Can Bearded Dragons Eat Figs? | Safe Dietary Choice? 2024

Bearded dragons are designed for dry and hot weather conditions and as pets, they require special nutrition like all other creatures. Many pet owners believe they can feed their pets the kinds of fruits and vegetables they consume themselves. Can bearded dragons eat figs? There are many things you should know about your dragon pet, and once you do, you will find the answers!

Reptilians are different from mammals and while there are many primary needs as loving creatures, there are various nutritional needs that need to be known so that you can care for them. After answering the question about figs, let’s dive into some details about what you can feed your bearded dragon pet.

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Figs

Figs are rich in calcium and have a good amount of protein so they can be a good food item for dragons. However, this fruit contains a lot of sugar as well and that does not make it an ideal food for your pet dragon.

Figs are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber and many people love to eat these sweet fruits but for dragons, you can only serve them this fruit once or twice a month. This fruit has a lot of nutrition but as we mentioned earlier, dragons need specific nutrients and if they are not all in the right proportion, everything can begin to go wrong. It is best that pet owners understand what their dragons’ needs are instead of asking about specific fruits and vegetables.

Bearded dragons love to eat green vegetables, and colorful and aromatic fruits and they enjoy a dose of insects for their protein intake. If you want to see your bearded dragon thrive, get to know all that it needs from you. And you can have a look at Can Bearded Dragons Eat Raspberries, you may also find it useful for your beloved dragon.

What Do Bearded Dragons Need Daily

Bearded dragons are reptilians that search the wild for insects and green plants. These creatures move around a great distance and their activity levels are usually very high. In captivity, since they get food on a plate and live in a limited space, their activity levels are much less. Reptilian creatures have a slow metabolism and that is why they hibernate in winter. Their bodies are not used to consuming fatty foods and they cannot even take in a lot of sugars because their digestive system cannot support such heavy consumption.

Another fact about bearded dragons is that they require protein and calcium as the main nutrients. These reptiles need protein to build muscle mass and their bodies cannot support movement if they have low muscle mass. Similarly, calcium is the building material for bones and if a bearded dragon does not consume enough calcium it can have weak bones.

Calcium deficiency and weak bones result in Metabolic Bone Disease In Bearded Dragons, which makes bones extremely soft, and bearded dragons are unable to stand even! As they become immobile, their appetite also drops and they can die from depression and anxiety along with no nutritional intake.

Pet owners must ensure that their dragons eat the right kinds of foods so that they become healthy and can live a good life. Keep your pet dragon away from fatty foods, high-sugar foods, and food items that have a high amount of phosphorus. This mineral hinders the absorption of calcium and therefore, can weaken the bones.

Why Are Figs Not A Daily Food For Bearded Dragons

Bearded dragons cannot eat figs daily because of the high sugar amount. This fruit can make them obese and this can lead to many other diseases. Obesity can cause bearded dragons to develop anxiety issues as well. Since these creatures are unable to move freely because of weight, they become anxious and depressed.

Moreover, this fruit has a tough texture which can make it hard for bearded dragons to swallow. The hard figs must be cut up into extremely small pieces to allow easy swallowing. If the pieces of fruit are large, bearded dragons will not chew them to a semi-solid co-sisterly before swallowing and these chunks can get stuck in the intestine. If this happens, constipation occurs and it can turn into an extreme case of Bearded Dragon Impaction as well.

Impaction is the hindrance in the intestine due to food and this makes the lower pelvic area ache. Bearded dragons stop moving and their hind legs become paralyzed. This stage can also result in death if proper care is not given to pets. The calcium-to-phosphorus ratio of figs is ideal for bearded dragons but that does not mean that they can eat this food daily because of the high sugar content. When dragons eat these fruits daily, there can be obesity and impaction and both conditions are quite serious.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my pet dragon die if I give it figs?

No, bearded dragons do not die if they consume figs. However, you must ensure that you feed them this fruit once in two weeks or even more rarely. The fruits that have high sugars are not suitable for bearded dragons and may have long-term effects that will be undesirable.

What type of fruits can pet dragons have?

You can give your pet dragons fruits like berries and apples and they can consume them on a daily basis as well. There are many other fruits like bananas and angles that can be given occasionally due to their high sugar content.

Conclusion

Bearded dragons cannot eat figs because they are high in sugar and that can make bearded dragons obese. Pet owners must know the requirements of their pets so that they can take care of them and ensure their health. Also, read Can Bearded Dragons Eat Plums.