Can Bearded Dragons Eat Kiwi? | Dietary Recommendations 2024

Kiwi is a refreshing, and tangy fruit that all of us like. Whether it is a part of salads, smoothies, or on its own; this fruit is on the favorites list for many people. It is natural for pet parents to try and feed their favorite fruits to their pets. However, it is not necessary that all the fruits we like are good for our pets too. Can bearded dragons eat kiwi? Let’s find out to see if it is a good fruit option or not.

Various scientific, and health-related agencies and resources claim that fruits should only be a part of the bearded dragons’ diet in low quantities like a seasoning. Bearded dragons love to eat aromatic, and colorful foods. However, how can Kiwi fit into this? Kiwi is rich in nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin E, folate, and potassium. Does this mean that it is an ideal fruit to add to your pet dragon’s palate?

Can Bearded Dragon Eat Kiwi Everyday As We Can

The answer is that you can give kiwi to your bearded dragon occasionally or else you will face difficulties and you can also get your bearded dragon in danger. Kiwi can be a healthy treat for your bearded dragon once in a while because it consists of so many healthy nutrients.

This fruit is a good source of Vitamin C which boosts your immune system. Certainly, Vitamin C is not only a vitamin you will find in kiwi fruit but also in other seasonal fruits. It also contains Vitamin K and E moreover healthy minerals like copper, zinc, and calcium. However, it cannot be given as a full meal.

The reason for this frequency is that the nutritional requirements for bearded dragons are not like humans. These creatures have a slower metabolism and in captivity, their physical activity is less. This means that the foods they eat should be low in sugars so that they can digest them easily.

Moreover, the number of vitamins and other minerals must be in proportion to their daily needs. If you fill-up the feeding dish with kiwi and consider it a complete meal, there are some daily requirements missing. This can result in malnourishment of your pet. Also, learn Can Bearded Dragons Have Peaches.

How Often Can They Eat Kiwi

Your bearded dragon must be fed one average-size kiwi once or once in two weeks and it should only cover ten percent of your bearded dragon’s overall diet. Any bigger portion will give way to a toxic impact and your bearded dragon can be adversely impacted by eating kiwi in excess.

It’s true that this green fruit is rich in nutrients. However, it has one particular deficiency and because of this particular shortcoming, you should only feed your bearded dragon once a month or once in two weeks. It contains a great amount of oxalic acid, also known as oxalate. It is much similar to phosphorus acid; oxalic acid can cause metabolic bone disease. By feeding fruits occasionally you can help your bearded dragon with this disease.

Metabolic bone disease is the softening of bones due to low or negligible absorption of calcium in the body. This low absorption can be due to a low intake of calcium and also a high intake of phosphorus, which hinders calcium absorption. The bones begin to deteriorate as calcium depletion increases. This results in soft bones that can cause immobility. Your bearded pet will stop moving around, and lose appetite and not to mention, this can cause anxiety.

All these things work in unison as the disintegration of bones takes over and the bearded dragon becomes weak. This disease can result in death and therefore, treatment in time is necessary. The first step of this treatment is to eliminate all oxalate-rich foods. In addition, you may also love to know Can Bearded Dragons Drink Tap Water.

Nutritional Facts About Kiwi

The mouth-watering fruit contains all sorts of nutrients inside it, it is rich in vitamins, antioxidants, energy, and useful macromolecules. These nutrients work spectacularly for a human’s body but can bearded dragons eat kiwi like humans too? As a matter of fact, the nutrients in the kiwi are more than enough for the little reptile, therefore these creatures can only consume a small amount occasionally. The nutritional chart below gives the values of nutrients in 100 grams of Kiwi fruit according to the US Department of agriculture.

