Bearded dragons are omnivores, which means that they need both meat and vegetables in their diet. However, they should not be fed exclusively on either meat or vegetables.
They should also however enjoy some fruits and other treats now and then to keep them happy and interested in their food.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Pineapple?
The quick answer is yes, bearded dragons can eat Pineapple, but very occasionally.
But can a bearded dragon eat pineapple every day?
No. A Bearded dragon should not eat pineapple more than a couple of times a month.
Pineapple can be toxic in excess for your lizard so it should not form a stable of your beardies diet.
You only ever want your beloved pet to eat raw, fresh, and peeled pineapple, that has been cut into small, manageable sized pieces.
Pineapple is a great treat for your beardies, and it is undeniably nutritious. It’s also an excellent source of vitamin C, water and other essential minerals.
- Can Bearded Dragons Eat Pineapple?
- Is Pineapple Safe for Bearded Dragons?
- Is Pineapple Healthy for Bearded Dragons to Eat?
- Vitamins in Pineapple
- Fiber in Pineapple
- Minerals in Pineapple
- Calcium to Phosphorus Ratio for Pineapple
- Oxalates in Pineapple
- Acid in Pineapple
- Preparing Pineapple for Bearded Dragons
- Can Bearded Dragons Eat Pineapple Leaves?
- Can Bearded Dragons Eat Pineapple Skin?
- Can Bearded Dragons Eat Pineapple Core?
- Can Bearded Dragons Eat Dried Pineapple?
- Can Bearded Dragons Eat Canned Pineapple?
- What's the Verdict? Can Bearded Dragons Eat Pineapples?
- Takeaways
- Related Articles
Is Pineapple Safe for Bearded Dragons?
As we said your Dragon won’t die if they have a few chunks of pineapple.
That doesn’t mean that feeding them pineapple doesn’t pose any risks. Fruit is high in sugar, this can lead to obesity and a range of other health problems for lizards.
More worrisome, though, is the fact that pineapple contains oxalates, which are compounds that bind with calcium.
This can be problematic because once those oxalates start joining with the calcium inside your bearded dragon, it can impair their ability to absorb calcium moving forward.
This means that you need to be careful about how often you give pineapple to your bearded dragon. Limit it to a couple of times a month, and definitely don’t make it an everyday treat!
Is Pineapple Healthy for Bearded Dragons to Eat?
Pineapple is a delicious fruit that is enjoyed by humans and other mammals all over the world. It comes with a host of benefits in the form of vitamins and minerals, but due to the oxalates found in pineapple, it is not a particularly healthy food for bearded dragons to eat regularly.
Vitamins in Pineapple
Pineapple is a good source of Vitamin C, which helps boost the immune system and allows bearded dragons to fight off potential diseases.
Pineapple is a good source of Vitamin A which is good for vision and skin health.
Vitamin B6, which helps create red blood cells.
Vitamin E, which prevents inflammation and builds up damaged cells.
Fiber in Pineapple
Fresh pineapple chunks contain a good amount of fiber.
Fiber is beneficial for the digestive system and helps bearded dragons fight off potential diseases.
Minerals in Pineapple
- Calcium – Vital mineral for beardies.
- Manganese – Plays an essential role in the way your body metabolizes food, clots blood, and keeps your bones healthy.
- Folate – Is an essential B vitamin necessary for producing red and white blood cells in bone marrow.
- Iron. – Iron is mostly needed with baby bearded dragons, Too much iron intake can cause long term health issues so it should be given with caution.
- Magnesium – Plays a crucial role in supporting Nerve and Muscle function and energy production.
- Phosphorus – Along with Calcium helps to build strong healthy bones.
- Potassium – This mineral helps regulate fluid balance, muscle contraction and nerve signals
- Zinc – Helps the immune system and metabolism function properly.
Calcium to Phosphorus Ratio for Pineapple
Bearded dragons need a high calcium to phosphorus ratio something in the region of at least 2:1 to avoid potential issues and problems with bone health.
