We all know that plant is an extremely essential part of lizard reptiles’ diet. But can bearded dragons eat squash?
Definitely yes, they can eat different kinds of squash, but certainly not every day.
Although lizards, in general, can eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, not all of them are good to consume frequently.
If you are a new reptile enthusiast, you may find it difficult to figure out which is good or bad food for your beardies.
Squash is good for bearded dragons, but only when fed in small quantities.
Squash can be harmful to the bearded dragon’s metabolism and stomach.
In the below article, we provided helpful information about squash in order to help you have a clearer understanding.
Let’s take a look!
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What Is Squash?
Generally defined, squash is the common name of different types of plants in the same family. It grows from the flowering part of plants and has seeds inside.
Therefore, squashes are fruits, not vegetables.
They can be sorted into two groups: winter and summer type.
Winter group includes butternut, pumpkin, acorn, kabocha, Hubbard, etc.
Summer ones are known as zucchini and yellow squash, either straight or crooked.
Should I Feed My Bearded Dragon Squash?
Bearded dragons can eat squash, but we suggest you feed them once a month or less to reduce the chances of health issues for your pet.
To a proper amount, this plant still offers good vitamins and minerals:
- Antioxidants
- Vitamin A and C – These are essential to their development, immune system, vision, breeding, sustenance, and restoring organs and tissues.
- Vitamin K – This helps control blood clotting and bone well-being.
- Fiber – It facilitates smooth digestive flow.
- Vitamin B6 and folate – This increases vitality and keeps the nervous system alive.
- Thiamine – This helps retain healthy nerve tissue.
- Manganese – This contributes to metabolism.
- Magnesium – This promotes the well-being of the muscles and the brain.
- Potassium – This regulates nerve and blood pressure.
In short, there is no right or wrong in feeding this food to dragons. A small amount every month does not matter.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Squash?
Can bearded dragons eat squash? Bearded dragons can eat squash but not every day!
To humans, almost all kinds of squash are tasty and good.
They also provide bearded dragons with some essential nutrients. But basically, this fruit is not enough for beardies due to two calcium problems:
1. Low Calcium
There are only about 16 mg of calcium in each 100g.
Meanwhile, for bearded dragons, calcium is extremely important.
They need it for sturdy bone development, as well as to be stable and productive overall.
Since they normally get more calcium from plants than insects, they frequently consume vegetables as a main source of this mineral.
Thus, you should not use squash as a basic meal.
3. High Phosphorus Ratio
Compared to phosphorus, the average calcium ratio in this kind of fruit is 1:4.4.
However, the recommended ratio is 1:1 or 2:1 of calcium to phosphorus. Too much phosphorus can cause musculoskeletal disorders.
4. Metabolic Bone Disease
Since this kind of fruit is not rich in calcium and has too much phosphorus, it can cause health problems if your pets consume too much.
Phosphorus may stop the bearded dragon’s bloodstream from absorbing calcium, which leads to metabolic bone disorder.
Shrinking bones and misshapen limbs, paralysis, and death in extreme cases are caused by this condition.
Unfortunately, bearded dragons are very easy to get this issue. But with healthy food habits and the right supplement of calcium, it is preventable.
How to Prepare Squash for Bearded Dragons?
Bearded dragons can eat squash. Now, how can you prepare squash for bearded dragons?
Basically, bearded dragons can eat raw fruit without being cooked, as cooking reduces its nutritional value.
Moreover, they are used to eating raw and fresh ones in the wild.
If you want to serve this fruit, you can follow these basic preparation steps:
- Firstly, wash the squash and remove its peel. Peel can be trapped in bearded dragons’ throats that are not only difficult to take it off but also can be harmful.
- Secondly, cut it into small pieces. Bearded dragons can take a whole plant at one time, but small pieces are easier to eat.
- Lastly, feed it alone or make salad dishes with other ingredients. You can make whole vegetarian dishes with different kinds of fruit and green, or add some crickets or worms for an extra protein source.
See the detailed tutorial in this video:
In case your animals get stuck with squash skin in their mouth, you may coax them to drink water from a syringe to push it down.
Or you can try to open the mouth of your dragon with one hand and use the other hand to take the food out with your fingertips or a tweezer.
Be very careful not to scratch the animal’s throat while using tweezers. Furthermore, the animal can be very uncomfortable. At that moment, they may bite you suddenly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bearded Dragons Eating Squash
1. Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cooked Squash?
It is important to note that bearded dragons are used to wild and fresh food.
