Can Bearded Dragons Eat Eggs

Eggs…very yummy to us humans but are they safe for Beardies? Can Bearded dragons eat eggs of any kind?

In this article, I will explain everything you need to know about feeding your Bearded Dragon eggs.

Let’s start with the basics first,

What are Bearded Dragons?

Bearded Dragons are a type of lizard that’s fast gaining popularity as an exotic pet here in the US and is native to Australia. They are all over Australia, from the inland to the desert, and all the way to the coast.

There are many different species of Bearded Dragons but the most popular one kept as a pet is the Inland Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps).

Bearded Dragons grow anywhere from 18-24 inches long and live an average of 10 years. They get their name from the fact that they have a “beard” of spines around their neck. They are one of the most popular pets in the reptile world and can live up to 15 years with proper care.

What do Bearded Dragons Eat?

Bearded Dragons are insectivores by nature but as they grow older, their diet starts to change and they become omnivorous. Young beardies eat more protein in the form of insects while adults eat more vegetables and fruits.

In the wild, Bearded Dragons eat a variety of different insects such as crickets, grasshoppers, moths, beetles, and caterpillars. They will also eat the occasional small mammal or reptile.

In captivity, Bearded Dragons are usually fed a diet of crickets, dubia roaches, mealworms, and earthworms. They will also eat a variety of vegetables and fruits such as kale, collard greens, carrots, squash, and berries.

As they get older and their diet starts to change, you can also feed them pinkie mice, small lizards, and chicken.

That means that they can eat both plants and meat, including eggs.

But, just because they *can* eat something, doesn’t mean that they *should* eat it.

So, can Beardies eat eggs? Let’s find out…

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Eggs?

You can feed your dragon boiled or scrambled eggs an equivalent of 2 eggs spread over an entire month as the protein nutrients that beardies get from eggs are already in its main diet. Eating protein, therefore, increases the risk of your Beardie having too much protein which may cause health issues including;

  • Diabetes
  • Obesity
  • Fatty liver disease
  • Heart failure  

Let’s understand a bit more about the nutritional profile of eggs.

A whole hard-boiled egg has the following nutritional composition;

  • 10.6% Fats: The fats found in boiled eggs are healthy fats. Healthy fats are important for Bearded Dragons as they help with the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K).
  • 12.6% Protein: Protein is an essential part of a Bearded Dragon’s diet as it helps with growth and repair.
  • 1% Sugar: There is very little sugar in a boiled egg and what sugar is present is in the form of glucose which is a simple sugar that is easily metabolized by the body.
  • 75% Water: Water is essential for all life and is especially important for reptiles as they rely on external sources of water to stay hydrated.
  • 0.4% Fiber: There is a small amount of fiber in a boiled egg which is beneficial for gut health.

Raw vs boiled/scrambled eggs: Which one to feed

The biggest difference between raw and boiled eggs is the risk of salmonella. Salmonella is a bacteria that can cause food poisoning in humans and reptiles.

Reptiles are much more susceptible to salmonella than humans as their immune system is not as developed. This means that they are more likely to get sick if they eat food that has been contaminated with salmonella.

The risk of salmonella is much higher in raw eggs than it is in boiled eggs as the bacteria is killed when the egg is cooked.

For this reason, it is recommended that you only feed your Bearded Dragon boiled or scrambled eggs.

What are the benefits of feeding eggs to Bearded Dragons?

Eggs are a good source of protein and fat which are both essential nutrients for Bearded Dragons. They are also a good source of water which is important for hydration.

What are the drawbacks of feeding eggs to Bearded Dragons?

The biggest drawback of feeding eggs to Bearded Dragons is the risk of salmonella. As mentioned above, reptiles are much more susceptible to salmonella than humans and even a small amount of contaminated food can make them very ill.

Another drawback is that eggs contain a lot of protein. Bearded Dragons need protein for growth and repair but too much protein can cause health problems including obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

How often can I feed my Bearded Dragon eggs?

You should only feed your Bearded Dragon eggs as an occasional treat and not as part of their regular diet. A good rule of thumb is to feed them 2 eggs spread over an entire month or no more than half an egg/week.

Can Beardie Eat Raw Eats?

As we mentioned before, the risk of salmonella is much higher in raw eggs than it is in cooked eggs. For this reason, we recommend that you only feed your Beardie boiled or scrambled eggs.

If you do decide to feed them raw eggs, make sure that you wash the egg thoroughly before giving it to them. It is also a good idea to give them a raw egg that has been sitting out for a few hours as this will reduce the risk of salmonella.

Can Beardie Eat Scrambled Eggs?

Yes, Beardies can eat scrambled eggs. Scrambled eggs are a good source of protein and fat and they are also easy to digest.

When feeding your Beardie scrambled eggs, make sure that they are not too runny. You don’t want them to be so runny that the egg whites are still liquid as this can increase the risk of salmonella.

It is also a good idea to add some vegetables to the scrambled eggs as this will give them some extra nutrients.

Can Beardie Eat Eggshells?

Yes, Beardies can eat eggshells as eggshells are a good source of calcium which is essential for bone health. However, there are risk of bacteria being present on the egg shell and you also run the risk of providing your pet with too much calcium.

Too much calcium can lead to health problems including kidney stones and calcium deposits in the joints. For this reason, we recommend that you only feed your Beardie eggshells on occasion and that you remove the eggshell before giving it to them.

If you decide to feed eggshells to your Beardie, make sure that they are washed thoroughly and that they are crushed into small pieces. You don’t want your Beardie to eat large pieces of eggshell as this can cause digestive problems.

Can Beardie Eat Egg yolks?

Egg yolks are a good source of protein and fat but they also contain a lot of cholesterol. For this reason, it is best to only feed your Beardie egg yolks on occasion. They also present the risk of salmonella which is present in raw eggs.

When feeding your Beardie egg yolks, make sure that they are cooked thoroughly. This will reduce the risk of salmonella and will also make them easier to digest.

Can Beardie Eat Egg whites?

Yes, Beardies can eat egg whites but they are not as nutritious as egg yolks. Egg whites contain mostly protein and no fat or cholesterol.

Egg whites are also a good source of water which is important for hydration. However, they do present the risk of salmonella which is why we recommend that you only feed them to your Beardie on occasion.

Can Beardie Eat Boiled Eggs?

Yes, Beardies can eat boiled eggs. Boiled eggs are a good source of protein and fat and they are also easy to digest.

When feeding your Beardie boiled eggs, make sure that they are not overcooked as this can make them difficult to digest. You also don’t want to feed them undercooked eggs as this can increase the risk of salmonella.

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