Y'all probably won't be a Dragon Keeper for very long without hearing how vital calcium is for bearded dragons' health and wellbeing. New and longtime owners alike oft wonder if they are providing enough calcium for their pets. What calcium-rich foods are good for your bearded dragon? Should y'all offering supplements—if then, powdered or liquid? Why does calcium matter then much in the showtime place? This guide gives you the basics so you tin make certain your dragon is getting what he needs.

Why Bearded Dragons Demand Calcium and Vitamin D3

Vitamin D3 makes information technology possible for the dragon's torso to absorb calcium from their digestive system. Calcium is nothing to your dragon without Vitamin D3.

Disguised dragons demand calcium for the following reasons:

  • Os evolution
  • Muscle contractions
  • Proper egg development & good reproductive wellness in females

Dragons' bodies demand calcium and then much that if the body becomes scarce, it starts pulling calcium from their bones, causing metabolic bone affliction (MBD). Unfortunately, MBD is one of the most common diseases amidst domestic disguised dragons, merely it'south so hands preventable with proper diet and care.

Metabolic bone disease (besides known as nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism or fibrous osteodystrophy) refers to several painful skeletal disorders that are caused past a lack of calcium in the body. The disease causes serious os, muscle, and tissue harm, which can result in paralysis or decease.

If your bearded dragon is scarce in calcium, any of the following could be the culprit:

  • Bereft calcium in the diet
  • Likewise much phosphorus or oxalates (oxalic acrid) in the diet
  • Poor supplementation
  • Poor lighting, causing a Vitamin D3 deficiency

Dragons who suffer from metabolic bone disease take trouble doing the simplest of tasks, like walking, considering their tissue is deteriorating and their bones are soft and easily breakable. The disease is quite painful and very difficult to opposite.

How to Protect Your Bearded Dragon from Calcium Deficiency

There are many ways to go along your bearded dragon safe from lack of calcium and all of its consequences:

  • Healthy diet. Feed your dragon calcium-rich foods that are low in phosphorus and oxalates. Proceed an eye on the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio in fruits and veggies. You don't desire to feed your dragon foods that have a very high phosphorus content compared to the calcium content, as this will deplete your dragon's calcium supply.
  • Provide proper supplementation. Offering calcium and Vitamin D3 regularly. Whether y'all cull a liquid or powder multifariousness, always make sure the supplements incorporate no phosphorus. Attempt our phosphorus-gratuitous Reptile Greens & Calcium Powder to keep your dragon healthy.
  • Proper UVB lighting. Twelve hours of UVB exposure a day is ideal. Alter the bulb in your dragon's tank every six months or so, no later than every year.
  • Know the signs of deficiency and illness.These include problem walking, lethargy, and swollen limbs.
  • Take your dragon out in the sun.Disguised dragons love walks! Not simply volition they bask the exercise, but their bodies volition love the Vitamin D3.
  • Gut load insects with calcium-rich foods.Leafy greens, papaya, and sweetness potato are neat options.

Do Disguised Dragons Really Need Supplements?

Many Dragon Keepers wonder why it's necessary to give supplements to their bearded dragon when they could just provide calcium via nutrition and ensure they have correct UVB lighting. After all, isn't it the job of the Dragon Keeper to recreate the natural environment of their bearded dragon to the all-time of their ability?

Of form. At the aforementioned time, no matter how good the environment and the nutrition, your dragon all the same needs supplements. That's because it's but not possible to recreate an exact replica of a dragon'southward natural habitat, although you can come up close.

In the wild, bearded dragons get calcium through a varied diet (much more varied than the nutrition that can be provided in a domestic setting), and Vitamin D3 comes from their lengthy exposure to natural sunlight.

Calcium Supplementation.

While information technology is extremely important to provide calcium in your dragon'southward diet, it's a lot more difficult than you lot may think to make certain they are getting enough calcium.

For one thing, bearded dragons are notoriously picky eaters. Y'all may get lucky and have a dragon who eats everything you give him and finishes every meal, but it'southward unlikely. So information technology tin can exist difficult to gauge exactly how much calcium your dragon is eating based on nutrition alone.

Not to mention that in the wild, bearded dragons are exposed to many more types of food—insects and plants—than they ever would exist in a domestic setting, so they invariably eat more calcium on a regular footing than they exercise in captivity.

Supplementing with calcium helps you have more control over how much calcium your dragon is actually consuming. It also helps prevent metabolic bone affliction and keep your dragon good for you and happy.

Vitamin D3 Supplementation.

Pet dragons primarily get Vitamin D3 through proper UVB lighting in their tank also equally exposure to natural sunlight (this means exposure to natural sunlight outside, not necessarily through a window; it's actually dangerous to keep your dragon's tank by a window due to hazard of burns).

Although this does provide Vitamin D3, it's non quite the same every bit costless range exposure to the Australian desert sun. Supplementing Vitamin D3 helps ensure your dragon can absorb the calcium they need.

Liquid vs. Powder Supplements: Which Is Better for Your Bearded Dragon?

If you've already looked into information technology, you lot know there are primarily two ways you tin offer your dragon supplements at abode: liquid or powder.

Technically supplements can be given by injection, just this would usually merely be in the case of a vet treating a dragon for metabolic bone illness or another condition which would require such an intervention.

So it's down to pulverisation or liquid. Which is meliorate?

