Can Bearded Dragons Eat Strawberries

Below is the reptile nutrition label for strawberries. We created this label using information from the USDA and other reputable nutrition sources.

Strawberry Health Concerns

Strawberries are winners when it comes to flavor, but are not choice for nutrition. Below are some of the health concerns you should be aware of when feeding strawberries to bearded dragons.

Bearded dragons need calcium for skeletal health, however strawberries have more phosphorus than calcium which is not ideal. This is because phosphorus prevents calcium from being absorbed (read our calcium guide for more details). This means you will need to serve strawberries with other foods rich in calcium like arugula or kale to keep the minerals balanced.

Strawberries have an average pH of 3.3, which is too acidic for bearded dragons. Acidic foods can cause mouth and digestion discomfort when fed to bearded dragons too regularly. You can offset this discomfort by cutting strawberries into smaller pieces and mixing in foods that are more alkaline like kale.

Other Areas of Interest

Below are some other items worth mentioning regarding strawberry nutrition.

Surprisingly strawberries are lower in sugar than you think. Many reptile blogs incorrectly state strawberries have too much sugar for bearded dragons, but a 100g serving of strawberries only contains 4.9g of sugar, which is about the same as carrots.

Strawberries can be fed to bearded dragons in moderation. If you choose to feed your beardie strawberries do so no more than once per week and mix in the strawberries with other food items to keep the meal balanced.

What Types of Strawberries are Best?

You should only feed your beardie fresh strawberries purchased at the store or grown locally. Do not feed frozen strawberries, strawberry preserves, dried strawberries, or strawberries from any types of fruit mixes. Non-fresh strawberries normally have preservatives and/or sugars added which alter the nutritional benefits of the fruit.

Strawberry Preparation

You should wash the strawberries before serving to remove any loose debris or chemicals the strawberry may have come in contact with at the store or during transportation.

Cut the strawberries into small pieces. Make sure each piece is smaller than the distance between your beardies eyes to reduce the risks of choking. Feel free to leave the strawberry tops on as bearded dragons can eat the strawberry leaves.

Below are some frequently asked questions regarding serving strawberries.