So, can bearded dragons eat oranges? You may ask what fruits are suitable for bearded dragons to eat and whether or not oranges are ideal for bearded dragons to consume. The answer is right here in this article for your convenience.
As omnivores, bearded dragons need a well-rounded diet that contains various foods, including fruits, vegetables, and insects. There is a wide variety of fruit that you can provide for your bearded dragon, but some fruits are, of course, superior to others.
So, where exactly do oranges fall on the fruit classification scale, and do they qualify as edible options for the dragon to consume or not?
Read the article to know!
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Oranges?
According to some, oranges are one of the few fruits not recommended for bearded dragons. However, others indicate that beardies may consume oranges on occasion. This may be confusing, especially if you are unaware of oranges’ positive and negative aspects.
You must balance the advantages and the constraints of feeding oranges to bearded dragons as fruits. The number of oranges provided to the bearded dragons will determine whether they are detrimental or beneficial to their health.
Therefore, the answer is fairly straightforward: bearded dragons can consume oranges; nevertheless, you must provide them with the appropriate quantity. Oranges should only be given to bearded dragons once or twice a month, and even then, just one or two very thin slices at a time.
Oranges are permissible to include in your bearded dragon’s diet, but you shouldn’t do it often. If you know that your lizard enjoys eating oranges, you shouldn’t prevent it from doing so. Instead, make sure that its diet includes a few slices of oranges now and then, but only as a special treat.
Oranges, which contain high levels of acid and very high levels of sugar, should not be consumed excessively by bearded dragons since these fruits may cause severe diarrhea, dehydration, and other health concerns if consumed excessively.
Therefore, you may give bearded dragons oranges sometimes as a special treat, and this will assist in avoiding the many health problems linked with them.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Mandarin Oranges?
Mandarin oranges have a lower acidity level than regular oranges, making them the superior option in this respect. However, because they contain less acid than others, this does not imply that bearded dragons may consume them without risk. That’s because there is still enough acid to cause various health issues.
There is a higher proportion of calcium to phosphorus in mandarin oranges than in any other variety of oranges. Therefore, if you decide to give your dragon oranges, mandarin oranges are the greatest choice because of the comparatively high calcium content compared to other orange varieties.
In addition, mandarin oranges have even higher sugar content, making them an even poorer option in this respect. You shouldn’t give them orange navels or peels; you should certainly avoid giving them a large glass of orange juice.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Orange Peels?
The honest response to this question is NO. We do not advise you to feed orange peel to your bearded dragon under any circumstances. Sugar and fruit acid is in high concentrations in some fruit peels, such as oranges.
Oxalic acid is present in high concentrations in orange peels; they have a higher acid content than the fruit itself. A bearded dragon’s diet cannot withstand such an excessive amount of acid consumption all at once, which is one of the reasons it is not allowed.
Calcium oxalate produces when an acid mixes with calcium. So, your bearded dragon’s body will suffer from a lack of calcium as a direct consequence.
If the body of your bearded dragon does not obtain the necessary quantity of calcium, it will take it from the bearded dragon’s bones. As a result, this will cause your bearded dragon to become weak, which can eventually result in serious health concerns such as bone disorders.
In addition to this, there is a possibility that the orange peels contain some pesticide. However, if your bearded dragon swallows any of these pesticides, it may result in the bearded dragon’s body suffering a great deal of harm.
You are free to give your pet whatever sort of fruit you choose, provided that you give them the appropriate quantity. Oranges are one of the few foods you may give to adult bearded dragons, but only once or twice a month.
What Fruits Can Bearded Dragons Eat?
As the owner of a bearded pet dragon, you must take care of the food that your bearded dragon consumes to ensure that they have a life that is both comfortable and healthy. To do this, you will need to know the types of fruits we should feed and the quantities you should give.
Bearded dragons may also eat various healthy fruits and vegetables. However, even these should be administered in only an extremely irregular fashion and in very small quantities.
Your bearded dragon may also take pleasure in a treat of one of the following other safe fruits:
- Apple (without the peel)
- Apricots
- Cherry (without pits)
- Cranberries
- Dates
- Dragon fruits
- Figs
- Blackberry
- Grape
- Guava
- Mango
- Papaya
- Blueberries
- Cantaloupe
- Peach
- Pear
- Raspberry
- Plums
- Prunes
- Strawberries
- Watermelon
Final Words
We should not regularly give bearded dragons any orange juice, orange peel, or even orange seeds. However, this does not imply that we cannot use citrus fruit in any quantity to cure them.
Oranges are one of the few fruits that may be given to your bearded dragon on a limited basis once or twice a month. The majority of citrus fruits have a rather high concentration of sugar. Oranges, in particular, contain a very high amount of sugar.
This might potentially harm the health of your cherished pet. According to the recommendations, they are only allowed to consume fruits making up 10–20 percent of their diet. However, the quantity is significantly reduced, particularly for young bearded dragons.
We’ve mentioned some fruits you can feed your pet dragon with complete health satisfaction. We hope you found this article helpful!
