diseases if they are not receiving the proper amount of calcium.
One of the most common diseases your beardie could develop is Metabolic Bone Disease, which is life-threatening if not properly treated.
When you give your bearded dragon calcium, you must also be using a full spectrum light to mimic ultraviolet rays from the sun.
With those rays, the animal will be able to receive vitamin D3 and can properly absorb the calcium.
How Often Does My Bearded Dragon Need A Calcium Supplement?
How often you give your bearded dragon calcium supplements depends partially on their age and also on how much natural sun they receive.
Juvenile beardies often need calcium supplements more frequently as they are still growing and developing.
Calcium is crucial during this time to ensure their bones grow and develop properly.
Juveniles need calcium supplements at least three to four times per week.
In an adult bearded dragon, you might need to add calcium to their food at least once or twice per week.
Be careful not to overdose your bearded dragon, which is possible.
Overdosing of calcium is called hypercalcemia and is fatal in bearded dragons because it leads to their muscles calcifying and hardening.
Hypercalcemia is common when there is an overabundance of vitamin D3 through excessive exposure to UVB lighting.
If your beardie has too much calcium, you might notice it becomes sluggish, constipated, and might have muscle weakness.
Review Of The Best Calcium Supplements For A Bearded Dragon
Zoo Med Repti Calcium D3 Reptile Supplement
- Highly bioavailable source of calcium carbonate
- Free of harmful impurities (not from Oyster Shells)
- Use with reptiles that require vitamin D3 to assimilate calcium
This supplement is our top choice because it is a phosphorus-free and ultra-fine option made right here in the United States.
Its unique shape, along with the high surface area per gram, results in increased calcium bioavailability.
This option is great for placing in your beardie’s food dish for free feeding or dust on their food for them to eat.
Pros For This Product
- Ultrafine
- Easy to use
- Place in a dish for free feeding or sprinkle on food
- Low price
Cons For This Product
- Difficult to open packaging
Rep-Cal Phosphorous-Free Calcium Ultrafine Powder Reptile/Amphibian Supplement with Vitamin D3
- Rep-Cal Ultrafine Powder Is An Excellent Source Of Calcium For All Reptiles And Amphibians
- Scientifically Formulated From 100-Percent Natural Oyster Shell Phosphorous-Free Calcium Carbonate With Vitamin D3 To Aid In Absorption Of Calcium
- Mix with vegetables, fruits and pastes approximately 1/2 tablespoon Rep-Cal with 1/2 tablespoon herptivite per lbs of food
Rep-Cal’s ultrafine powder calcium supplement is a great option for your bearded dragon.
This powder is made from 100 percent natural oyster shell and is phosphorous free with vitamin D so your pet can absorb the calcium better.
The container is available in 3.3 ounces, 6.6 ounces, or 9.9 ounces, and with measured usage and proper storage, it will last a long time.
Pros For This Product
- Ultrafine powder
- With proper storage, long-lasting
- Available in different sizes
- 100% natural
Cons For This Product
- Does not have a shaker top or even a spoon for portioning
Fluker’S Repta Calcium
- Recommended for reptiles or amphibians that are kept indoors
- Promotes healthy bones and vital bodily functions
Fluker’s brand calcium supplement makes our list because it is a great product at an amazing value.
A 4-ounce canister of this calcium supplement comes in at just over $2 on Amazon.
This brand includes the necessary vitamin D3 for your indoor reptile, ensuring their bones remain healthy and strong.
The main downside with this product is once you open it, the calcium is exposed to the air, so handle with care to avoid spilling.
Pros For This Product
- Low price, making it a great value
- Contains vitamin D3
Cons For This Product
- The product does not have a shaker type top for sprinkling on their food
- Some have noted the packaging is not secure in shipping and has arrived with the bag open and the calcium spilled
Zilla Calcium Supplement Reptile Food Spray
- Calcium is essential to reptiles for the prevention of metabolic bone disease
- Spray directly from bottle onto food 15 seconds before serving
- Readily absorbed into the bloodsteam
You probably noticed the main complaint about the other products on our list was the lack of shaker lid for dusting.
Well, with this calcium supplement, it is not a problem, because it comes as a food spray.
This makes it so easy to apply to your beardie’s food.
Just spray on the food 15 seconds before serving.
If you need to, apply a few drops directly into your pet’s mouth for a quick dose of calcium.
You won’t get the same value for your money with this one compared to the other choices on our list as it is only eight fl. oz.
Pros For This Product
- The spray bottle makes for easy application
- Can apply directly into your pet’s mouth for quick dosing
Cons For This Product
- Not as good of a value as other members of our list
Conclusion
Giving your bearded dragon a calcium supplement is so important to maintaining their health.
Because they are not constantly outside soaking up the sunlight, bearded dragons need a calcium and vitamin D3 supplement.
We hope after reading this article, you are better able to sort through the option available and find the best calcium supplement for your pet.
Check out this article on how to potty train bearded dragons.
