Can Bearded Dragons Eat Persimmons? (All You Need to Know)

Can bearded dragons eat persimmons or Sharon fruit?

Bearded dragons cannot eat persimmons as these fruits have minerals and acids that may harm the reptiles. Its acid contents may irritate the dragon’s digestive tract and cause diarrhea.

It’s crucial to fulfill your beardie nutrient requirement while keeping them away from food items that may cause health risks. Thus, I searched more about the best fruits and vegetables for these reptiles and what food items you should avoid feeding them. This guide will help you create a diet plan for your scaly friend and keep their health in top condition.

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Persimmons, Whether Freshly Picked or Dried?

Bearded dragons cannot eat persimmons as it’s an unhealthy food item that may cause severe ailments. Fresh Sharon fruit has an improper calcium-to-phosphorus ratio and high amounts of acids and vitamin C. On the other hand, dried persimmons may cause obesity because they contain too much sugar.

What Ailments Can Bearded Dragons Get from Eating Persimmons?

Some common ailments that your beardy may get from eating Sharon fruit are:

1. Gastrointestinal Problem

The excessive acid content and Vitamin C in persimmons and other fruits can irritate the reptile’s stomach lining, causing diarrhea and dehydration. 

While beardies are desert reptiles that frequently experience dehydration, excessive dehydration reduces their body’s nutrient absorption. It thus increases the chance of acquiring various health complications and even death.

2. Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD)

Persimmons also have a 1:2 calcium-to-phosphorous ratio, which means they have low calcium but high phosphorous content. Thus, feeding these regularly to your pet may cause them to develop Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD).

Bearded dragons, especially young ones under two years old, usually develop MBD when they consume more phosphorous and insufficient calcium. This ailment causes their skeletal system to become weak; thus, their x-ray results may show thin, fractured, and soft bones. 

A reptile with an MBD may thus experience movement difficulty, like having shaky legs while walking. Other symptoms may include reduced appetite, muscle twitching, and reduced energy.

3. Obesity

While fresh persimmons sound unsuitable for beardies, you have probably thought of giving dried Sharon fruit to your pet. The problem is that dried persimmons contain a lot of sugar that could cause your scaly friend to become obese. And obesity can make them prone to different ailments and even shorten their lifespan.

You’ll typically know that an adult beardy is obese if it weighs more than 800gm. However, the ideal weight for this reptile depends on its age and size, so it’s better to consult a vet to diagnose obesity.

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Other Fruit Aside from Persimmons?

Bearded dragons can eat different fruits as long as it won’t put their health at risk. So, always remember these points when serving fruits for your pet’s snack:

1. Choose Fruits Safe for Beardies

Only choose non-acidic fruits for your pet’s meals, like apples, bananas, peaches, grapes, and watermelons. As mentioned above, acid is unhealthy for these reptiles, so always keep acidic fruits away, like pineapple and citrus. 

Moreover, be wary of chemicals commercially-grown plants may contain, like pesticides. These substances can harm your pet and cause severe ailments or even death.

2. Feed Fruits in Small amounts

Fruits have lesser nutritional content than other plant-based food like veggies. So, only serve these in small amounts to your scaly pet, like only giving them apples once a week or a month.

Fruits should only comprise up to 20% of your pet’s plant intake. Feed them more vegetables like kale. 

You might be interested in Can Bearded Dragons Eat Honeysuckle?

What Other Food Can Bearded Dragons Eat, Aside from Fruits?

You have a lot of food options for your little scaly friend, like:

1. Vegetables

As mentioned above, veggies are excellent food choices for beardies. They carry a lot of essential nutrients your pet needs, like calcium and B vitamins. 

Dragons eat common vegetables like kale, carrots, pumpkins, green beans, and cabbage.

2. Bugs

Beardies are omnivorous reptiles, so they should also consume insects and other prey. These food items provide protein, water, fats, and calcium, among other essential nutrients they need. 

Some common bugs they consume are Dubia roaches, crickets, daddy-long-legs, and earthworms. However, only feed them with bug feeders you can purchase from pet shops to avoid critters covered with parasites and insecticides.

How to Keep Bearded Dragons Safe from Ailments Caused by Improper Diet?

You want to keep your scaly friend healthy. So, always remember these points to avoid ailments poor diet may cause to dragons:

1. Remember Proper Food Portioning

Remember some proper food portioning notes when feeding bearded dragons.

Hatchlings and young reptiles need more protein while growing up. So, feed them 80% to 90% bugs and only 10% to 20% plants.

Adult dragons need more nutrients from plants. So, feed them 80% to 90% plants and 10% to 20% bugs.

2. Avoid Unsafe Food Items

Some food items cause severe ailments or even death to beardies, so you must never feed them to your pet. 

Examples include citrus fruits, pineapple, avocado, onions, and garlic. Also, keep poisonous bugs away, like wasps and bees. 

Consult a vet to know more about unsafe and unhealthy food for your reptile.

3. Bring Your Pet on a Regular Vet Check-Up

While you may follow the essential points for feeding bearded dragons, your pet may still get sick because of different causes.

So, bring your beardy on regular check-ups every 6 to 12 months. A vet can quickly determine and address any health issue your scaly friend may have. They can also help adjust your pet’s diet and suggest supplements.

Summary

So, can bearded dragons eat persimmons and include them in their diet?

No, beardies shouldn’t eat Sharon fruit as it contains minerals and vitamins that can harm them. And you should also avoid giving the reptiles other food items that could cause health complications.

It’s thus vital to know the best food options for your dragon’s diet. So, always consult a vet to get expert advice.