Nectarines are one of the most popular of all fruit. They are extremely juicy and sweet, especially when fully ripe. However, it is not recommended to feed nectarines to your bearded dragon for several reasons.
Cons of Feeding My Bearded Dragon Nectarines
Nectarines are said to cause more problems than any other type of fruit because of their high acid content.
Note: even though peaches and plums may look similar to nectarines they do not have the same effect on reptiles as nectarines do.
According to veterinarians, nectarines can cause diarrhea, blisters in the mouth and throat, hiccups, gout, kidney damage or stones which will result in bladder infection if ingested by a reptile.
The vitamin content of a nectarine is very low. There’s no real beneficial reason to feed your beardie nectarines.
Pros of Feeding My Bearded Dragon Nectarines
Bearded dragons are omnivorous. They have the ability to eat a wide variety of foods and enjoy many fruits, vegetables and live prey. Many owners believe they provide their bearded dragon with a balanced diet by feeding them nectarines on occasion. Take a look at our complete list of fruits for bearded dragons.
There aren’t many notable pros besides your beardie might like the spike in sugar as a treat every once in a while.
Can Bearded Dragons Consume These Fruits?
- Can Bearded Dragons Eat Grapes
- Can Bearded Dragons Eat Blackberries
- Can Bearded Dragons Eat Dragon Fruit
Which Fruits Should I Feed My Bearded Dragon?
If you wish to add more fruit to your list there are several other options that will be better for your bearded dragon’s health:
- Papayas
- Watermelon
- Honeydew Melons
- Mangos
- Pears
- Apricots
Each of the above fruits can be fed to your bearded dragon and in small amounts they will provide your pet reptile with essential vitamins and minerals.
With so many choices available to bearded dragon owners, it is recommended that you do further research before feeding nectarines to your pet reptile.
Final Thoughts
In summary, it is not recommended to feed your bearded dragon nectarines because of the high acid content in the fruit which can cause blisters in the mouth and throat, diarrhea, gout and kidney problems. Even though nectarines might be looked at as a treat and may provide your bearded dragon with extra energy, they don’t offer enough Vitamin C or benefits to outweigh the cons.
There are several other fruits out there that aren’t as acidic and can benefit them more! As long as you stick with those you’re good to go!