The bearded dragon diet calculator shows correct insect-to-salad ratios, feeding frequency, and calcium dusting schedules based on your dragon's life stage. Juveniles and adults have dramatically different nutritional needs — this guide ensures you're feeding the right amounts at the right times.
Select Life Stage
Diet Breakdown
Feeding Schedule
Supplement Schedule
Approved Foods
How to Use the Bearded Dragon Diet Calculator
Bearded dragons are omnivores with nutritional needs that change substantially as they grow. Juveniles prioritize protein for rapid growth while adults shift to a primarily vegetarian diet. Getting this transition right is one of the most important aspects of bearded dragon care.
Step 1: Select Your Dragon's Life Stage
Juvenile dragons (under 6 months) grow extremely fast and need high protein from insects — 70% of their diet. Sub-adults (6–18 months) are transitioning and eat roughly 50/50. Adults (18+ months) should be primarily herbivores — 70% leafy greens and vegetables, 30% insects. Many owners fail their adult dragons by continuing juvenile-level insect feeding, which leads to obesity and fatty liver disease.
Step 2: Follow the Feeding Frequency
Juvenile bearded dragons have a tiny stomach and high metabolic rate — feed insects 2–3 times daily (10 minutes per session) and offer fresh salad at all times. Adults should get fresh salad every morning (greens deteriorate nutritional value if left all day) and insects every other day or every 2–3 days depending on body condition. Overweight adults can cut insects further.
Step 3: Never Skip Calcium Supplementation
Metabolic bone disease (MBD) is the most common preventable health issue in captive bearded dragons, caused by calcium deficiency or improper Ca:P ratio. Dust all insect feeders with calcium powder before feeding. Use calcium without D3 for most dustings and calcium with D3 only 2x per week for juveniles and 1x per week for adults to avoid D3 toxicity from over-supplementation.
FAQ
What do bearded dragons eat?
Bearded dragons eat a mix of live insects and leafy greens. Juveniles need more protein for growth (70% insects, 30% salad), while adults shift to a plant-heavy diet (30% insects, 70% salad). Approved insects include dubia roaches, crickets, and black soldier fly larvae. Salads include collard greens, mustard greens, butternut squash, and blueberries.
How often should I feed a juvenile bearded dragon?
Juveniles under 6 months old should be fed insects 2–3 times daily (all they can eat in 10 minutes) with salad available at all times. Sub-adults (6–18 months) transition to once daily insects plus daily salad. Adults (18+ months) are fed insects every 1–2 days with fresh salad daily.
How often should I dust crickets with calcium?
Juvenile bearded dragons need calcium dusting at every insect feeding. Adults need calcium dusting every other feeding. Use calcium without D3 for most dustings, and calcium with D3 twice a week for juveniles, once a week for adults, as excessive D3 can cause toxicity.
What vegetables are toxic to bearded dragons?
Avoid spinach, beet greens, and Swiss chard (high oxalates bind calcium), iceberg lettuce (no nutrition), avocado (toxic), and rhubarb (toxic). Also avoid fireflies and lightning bugs — they are lethally toxic to bearded dragons in tiny quantities.
My beardie is not eating — is that normal?
Temporary food refusal is common during brumation (winter dormancy), shedding, breeding season, or after a stressful event. If a healthy adult skips meals for a week or two during winter, this is typically brumation. Extended refusal in juveniles (more than a few days) warrants a vet check as juveniles need consistent nutrition for growth.
What size crickets should I feed my bearded dragon?
The general rule: insects should never be larger than the space between your beardie's eyes. Oversized insects can cause impaction, paralysis, or regurgitation. For juveniles under 3 months, use pinhead or 1/4 inch crickets. Adults can handle large crickets or adult dubia roaches.