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Can Bearded Dragon Eat Raw Meat?

Can Bearded Dragon Eat Raw Meat?

Yes, they can.

Some beardies will eat raw meat such as minced beef, lean turkey, or chicken breast. However, whether they should or not is up for debate; they can eat small amounts of meat in the wild, but they also get more exercise in general in the wild. Since they are captive animals, they don't need to have raw meat in their diet but technically can eat small amounts very occasionally, which can be useful as an emergency protein source if you are unable to get their dubia Roaches, superworms, and other live feeders.

Keep in mind that meat is high in fat and should only be fed to your bearded dragon in small amounts. If they do eat some, you will need to ensure that they digest it properly and do not show signs of implications. I would always go for Dubia roaches as much better nutrition choice for a lizard diet.

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Comments

Reptile Supply - January 12, 2022

Hi Lucy — Thanks for reaching out to us, but it’s best to take your bearded dragon to an experienced reptile veterinarian for examination. If your bearded dragon has lost interest in food over the last month and it doesn’t seem to be brumation, then illness is quite possible, as unexplained/sudden appetite loss is a common sign of illness in reptiles.

Lucy - January 12, 2022

Hi my beardie hasn’t eaten properly in a month or so now at first I thought she was hibernating but now not so sure she seems off she’s not carrying eggs or anything and before I take her to the vets thought I’d try this first I worry about her alot and am starting to worry she is getting depressed but won’t eat anything

Reptile Supply - December 1, 2021

Hi Laveda — It sounds like your beardie may need some tough love. Reevaluate your current feeding schedule with the one in our bearded dragon care sheet (https://reptilesupply.com/blogs/care-sheets/how-to-care-for-your-bearded-dragon). If that schedule doesn’t encourage your beardie to try veggies, then stop offering insect feeders until the dragon starts seeing veggies as food. It may sound cruel, but a picky dragon isn’t a hungry one.

Laveda - December 1, 2021

Hi, we’ve adopted a bearded dragon and since then, we’ve done our due diligence and researched what fruits and vegetables to feed her. However, in the time we’ve had her, she’s absolutely refuses to eat ANY vegetables whatsoever. We’ve had suggestions of hanging the food, and things similar to that, yet she still refuses to eat it, even when we try to hand feed her. She does eat the dry vegetable pellets, we just make sure to dust them before feeding them. She also has absolutely no problem eating roaches, crickets or any other protein we feed her. We’ve been gut loading them before feeding them as well. I did contact her previous owner and was told that they had her for her entire life and she had never eaten any fruits or vegetables. What can I do to get her to eat them? And, if she still simply refuses to eat them, what can I do to ensure that she has the healthiest diet possible?

Reptile Supply - January 11, 2021

Hi Megan — In a pinch, you can use canned insects as a substitute for live. Your beardie may not be enthusiastic about eating them from a bowl, but should be willing to take them from feeding tweezers. Remember that just like live insects, canned insects should still be dusted with calcium prior to feeding. Alternatively, you can purchase live feeders online! Check out our sister site DubiaRoaches.com for live feeders.

Megan - January 11, 2021

Hello my son has a bearded dragon and in the summer its ok but in the winter time I am having a really hard time finding anyone that has his live feeders all the pet supply places around me dont have any and wont get any for some time now and I dont know what to do or what to feed him for protein can you please help me?? What can I give him for protein??

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