Can Bearded Dragons Eat Bananas? (15 Interesting Facts!)

For the last about three decades adapting reptiles as pets has gained popularity. The bearded dragon is the most adapted lizard in this group from the species Pogona. Considered gentle, inquisitive, and active during the day.

Can bearded dragons eat bananas? The simple answer is yes, in small quantities, like once in a fortnight or a month. Bananas have many good nutrients including calcium and phosphorus. Excessive feeding can be dangerous for beardie’s health because of the high sugar content in bananas.

It is only a few decades since these reptiles are being studied in captivity. Information and data are being collected and people are becoming aware of the temperaments and characteristics of the bearded dragons.

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Bananas

Food is most important for the survival and growth of any living being. To be sure they are feeding their pet beardie the right diet, pet owners ask can bearded dragons eat bananas. 

In the wild the animals by instinct will eat the right food, otherwise, they will just perish. Bearded dragons are omnivorous lizards. They eat small insects, vegetables, and fruits.

In captivity, the caregiver must provide food similar to its natural food so it remains healthy and stress-free. The diet must provide the right nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and other essential ingredients.

Pet owners ask can bearded dragons eat bananas or can bearded dragons have bananas, so they are sure they are feeding their beardies the right diet.

Yes, beardies can be fed bananas and will like them. Anything in excess can be unhealthy. Too much of a banana is not good and can be dangerous.

Bananas have many nutrients including calcium and phosphorus. Calcium is needed by the bearded dragons for the development of their bones. In bananas, the ratio of phosphorus to calcium is 3:1.

The excess phosphorus binds with calcium, making less or no calcium available to the beardie’s body. If bananas are given for an extended time, it can cause calcium depletion, which can lead to serious and deadly conditions of Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD).

Another reason for not giving bananas to the beardie is the high sugar content in ripe bananas. This easily leads to obesity and other health issues.

For these reasons, bananas should be given in controlled amounts and sparingly, like once a fortnight or once a month.

Vets recommend that fruits make the smallest part of the bearded dragon’s diet. There is a likelihood of the beardie to start disliking the veggies in preference to the fruits.

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Raw Bananas

When bearded dragon lovers ask can bearded dragons eat bananas they mean to be sure they feed the right amount of the fruit to their loved pet.

Green bananas are unripe bananas. They have the same constituents as any banana, however, in the green state, it has a high amount of starch and pectin and fiber. As banana ripens the starch converts into sugars.

More starch is not recommended for beardies, as starch is hard to digest by many beardie species. In addition, starch absorbs water during digestion which could lead to constipation.

So for a bearded dragon raw bananas do not have any benefits over the ripe banana. Hence it should be avoided just like ripe bananas.

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Dry Bananas

Besides other minerals and nutrients, bananas are high in sugar. To the query can bearded dragons eat banana when dry (water removed), the answer would be with caution.

Sugar is not healthy for a beardie. When dry, the sugar concentration is very high per weight of banana. So just a small bit would be enough to go beyond its requirement of sugar quota.

It should be fed rarely if required as a treat. Some vets are against giving it at all.

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Bananas Every Day?

To the query can bearded dragons have bananas every day the answer is a strict no. The high concentration of phosphorus and sugar is not good at all for the beardie.

Phosphorus is three times the calcium in bananas. Phosphorus combines with calcium, making less calcium available to the reptile’s body and bones, making the pet sick and ultimately can result in its death.

How Much Banana Is Too Much For Bearded Dragons?

Vets and specialists who have studied the reptiles have found answers to the question: can bearded dragons eat bananas.

Based on the nutrient value of bananas and the bearded dragon’s nutrition requirements, bananas are not a very friendly diet for the beardie. The beardie needs calcium for its bones and health.

The high ratio of 3:1 of phosphorus to calcium in bananas is not good. Phosphorus blocks calcium from being absorbed by the reptile’s body/bones. Bananas are also high in sugar.

For this reason, it should be given sparingly, like once in two weeks or even once a month.

As to its size and quantity, it should be a small bite, about beardie’s eye so it can swallow easily. The vets recommend an average size banana for one feed.

In any case, due to toxicity on overdose, it is recommended once in a month or maybe twice a month maximum. For an adult beardie, an average size banana is OK for a one-time feed. For a juvenile, a smaller portion will do.

How Frequent Can Bearded Dragons Eat Bananas?

The vets and bearded dragon pet owners say yes to can bearded dragons eat bananas, but agree that bananas should not be given frequently to the beardie.

Because of the inherent high phosphorus to calcium ratio and the high sugar contents of bananas, it is not a good diet for the bearded dragon.

The phosphorus combines with calcium and prevents the latter from reaching the body and bones. For this reason, it is to be given rarely, like once in a fortnight or even less, once in a month.

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Banana Peels?

With the query can bearded dragons eat bananas people ask bearded dragon banana peel. Like bananas, their peels also have many vitamins and magnesium. It can be given as natural feed.

As is the case with bananas, the peel should not be given too often. It should be limited to once or a maximum of twice a month. If the beardie likes it, preferably it should be given with the banana pulp.

One can try giving the fruit with skin and see how the bearded dragon reacts to it. Make small pieces, so it does not choke the bearded dragon.

Always wash the skin/peel with thorough water and rubbing to remove traces of any pesticide, chemicals, and parasites.

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Banana Leaves?

As with the saying can bearded dragons eat bananas, banana leaves can be fed to the bearded dragon.

Just like most of the leafy greens, banana leaves can also be given without harm, but sparingly like the banana fruit itself.

Banana leaf contains many vitamins like B6, B12, C, fiber, and polyphenols which are natural antioxidants.

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Banana Chips?

Banana chips, much liked by humans, are thin slices of dried banana fried in oil to make them crispy. Further coated with sugar or honey and salt and spices to give more flavor and taste.

This is worse than the expression can bearded dragons eat bananas. The banana chips are high in calories, sugar, oil (saturated fat), which are all bad for the health of the bearded dragon.

They will lead to obesity and fatty oil will give high cholesterol. It should only be given rarely, just as a treat. 1 or 2 chips maximum in one feed in a month.

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Banana Seeds?

The normal bananas we buy from the market are the seedless variety. The ones with seeds are the ‘wild’ ones. These are used for cooking in Southeast Asia. Banana seeds are non-toxic and are consumed by humans ripe or unripe.

For a bearded dragon, eating seeds of any kind can be dangerous, as its digestive system is not built to absorb the hard shell of the seed. Giving banana seeds is not worse than can bearded dragons eat bananas.

If taken in large quantities, seeds can be lodged in their intestine resulting in impaction. This could turn serious if not treated. Watch the pet defecating, if there is any change from normal, consult the vet immediately.

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Banana Bread?

Similar to the query can bearded dragons eat bananas, people ask if a beardie can be given banana bread.

Although the banana bread has ripe banana as the main ingredient, it also has added sugar, butter and nuts, and yogurt, etc., which are all bad for the beardie.

It is preferable not to give banana bread to the bearded dragon, as it has no nutritional value for the beardie. Plus there is always the possibility of the bread piece getting choked as the beardie cannot chew well.

Ideal Bearded Dragon’s Diet

Besides knowing can bearded dragons eat banana, beardie lovers also want to know what would be the ideal diet for a bearded dragon.

In the wild bearded dragons have a varied diet. They are omnivorous, they eat insects, small vertebrates, vegetables, fruits, and greens.

The young beardies diet comprises 75% proteins (insects) and 25% plants. As it grows older the diet ratio changes to 75% herbivorous and 25% carnivorous.

Vets say as a rule of thumb the bearded dragon’s diet should be 50% animal-based and 50% plant-based. Always consult the vet, as he will suggest specifically for your pet.

Bearded dragons have been adapted as pets for only about three decades and have not been ‘domesticated’ fully. Not much is known about captive feed habits.

Vets and enthusiasts agree that in captivity beardie’s diet should match as closely to the natural diet. They have come up with lists of insects, greens, vegetables, and fruits that have good nutritional value for the bearded dragon. Here is one.

• Ants and beetles, Dubia roaches, crickets, earthworms, and superworms.
• Cabbage, carrots, collard greens, dandelion greens, kale, pumpkin, and sweet potato.
• Apples, bananas, blueberries, grapes, peaches, strawberries, and watermelon.

Keep a variety of mix, so the bearded dragon is not bored and does not get stuck on one type of feed.

Leafy greens should be fed a lot, like collard greens, dandelion, and kale. They are high in calcium and other minerals and vitamins.

Fruits should be the last in priority, as they are high in sugars and acidic mostly, which is not healthy for the bearded dragon.

Banana nutritional information for bearded dragons

When the bearded dragon pet owners ask can bearded dragons have bananas or can bearded dragons eat bananas they actually mean how much banana is safe to give to the beardie.

Below table lists some of the main and important components and nutrients in ripe bananas which might be of interest to pet owners. For more details can refer to USDA Agricultural Research Service

All figures are average and rounded off. These values are for 100 grams of banana. For other weights, interpolate.

Can Bearded Dragons Have Bananas?

It has been just a few decades since adoption of bearded dragons as pets. Information about their habits in captivity is being gathered and shared.

