Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have been paying close attention to what people here say their dragons eat, which is a LOT of different stuff. I have seen a number of people mention that they give their dragons pinkies; I tried to give mine a few and they loved them. It occurred to me to ask why we can't just feed them uncooked cubed bits of meat (chicken. beef, fish) that we are preparing for our own family?
I have never seen anyone say they do, and am curious as to why?

I just gonna say before hand someone is probably gonna say they have too much protein and fat.I don't really understand why you can't feed dogfood.

Two things.

1) As someone stated earlier, their system is meant to digest certain things. This doesn't fall into that category very well.

2) Live protein is needed. (This is from my vet) You can't go without live food, the protein in it has certain qualities that are needed for a healthy dragon.
-----
1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (Zeo)
0.2.0 Leopard Geckos (Vienna, Chomps)
1.0.0 Golden Retriever (Rocky, 11 y.o.)

Your vet is incorrect if he/she is telling you that there is a chemical difference between live/dead protein that would affect nutrition.

Dog food has very different composition from what a beardie should eat. If you look at the protein/fat/fibre values, there are senior dog foods that would match in protein, but be way, way too high in fat for a beardie, and far too low in fibre. There are other additives that are fine for dogs, but may not be fine for reptiles as well. If anyone has ever had a dog get into chicken feed and die, they've learned the hard way about animals, similar feeds, and additives... poultry feed can be quite similar to dog food, but certain additives that are good for chickens is highly toxic to dogs.

Those things are all high in fat, and they can pick up bacteria and parasites from uncooked meats. They wouldn't eat a cow in the wild, so it really isn't part of their normal diet. Pinkies are usually only fed to females after they lay their eggs to help them regain the lost weight.
-----

you should only feed pinkies to underweight dragons and females that are going into brumation and when dragons come out of brumation.
-----
later,mike

the reason dog food or cooked chicken etc are not recommended to feed to bearded dragons is simple. Those kinds of food are not good for them. Bearded dragons eat insects and vegetation in the wild and their bodies are geared to digest these kinds of food.

Dog food is specially formulated to meet the nutritional needs of dogs, not reptiles and with several kinds of pelletted food made especially for dragons, there certainly isn't any need to consider feeding dogfood to them.

The ideal thing bearded dragon breeders try to do is feed as close a diet as a bearded dragon would naturally get as possible, to ensure they are as healthy as they can be. It's the same with responsible pet ownwers, we all try to ensure our pets are getting the proper nutrition so they remain healthy and live long and happy lives.

Well, Big Macs are not good for us either, and they are not found in the wild but we eat them anyhow.
I was more looking for scientific fact, I am a currious sort and like to know why stuff is, the way it is. Saying that 'it is that way in nature' is good but I am seeking a more in depth scientific explanation. Who knows, if crickets and chicken are chemically compared they may be closer nutritionally than one might think (as long as neither are deep fried

I would not feed pinkies to a bearded dragon because it's very high in fat for one thing, but they could harbor a variety of parasites including salmonella, pinworms, and the like.

Do not feed a bearded dragon human meat--high in fat, additives, and not nutritious enough. This can indeed shorten their lifespan.

Crickets is a good staple, gutloaded and occasionally sprinkled with vit powder and calcium/d3 powder. An occasional superworm for a treat. And lots of fresh veges. Give them strictly what is good for them to minimize the chances of getting parasites, and for a longer life beardie

Jadefox

Blue tongue skinks seem to do fine on a diet of dog food with collard greens mixed in and I have yet to see a obese blue tongue.Blue tongues are also omnivores and eat plants and bugs in the wild snails,worms, and basically whatever they can get their claws on.

Is a blue tongued skink a bearded dragon?

Fox