As we can see kiwi is rich in nutrition that provides a health boost for your bearded dragon. All these nutrients have so many benefits:

• Antioxidants:
  There is a good number of antioxidants in a kiwi, which are best for aiding digestion, reducing inflammation, and boosting the immune system.
• Vitamin C:
  Your bearded dragon’s immune system can be improved because this fruit contains a good amount of vitamin C.
• Vitamin K:
  This nutrient is excellent for blood circulation to reduce the risks of clotting and also improves bone health.
• Vitamin A:
  This powerhouse of vitamin strength helps bearded dragons in reproduction, the immune system, and in general growth and well-being.
• Vitamin E:
  This vitamin helps bearded dragons in enhancing brain health, vision, and reproduction, and even has antioxidant properties.
• Vitamin D:
  This is essential in bone health and bearded dragons absorb a lot of this from the sun in the wilderness. Since indoors, pet dragons do not get a lot of sunlight, it is a good idea to incorporate it into their diets.
• Vitamin C:
  This nutrient helps build immunity and prevents dragons from protracting illnesses and viral infections. This vitamin also enhances bone and blood health.
• Potassium:
  This mineral is excellent for an energy boost, regulating blood sugar, and giving the bearded dragon a lot of muscle strength and growth. Potassium is also essential for good heart health.
• Calcium:
  This nutrient is a powerhouse for bearded dragons as it ensures strong bones and a healthy skeletal structure. These pets will need calcium daily and you must provide them with their daily dose through food.
• Fiber:
  There is also some amount of fiber in the kiwi, which is great for healthy digestion. Even a small dose of protein can provide you with a good amount of strength and energy, and a little dose of zinc can be great for your recovery from injuries.
• Fats:
  You will also not find any fat in a kiwi fruit, which is good for your bearded dragon, your dragon will be saved from being overweight.
• Sugar:
  Last but not least, 80% of the fruit contains sugar. However, kiwi comes out of 80% which means less sugar and if this fruit is not rich in sugar, then your dragon is saved from tooth decay and obesity.

How To Feed Kiwi

Bearded dragons can only eat small pieces of fruit. The general formula is to feed fruits to these creatures like you would feed a garnish. The amount of kiwi to serve to these little pets should not be more than a few slices. Even two slices would suffice as bearded dragons do not eat a large quantity of food.

Moreover, ensure that you cut these slices of kiwi in small bits which are smaller than the distance between the eyes of your bearded pet. This will ensure that your bearded dragon does not get choked on the fruit and is able to digest it properly. If you do not chop the fruit and feed it in slices, it can get stuck in the large intestine of your pet and cause a severe case of constipation that can intensify in impaction.

This disorder can have serious consequences because bearded dragons feel pain as they move their hind limbs during impaction. As the situation intensifies, these creatures become immobile and anxious, causing them to give up food. This situation can end with death if proper care is not given at the right time.

Conclusion

Can bearded dragons eat kiwi? Yes, they can. Kiwis are rich in nutrition; however, they can only be fed occasionally to bearded dragons. This is because these tasty fruits contain lots of oxalates that can cause metabolic bone disease. Therefore, only treat your dragon with one average-sized kiwi once or twice a month.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to serve kiwi to a bearded dragon?

There are a few rules that should be in your mind when you are serving kiwi to your bearded dragon. Firstly, wash the fruit before feeding it to your beardie. Secondly, check the fruit for chemical remnants from pesticides. Thirdly, remove the kiwi skin because it is hard and dense so it will not be easy for them to eat. Finally, serve kiwi in small pieces so it will be easy for them to digest.

Can a bearded dragon eat kiwi skin?

No, it is better not to eat kiwi with its skin because this fruit’s skin is dense and hard so it will be difficult for a bearded dragon to chew and digest.

Can a bearded dragon eat kiwi seeds?

Yes, a bearded dragon can eat kiwi seeds, however, only adult bearded dragons are suited to digesting them. The young bearded dragons often face difficulties in eating and digesting kiwi seeds and get an upset stomach. Therefore, it is best to avoid feeding kiwis along with their seeds to any bearded dragon. Use a knife to take out the middle part of the kiwi and then chop the rest of the seedless fruit, to feed your beardie.