Yes, they can. Many Bearded Dragon owners will give their pet bearded dragon this fruit in small quantities as a treat or supplement to their regular diet of vegetables, fruits and insects. While they can eat their vegetables and fruit whole a lot of owners usually cut them into small pieces which makes it easier to consume for the fiery lizard.
Cherry tomatoes are loved by most bearded dragons not only because they taste great but also because they are much bigger than their pupils so it will take them a bit more time to finish eating them. For the complete list please click here.
What Is The Nutritional Profile in Cherry Tomatoes?
When it comes to nutritional value cherry tomatoes are packed with vitamins and minerals that bearded dragons need. They do not contain too much sugar and provide a low percentage of fat which is great for lizards that consume this tasty fruit.
A 100-gram serving of cherry tomatoes contains the following:
- Vitamin A – 16% of the daily recommended intake.
- Vitamin C – 52% of the daily recommended intake.
- Vitamin K – 8% of the daily recommended intake.
- Folate – 11% of the daily recommended intake.
- Potassium – 9% of the daily recommended intake.
Can Too Much Cherry Tomato Hurt My Bearded Dragon?
Too much of anything can hurt your bearded dragon. However, this fruit contains a large amount of nutrition which is great for the lizard’s health so it will not cause any major problems if they eat some on a regular basis. Some owners choose to give their pet Bearded Dragon small quantities of cherry tomatoes on a weekly basis while others will let their beardies eat them more regularly.
What Are The Benefits of Feeding My Bearded Dragon Cherry Tomatoes?
There are many benefits of feeding your bearded dragon this fruit. Some of the most important ones include:
Cherry tomatoes contain beta-carotene which is converted into vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A helps enhance the immune system and promotes better vision by keeping the retina healthy. It also ensures that beardies will grow stronger bones, teeth, claws, and nails so they can develop properly during their younger years.
Cherry tomatoes contain lycopene which has anti-cancer properties that help prevent tumor growth in Bearded Dragons. Lycopene prevents oxidative damage to cells by neutralizing free radicals while it also boosts the immune system making your pet’s defense against pathogens more effective too.
Since cherry tomatoes are packed with vitamins they make great supplements to bearded dragons that are not fed a balanced diet with enough nutrients.
Cherry tomatoes provide the required daily portion of Vitamin C which is often missing in most pet foods. Pet food manufacturers tend to cut back on this nutrient because it is expensive and they rather use cheaper ingredients that are low in Vitamin C so they can make more profit.
These are just a few of the benefits of feeding your dragon cherry tomatoes.
What Are The Risks of Feeding My Bearded Dragon Cherry Tomatoes?
Not all Bearded Dragons will eat this fruit as many consider it a treat or even refuse to eat it at all.
- The small seeds should be removed before feeding because they are difficult to digest and the bearded dragon might accidentally eat them which could lead to an impaction.
- Some owners choose not to feed their bearded dragons fruit because it contains higher levels of sugar than vegetables and their pet might gain weight.
- The fruit is high in carbs but low in protein so it doesn’t provide much nutritional value.
What Fruits Bearded Dragons Can Eat?
- Can Bearded Dragons Eat Nectarines
- Can Bearded Dragons Eat Blackberries
- Can Bearded Dragons Eat Dragon Fruit
Alternative Foods for Bearded Dragons
If your bearded dragon doesn’t like cherry tomatoes, you can try:
- Watermelon
- Pumpkins
- Yellow squash
- Zucchini
- Cucumber
- Green beans (if your bearded dragon is not allergic to them)
- Carrot sticks (don’t give too many of these because they are high in sugar too).
You can also feed your pet vegetables that contain higher amounts of protein like:
- Romaine lettuce or collard greens.
- Alfalfa sprouts.
- Parsley.
- Basil leaves.
- Dandelion greens.
- Cabbage (but don’t feed it too often because too much might cause loose stool)
These are all great alternative foods for your bearded dragon.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cherry Tomatoes? – The Conclusion
In conclusion, if your bearded dragon likes cherry tomatoes you can safely feed them some on a weekly basis. Try not to give too many of these fruits in one day because they contain sugar and the high carbs might cause weight gain. Feeding your pet a fruit that is high in Vitamin C will help promote better immune system function.