Strawberries are such a universally loved fruit that both humans and most animals really enjoy having them as a part of their diets. Bearded dragons are no exception to this. Strawberries are fresh and sweet, with a tanginess that is really enjoyable, especially on a hot day.
Fruit, in general, is a good way to get your beardie to eat other food in their bowl that they wouldn’t typically gravitate towards. Or you can give it as a treat if your beardie has been especially good, or it is a special occasion. But even though they might love them, is it a good idea to give your bearded dragon strawberries as a regular part of their diet?
Benefits of Strawberries
Strawberries have a ton of nutritional benefits that make it a really ideal fruit to give your beardie when they’ve been really good. Some of the most important things you’ll find in strawberries over other fruits you could give them is high fiber and water contents, as well as antioxidants, Vitamin C, and Potassium. All of those elements have very specific benefits to your beardie’s health and wellness.
Fiber: Like most creatures, bearded dragons need fiber to ensure healthy and functional digestion. They should get a good amount of fiber in their diet so that their bathroom business will be easy and they won’t develop issues with impaction. This is especially important as constipation and impaction can be very detrimental to your beardie’s health and comfort.
- Water: Even though they are desert animals, they do need some water in their diet to help keep things moving through their system. They will get most of their water intake from foods that they eat, so strawberries are a good choice if you’re trying to treat them while also giving them some hydration.
- Antioxidants: These are beneficial when it comes to fighting against disease and inflammation. These are great for preventative measures against illnesses and can help prevent cancer cell growth and promote cell repair.
- Vitamin C: Immune boosters baby! Strawberries are a good source of vitamin C, which is needed to help buff up your beardie’s immune system to stave off infection and illness. You really can’t go wrong with foods that promote immune strength.
- Potassium: This is essential for nerve and muscle function and repair. It can help regulate their heart rate as well as keep everything in tip-top shape so your beardie can move about freely.
Even though strawberries provide a good amount of health benefits for your bearded dragon, that doesn’t mean that they should be an all the time food. Call me a weirdo but I like watching beardies eat lol! I’ve watched this 20 times
Cons of Strawberries
One of the biggest issues with giving your beardie fruit regularly, they can’t have a lot of sugar. Sugar is incredibly detrimental to their health in large doses, so it should only be given sparingly as treats or to top salad greens they may not be fond of. The good news is if you are deciding to give your bearded dragon fruit, strawberries are one of the ones that are lighter in sugar content so their blood sugar won’t spike.
Sugar should be given in moderation though as it can lead to obesity and the diseases that come with that. Not to mention it can rot the teeth and gums as it is nearly impossible to clean beardie teeth effectively enough to stave off wear and tear caused by sugary foods.
Another big issue with strawberries is that they are higher in phosphorous than calcium. Beardies need a lot of calcium in their diets to keep their bones healthy and strong, so it usually needs to be supplemented with high-calcium foods or vitamin powders to give them the amount they need. Phosphorous depletes these calcium levels so you’ll want to be wary about foods that are higher in it than in calcium as they just take up space in their bowls and stomachs that could be occupied by more vitamin-rich foods.
What Else?
If you do insist on having strawberries as a regular addition to their diet, you should only add it to their bowl once monthly and in small quantities. Think of it more as an addition to a salad than an actual side dish to their normal bowl. It can be great in small quantities and your beardie is sure to enjoy it cut up small and added to spice up a more boring bowl of greens.
Moderation is the most important thing to remember when it comes to adding fruits to your beardie’s routine. Check out more of our beardie health articles.
Like This Post? Pin it on Pinterest
More to Explore
