Can Bearded Dragons Eat Bananas?

Banana News:  Safe Or Dangerous For Bearded Dragons

Can bearded dragons eat bananas?  We are sure this is a question many bearded dragon owners have asked themselves.  Well, yes, bearded dragons can eat bananas. 

Your adult bearded dragon will love this potassium-filled treat.

Feeding your bearded dragon bananas has nutritional value, benefits, and risks.

Nutritional Information Of Bananas In Bearded Dragon’s Diet

Nutritional Value Of Bananas Per 100 Grams

Nutrient Name	Amount
Water	74.91 g
Energy	89 kcal
Protein	1.09 g
Total lipid (fat)	0.33 g
Carbohydrates, by difference	22.84 g
Fiber	2.6 g
Sugars	12.23 g
Calcium	5 mg
Phosphorus	22 mg
Sodium	1 mg
Vitamin C	8.7 mg
Vitamin B-6	0.37 mg
Vitamin A	3 ug
Iron	0.26 mg
Magnesium	27mg
Potassium	358 mg

Benefits Of Feeding Your Beardie Bananas

Bananas are nutrient-rich fruit that contains many essential vitamins and minerals. They offer your pet bearded dragon key benefits when fed in small doses.

Vitamin C

The Vitamin C in bananas helps build a robust immune system that prevents disease and keeps bearded dragons happy.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A promotes better eyesight and eye health, healthy skin, and a strong immune system and helps to break down unwanted materials in the body. 

Vitamin B-6

Vitamin B6 helps metabolize fats and protein and plays a role in regulating weight.

Potassium

Bananas are high in potassium which helps regulate blood pressure and the nervous system and keeps your dragon’s muscles working for proper water retention.

Antioxidants

The antioxidants in bananas can lower cholesterol and the risk of heart problems.

Iron

Baby bearded dragons need iron. It is a supplement that you should give sporadically. Too much iron causes long-term health issues. Be cautious when feeding your bearded pet dragon bananas.

Magnesium

Contributes to healthy muscles and brain function.

Risks Of Feeding Bananas To Your Bearded Dragon

If you feed your bearded dragon too much banana and often, it can cause sickness and, in severe cases, lead to paralysis and even death.  

Phosphorus To Calcium Ratio

Bearded dragons rely on a calcium-rich diet where the calcium to phosphorus ratio is either 2:1 or 1:1.  Too much phosphorus binds with calcium and prevents the calcium from being absorbed into the dragon’s system.

Long term, this can cause severe calcium depletion.

When a dragon repeatedly consumes a phosphorus-rich, calcium-low diet,  MBD (metabolic bone disease), a debilitating and deadly disease, can result, causing pain or even paralysis or death. Thus bearded dragons should eat bananas only in small doses,  once or twice a month. 

You can also add calcium supplements to your beardie’s diet to ensure a proper level of calcium.

Tooth decay

Feeding sugary food to your bearded dragons can lead to tooth decay.

Bananas are rich in natural sugar and very sweet. They can stick to your bearded dragon’s teeth, increasing the chance of tooth decay.

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Banana Peels Or Banana Leaves?

Banana Peels

Banana peels contain healthy nutrients including

• Vitamin B12
• Vitamin B6
• Carotenoids
• Polyphenols
• Protein
• Magnesium

In small quantities, peels can form part of a healthy diet for your bearded dragon. However, peels and leaves may be difficult for your dragon to eat.  They have textures that are tougher than that of bananas.  However, Bearded dragons can eat sliced banana peels.

Banana Leaves

Bearded dragons can eat banana leaves. Ensure that the banana plant is organic to prevent exposing your beardie to harmful pesticides. 

 plant leaves contain vitamin beneficial B6 and fiber.

However, leaves are tough and could be a choking hazard. Cut leaves into small pieces no bigger than the distance between your beardie’s eyes.

It’s better to feed bananas to your beardie than leaves because the banana has more nutrients.

Is Dried Banana Ok For Bearded Dragons?

Do NOT feed dried bananas to your bearded dragon. They have too much sugar. Dried bananas have more sugar than fresh fruit. Sugar is concentrated in dried bananas because  water evaporates during the drying process. 

Dried bananas have more fiber than fresh bananas. It’s better to use banana leaves, peels, or veggies for fiber.

How Often Can Bearded Dragons Eat Bananas?

The ideal amount of plant-based food in your beardie’s diet varies depending on its age.

Younger beardies, still developing and growing, should only be given a small amount of banana,  ideally not more than once a month. Baby and juvenile bearded dragons should have a diet rich in animal matter, as the protein helps them grow.

Adult bearded dragons can have a bit more banana,  up to one or two times a month.

Banana should be a rare treat as it is high in sugar. Also, the calcium/phosphorus content can cause serious health issues.

Can Baby Bearded Dragons Eat Banana?

While banana is not toxic for baby bearded dragons, it can cause significant bone development and health problems.

Therefore,  limit this treat to a small amount once a month for beardies who are under two years old.

How To Prepare Bananas For Your Beardie’s Meal

Bananas may be served whole or peeled, depending on your bearded dragon’s taste preference.  

Buy Organic

 Serve organic ripe bananas to your beardie. They are far less likely to have been sprayed with pesticides or other chemicals.

Wash it

Even if you buy organic, give the banana a good rinse before feeding. .  It will remove harmful germs from the banana’s skin and minimizes the risk of your beardie ingesting them.

Get Chopping

To reduce the risk of choking.  slice the banana into chunks no bigger than your beardie’s eye. This step is essential if you give your beardie bananas with the peel still attached.  

Mix the banana pieces with other greens such as collard greens, dandelion greens, and sweet potato.

Watch Them Eat

Observe your beardie as it safely eats bananas for the first time. You will see if they like eating the peel and if they adjust to the portion size.

Clean up

Once your beardie has finished eating, take any old food out of the terrarium. You don’t want them eating food that has gone bad!

Final Thought

You cannot allow your bearded dragon to go bananas over bananas.  It is a very nutritious fruit but there are risks that can severely affect your bearded pet’s health.  

It is hard to determine which foods are safe for your bearded dragon.  Some fruits that appear  harmless and nutritious can be harmful or fatal to your bearded pet.

Always research any new food you want to introduce to your bearded dragon.  If still uncertain, you can always contact your vet for advice.