They should have the same form of diet in captivity.
Therefore, do not feed the cooked squash to your pet. Give them raw food instead.
2. Can Bearded Dragons Eat Flower Squash?
He will tear out the plant completely with squash blossoms and eat them as well in his natural habitat.
He will take the tops of the chives, baby breath, snapdragons, some marigolds, and chrysanthemums.
For red clover or some same plants, he may eat once at a time.
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3. Can I Serve My Pet Baby Food?
Beardies can eat some types of baby food, such as staples, butternut or pumpkin, etc. But please do not serve foods that are not fresh or contain so much sugar.
Fruit baby food with a high sugar rate is not recommended, too.
4. How Long Can a Bearded Dragon Live Without Food?
The answer depends significantly on your animal’s age and health condition. For example, for a baby young beardie, it is not good to go without food for longer than 24 hours.
Adult ones can be without food for about 4 weeks if they have some extra weight, but this is not recommended.
They should be fed every day for healthy growth.
However, if your pet is on its brumation, it can last up to 4 months without eating.
5. Why Does My Bearded Dragon Eat Less When They Grow Older?
When a bearded dragon is young, he grows rapidly and requires much energy.
Consequently, they need to eat a lot. When they are fully grown-up adults, they clearly do not have to feed as much as before.
They eat less than they used to.
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- How Big Can a Beardie Get?
- Why Is My Beardie Bobbing His Head?
- Reasons Why Your Beardie Turned White and Died
- Why Is My Beardie’s Beard Black?
- Can Beardies Get High?
Conclusion
Can bearded dragons eat squash? The answer is yes, bearded dragons can eat squash.
Squash contains some good minerals and vitamins that support the sustainable growth of dragons.
However, as mentioned above, it is not advisable to become a daily meal since it can cause serious health problems due to its high ratio of phosphorus.
Thus, you have to be careful when feeding squash to your bearded dragon.
Key points on whether bearded dragons can eat squash:
Bearded dragons are omnivorous reptiles that require a well-balanced diet to thrive. While they primarily eat insects and leafy greens, certain vegetables, like squash, can be a part of their diet when provided in moderation. Here are key points to consider when incorporating squash into your bearded dragon’s menu:
1. Nutritional Benefits:
- Squash is a nutritious vegetable and a good source of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber.
- It contains essential nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, and beta-carotene.
2. Types of Squash:
- Bearded dragons can consume various types of squash, including butternut, acorn, and yellow squash.
- Different types offer slight variations in taste and nutritional content.
3. Feeding in Moderation:
- Squash should be fed to bearded dragons in moderation.
- While it offers nutritional benefits, overfeeding can lead to digestive issues due to its fiber content.
4. Preparation and Serving:
- Before offering squash to your bearded dragon, it’s recommended to cook or blanch it to enhance digestibility.
- Remove the skin and seeds to reduce the risk of digestive problems.
5. Balanced Diet:
- Bearded dragons require a balanced diet that includes a variety of vegetables, leafy greens, insects, and occasional fruits.
- Squash can be one of the vegetable components in their diet but should not dominate it.
6. Calcium-to-Phosphorus Ratio:
- Bearded dragons need a balanced calcium-to-phosphorus ratio in their diet to prevent metabolic bone disease.
- While squash is a nutritious option, it should not be the primary source of calcium.
7. Observing Digestive Response:
- When introducing new foods like squash, closely monitor your bearded dragon for any adverse reactions, including diarrhea or other digestive issues.
8. Variety in Diet:
- Offering a variety of vegetables, leafy greens, and occasional fruits ensures your bearded dragon receives a diverse range of nutrients.
- Rotate their diet to prevent monotony and nutritional imbalances.
9. Age-Appropriate Feeding:
- Young bearded dragons have different dietary needs compared to adults.
- Follow appropriate feeding guidelines for their age, ensuring they receive the necessary nutrients for growth.
10. Consult a Herpetologist or Veterinarian: – If you have concerns about introducing squash or any other food into your bearded dragon’s diet, it’s advisable to consult a herpetologist or reptile veterinarian for guidance.
In summary, squash can be a nutritious addition to your bearded dragon’s diet when fed in moderation and prepared appropriately. Its vitamins and minerals can contribute to their overall health, but a balanced diet is essential for their well-being. Remember to monitor their digestive response and maintain a varied diet to ensure they receive a wide spectrum of nutrients. Always prioritize the health and nutritional needs of your bearded dragon when making dietary choices.
