Raspberries are not only loved by humans but also bearded dragons. You may have seen beardies having raspberries in videos or pictures, yet you may have the question, “Can bearded dragons eat raspberries?”
Fortunately, yes, bearded dragons can consume raspberries, but there are some things you should consider before feeding them this tasty fruit. You must know how much to offer and how to serve them as well as when you should give them some raspberries as treats.
The best is to let them eat when the season of raspberries is ongoing. Depending on age, physical condition, or other factors, learn the proper amount and the way to serve your bearded dragon’s raspberries.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Raspberries?: Nutrient Factors
Bearded dragons can consume raspberries, but only a few times in a month. You should offer them only 2 or 3 raspberries at a time. Beardies love this fruit, so you can either mix it with other chopped vegetables and fruits or let them eat those whole raspberries, never make your loving pet choke.
Raspberries have all those vitamins and minerals that a bearded dragon requires to achieve a healthy body. They’re packed with vitamins A and C, which boost the immune system and maintain and repair organ tissues. It also comes with minerals like iron, potassium, and calcium, which, respectively, help in oxygenating organs, regulating blood, and strengthening bones.
If your beardie has a constipation issue, giving him or her a few of these fruits will help since it offers an immense amount of fiber. So this can be a great option for your dragon to get rid of the disease.
Per 100 g of raspberries can serve this much nutrition benefits to the beardies:
| Calories | 52 cal |
| Carbohydrate | 11.94g |
| Protein | 1.2g |
| Calcium | 25mg |
| Iron | 0.69mg |
| Potassium | 151mg |
| Vitamin A | 2mcg |
| Vitamin C | 26.2mg |
| Water | 85.8g |
| Sugars | 4.42g |
Are Raspberries Safe?
Raspberries are safe for bearded dragons as long as you don’t feed them a lot. For having some red flags, vets believe more than 5 raspberries at once can gather them. One of the reasons is that these fruits are high in sugar. Consuming a lot of sugary fruits can lead to diseases like dehydration, fatty liver, diarrhea, and gum decay.
There are 48 milligrams of oxalates in a cup of red raspberries. This amount is neither too much nor too little. Feeding more of these fruits than a cup in a month can make your beardie sick as more oxalates can create calcium oxalate binding with calcium, which is a component that is hard for the body to absorb. Eventually, dragons can get metabolic bone disease.
Lastly, the ratio of phosphorus and calcium inside raspberries is not suitable for a bearded dragon. It contains less calcium and more phosphorus. Phosphorus does the same job as oxalates, meaning they bind with calcium and can easily cause metabolic bone disease. Hence, it’s better to offer bearded dragons only a few raspberries every other week. Also, never give them frozen or 3,4 days raspberries as unfresh fruits can create scopes for more unwanted diseases.
How Many Raspberries Can a Bearded Dragon Eat?
Since raspberries have less toxic elements, it’s fine to let your bearded dragon eat 2 or 3 of them every two weeks. Red raspberries are mostly found in groceries, but you should also try to give them other colored raspberries like purple and gold. This will make their treats look attractive. Although the amount of nutritional value may differ, it’ll provide the same nutrients.
How to Serve Raspberries to the Bearded Dragons?
You don’t have to go through some hard steps to serve your bearded dragon raspberries. Just keep a few simple things in mind pointed out here.
. Buy fresh raspberries from the market. Make sure to purchase the ones that were brought on the exact day you went shopping.
Wrap Up
Bearded dragons are friendly pets. Hence, every beardie owner sees them as their friends and is always concerned about their health and food. So, many questions if bearded dragons can eat raspberries. Now it’s clear they can, and it will be a great choice for obtaining the necessary vitamins and minerals. Just make sure you give a beardie garden-fresh raspberries.
Hugues Beaufrere is the Exoticpetia’s senior writer and reptile expert. He has been fascinated by reptiles and monkeys since he was a kid and had years of experience in herpetology and primatology. He has cared for various kinds of Monkeys, Lizards and Reptiles and loves to share his knowledge and passion with others.
Dr. Patrick Simon, DVM, is a qualified veterinarian specializing in exotic animals, especially reptiles. He has a master’s degree in zoology and a doctorate in veterinary medicine from the University of California, Davis. He has worked with various reptile owners and rescues for over ten years, providing expert care and advice. He is passionate about educating people about the fascinating world of reptiles and their unique needs.