Overfeeding Your Bearded Dragon? A No-BS Guide from a Reptile Veteran

Think stuffing your bearded dragon like a Thanksgiving turkey means you love them? Think again. In this no-BS guide, a veteran reptile owner breaks down why overfeeding is killing your beardie slowly — and what real portion control looks like. Learn feeding schedules, proper insect-to-veggie ratios, and why a fat dragon is not a happy dragon. Your lizard doesn’t need a buffet — it needs discipline.

BEARDED DRAGONS

ReptiGadget

6/20/20251 min read

Stop Overfeeding Your Bearded Dragon: A Veteran’s Take on Portion Control

Your bearded dragon isn’t starving—it’s spoiled. And if it’s starting to look like a gummy bear with legs, that’s on you.

1. Understand the Mission

Wild bearded dragons don’t have buffet access. They hunt, burn calories, and don’t snack every night while watching Netflix. Mimic that.

2. Age-Based Feeding Frequency

· - Babies (0–6 months): Daily. They’re growing. Let ‘em eat.

· - Juveniles (6–12 months): Every other day.

· - Adults (12+ months): 2–3 times a week. That’s it. Your fat dragon will survive.

3. Portion Control – This Isn’t Golden Corral

Feed enough to be eaten in 15 minutes.

· Insects: 3–5 medium Dubia roaches or crickets.

· Available salad 24/7. Mist with water. See "Beardie Salad Guide".

4. Gut-Load or Get Out

Feed your feeders real food first—no dry flakes. Sweet potato, greens, carrots, crushed cat food. You are what your bearded dragon eats, secondhand.

5. Don’t Let Them Guilt Trip You

They’ll beg. They’ll lick the glass. Stay strong. You’re not raising a reptilian Jabba the Hutt.

Wrap up:

Discipline keeps your bearded dragon healthy and your vet bills low. Stop killing it with kindness. This is dragon boot camp—not an all-you-can-eat buffet.

Beardie Salad Guide