Can Bearded Dragons Eat Apricots? | Safe Or Harmful 2024

Who doesn’t like fruits? They are sweet, and a great source of vitamins and fiber. Some fruits are even suitable for water content and essential nutrients like calcium. However, can bearded dragons eat apricots? All pet owners are concerned about what to give their pet dragons and how much they should eat regularly. If you are also wondering about this, this information will help you.

Fruits, vegetables, and insects are the main foods for bearded dragons. When you get a new pet home, it is almost your first instinct to ask whether they will eat the same foods as us. The answer is that while they eat many fruits and vegetables some of them are not suitable for them! You might enjoy a sweet and tangy fruit, but how can you tell if that particular fruit suits your pet dragon or not? Let’s find out how apricots will be for your new pet.

The Nutrients In Apricots

The nutrients in apricots include Vitamins A, C, and E. Moreover it has fiber, and even calcium. All these nutrients make apricots an excellent fruit for bearded dragons, but guess what! You can only feed this fruit to your pet occasionally.

Let’s find out why.

Apricots have all the right nutrition but the calcium and phosphorus ratio is not right. For bearded dragons, the ideal ratio of calcium to phosphorus is 2: 1. Since the phosphorus content of apricots is higher, it moves to the occasional foods list for your dragon pet.

What If Bearded Dragons Eat Apricots Regularly

If consumed regularly, the higher phosphorus amount of apricots makes bearded dragons miss out on the calcium requirement for the day. This element does not allow calcium to get absorbed, and if apricots are consumed daily or even every alternate day, the calcium absorption will be poor and that would mean that your bearded dragon is at risk of getting weak bones.

When there is not enough calcium absorption, bearded dragons do not grow up to have strong bones, which can mean that they are unable to lift the weight of their bodies. When the calcium depletion begins, these creatures develop a disease called Metabolic Bone Disease In Bearded Dragons. Once this sets in, the bones of these dragons become weak and they become immobile. The higher intensity of the disease turns the bones into soft and bendy material, which means that the bearded dragon becomes unable to move.

Bearded dragons are sensitive creatures and if they are unable to move or any other discomfort arises, they can become anxious and lose their appetite. When bearded dragons stop moving due to soft bones, they gain weight since there is zero activity. And with time, the immobility leads t anxiety and lack of appetite, making the dragon weak. This disease can result in death as well! That is why we always recommend bearded dragon owners feed their pets only the foods that are good for them in terms of calcium content.

How To Feed Apricots To Bearded Dragons

Bearded dragons have small mouths, and they do not spend a lot of time chewing their food. This means that pet owners have to cut up their food and serve it in the smallest portions to make the dragon capable of swallowing it after chewing and turning it into a semi-solid or liquid state.

If bearded dragons swallow apricots in large chunks, they will not be able to squeeze them to a semi-solid state and that means that when they go into the gut, they will remain solid and might even cause an obstruction in the intestines. Blockage of the intestines is impaction, and while this is a serious issue, it begins with slight constipation that intensifies over time. Impaction leads to a sharp discomforting feeling in the lower abdomen of the dragon and it becomes immobile. Both MBD and impaction can be serious issues that end fatally.

What Kind Of Fruits Can Bearded Dragons Have With Apricots

Even though apricots are an occasional treat, you can integrate the good effects of this fruit by feeding the dragon different kinds of fruits that are high in calcium. These fruits include berries, tomatoes, and even apples. The bearded dragon enjoys a colorful palate and the addition of berries and apples will entice it to eat the attractive and aromatic treat. Moreover, please have a look at Can Bearded Dragons Eat Asparagus, you would love it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my bearded dragon die if it eats apricots?

No, if you feed your dragon moderately, then it will be out of danger. However, if you give them apricots daily, they will suffer because their calcium needs will not be fulfilled.

How can bearded dragons eat apricot skin?

Apricot skin is soft and therefore bearded dragons can swallow it without any difficulty. There is no issue in swallowing apricots because their pulp is smooth and there is no fibrous, or grainy texture.

Conclusion

Bearded dragons can have apricots but only occasionally because of the calcium and phosphorus ratio. Pet owners must know the daily fruits and vegetables to ensure that they feed the right things and see their pet dragon thrive. Apricots are a good and aromatic fruit and people love them. However, they are not the best for bearded dragons. You should serve these pets other fruits on a daily basis while this fruit can be kept as an occasional effect. Moreover, you may also want to find out Can Bearded Dragons Eat Nectarines.