What to Feed Crickets for Bearded Dragons
Bearded dragons, a popular and hardy pet, require specific nutrition to live a long, healthy life. One popular choice for their diet is crickets, which can provide them with their amino acids and minerals. But, you don’t want to provide your pet with the same boring option day after day – so, what else can you feed your crickets to them before feeding them to your dragon? Here are a few ideas, plus an easy option for gut-loading.
Gut-Loading Your Crickets
Gut-loading your crickets is the simplest way to ensure your reptile is getting the nutrition it needs from their feeder insects. Simply provide your crickets with nutritious vegetation and they’ll transfer the nutrients within their bodies when they are eaten – there are a few stores-bought mixes you can use, like fluker’s cricket diet or the Repashy Bug Burger diet. If you prefer, you can also make your own cricket food mix with ingredients like baby cereal, mashed potato flakes, dried kale or spinach and calcium supplements.
Provide Variety
The variety of yourBearded dragon’s food should reflect its natural diet, which includes insects like:
- Mealworms
- Waxworms
- Silkworms
- Moths
- Grasshoppers
- Roaches
Your pet should be receiving a balanced diet with more insects than vegetables, so try to offer some variety in their diet by occasionally feeding them the above-mentioned insects. Make sure to dust the insects with calcium powder before feeding to help them absorb their minerals.
Vegetables and Fruits
Bearded dragons will also benefit from some vegetables in their diet. While they don’t have to be their main food source, they are essential for getting their vitamins and minerals. The following are safe for Bearded Dragons to eat:
- Collard greens
- Butternut squash
- Banana
- Mango
- Papaya
- Cantaloupe
These vegetables and fruits should be finely chopped before feeding; you can also grind them up into a paste and serve them in a responsible dish. If you’re in doubt about what fruits and vegetables are safe to feed your Bearded dragon, consult your veterinarian.
Conclusion
Crickets are a great food source for your Bearded dragon – but you don’t want to feed them the same thing every day. Consider gut-loading your crickets with a store-bought mix or your own blend of nutritious ingredients. Offer some variety by supplementing your Bearded dragon’s diet with other insects like mealworms, waxworms and roaches. And don’t forget to feed them some chopped up vegetables and fruits too! If you’re unsure about what to feed your Bearded dragon, always consult your veterinarian for the best advice.
