In this topic today, we just share a list of the best supplements for bearded dragons and how to use them.
You know what, they are free to eat various food and enjoy plentiful sunlight to be strong and healthy in the wild.
By contrast, captive beardies have a restricted and less variable diet and there is not a lot of room for them to move and exercise under the sunlight.
Therefore, the owners should create a natural environment with favorable living conditions for captive pets.
The Top-Rated Bearded Dragon Supplements (Recommendations)
#1. ZILLA REPTILE MUNCHIES FOR PETS – TOP PICK
#2. FLUKERS BUFFET BLEND FORMULA – RUNNER UP
#3. REP-CAL SRP00815 PET FOOD – BEST ALTERNATIVE
#4. REPASHY VEGGIE BUGGER – BEST VEGGIE FOOD
Related:
- Beardie Tank Decor
- Beardie Lamp Setup
- Why Is My Beardie’s Beard Black?
- Why Is My Beardie Closing Eyes When Stroked?
- Humidity For a Beardie
- Why Is My Beardie Breathing Heavy?
Guide for Bearded Dragon Supplement
1. Vitamin A
Most adult beardie will get enough vitamin A from their vegetables.
Regarding younger beardie, they generally receive enough vitamin A by courtesy of the yolk within their egg until they’re 6 months old.
You can easily find many vitamin A supplements for bearded dragons available on the market but only those that contain beta carotene are recommended for you to add to your dragon’s food.
This is because beta carotene is found in many vegetables, and it is converted into vitamin A by the beardie’s body when consumed.
Related:
- Can Beardies Get High?
- Can Beardies Eat Dill?
- Do Beardies Eat Squash?
- Can Beardies Eat Brussel Sprouts?
- Can Beardies Eat Radish Greens?
- Do Beardies Eat Peas?
- Can Beardies Eat Chard?
2. Calcium And Vitamin D3
If it is not for vitamin D3, it is impossible to absorb calcium, so most bearded dragon supplements should contain both, which help improve healthy bones and stop beardie from metabolic bone disease.
It is common that a dose of calcium and vitamin D3 is recommended for baby beardie on a daily basis while juveniles should be provided with the supplement three to four times per week and in the case of adults just once per week.
3. Iron
Usually, the amount of iron from the vegetable beardie eats is sufficient for them, but younger beardie is not likely to prefer eating their greens and you should provide a supplement.
If a younger beardie does require more iron, you should choose to combine greens high in iron and an iron supplement from a herp vet to feed or use a commercial food that contains iron.
4. Phosphorous
Phosphorous which helps to boost bone development is commonly found in fruits and vegetables so most beardie will absorb plenty of phosphorous from their diet.
However, you should keep an eye on your beardie’s calcium-to-phosphorous levels to ensure that they are getting the right amount of both nutrients.
Best Supplements For Bearded Dragons Shortlist (Updated List)
| Product images | Product names | Editor's rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
  | Zilla Reptile Food Munchies Omnivore Mix With Calcium | 4.5 | Check Price |
  | Fluker's Buffet Blend | 4.6 | Check Price |
  | Rep-Cal Srp00815 Pet Food | 4.6 | Check Price |
  | Repashy Veggie Burger | 4.8 | Check Price |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change
The Best Supplements For Bearded Dragons
#1. ZILLA REPTILE MUNCHIES FOR PETS – TOP PICK
This kind of snack is made from a variety of ingredients with high quality including crickets, mealworms, carrots, peas, bananas, and more.
You will find this product so outstanding as this pellet food provide extra calcium and other vitamins.
The package is conveniently resealed and dehydrated for good storage.
Zilla suggests you may use this product on its own as food or as a supplement for bearded dragons to a natural diet.
Pros
- A reputable company
- Extra calcium and vitamins
- Quality ingredients
- Dehydrated for easy use and storage
Cons
- Expensive
#2. FLUKERS BUFFET BLEND FORMULA – RUNNER UP
Regarding this product, the insects are bigger to meet the requirements of the adult beardie.
