Can Bearded Dragons Eat Pomegranate?

Have you ever stopped to wonder if what you were feeding your bearded dragon was safe? 

Pomegranate seeds are a sweet snack you might not think twice about when offering to your bearded dragon. 

But you always need to double-check what you feed your pet is safe and healthy. 

This is why we write posts like this: to help you out. 

Let’s dig into the question. 

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Pomegranate? 

It’s safe to share pomegranate with your bearded dragon, but only sparingly. There is a moderate level of oxalates in pomegranate which, over time, is harmful to bearded dragons. 

It’s essential to be aware of the main issue with pomegranates. 

Giving bearded dragons too many can lead to a calcium deficiency, which is very harmful to their health. 

The Problem with Oxalates

Oxalates deplete the supply of calcium to bearded dragons and can cause major health issues to their bones. 

Oxalates bind with calcium in a bearded dragon and prevent the calcium from being absorbed into the bloodstream. 

When there is not an appropriate calcium to phosphorus ratio, a bearded dragon can develop joint issues. 

Over time, it can cause a condition called Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD). 

With MBD, bearded dragons can develop problems with bone development and start to experience difficulty moving and extreme lethargy. 

The condition can cause bearded dragons to be paralyzed or even lead to death. 

Best Foods for Bearded Dragons

While bearded dragons can have the occasional pomegranate seeds, keep in mind the foods they should be eating regularly. 

A nutritious diet is vital to help keep bearded dragons happy and healthy. 

A Diet Rich In Leafy Greens 

Leafy greens are an excellent food choice for Bearded Dragons. 

The leaves are a great source of necessary vitamins for your pet lizard. 

• Collard Greens are full of Vitamin A and Vitamin C. They are also a great source of calcium for Bearded Dragons. Collard greens provide fiber and folate to Bearded Dragons. 
• Dandelion Greens are a great source of Vitamin A and calcium. While healthy for bearded dragons, they do have moderate amounts of oxalates. It’s essential to serve the dandelion greens alongside another healthy green full of calcium, like collard greens. 
• Mustard Greens are another leafy green with lots of vitamin C. Bearded dragons thoroughly enjoy the peppery taste of mustard greens. Due to a moderate oxalate level in the greens, be sure to mix with collard greens to increase the amount of calcium. 
• Grape Leaves are chock full of nutrients. They help provide bearded dragons with protein, Vitamin A, and calcium. Adding grape leaves can help magnify the health benefits of your bearded dragon’s meal. 
• Watercress provides bearded dragons with manganese, Vitamins A, C & K, and calcium. Watercress is high in oxalates, so be sure to limit the amount you give your bearded dragon. 

Giving Your Bearded Dragon Fruit

Bearded dragons have a bit of a sweet tooth, but you want to be sure you are providing them with a balanced diet. 

Knowing which occasional fruits can and cannot be part of a healthy diet is key for bearded dragons. 

• Oranges should never be fed to bearded dragons. The citrus fruit has a high level of sugar and citric acid. It can give them major gastrointestinal issues and lead to diarrhea. 
• Grapes are fine as an occasional treat to your bearded dragon. Grapes have a high level of fiber and calcium, which are very beneficial to your lizard. Since they do contain some oxalates level, be sure to keep the grape consumption to a minimum.
• Blueberries are another tasty fruit only given as a treat to bearded dragons. They have a high level of sugar and contain a moderate to high level of oxalates. 
• Pears are a good source of Fiber and Vitamin K but should only be given now and then. Their high level of sugar and low content of calcium makes them a poor choice for everyday eating. 

Insects Your Bearded Dragon Can Eat

Bearded Dragons have a wide range of food in their diet. While the majority of their diet includes leaves and various fruits, they do enjoy eating on insects from time to time. 

Dubia Roaches are probably the best insects to give to bearded dragons. They are high in protein and low in fat and provide essential nutrients for your reptile. Baby bearded dragons can eat up to 50 small dubia roaches a day. 

Crickets are good for your adult bearded dragon daily. Give them 10 at a time just be sure to take any uneaten crickets out of their cage when they seem finished eating. Crickets also provide a good source of iron. 

And if you want to learn why removing uneaten crickets is important check out our post on leaving dead crickets in the bearded dragon cage.

A firefly should never be served to bearded dragons. The firefly is highly toxic to bearded dragons, and just eating half of one can kill your lizard. If ingested, bearded dragons will often begin vomiting and can start changing color. 

Mealworms may be served in sized bite pieces to bearded dragons. Due to their high-fat content, limit the number of mealworms they are fed. It can lead to obesity in adult bearded dragons. Mealworms should not be fed to baby beardies due to choking hazards. 

Silkworms make an excellent choice for high-protein food. It is a high moisture insect which will help bearded dragons stay hydrated. Giving them bite-size pieces will make them one happy dragon.

Final Thoughts

From crickets to collard greens, bearded dragons have a wide variety of foods to choose from. 

And we have other posts on different foods if you want to learn more.

Check out this one on feeding bearded dragons collard greens for more details on that food.

When provided the correct food, a bearded dragon can live a lengthy life.

It’s important to limit treats like pomegranate seeds and high sugar fruits to a minimum. 

A healthy diet full of key nutrients and lots of protein is important in a bearded dragon diet.