Can Bearded Dragons Eat Raisins?

Blazin Raisin – Yea And Nay Of Raisins For Bearded Dragons

Bearded dragons are aggressive eaters and will eat almost anything put in front of them.  In the wild, bearded dragons eat fruit, but it is usually fresh and not dried.

But dry or fresh, can bearded dragons eat raisins?

The short answer is yes. Bearded dragons can safely eat raisins without the fear of toxicity.  But that does not mean that they should.

This article explores the positives and negatives of bearded dragons eating raisins.  So, if you are a raisin fan, read on.

Nutritional Profile Of Raisins

The Most Relevant Nutritional Information For 100 grams of raisins

Nutrient Name	Amount
Water	15.43 g
Energy	299 Kcal
Protein	3.47 g
Total lipid (fat)	0.46 g
Carbohydrate by difference	79.18 g
Fiber	3.7 g
Sugars	59.19 g
Calcium	50 mg
Iron	1.88 mg
Phosphorus	101 mg
Sodium	11 mg
Vitamin C	2.3 mg
Vitamin B6	0.174 mg
Vitamin E	0.12
Vitamin K	3.5 ug

Health Benefits Of Feeding Raisins To Bearded Dragons 

Even though raisins are not known as a particularly healthy choice of food for beardies, they do contain some healthy nutrients.

High In Fiber

Raisins are very high in dietary fiber, a key health benefit..

From the table above, you can see that raisins contain a large amount of fiber (3.7g per 100g).

Fiber performs many roles in the body, including bowel health, which is important for bearded dragons to aid digestion and help with impaction issues.

Risks Of Feeding Raisins To Bearded Dragons

Raisins are not a  good energy source for bearded dragons. Although many they have many nutrients, not all are present in sufficient amounts.

Unhealthy Calcium to Phosphorus Ratio

Bearded dragons need a high daily dosage of calcium. It helps support their bone structures as they mature.

Calcium is also essential for gravid females so that their eggs can endure the laying process. Without sufficient calcium, female egg-layers risk a significant loss of calcium  which causes many health problems.

Calcium is not the only important nutrient. You should monitor how much phosphorus is in your bearded dragon’s diet. Phosphorus prevents calcium from being absorbed into their bodies.

The recommended ratio for calcium to phosphorus is 1:1 or 2:1 parts calcium to one part phosphorus. It will ensure that your bearded dragon gets the correct calcium amount.

But with raisins, the ratio is flipped. There’s double the amount of phosphorus as there is calcium! It can be detrimental to your lizard if fed to them in large quantities which may cause metabolic bone disease.

High Sugar Content

Raisins have a high sugar content, around 59.19 grams per 100 grams.  Fortunately, diabetes is extremely rare in bearded dragons. However, many issues may arise instead, such as

• Tooth decay
• Upset stomach
• Diarrhea
• Obesity

Can Baby Bearded Dragons Eat Raisins?

If you have a baby bearded dragon, you should never feed it raisins.

These babies (below 18 months) need an animal-based diet with more protein for healthy growth and development.

Therefore, during this period, be sure that 75% of their diet is made of live

insects and an occasional serving of leafy greens.

Because these little beardies have a delicate digestive system that is not used to

digesting sugar, eating raisins, as with all fruits, would upset their stomach quickly.

How Often Can You Feed Raisins To  A Bearded Dragon?

Raisins make a wonderful, tasty treat due to their sweet and sugary taste but you should not serve them every day.

The amount of phosphorus in raisins is the biggest health threat for your pet.  Sugar content may cause tooth problems and obesity.

Therefore, you should only serve your pet raisins once a week and, ideally, only when it has low bowel function.

Can A Bearded Dragon Eat Raisins Safely With Skin On? 

Raisins are dried grapes. So you can give skinned raisins to your bearded dragons.

Raisin skin has dietary fibers, an essential nutrient for proper bowel function. 

Should Raisins Be Cooked For Your Bearded Dragon?

Cooking the raisins removes any bacteria that might be present on the fruit.

So, yes! Your beardie lizard can eat cooked raisins. They will enjoy the benefits of clean and purified raisins without any salmonella entering their stomach, preventing infections. As an added plus, they taste better cooked!

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Frozen Raisins?

Raisins in the dried or frozen form are the same. They are still raisins with the same chemical composition of minerals and nutrients.

Your beardie will love this food. But, you have to restrict it to only a weekly meal. Frozen raisins are not toxic to your beardie, but they are generally not recommended due to an imbalance of minerals and high sugar concentration.

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Raisin Leaves?

Nutritionists do not recommend raisin leaves.  The leaves may have some good chemicals to support their health, but overall, the contents of raisin leaves are not healthy for your pet.

Prepare Raisins For Your Bearded Dragon

Raisins do not require any preparation.

Most foods will either need washing, cooking or slicing before you can add them to your beardie’s salad bowl.

But not with raisins.  They can be added to your bearded dragon salad bowl straight out of the packet.

 Wrapping Up

Now that you know more about raisins and bearded dragons,  avoid feeding your bearded dragon too many raisins. 

Raisins are high in sugar and can cause liver and kidney damage.

Furthermore, raisins have poor phosphorus to calcium ratio, which is bad for your bearded dragon.  We recommend feeding your bearded dragon more nutritious foods such as collard greens, mango, apple, and raspberries.

Research any food you wish to add to your bearded dragon’s diet.  Even the safest food can have risks.  When you are unsure, please ask your vet for advice.