In a way, information technology just boils down to preference.

Liquid dropper on a woven placemat

Liquid vs. Pulverisation

Powdered calcium is fairly popular among Dragon Keepers. It's piece of cake to use, and all yous actually have to do is dust your dragon's insects or other food with it.

Liquid supplements can exist a petty trickier because you typically accept to offering them through a dropper, which your dragon may not enjoy. Of course, you can also mix information technology with water, but there is no guarantee your dragon will consume information technology all.

1 case where yous may desire to select a liquid supplement over a powder would be if your dragon steadily refuses to consume or finish her nutrient. In this case, a liquid may offer you lot more than control over the calcium and Vitamin D3 intake. But in many cases, powder is quicker and easier.

Tips for Dusting Feeder Insects

One setback to using calcium powder: it can be a messy business. And you lot definitely don't want to worry nigh powder being all over the tank afterwards, or feeder insects shaking the powder off as your dragon chases them (crickets are notorious for this).

Here are a few tips to combat this issue:

  • Cull a powder that has a reputation for sticking to insects.
  • If possible, consider dusting more than docile insects like roaches instead of crickets.
  • Use a designated feeder bin, one that'south long and shallow. Once your insects are dusted, identify them in the bin with your dragon for mealtime.
  • To dust your insects, identify them in an airtight container with the calcium pulverization and milkshake them thoroughly.

Pro Tip: Your dragon may non swallow her nutrient if information technology's too heavily dusted, so it'due south all-time to keep it on the light side.

How Oft Should I Give My Bearded Dragon Calcium & Vitamin D3?

Another issue Dragon Keepers wonder about is exactly how oft they demand to provide supplements with calcium and Vitamin D3.

Calcium. Generally information technology's rubber to supplement calcium anywhere from a few times a week to in one case a day. Of form, always check with your vet starting time, especially if your beardie is a rescue or if yous notice any signs of illness (specially MBD). Hypercalcemia (also much calcium in the torso) is rare in disguised dragons, but it tin can happen, and it can effect in illness and death. So it's always all-time to check with a vet first earlier starting any supplementation.

Vitamin D3. As a rule of pollex, a Vitamin D3 supplement can be safely provided about 2 to three times a week. Since bearded dragons should be getting 12 hours of UVB exposure a day, they don't necessarily demand this supplement on a daily basis. Of course, the exception would be a dragon who has metabolic bone disease or another condition which would crave a more intense supplement regimen.

Combination supplements. Yous may discover some products on the market place that contain both calcium and Vitamin D3. In this case, you would want to supplement most three times a week to ensure your dragon is getting enough of both supplements. If you wish, you could also add in a secondary calcium supplement to your dragon's feeding schedule, but information technology isn't necessarily something you have to practice. That is for you and your vet to make up one's mind.

Bearded dragon leaning over a rock

Other vitamins. Many experienced Dragon Keepers will recommend providing your beardie with a multivitamin in add-on to calcium and Vitamin D3 supplements. If y'all cull to practice this, it's best to ensure they are non getting whatsoever additional Vitamin A (unless your vet determines your dragon is seriously deficient in Vitamin A). This is because supplemental Vitamin A tin quickly rise to toxic levels in bearded dragons, resulting in illness that includes vomiting, weight loss, and loss of energy. Beta carotene is a lot safer than Vitamin A because of the mode your dragon's body volition absorb it.

In summary:

  • Calcium may be offered upwards to once a day.
  • Vitamin D3 may be offered three times a week.
  • Combination supplements should be offered three times a week.
  • Avert supplements containing Vitamin A; opt for beta carotene instead.
  • Always cheque with your vet earlier determining supplements.
  • Go on an eye out for any signs of illness.

Signs of Calcium Deficiency in Disguised Dragons

Alert your vet immediately if yous notice whatsoever signs of metabolic os disease in your bearded dragon. These include:

  • Lack of ambition
  • Lethargy and weakness
  • Stress
  • Constipation
  • Receded lower jaw
  • Bloated limbs and jaw
  • Bumps forth the spine or bones
  • Soft jaw and facial basic
  • Bowed limbs and biconvex spine
  • Fractures and cleaved bones
  • Greenstick fractures (folded or bent bones)
  • Trembling and twitching limbs
  • Tremors and seizures
  • Paralysis or difficulty moving

Calcium-Rich Foods for Your Bearded Dragon

Even with first-class supplementation, it's nevertheless very important to provide calcium-rich foods for your bearded dragon.

Pro Tip: If you are looking for a calcium-rich feeder insect, try Dubia roaches. They contain more protein and calcium than typical feeders.

Leafy greens are a dandy source of calcium for bearded dragons, particularly the post-obit options:

  • Cactus pad, or prickly pear
  • Collard greens
  • Dandelion leaves
  • Endive or escarole
  • Mustard greens
  • Turnip greens
  • Kale
  • Rosemary
  • Grape leaves

Closeup of dark leafy greens growing

    Other foods that can boost your dragon's calcium intake:

    • Blackberries
    • Figs
    • Papaya
    • Squash
    • Sweet potatoes

    Calcium and Vitamin D3 play an important office in your dragon's overall health and wellness. Continue your dragon happy and thriving by providing a balanced diet, proper UVB lighting, and adequate supplements.

    If yous take questions or would like to give feedback, delight e-mail us at [e-mail protected]