Keeping bearded dragons as pets is a real pleasure. Not only do they look exotic, but they can make great friends and it’s easy to keep them delighted. Treat them from time to time, and they will be happy. Did you know that fruits in your kitchen can be used as their meals? What about pineapple? Can they be used to eat? Let’s find out.
Can bearded dragons eat pineapple?
Yes, a fascinating fruit for its taste, aroma, and digestive properties, is rich in vitamin C, manganese, protein, fiber, and potassium and can be used to increase the healthiness of your bearded dragon’s diet.
Is pineapple safe for bearded dragons?
Yes, Many beardie owners in forums and Facebook groups claim that they give their beardies various fruits like kiwi, peaches, melons, apples, guavas, etc. and they respond positively to them. Pineapple is also included in this list. So, it will love to eat pineapples after tasting them.
Fb groups and forums to connect with other bearded dragons owners
Bearded Dragons’ official forum
Why should you feed your pet pineapple?
Now that I’ve established that beardies like to eat pineapple, you must ask why I add it to their diet.
As a responsible pet parent, it’s your job to make sure their diet is as nutritious as possible to ensure their healthy growth.
So can a pineapple contribute to your pet’s nutritional needs? To answer that question, let’s first look at the nutritional composition of pineapples.
Composition per 100 grams of edible portion
We’ve all heard that pineapples are high in vitamin C, but from the chart, it’s clear that Vitamin C isn’t the only nutrient they’re high in. Whether it’s vitamins, minerals, or macronutrients, these fruits have it all. Now, let’s look at the health benefits of pineapples for your pet.
1. Facilitating digestion
Pineapple is particularly beneficial to the bearded dragon’s diet because it stimulates the production of gastric juice, which aids digestion.
2. Rich in vitamin C
There is plenty of vitamin C in pineapple, essential for strengthening the body’s immune system and repairing damaged tissues, and also Vitamin C aids in the formation of collagen, bones, teeth, and red blood cells, absorption of iron from food, and resistance to infection. In addition, it contains trace amounts of other minerals and vitamins.
3. Healthy for the skin
Another of the benefits of pineapple for health is that it helps clean and heal skin ulcers and improve the healing of burns.
4. Helps the heart function
In addition, thanks to its carbohydrate content, rich in potassium and low in sodium, pineapple helps in the proper functioning of your beardie’s heart.
Read more about the health benefits and nutritional facts of pineapple.
How to Feed Your Bearded Dragon Pineapple
Before giving pineapple to your pet, it is good to prepare it properly.
- First, buy a fresh and ripe pineapple.
- Remove the leaves on top and peel around with a sharp knife.
- Then cut the outside portion as easy to eat into small bite size pieces.Its core should not give because sometimes it can be hard to digest.
- Now they can be given as a treat with other fruits & vegetables to your bearded dragon.
- Put them in a bowl (or pan) as a salad and let it eat.
- After he finishes eating, bring out the bowl.
Please Note: Carefully observe your bearded dragon’s behavior after eating pineapple. Stop giving pineapple if crunching is uncomfortable or shows a gnawing problem. If not you can be sure he enjoyed the pineapple treat.
Why not feed your bearded dragon more pineapple?
To be honest, if you feed them these fruits in moderation, you don’t have to worry. However if eaten excessively or daily it can harm your pet’s health in several ways.
- Pineapple has more sugar than other fruits. It can cause several health problems in the body including tooth decay, dehydration, obesity, diarrhea, and other digestive problems. Even if your Beardies love sweet treats, it’s not a good idea to add too much sugar to their diet.
- Because the bearded dragon’s digestive system is very sensitive, the ocxalic acid of pineapple can cause digestive problems such as diarrhea and vomiting when eaten in excess.
- Bromelain, a compound in pineapple enzymes, can cause mouth sores and interfere with nutrient absorption.
- Lastly, pineapple can lead to an unbalanced diet that can adversely affect the pet’s health..
Can bearded dragons eat pineapple leaves?
Bearded dragons do not eat pineapple leaves. They only eat ripe pineapples.
Can bearded dragons eat pineapple sage?
Yes, bearded dragons can eat small amounts of pineapple sage. It is known as medicinal plant and a good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium and iron, which are good for maintaining bones and supporting the immune system. But they should be given as a treat, not as a main meal.
Can baby bearded dragons eat pineapple?
No, it is hard, Although bearded dragons can eat pineapple as part of a balanced diet in limited amounts, baby bearded dragons have difficulty eating and digesting pineapple because their digestive systems are still growing.
Can bearded dragons eat canned pineapple?
Not at all. Canned pineapples often contain added salt ,sweeteners and other preservatives, which can cause health problems for bearded dragons such as allergies, skin diseases,vomiting and more.
What fruits can bearded dragons eat?
Bearded dragons are omnivorous creatures, so they can eat a wide range of food such as leaves, vegetables, fruits, insects, and worms. In terms of fruits, here are some of the most recommended fruits for regular consumption due to their digestibility or properties. As a help, I mentioned the edible parts in brackets since some fruit seeds or leaves may be toxic.
Avocado(fruits)
Apricot(fruits without stone)
Cherry (fruits without stone)
Plum (fruits without stone)
Strawberries (fruits)
Berries (fruits)
Peas (full pod or seeds)
Aromatic herbs (leaves)
Fig (fruits)
Prickly pear (fruits)
Green bean (pod )
Kiwi(fruits)
Tangerine(fruits)
Mango(fruits)
Apple(fruit without seed)
Daisy (flowers)
Peach (fruit without stone)
Melon (fruit)
Blackberries (leaves and fruits)
Mustard (buds)
Orange (fruits)
Papaya (fruits)
Persimmon(fruits)
Pears(seedless fruits)
Banana(fruits)
Grapefruit (fruits)
Watermelon( fruits)
Grape(flowers and fruits)
All seeds, leaves, and peels should be removed from these fruits, as they can be poisonous. The chemicals used in some fruit crops are very harmful to these animals, so it is advisable to peel or wash them thoroughly before serving them.
Remember:
it is essential to monitor their consumption to, make sure that they do not consume too many fruits, which can cause digestive problems such as diarrhea due to the sugar content of fruits.
Also, fruit should not be included as a daily portion of a bearded dragon’s diet. Giving fruits once or twice a week is enough.
Their diet should contain significant protein and a minimum of sugar to support their growth and development, which means a balanced diet includes greens vegetables, and insects like crickets or mealworms. Fruits should be provided at an additional rate of 10% – 15%.
Final thoughts
Pineapple is a delicious fruit with many nutrients that benefit your bearded dragon’s health. However, it is wise to carefully prepare this fruit and moderate feed to avoid health hazards. And keep your eye to look for any indication of normal behavior changes or digestive complications and if necessary consult a veterinary specialist.
