Can Bearded Dragons Eat Grapes

Below is the reptile nutrition label for grapes. We created this label using data provided by the USDA and other nutrition sources.

Grape Health Concerns

Overall, the average grape isn't necessarily healthy or unhealthy. They provide a few nutritional benefits, but fewer than other fruits and veggies. With that said, we've found the below health concerns.

Grapes are just the right size and shape to make them a coking hazard for bearded dragons. You should cut grapes in half to reduce the risk of coking or impaction (blockage of digestive tracks).

Nearly 16% of a grape's weight is sugar, which is very high. To put this in perspective 9% of Coca-Cola's weight is sugar, so grapes contain roughly 50% more sugar than cola (by weight). Bearded dragons can handle a little sugar, but too much sugar overtime can lead to mouth decay and digestive issues.

There are many varieties of grapes. Some are better for wine, some for snacks, and others both. For simplicity we will break down grapes into two different categories. American grapes and European grapes. Unfortunately, green grapes, purple grapes, and red grapes are common colors in both European and American styles so you may need to reference the grape name when purchasing in stores to identify the correct variety.

American Style Grapes

These are grapes native to North America and are often called "slip-skin" grapes since they have a soft skin which can easily be peeled away from the fruit. American grapes are the healthiest for bearded dragons since they have more calcium than European grapes. Examples of American grapes include:

European Style Grapes

These are grapes native to Europe and are considered the best varieties for winemaking. European grapes normally have a tight skin and contain less calcium than the American varieties. This means bearded dragons fed European grapes will need to be served with foods high in calcium like arugula or kale to help offset the calcium imbalance. Examples of these grapes include:

Due to the high sugar content of grapes we recommend using them as treats. Too many grapes can give your bearded dragon far too much sugar and may lead to digestion issues. Feeding a few grapes to your bearded dragon once or twice a week should be fine, just try to limit the serving size and follow the preparation instructions below.

Don't worry about peeling the skin from grapes. Bearded dragons should be able to digest grape skins without any issues.

How to Prepare Grapes

Follow these instructions for all varieties of grapes. You should first wash your grapes to remove any loose debris and chemicals the grapes may have come in contact with at the store or during transportation.

Only feed your bearded dragon a few grapes, so pick and choose the desired grapes. Verify the stem has been completely removed from each grape and cut the grape in half. Cut the grapes into quarters if they are still too large for your beardie (cut until the grape is no larger than the distance between your bearded dragon's eyes).

Remove all seeds from the grapes (if the variety contains seeds). Mix in with other food and serve to your bearded dragon.