Can Bearded Dragons Eat Grapes? When And How Much

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Grapes

As a parent of a Bearded Dragon, we know you want to give your lizard nothing but the best in terms of care. This includes feeding your Beardie a healthy, nutritious diet. However, you want to be able to give them a treat once in a while. You may be wondering, can I feed my Bearded Dragon grapes? We have the answer for you and more.

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Grapes

In this article, we’ll learn more about Bearded Dragons, what grapes contain, the types of grapes Bearded Dragons can or can’t eat, and the health benefits and problems of Beardies and grapes as well as the answer to can bearded dragons eat purple grapes.

What Is A Bearded Dragon?

The Bearded Dragon, also known as the Beardie, is a type of lizard from Australia. They were brought over to the United States in the 1990s, and it’s one of the most popular lizards in the UK. Bearded Dragons are low-maintenance to care for, friendly, and make excellent pets for beginner owners.

Not all lizards are small, and Bearded Dragons can grow up to 24 inches long, including their tail. They’ll need a terrarium that’s at least 40 gallons with a screened lid and efficient heating and lighting.

For instance, this lizard is most active during the day. The temperature should be 75 to 85 degrees F during the day and between 68 and 74 degrees F at night. Your Bearded Dragon will also need a warm basking spot from a UV light that should be about 100 degrees F.

With proper care, Bearded Dragons can live between 10 and 15 years. But, of course, proper care includes a healthy diet including fruits and vegetables. So, let’s take a closer look at Bearded Dragons and grapes.

What Do Grapes Contain?

First, let’s talk about grapes in general and the nutritional value they hold.

Grapes have high nutritional value, no matter the color. For instance, grapes contain the following nutrients:

  • Protein
  • Fiber
  • Vitamins B6, C, and K
  • Potassium
  • Manganese
  • Copper
  • Riboflavin
  • Thiamine

In addition, they protect heart health, contain antioxidants, decrease blood sugar levels, and are low in fat.

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Grapes?

red and green grapes

The short answer is yes. Bearded Dragons can eat grapes.

However, this isn’t a snack they should have all the time, and it should be given to them in moderation.

You can feed your Bearded Dragon grapes as long as they don’t have underlying health issues. However, before you try giving this fruit to your lizard, be sure to talk about it with your veterinarian first.

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Red Grapes? Green? All Types?

There are different types of grapes. So, now the question is whether or not Bearded Dragons can eat them all.

Can Bearded Dragons eat green grapes? Yes, they can. They can eat red grapes and purple grapes as well.

The difference is that red and purple grapes are higher in antioxidants due to the dark coloring. In addition, green grapes are often more sour than red and purple grapes.

So, choosing which grape to give to your Bearded Dragon will depend on the health benefits you want them to get. Also, it’ll depend on your lizard’s taste.

Can A Bearded Dragon Eat Grape Seeds?

No, Bearded Dragons should not eat the seeds from the grape. When buying grapes from the store, make sure they’re labeled “seedless” on the bag. If your lizard eats a seed, it may pose a choking hazard or cause a gastrointestinal blockage.

Can My Bearded Dragon Eat Grape Leaves?

Grapes leaves, on the other hand, are great for your Bearded Dragon to eat. This is because the leaves have more nutrients in them than the fruit itself. If you feed your Bearded Dragon grape leaves, then they’ll receive more protein and calcium. Also, the leaves are low in phosphorus. 

Benefits And Problems With Grapes For Bearded Dragons

Bearded Dragon in tank

So, can you feed Bearded Dragons grapes? Yes, grapes are a healthy snack for your Bearded Dragon. You can give one to them as a treat or add a grape to their meal once in a while. However, even though there are many health benefits, fruit can also pose some health problems.

First, let’s talk about some of the health benefits.

Grapes Have Lots Of Fiber

Fiber helps the digestive system. By adding fiber to your Bearded Dragon’s diet, they’ll have a regular digestive system. This also prevents them from having constipation.

Grapes Have Low Acidity

Citrus fruits have high acidity, which can burn the inside of your lizard’s mouth and harm its stomach lining. Luckily, grapes are not acidic fruit, so your lizard can safely eat them without damaging anything.

Grapes Have High Water Content

In addition, grapes are made up of at least 45% water. Not only does this help prevent dehydration, but it also improves your Bearded Dragon’s kidney function.

Of course, with every pro, there comes a con. So, let’s talk about some of the problems that may arise when feeding your Bearded Dragon grapes.

Grapes Have Lots Of Sugar

Sugar is fun to have once in a while, but too much can damage your Bearded Dragon’s health. For example, grapes are high in sugar which can cause your lizard to have several health issues, such as the ones listed below.

  • Obesity
  • Diabetes
  • Tooth Decay
  • Fatty Liver Disease

In worst cases, too much sugar can also cause heart failure or even death.

Grapes Can Cause Overhydration And Dehydration

Remember that grapes have high water content? This can backfire if your Beardie eats too many grapes. Overhydration can cause dehydration. For instance, too much water causes diarrhea, thus causing dehydration.

Since this lizard is from Australia, they’re used to being somewhat dehydrated. However, they can become severely dehydrated if they get too much water.

Grapes Can Be A Choking Hazard

Finally, grapes are a choking hazard since they’re so slippery and round. In addition, if the grapes have seeds in them, the seeds can cause your Bearded Dragon to choke. Or, if the seeds make it down the hatch, it could cause an intestinal blockage.

Here’s a quick view of the pros and cons of feeding your Bearded Dragon grapes.

ProsCons
High in fiberHigh in sugar
Low acidityCauses overhydration and dehydration
High in water contentChoking hazard

How Often Can Bearded Dragons Have Grapes?

Bearded Dragons should only eat one or two grapes per week. The reasons for this are the ones listed above, especially too much sugar. Grapes have nutritional benefits, but too much fruit can have an opposite effect on your Beardie.

How To Prepare Bearded Dragon Grapes

First, when buying grapes, there are two things to look out for: organic grapes and seedless grapes. Organic grapes are healthier because they contain no pesticides. In addition, seedless grapes will pose less of a health hazard for your lizard.

However, when preparing grapes for your Bearded Dragon, the first thing you’ll want to do is wash the fruit. Even if you buy organic, you want to ensure the grape is as clean as can be.

Then, you’ll want to cut the grape into four quarters. Smaller pieces will allow your Bearded Dragon to take the fruit with their tongue easily. Also, by cutting up the grape, you can search for any seeds that may be hiding. Even if you buy seedless grapes, it’s always a good idea to check.

Remember, you should only feed your Bearded Dragon one grape at a time, about once per week. However, if you have any grape leaves, you can feed those as much or as little as you want. 

Your Bearded Dragon will be more than happy to have a grape as a snack or as part of a meal with their veggies.

Conclusion

So, can you feed a Bearded Dragon grapes? Do Bearded Dragons eat grapes? The answer to both questions is yes.

You can feed your Beardie a grape or two once in a while as a treat. Your Bearded Dragon will thank you for it later.

Also find our guide to whether bearded dragons can eat strawberries, kale and all the best fruits for bearded dragons here or know exactly what not to feed bearded dragons. You can read more about bearded dragons here.

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