Everyone loves the sweetness and tartness of a bright red cherry. Bearded dragon owners often wonder if they can feed their beardies cherries. Yes! You can feed your bearded dragon cherries! The only catch is that you will want to feed your bearded dragon cherries sparingly. Overfeeding can cause upset stomachs and obesity. Check out the fruits for bearded dragons.
Nutritional Components of Cherries
The nutritional components of cherries are great for your bearded dragon. Cherries contain vitamin C, fiber, iron, magnesium, phosphorus and calcium. Many fruits lack calcium so it is important to feed your beardie cherries or other foods high in calcium such as kale and mustard greens.
Since they’re on the lower end of the food chain, not only do beaded dragons get fewer nutrients from their diet than meat-eaters but what little they do get comes packaged with calories that add up fast. This means that if you add too many sweet treats into their meals it will lead to problems like obesity and malnutrition. So watch out for sugars and starches!
- Sugar content of cherries: 17 grams per 100 grams
- Calories: 114 per 100 grams
- 1 Cup of Cherries 90 grams (3 ounces)
- Calories: 37
- Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Carbs: 11.2g
- Sugars 10.7g
- Dietary Fiber 1.4g
- Protein: 1.2g
- Vitamin A 2%
- Iron 3%
Feeding Guidelines for Cherries
Since most people feed their beardies fruit as a treat and not as a staple, the exact amount you should give your bearded dragon really depends on how many other things you’re feeding them, and how much they eat of those things. They may or may not take to cherries with the same gusto as they would bananas and mangos, but here are some guidelines to get you started:
Your bearded dragon might not want to eat all of the cherries you give him. That’s okay! Cherries are pretty low-calorie, so offering your beardie one or two shouldn’t hurt him at all.
If your bearded dragon does like cherries and it seems like he could polish off an entire bowl of them without batting an eye (or claw), then that’s too many cherries! You can always offer him more at another meal, but make sure he gets other nutrients in the meantime.
It’s important to note that if your bearded dragon is overweight or obese, you should definitely avoid feeding him any type of fruit entirely. This includes cherries!
Benefits of Feeding My Bearded Dragon Cherries
Feeding your bearded dragon cherries is a great way to supplement their diet with antioxidants and vitamins.
Manganese: Aids in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, blood sugar regulation, synthesis of fatty acids, cholesterol transportation, nerve function and brain development
Vitamin C: Supports the immune system by protecting cells from free radical damage; promotes wound healing; helps iron absorption; vital for growth and development
Potassium: Important for water balance as well as proper muscle contraction
Calcium: Needed for strong bones and teeth
Fiber: Helps keep the digestive system healthy by adding bulk to stool which stimulates bowel movement, regulates hormone levels that affect appetite, boosts peristalsis (muscle contractions along the intestinal tract) which helps prevent constipation, and normalizes blood glucose levels
Iron: Aids in the transport of oxygen throughout the body; needed for healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen; involved in immune system function; promotes normal growth and development.
Risks of Feeding My Bearded Dragon Cherries
There are a few risks of introducing cherries to your bearded dragon’s diet. Mainly overfeeding of cherries which could lead to obesity.
As with any new food that you feed your bearded dragon, there’s a chance that they might have an allergic reaction. This is especially true if the cherries you give them are from a different region than where they’re raised. If your bearded dragon develops signs of illness such as runny nose, watery eyes, lethargy and listlessness, lack of appetite (or increased appetite), abdominal bloating or gas; stop feeding them cherries immediately. You can also consult your vet for more comprehensive analysis and treatment suggestions.
List of Fruits for Bearded Dragons
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Maraschino Cherries?
Yes, but only in moderation.
Do not eat more than 1.5 ounces of cherries on a daily basis.
If you do give your bearded dragon maraschino cherries, cut them into smaller pieces to avoid choking hazards. The general rule of thumb is that you should never give a bearded dragon a food item that is bigger than the space between the bearded dragon’s eyes.
Cherries are sweet! Should I use Cherries as an alternative for Insects?
No way! Not even close! While it might be tempting to give your bearded dragon something sweeter and easier to digest than insects which they would also enjoy eating; just don’t do it. Your beardie still needs his greens and veggies and insects will always be the best source of protein for him or her.
Bearded Dragons love eating insects such as crickets, roaches and superworms.
Alternative Foods For Bearded Dragons
There are plenty of alternatives to cherries that you could feed your dragon.
- Acacia
- African daisy
- Alfalfa
- Almond leaves
- Apple (with skin)
- Apricot (with pit)
- Bee pollen
- Bell pepper (red/green/yellow/orange/purple; seeds and stems removed)
- Bok Choy (leaves only, no stalks)
- Broccoli (flowers & leaves; remove the stalk before feeding them to your dragon.)
- Cabbage (green & red; remove the core before serving it to your dragon)
- Cantaloupe (remove seeds, rind, and outer layer of skin before serving to your dragon)
- Carrot
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cherries? – The Conclusion!
Cherries are a great treat for your bearded dragon to have from time to time. It’s okay if they choose not to eat them at all, but it’s always fun when they do! Be careful not to overfeed them cherries at any one time or to make them a staple of their diet because this could lead to obesity. Make sure your bearded dragon always has plenty of fresh veggies and greens available for him as well.
In conclusion, it is okay to feed your bearded dragon cherries if you do not overfeed them. There are many other options that you should also give your bearded dragon as a treat if you’re not necessarily sold on the cherry!
Please check out our other aritcles about what Bearded Dragons Can Eat!