Therefore, just only feed the beardies until they are big enough to eat it as the pellets with this buffet blend are larger than the juvenile blend.
Besides, this mix is designed to be higher in fats, protein, vitamins, and minerals, which provide good nutritional value for your adult beardie.
Furthermore, you can choose one of two options: a 2.9 ounce and a 7.5-ounce if you want to buy in bulk.
Please note, this isn’t designed with juvenile beardies in mind.
Pros
- Great container
- Easy storage and use
- High nutritional value
- Inclusion of insects to encourage eating
Cons
- Never use this as the primary food source
#3. REP-CAL SRP00815 PET FOOD – BEST ALTERNATIVE
Rep-Cal adult beardie foods contain optimal levels of vitamins and minerals like calcium and vitamin D3, which means 100-percent complete daily nutrition so you don’t need other food supplements for bearded dragons.
Sometimes, beardie is afraid of new foods so you have to make your beardie get used to food changes gradually and monitor your lizard’s weight, condition, and food intake.
Also, to make eating much easier, you should moisten the food with fruit juice or water.
Pros
- Rich in nutrients
- Affordable price
#4. REPASHY VEGGIE BUGGER – BEST VEGGIE FOOD
To cook it, add one part of this veggie burger powder to three parts of boiling water and stir the mixture.
Next, you can pour the mixture into a mold or storage container and wait until the mixture cools.
When it already cools and form, and you can cut it into bite-size pieces to feed your pets or refrigerate it in a sealed container or freeze it.
PROS
- Good Occasional Treat
- Easy to use
- Moderate Protein Level
Commonly Asked Question About Bearded Dragon Supplement
1. How to Give Supplements to Bearded Dragon?
There are two main ways that owners can use to provide the best supplements for beardie.
The most popular way is dusting their food, including insects, salads, and greens, with the powdered form of the supplements.
You will find it easy to deal with the salad but crickets are really troublesome.
However, when comparing crickets with dubia roaches, we recommend that you had better dust roaches with supplements than crickets as roaches don’t jump around at all, which allows them to retain more of the supplement on their bodies.
Additionally, dubia roaches and various worms are considered as our feeders of choice!
2. Is Calcium With D3 Bad?
Firstly, D3 plays an essential role in allowing lizards to absorb calcium.
On the other hand, an absence of vitamin D3 can result in calcium deficiency, which leads to metabolic bone disease and causes a whole host of severe issues through poor bone formation.
3. Is Repashy Calcium Plus Good?
Regarding animals in captivity, they don’t have opportunities to get exposed to high levels of sunlight or UVB light but have high Vitamin D requirements so this formula is specially designed for them.
Besides, this supplement may be appropriate for our beardie, uromastyx, veiled chameleons, and other semiarid/desert herps.
4. How Do I Know If My Bearded Dragon is Deficient in Calcium?
If you wonder whether your beardie gets enough calcium or not, blood tests should be chosen as they may show a low calcium level and an imbalance of calcium and phosphorus, with phosphorus being higher than calcium, instead of in the 2:1 calcium to phosphorus ratio desirable in reptiles.
In this way, you can know about the health status of your beardie relating to muscle twitching, seizures, loss of appetite, and loss of energy (lethargy).
We recommend:
- Fluker’S Repta Calcium
- Zoo Med Reptile Calcium Without Vitamin D3, 8-Ounce
- Rep-Cal Calcium – Phosphorus and Vitamin D3 Free (4.1 oz) Green Bottle
- Zilla Calcium Supplement Reptile Food Spray
- Fluker’s Reptile Calcium Supplement Without Vitamin D3
5. Can I Give Too Much Calcium?
A common problem that pet owners may face is inappropriate supplementation with calcium and vitamins (especially vitamin D3) and minerals.
Regarding beardie, when they are young or in the process of developing, they need more dietary calcium than phosphorus.
6. How Often Should I Use Vitamins for My Pet?
Generally, 2-3 times per week is appropriate.
