As omnivorous creatures, bearded dragons should consume food from both animal and plant categories. Fruit intake for bearded dragons should be restricted but tomato is an approved fruit choice.
Regular intake of tomatoes by bearded dragons remains questionable despite their accessibility as well as affordability for human use. Additionally their juicy taste qualifies them as healthy human food although beardies may face adverse reactions to this feeding choice.
The safety aspect regarding tomato consumption stands as a question for bearded dragons
Bearded dragons require small portions of tomatoes among other suitable fruits however they should avoid these fruits on a daily basis. Bearded dragons should not eat tomatoes as frequently as humans do because tomato nutrition values differ between bearded dragon dietary needs and human dietary needs which creates health hazards for bearded dragons. You may provide small tomato portions to your dragons once monthly either through salads or mixed with their typical diet.
The nutritional composition of tomatoes reveals that they are suitable as occasional treats for bearded dragons.
The nutritional content of red tomatoes matches that of cherry tomatoes and heirloom tomatoes together with grape tomatoes. The nutritional elements in tomatoes which include vitamin C and vitamin K and potassium provide human health benefits though they have detrimental effects on the health of reptiles if they eat tomatoes. Lawrence Ph.D.’s research describes the dietary values of tomatoes for bearded dragons through this table:
Nutritional profile of tomatoes for reptiles (per 100g)
| Calories | 18 Kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 3.89g |
| Protein | 0.88g |
| Fats | 0.2g |
| Water 94.52g | 94.52g |
| Minerals Calcium | 10mg |
| Phosphorus | 24mg |
| Others Oxalates | 26mg |
| pH 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Nutrition Scores Ca:P ratio | 1:3:1 |
| Health risks more | more |
Feeding tomatoes as a treat to bearded dragons
Types of tomatoes safe for bearded dragons
- Fresh, raw, and ripe tomatoes can be given to the beardies Can bearded dragons eat tomatoes
- Regular red tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, heirloom tomatoes, and grape tomatoes are safe for bearded dragons but in a limited amount
- While unripe green tomatoes can be toxic as they contain a poisonous compound called solanine that can pose health risks for your beardie
- Catomatoesn bearded dragons eat
Preparation of tomato treat for bearded dragons
- Wash the tomato to remove dust particles, chemicals, and other environmental pollutants that can be harmful to the can bearded dragons eat tomatoes
- Peel it off as the peel of the tomatoes also contains some nutrients. Peeling the tomato removes extra nutrients that may be not as beneficial for beardies
- Cut the tomato into small chunks so that chocking can be avoided while eating and only a few chunks can be added to can bearded dragons eat tomatoes regular feed
- Also remove the seeds, doing this also prevents the chocking and any other digestive issue can be avoided
- You can give only a quarter of a medium-sized tomato or 2 to 3 cherry tomatoes to your beardies
- Mixed the tomato with dragon regular feed or a calcium-rich diet to balance with tomato’s phosphorus content
- Don’t feed tomatoes more than once a month to bearded dragons
What health risks do tomatoes pose for bearded dragons
Unluckily, giving more than the recommended amounts of tomatoes to bearded dragons can lead to health issues such as:
- Low Calcium levels and poor calcium-to-phosphorus ratio
- Tomatoes contain less calcium and double the amount of phosphorus which is unhealthy for beardies. Along with this, tomatoes have a poor calcium-to-phosphorus ratio is 1:3:1. Phosphorus does not allow calcium to be absorbed properly which can lead to kidney stones. So, always mix it with high high-calcium diet before feeding the bearded dragons
- High oxalate levels
- Tomatoes contain more oxalate that also prevents calcium absorption along with phosphorus and can lead to calcium deficiency in your beardies
- High acid levels
- Tomatoes are rich in acid like citric acid. This acidic nature of tomatoes can cause digestive issues, diarrhea, and dehydration in bearded dragons. It also prevents the absorption of some nutrients
High water content - Tomatoes contain 95% water content which is not very beneficial for beardies. As bearded dragons don’t need much water it can cause gastrointestinal tract issues like diarrhea
Conclusion
Moreover, it is concluded that tomatoes can be given to can bearded dragons eat tomatoes but only in a small amount. Don’t exceed the dosage more than once a month. To minimize health issues always mix it with calcium-rich feed.
Read also: Petfoodresearch
FAQ
Are other parts of tomato plants safe for bearded dragons to eat?
All the parts of tomato plants except ripe tomatoes (fruit part) are unhealthy for beardies like unripe tomatoes, stems, and leaves. These unhealthy parts contain a toxic compound solanine that can cause serious health issues like problems with chewing, ingestion, digestion, and even death
Are worms present on tomato plants healthy for bearded dragons?
Mostly worms like hornworms reside on tomato plants and these make a healthy and safe treat for beardies to eat. So, they can be given to can bearded dragons eat tomatoes as a diet
Are tomatoes safe for juvenile bearded dragons
No, juvenile beardies should not eat tomatoes as these are not very healthy for them. Their diet should contain more insects, fewer vegetables, and minute or no fruitsa
