An Update on Companion Inland Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps) Nutrition

Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2024 Jan;27(1):71-84. doi: 10.1016/j.cvex.2023.08.002. Epub 2023 Sep 14.

Abstract

Evidence-based recommendations for the amount, type, and frequency of food items and supplements are lacking for bearded dragons. General recommendations based on ecological data, a few studies, and experts in the field are to: provide at least 50% high-fiber plant matter dusted in pure calcium and less than 50% adult and lower fat larval insects gut loaded with an 8% calcium diet and dusted with pure calcium, provide ultraviolet B lighting for vitamin D3 synthesis, provide multivitamins on a weekly basis, or monthly at minimum, provide a water dish large enough to soak and drink.

Keywords: Bearded dragon; Calcium; Diet; Insect; Nutrition; Omnivore; Ultraviolet B light; Vegetation.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium*
  • Lizards*

Substances

  • Calcium