If you have a bearded dragon, you may already feed them small pieces of apple. Naturally, a lot of pet owners think; can bearded dragons drink apple juice too? Of course, we all want our reptiles to be as happy and healthy as they can be. So, let’s find out the answer to this question.
Can bearded dragons drink apple juice? Well, the answer to this question is yes, they can drink apple juice. But it’s important that it’s only in small amounts and that it’s diluted with water. It’s often a way to persuade your bearded dragon to stay hydrated and train them to drink from a bowl.
Let’s take a look at the answer to this question in a lot more detail so that you can understand why bearded dragons should only have small amounts of apple juice and what their diet should be.
Bearded Dragons and Apple Juice
Apples are a safe fruit for bearded dragons to eat. When they’re cut into small pieces and peels, it’s a snack that these reptiles enjoy. But when it comes to apple juice, it’s important that they’re only given small amounts.
This is because it’s a sugary drink and too much can be unhealthy for them. It can lead to loose stools, which can create a mess in their living environment.
In addition, any apple juice that is given to your bearded dragon should be organic and with no added sugars, additives or other ingredients that are not natural. Otherwise, these chemicals can make your bearded dragon sick.
Apple Juice for Training
When you first get your bearded dragon and bring them home, they won’t be used to drinking from a water bowl. After all, they wouldn’t do this in the wild.
Most of the time, they won’t realize this water is anything important, which means they don’t know they can be hydrated from their bowl. But with the help of apple juice, you can help your bearded dragon learn how to use a water bowl.
The apple juice added flavor to the water and makes it tasty. The sweet smell will make it enticing to your bearded dragon and they will realize they can drink from this bowl. Over time, they will learn this is where they need to come to be hydrated.
So, you can use apple juice for training and add a small amount to the water. After a while, you can stop doing this once your bearded dragon has learned about using a water bowl.
Of course, it’s important for bearded dragons to stay hydrated. While they live in hot and dry environments, they are used to getting most of their water from insects they eat, as well as other plants. But when they become a pet, they need a source of water. This is where the water bowl comes in.
Just make sure that you continually change your bearded dragon’s water every day to make sure it’s clean. If it’s a big bowl, your bearded dragon may bathe in the water, which will make it dirty. In addition, they are known to use it as a toilet too. So, add some fresh water to their bowl every day, as well as cleaning the bowl.
Signs of Dehydration
If your bearded dragon becomes dehydrated, it can make them very sick and it can even be fatal. So, that is why it’s important to look out for the symptoms of dehydration so that you can get help from a veterinarian.
The most common signs to watch out for are lack of appetite and sunken eyes. They may also be lethargic and not move around a lot. A good way that you can see if your bearded dragon has become dehydrated is by pinching their skin with your fingers.
The skin should roll back very quickly. But if it doesn’t, it could be a sign that your bearded dragon is suffering from dehydration. Be sure to take a trip to the veterinarian as soon as possible so that you can help your pet regain their health.
The Best Diet for a Bearded Dragon
Alongside fresh water every day, a bearded dragon should enjoy a varied and delicious diet. It’s recommended that your adult bearded dragon’s diet is made up of 40 to 50 percent of insects. This includes foods such as:
- Hoppers
- Cockroaches
- Crickets
They’re going to find these creatures very tasty. They’re easy to purchase from your local pet store.
Your bearded dragon’s diet should also consist of around 50 to 60 percent vegetables and fruits. The majority should be vegetables, as fruits that have a lot of sugar may make your pet obese.
Eating too much of the wrong foods can lead to obesity and threaten their health. There are a lot of vegetables that bearded dragons can enjoy. This includes:
- Peas
- Sweet potato
- Bell peppers
- Kale
- Rocket
You can mix it up and see what your bearded dragon enjoys the most. Fruit should only be enjoyed as a treat every now and again.
It’s recommended that you peel any vegetables and fruits, as well as cut them into small pieces. This is going to make it a lot easier for your bearded dragon to eat. Since these foods often contain water, they can become dehydrated under the lights and with the temperature of their living environment.
So, it’s best to take out the vegetables and fruits they don’t eat at the end of the day. Then they can enjoy clean and hydrating foods the next day.
Foods to Avoid
There are some foods that bearded dragons should never eat. Often this is because they’re poisonous and they can make your pet very ill. In some cases, it can even be fatal. So, some foods that you avoid include avocados.
They’ve got substances in them that are classed as toxic for bearded dragons. They should be avoided at all costs. Another food that is highly dangerous for your bearded dragon is rhubarb. This contains something known as oxalic acid, which is poisonous for your reptile.
When it comes to insects, fireflies are poisonous to bearded dragons too. They contain toxins, which can do some real damage and may cause fatal consequences if they’re ingested.
Related Questions
What fruits can a bearded dragon eat? There is a wide arrange of fruits you can feed to your reptile. This includes apples, peaches, apricots, and melon. Be sure to remove any fruit at the end of the day so that bacteria can’t grow and harm your bearded dragon.
Can I give my bearded dragon wild insects from outside? It’s always recommended to avoid doing this. They may have parasites that could harm your reptile. The best thing you can do is to purchase insects from your local pet shop or online.
How many insects should a bearded dragon be fed a day? Adult bearded dragons can eat 3 to 5 big insects one to three times per week. Juvenile bearded dragons should eat 20 to 40 small insects every day for proper growth.
Keine Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen