Pineapple is a delicious fruit that is enjoyed by humans all over the world. It can be eaten fresh or even dried up into little pieces and used to flavor other foods and beverages. But did you know that pineapple can also be used as an essential part of your bearded dragon’s diet?
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Pineapple?
Yes, bearded dragons can eat pineapple. The fruit is full of nutrition that your beardie can benefit from. While this fruit is nutritious, it also has a moderate amount of oxalate. This is harmful to the beardie since it will prevent calcium absorption. To prevent your bearded dragons from having any health issues related to eating pineapple, it’s best to feed them a small amount, every 2 weeks or so.
Is It Safe For Bearded Dragons To Eat Pineapple?
Pineapple is a safe food for bearded dragons, if it’s eaten in moderation.
Pineapple is a great fruit for bearded dragons, but it can also present some health risks. What makes pineapple unsafe for them is the oxalates that are found in it. Oxalate will bind to the calcium, which will prevent the body from absorbing any into the body. Over time, when the beardie can’t get any of the minerals from the food they eat, the body will start to extract the calcium from the bones instead. This will lead to metabolic bone diseases, which will cause pain and discomfort for them.
Also, bearded dragons should only eat the flesh of the pineapple and not the skin or core. These parts of the pineapple are too tough and could cause your beardie to choke on them.
Is It Healthy For Bearded Dragons To Eat Pineapple?
Pineapples are a healthy treat for your bearded dragon that they will love. They are full of vitamins and minerals, as well as fiber, and can help keep your little friend’s digestive tract healthy. When doling out pineapple to your beardie, it is important to remember that too much of a good thing is never good – so be careful not to overdo it!
Nutrition Facts
One cup of fresh pineapple chunks has:
- Calories: 82 grams
- Protein: 0.89 grams
- Fat: 0.20 grams
- Carbohydrates: 22 grams
- Fiber: 2.3 grams
Source: USDA
Below are some of the health benefits of feeding pineapple to your bearded dragons:
Boost Immune System
A healthy immune system is the body’s natural defense against diseases and infections. Therefore, it becomes important for your bearded dragon to maintain a strong immune system to keep themselves healthy. Pineapple is a good source of antioxidants and vitamin C. Its consumption has been found to be beneficial in keeping the body free from illness and diseases.
Improve Digestion
Pineapple is a good source of fiber. This helps bulk up the stool, which will help move it through the digestive tract more smoothly.
In addition, pineapples contain an enzyme called bromelain. Bromelain contains anti-inflammatory compounds that help soothe the digestive tract and promote healthy digestion.
Provides Energy
Pineapple is a great source of vitamin A, C, and potassium, which can help your bearded dragon be more energized. It also contains a good amount of B-complex vitamins and magnesium, which can help reduce levels of stress hormones in your blood.
As you can see, there are some unique health benefits of pineapple that your bearded dragon will enjoy.
Can Baby Bearded Dragons Eat Pineapple?
Pineapple should be off limit for your baby bearded dragon. While it has a lot of nutrition, it also has oxalate, a high amount of sugar, and is highly acidic. All of this can put your baby beardie in great danger, especially when their body is still fragile.
Instead, it’s better to feed them food that can benefit them and help them grow strong and healthy. Some of the food that you can include in their diet are acorn squash, bell pepper, cactus leaves, collard greens, and yellow squash.
How To Prepare Pineapple For Your Bearded Dragons
In order for your bearded dragon to eat pineapple, you will need to prepare them first. Below are the steps for preparation and feeding:
- Use only fresh pineapple, as they contain the most nutrition.
- With a sharp knife, peel away all the skin from the pineapple.
- Cut out the core.
- Slice the pineapple flesh into small pieces. It should be the size no larger than the distance between both their eyes.
- Place the pieces of pineapple into their bowl and serve it to them. If you want to give a boost in nutrition to your beardie, you can make a salad for them. Besides pineapple, you can add kiwi, lettuce, squash, and carrots. Just make sure all of them are cut into small pieces. Then mix them together and place them into their bowl.
How Often Can Bearded Dragons Eat Pineapple?
There are many people who believe that pineapples are poisonous to bearded dragons, but this isn’t true. While it is possible for your pet to eat too much of the fruit and have an upset stomach, they should be fine if there is only a small amount of pineapple given. Just remember to avoid feeding your dragon foods with high sugar content, which can cause health problems down the road.
While it’s not recommended to feed pineapple to your beardie on a regular basis, eating small amounts of fresh, ripe pineapple once in a while won’t do any harm.
Other Fruits That Bearded Dragons Can Eat
Apple
Apples are safe to feed to your bearded dragons. Bearded dragons can eat red, green, and yellow apples. For bearded dragons to eat apples, you should first select a ripe one without bruising. Then remove the seeds, as they contain cyanide, which is toxic to them. Cut the apple into small pieces and serve it to them. Apple is healthy for bearded dragons, but only if it is treated right before feeding them.
Banana
While bearded dragons can eat bananas, and it may provide them with some nutrients, they aren’t the best food for your pet. Banana contains a high amount of sugar, which can harm them. As long as you feed bananas to your beardie in small amounts, once or twice per month, they should not have any health issues.
Watermelon
Bearded dragons will enjoy a few bites of watermelon because it’s healthy for them to eat. As long as you don’t overfeed your pet reptile, they should be just fine after having a slice or two of this tasty summer fruit.
Conclusion
While there are many different factors that go into feeding bearded dragons, including their age and activity level, it is generally safe to feed them pineapples. Be sure to only feed pineapple to them in small amounts, once or twice per month, to prevent any health issues. Also, bearded dragons should always have access to fresh water as well.
