Many people, especially those on a diet, eat eggs for their high protein content. Eggs also make an excellent treat for household pets like dogs, but can bearded dragons eat eggs?
We are aware that bearded dragons consume various foods, but you may not have any information concerning them eating eggs. Some people have not heard of the beardies eating eggs or aren’t sure what eggs can do to the beardies.
Continue reading to learn if you should exactly allow your lizard to eat eggs, how often to feed and prepare the eggs, and lots more.
This article has been reviewed by Dr. Dilber. