There’s no fruit quite like kiwi. Packed with fiber, antioxidants, folate, and vitamins, this unique green fruit is a beneficial addition to most people’s diet. Can bearded dragons eat kiwi? You might want to pause before you let your bearded dragon eat kiwi, especially if it’s something you want to offer frequently. Let’s take a more in-depth look.
Can Bearded Dragons Have Kiwi?
Bearded dragons are omnivorous, meaning they eat both plants and insects. Baby bearded dragons should primarily eat insects, while adult bearded dragons should primarily eat plants.
Of the plants bearded dragons eat, fruit tends to be a universal favorite. Most dragons would gladly gobble up fruit like kiwi every day if they could. However, fruit consumption needs to be regulated in your bearded dragon’s diet because it can cause some serious health issues (much like too many donuts can cause health issues for humans).
With that being said, bearded dragons can eat kiwi safely as long as it’s only once or twice a month. It’s a wonderful treat for them, but like any treat, too much of a good thing is simply that: too much.
Before we take a look at the harm of too much kiwi, let’s look at the benefits of the proper amount.
Kiwi is a highly nutritional fruit that can benefit your dragon in many ways. It has:
- Antioxidants for the immune system, digestion, and reduced inflammation
- Loads of Vitamin C for a healthy immune system
- Vitamin E for reduced inflammation and strengthened cells
- Vitamin K for bone strength and blood clotting
- Potassium for heart health
- Fiber for digestion
- Folate for tissue and cells
- Copper for healthy blood
- Calcium for bone health and overall wellness
- A little protein for strength and energy
- Zinc for recovery from injuries
Kiwi also contains no fat—a wonderful quality for any pet beardie, but especially for adult bearded dragons who can easily become obese and suffer from tooth decay and other issues if they eat too many fatty or sugary foods. On that note, kiwis are also fairly low in sugar, making them almost perfect for bearded dragons.
One last perk worth mentioning: Kiwi has a calcium to phosphorus ratio of 1:1. This falls right into the ideal range for bearded dragons (1:1 to 2:1 in favor of calcium). This ratio is always important to consider because too much phosphorus prevents calcium absorption and can cause metabolic bone disease, which is a painful condition you don’t want your dragon to deal with.
Why Bearded Dragons Can Only Eat Kiwi Once a Month
Even with all its benefits, kiwi has one particular shortcoming that prevents it from being a bearded dragon’s staple fruit. Kiwi contains a moderate amount of oxalic acid, which you may also know as oxalates.
Similar to phosphorus, oxalic acid prevents calcium absorption and depletes the dragon’s supply in the body. Too much oxalic acid causes metabolic bone disease over time.
You can help prevent this by limiting foods with moderate to high oxalic acid levels and supplying proper calcium supplementation (usually a mix of calcium and Vitamin D3 is best since Vitamin D3 is necessary for calcium absorption).
How Can Bearded Dragons Eat Kiwi?
When you’re ready to feed your bearded dragon kiwi, it’s pretty simple to prepare.
- Choose organic kiwi when possible.
- Make sure the kiwi is ripe.
- Consider washing the kiwi even though your bearded dragon won’t be eating the peel. If your kiwi isn’t organic this just helps to ensure that any pesticides or chemicals are washed away.
- Slice the kiwi peel away or cut the kiwi in half and scoop out the green fruit.
- Chop the kiwi into very small pieces. Make sure all of the peel is removed since it’s very difficult for your dragon to digest. Kiwi seeds are safe for your dragon to eat, although you may notice they appear undigested in his poo.
- You can serve kiwi alone or in a salad of nutrient-dense greens like kale, dandelion leaves, or collard greens, and you can mix in nutritious veggies like carrots.
If it weren’t for the oxalic acid, bearded dragons could probably eat kiwi on a weekly basis. But as it stands, save this superfood as a delicious, nutritious monthly treat. Your beardie will thank you!
If you have questions or feedback, please email us at team@dragonsdiet.com