Pineapple has a low ratio of 1:1 ratio meaning it has an equal amount of calcium and phosphorus and only contains trace amounts of both.
Therefore it is not an ideal food for a dragon’s diet.
Oxalates in Pineapple
Oxalates are a type of sugar found in many fruits and vegetables and can be harmful to bearded dragons if consumed in large amounts.
Pineapple is a good source of oxalates, but the amount found in fresh pineapple is relatively low. However, oxalates can be harmful to a dragon’s health and can even be lethal in high doses given regularly.
Acid in Pineapple
The common acids found within a pineapple are citric and malic acids.
Citric Acid
Citrus fruits, like pineapples, contain citric acid. In humans, this acid can irritate the stomach lining and cause heartburn.
The same thing can happen to a bearded dragon. Citric acid can irritate your beardies digestive tract which can cause diarrhoea and lead to dehydration.
If your beardie suffers from a sustained period of diarrhoea they will eventually become unable to properly absorb the essential nutrients required to keep them happy and healthy. Resulting in your bearded dragon’s health declining.
Preparing Pineapple for Bearded Dragons
Buy fresh and ripe pineapples.
Remove the tops and leaves. Wash the pineapple fruit and peel.
Cut the pineapple and remove the core. Chop the fleshy part of the pineapple into small easy to manage pieces.
Now simply mix the pineapple with other fruits and vegetables of your choice to make a healthy and nutritious meal for your lizard.
Remember to only feed your dragon the ripe fleshy part of the fruit – the other parts of the fruit can potentially be harmful.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Pineapple Leaves?
Bearded dragons should only eat the fresh nutritional fruit cut into small pieces, not its leaves.
The leaves of pineapple do not really have any nutritional value and therefore, a typical diet for a beardie should not include them.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Pineapple Skin?
Feeding pineapple skin to bearded dragons should not be considered because pineapple skin is full of tiny thorns that will hurt the lizard when trying to digest it and the skin is also incredibly tough and rough.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Pineapple Core?
Pineapple core is highly nutritious, and any diligent beardie keeper will want to research this before feeding it to the beardies.
That being said, your dragon will have a hard time digesting the core, and might eventually cause a choking hazard.
The pineapple core is also not as tasty and juicy as the fruit itself, so the beardies will hold back on eating it.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Dried Pineapple?
Beardies can eat dried pineapple, but it should be strictly kept away from a dragon’s diet due to the high levels of oxalate compared with fresh pineapple.
Fresh pineapple contains only 4mg of oxalate per cup whereas dried pineapple can contain 30mg of oxalate per 1/2 cup.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Canned Pineapple?
Canned pineapple is low in nutrients compared to fresh pineapple. Canned pineapple can also contain as much as 30mg of oxalate per 1/2 cup.
Canned pineapple often has added preservatives that can potentially be toxic to your bearded dragon.
But if you’re interested in what other foods you can feed your beardie friend, we have a range of posts dedicated to a bearded dragon’s diet that’s helpful.
What’s the Verdict? Can Bearded Dragons Eat Pineapples?
Bearded dragons are safe to eat fresh ripe pineapple in moderation.
There may even be some benefits to feeding a bearded dragon pineapple, but it depends on the type of pineapple you give your lizard.
It’s important when introducing any new food to your beardie that you follow the guidelines so that you don’t jeopardize their health.
Bearded dragons may consume pineapples only if they are fed it occasionally and as part of a healthy diet and with supervision.
Takeaways
Pineapple is a healthy fruit to us Humans, but to our lizard friends, pineapple is much more of a treat food and should really only be fed to them once or twice a month.
The only part of the pineapple you should feed your beardie is the fleshy insides of a pineapple.
Stay away from:
- Pineapple Skin
- Pineapple Leaves
- Pineapple Core
- Dried Pineapple
- Canned Pineapple
There are many other foods more suitable for your bearded dragon than pineapple.
Where possible your bearded dragon’s diet should replicate what they would naturally eat in the wild.
This will include foods like insects, vegetables, fruits and other greens.
