Bearded Dragon Diet

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Amber_Freeman]Amber Freeman
Bearded dragons are both unusual and friendly, making for a great pet for all ages. Making sure a bearded dragon is healthy and stays that way can be a big responsibility. Because they are omnivores, they need a balance of both vegetation and protein rich meats in order to stay healthy. Maintaining a healthy dragon diet is not difficult with a few simple reminders.
A baby bearded dragon diet should consist of mostly protein, but this is the only time you will want to give this type of diet. A healthy adult diet should consist of between 80%-85% fruits and vegetables with the remaining 15%-20% being protein. A bearded dragon gets nearly all of its protein from insects such as crickets and worms. While there are many varieties of fruits and vegetables that can be given to them, there are some that are favored and others to stay away from.
Protein
A bearded dragon diet should include protein, but only as a supplement to a diet consisting of mostly fruits and vegetables. The best protein sources are crickets, meal worms, silkworms, and roaches. These are available at many specialty pet food stores. Never feed a them insects caught in the wild, as germs and bacteria they are carrying can make a beardie very ill. Purchasing them from a pet food store or breeding them is the way to go.
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are the main source of both food and water. Any fruits and vegetables not consumed by the end of the day should always be removed from the habitat to prevent accidental ingestion of rotting material. The best fruit and vegetable options are romaine lettuce, kale, dandelion greens, apricots, mangoes, and berries. Again, it is important to make sure that nothing being fed to your pet has been treated with pesticides. Wash everything thoroughly, and spritz with water to ensure your pet is well hydrated.
What to Avoid
There are some fruits and vegetables that are not a healthy part of a bearded dragons diet. The water content of regular lettuce is very high and it has little nutritional value. This can cause diarrhea and malnutrition in your bearded dragon. Also, avocado is known to be poisonous to birds and other small animals so this is best avoided. Rhubarb is a known poison for them as well. All acidic fruits such as lemons, oranges, and tomatoes should be avoided as well.
With a little knowledge and a little bit of patience, you will soon learn what your pet's favorite foods are and how to properly feed them. You will be well on your way to raising a happy, healthy pet that will live its life to the fullest!
Amber Freeman is a writer who specializes in choosing a pet and pet care. you can check out er latest website at [http://www.babybeardeddragon.org]Baby Bearded Dragon, where she provides care and handling advice including diet, [http://babybeardeddragon.org/bearded-dragons-facts]bearded dragon facts, tips, and much more!
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