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Can Bearded Dragons Eat Applesauce?

Are you a conscientious parent who wants the best for your bearded dragon? 

Are you curious about the dietary requirements of the bearded dragon?  

To be a good pet owner, you must know your pet’s dietary requirements. 

Fortunately, they can eat a lot of different things like insects, vegetables, and greens. 

It’s even possible to feed them out of what’s in your fridge. 

When you do, though, you may find some items which make you wonder.

Such as: 

Can bearded dragons eat applesauce?

Bearded dragons can eat applesauce. Applesauce is a common and healthy treat for Dragons, but the operative word here is “treat.” In other words, only feed your dragon applesauce from time to time. 

can bearded dragons eat applesauce

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Applesauce?

There are a few reasons for feeding your dragon applesauce. 

Firstly, they enjoy it. 

Having a sweet tooth is just one endearingly anthropomorphic trait many bearded dragons share. 

Yes, even reptiles can engage in sensory pleasures like indulging in something sweet every now and then. 

Secondly, warm apple sauce works well as a laxative if your dragon is suffering from constipation or impaction, which is common, albeit potentially dangerous if untreated, for dragons. 

Suppose warm apple sauce doesn’t work for relieving your dragon of buildup within the digestive tract. 

In this case, you should bathe them in warm water, drop a few drops of olive oil on the nose (they will lick it off), or massage their abdomen in a downward motion towards their vent.Ā 

And if you want to learn about the other benefits of oil read our post on feeding bearded dragons olive oil for complete details.

Otherwise, your pet may need an enema.

However, the best way to stop this condition is simply through prevention. 

Fiber-rich foods like apples work well for this. 

The third reason to feed your dragon applesauce is: apples are a great source of carbs, fiber, hydration, iron, potassium, and vitamins A and C. 

This gives your dragon energy, regular bowel movements, keeps their blood oxygen-rich, regulates their blood pressure, and helps them to maintain a strong immune system. 

Lastly, applesauce is easy for them to consume. 

The skin of an apple, or even apple chunks which are too large, are a potential choking hazard. 

By avoiding the skin of the apple, whether it’s on its own or an apple piece, you avoid feeding your dragon potentially harmful chemicals like pesticides and herbicides. 

How Much Applesauce Can Bearded Dragons Eat? 

To answer this question, you need to understand the rest of their diet. Bearded dragons are omnivores. 

Diets and food sources may vary from dragon to dragon, but in general, larger amounts of vegetables should be a staple in any beardy’s diet. 

They all eat vegetables, insects, and (non-citrus) fruits. 

Good sources of protein from insects include crickets, dubia roaches, phoenix worms, and mealworms. 

And if you want to learn more about these staple insects we have a post on feeding phoenix worms to bearded dragons you’ll like.

Some healthy staples include collard, mustard, turnip, beet greens, spinach, or dandelion greens for vegetables. 

If you don’t have apples available, fruits like fig, melon, peaches, pears, and papaya are a healthy choice. 

However, exercise caution when feeding dragons anything sugary because they can ferment and cause teeth problems over time.

A healthy diet for adult bearded dragons consists of 20% protein from insects and 80% from plants. 

Of the 80% of plants, 10-20% should be derived from fruits such as apples. 

Apples are rich in vitamin C and vitamin A and a super-food for humans. 

They are also incredibly hydrating due to their high water content. 

Still, in excess, they can lead to your dragon getting diarrhea and loose bowel movements. 

Moderation is critical when it comes to feeding your dragon applesauce. 

What Kind of Applesauce Can Bearded Dragons Eat? 

Choosing a high-quality apple sauce is essential if using this fruit. 

Any breed of apple will suffice as all apples are high in nutrients. 

But you should make sure to buy only organic unsweetened applesauce, which does not contain added sugar, corn syrup, or preservatives. 

Natural baby food products are a good rule of thumb. 

One great brand is Thrive Market’s Organic Unsweetened Apple Sauce because it only contains one ingredient: “certified organic apples.”

If applesauce is not an option, purĆ©ed prunes are a good alternative. 

Apple skin should always be avoided because it is a choking hazard. 

Again, even organic unsweetened apple sauce can cause excess, so it is best served in moderation. 

It is still calorie-dense and high in sugar even in small amounts, so it is best served with other foods rather than by itself. 

If the apple sauce is being used to treat constipation or impaction, other natural laxative alternatives are purĆ©ed canned pumpkin, prunes, or blueberries. 

These are also excellent treats. 

The rules for applesauce apply to all fruits, especially the one around avoiding preservatives. 

Warning! Avoid citrus fruits such as oranges at all costs. 

When Should You Feed Your Dragon Applesauce? 

As we’ve said before, applesauce and all fruits are treats and desserts in the bearded dragon world. 

Most of their food should be vegetables and greens. 

Then, insects and such as cricket, mealworms, and superworms are next. 

Finally, fruits and dessert foods come into play. 

In general, we recommend the rule of 3: 

  • One day salad of greens and vegetables (with a little fruit)
  • One day insects (with calcium supplements)
  • One day rest

Keep in mind; this is for adult bearded dragons. 

Keeping a balanced diet with this method will ensure proper nutrients are always met. 

Note: For all foods, consider adding a vitamin supplement to avoid calcium deficiency in the pets. 

Dietary preferences will vary from dragon to dragon. 

Like humans, they will prefer certain foods over others and vary greatly in their appetites. 

However, one general rule is: you should not feed a dragon right before turning their tank lights off. 

This is because they need at least an hour to bask in warm light to properly digest their food.  

They may go into brumation, which is inactivity during winter or extended periods of low temperature, the reptilian version of hibernation. 

During this time, they will experience a lack of appetite due to a much slower metabolism and don’t need to eat as much.

Remember, just because a food source may seem harmless does not mean it can’t still be detrimental to their health in the long term. 

Conclusion

Your dragon doesn’t need to eat apples in the form of a purĆ©e, but they must be small enough, so there is no choking hazard. 

Most dragons enjoy a sweet treat, and applesauce is a great option. 

So the answer is yes, bearded dragons can eat apple sauce. 

It is easy to consume and rich in many vitamins to keep your dragon happy and healthy. 

But applesauce is only healthy for bearded dragons when the apple sauce is unsweetened, organic, is given as a treat to be enjoyed in moderation, and accounts for no more than 20% of their diet. 

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