Enthusiasts are always asking like can bearded dragons eat bananas, or do bearded dragons eat bananas, or what fruits can bearded dragons eat.

One should always be careful with the feed of the pet at home. Their digestive system is not 100% like human beings. Things that are good for us, are maybe poison for some pets.

Same is the case with bearded dragons eating bananas. As reported by many pet owners, the beardies like bananas. But we have to be careful how much we feed them.

Bananas have a high ratio of phosphoric acid to calcium which is 3 to 1. Both are very good nutrients and required by the beardie, especially calcium.

The excess or high percentage of phosphorus binds with calcium, thus preventing the latter from being available to the body of the pet for absorption in bones to make them stronger.

Too much feeding of bananas will result in calcium depletion, which can lead to a serious and deadly condition of metabolic bone disease (MBD).

Further bananas are also rich in sugars (especially ripe bananas). Eating too much sugar will make the beardie obese and diabetic.

People also want to know can bearded dragons eat dragon fruit, or what fruits bearded dragons can eat.

As most of the fruits are acidic and high in sugars, they should not form the staple diet. However, they can be made part of the supplement to give a variety.

Suggested fruits for the beardie. Use discretion to feed.

Do Bearded Dragons Like Bananas?

Bearded dragon pet owners ask can bearded dragons eat banana, or can bearded dragons have bananas. Their query comes because they have reported that their pets like bananas if given to them.

They want to be sure it is safe and how many bananas to give to their loved ones. It is not necessary that all beardies like bananas. One can try to feed them and see the result.

Offer bananas in different forms. Peeled and sliced, whole banana unpeeled cut into bite-size, feed with your own hand, leave it in beardie’s cage and observe if it has eaten it.

Remove any rotten food immediately. And clean the place.

Sometimes the beardie may not eat anything. This could be that the pet is disturbed due to surroundings or environment.

They are very sensitive. Even the presence of a new person or another animal can disturb the bearded dragon.

Should I Feed Bananas To Bearded Dragons?

All new pet owners of bearded dragons can bearded dragons eat bananas. There is no harm in feeding bananas to your beloved beardie.

However do not exceed the recommended feed, which is just one average-size banana once in two weeks or once a month. Fruits, generally due to their acidity and high sugar are not recommended as part of their staple diet.

Fruits are to be given sparingly as a treat. In captivity, a beardie’s diet should match its natural diet, and it should be well balanced to include all nutrients essential for its health and growth and good immunity.

Concerning the feeding of bearded dragons, people also ask how do I get my bearded dragon to eat or how to get a bearded dragon to eat.

The bearded dragons have a natural habit of brumating, which is temperature-induced. As such they will not eat but only drink water. During brumation, one should not be worried about how to get bearded dragon to eat.

Bearded dragons’ temperaments are easily affected by their surroundings. A change in temperature, light, humidity, diet, and even presence of a new member or animal will disturb the pet, and he may stop eating.

On how to make your bearded dragon eat, try to remove the distraction, and make the beardie feel comfortable. There could be other obvious reasons also like illness, medication, stomach problems, and injury.

Final Verdict On Can Bearded Dragons Eat Bananas

Adapting bearded dragons as pets is relatively a new fad with people. Extensive research and data are not available for the habits and characteristics of bearded dragons.

For these reasons beardie pet lovers ask questions like can bearded dragons eat bananas, so they are sure they feed the right diet to their loving pet.

Bananas have a lot of good nutrition, vitamins, minerals and are considered a good food item. Unfortunately, the bearded dragon cannot eat this for a long time. This has been demonstrated by actual experience.

For its health and life safety, bananas should be given sparingly, like once in two weeks or once a month. This is mostly due to the two ingredients present. Phosphorus and sugar.

Due to the high ratio of phosphorus to calcium (3 to1), phosphorus binds chemically with calcium, which then makes calcium unavailable to the beardie’s body.

If fed for a longer period the beardie won’t be able to use calcium for its body and bones and will be deficient in calcium. This could ultimately lead to the serious and deadly condition of metabolic bone disease (MBD).

Sugar is bad as it leads to obesity and diabetes.

The best is to provide a balanced diet similar to its natural food in the wild. Always consult a vet for your loved one.

Other Bearded dragon food and nutrition content you may want to know

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Tomatoes?

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Kale?

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Watermelon?

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Blackberries?

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Bell Peppers?

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Broccoli?

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Strawberries?

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Spinach?

Rajkumar Ravichandran

Welcome to Learn About Pet. My name is Rajkumar Ravichandran and I love all pets, travel, and amazing food. I write about my passion and personal experience caring for multiple pets in this blog! ❤️