In addition, you can lightly mix food with a calcium powder (calcium gluconate, lactate, or carbonate) not containing vitamin D3.
2-3 times a week, you also should have food sprinkled with calcium powder containing vitamin D3.
Conclusion
Beardies are amazing pets but how to keep them healthy and happy is not easy at all, and this also requires a specific diet as well.
What you’ve learned here will help feed your pet properly so put it to use.
If you still consider where to look for supplements, try out one of the best bearded dragon supplements we’ve reviewed above. Good luck!
Key points for considering the best supplements for bearded dragons:
Ensuring your bearded dragon receives the right supplements is crucial for their overall health and well-being. These supplements help provide the necessary nutrients, especially when their diet may lack certain elements. Here are the best supplements for bearded dragons, presented in bullet points for quick reference:
1. Calcium Supplements:
- Calcium with D3: Essential for bone health, calcium with vitamin D3 helps prevent metabolic bone disease (MBD) and supports proper calcium absorption.
- Calcium Without D3: Used on non-feeding days or for dragons that receive adequate UVB exposure to prevent over-supplementation.
2. Multivitamins:
- Balanced Nutrition: Multivitamins with a mix of essential vitamins and minerals provide a comprehensive dietary supplement.
- Frequency: Use sparingly, typically every two weeks, as overuse can lead to vitamin imbalances.
3. Calcium-to-Phosphorus Ratio:
- Balance is Key: Ensure the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio in the diet is around 2:1. High phosphorus can interfere with calcium absorption.
4. Phosphorus Binders:
- Calcium-to-Phosphorus Ratio Correction: If your dragon’s diet is naturally high in phosphorus, phosphorus binders can help restore the proper calcium-to-phosphorus balance.
5. Gut Load Supplements:
- Feeder Insects: When feeding insects to your bearded dragon, dusting them with a gut load supplement enhances their nutritional value.
- Variety: Gut load feeders with a mixture of fruits, vegetables, and commercial gut load products.
6. Omega-3 Fatty Acids:
- Skin and Shedding: Omega-3 supplements can promote healthy skin and assist in smooth, problem-free shedding.
7. Regular Veterinary Check-ups:
- Professional Guidance: Consult a reptile-savvy veterinarian to assess your bearded dragon’s specific nutritional needs and adjust supplement regimens accordingly.
8. Hydration:
- Importance of Water: Ensure your dragon has access to fresh, clean water. Proper hydration is essential for supplement utilization.
9. Adequate UVB Lighting:
- Natural D3 Production: Bearded dragons need UVB lighting to synthesize vitamin D3 naturally. Ensure your setup provides the correct UVB levels.
10. Dietary Variety:
- Nutrient Diversity: Offering a varied diet that includes insects, leafy greens, and some fruits can reduce the reliance on supplements.
11. Caution with Over-Supplementation:
- Balance is Key: Over-supplementation can lead to health issues. Follow recommended dosage guidelines, and don’t double up on D3 and calcium supplements.
12. Bearded Dragon Age and Activity Level:
- Tailored Supplementation: Young, growing dragons, and females producing eggs may require more frequent supplementation. Adjust the regimen based on individual needs.
13. Read Supplement Labels:
- Quality Matters: Choose reputable brands that provide clear dosage instructions and have high-quality ingredients.
Remember that supplementing a bearded dragon’s diet should complement their nutritional intake, not replace it. Providing a balanced, varied diet and ensuring proper UVB exposure are key to a healthy bearded dragon. Consult with a reptile veterinarian for personalized guidance on supplementation for your specific dragon.
Further Reading:
- Thermometer for bearded dragon tank
- 9 Best Incubator for Bearded Dragon Eggs
- Best Bearded Dragon Leash And Harness
- 20+ Tips to Setup Beardie Tank
- Fancy BD vs Bearded Dragon – Which one is the best?
- Best Father’s Day Gifts For Pet Lovers
- B.D VS Chameleon – Facts And Differences
- BD Vs Horned Toad – Facts And Differences
- How To Tell If Your BD Likes Music? You Don’t know?
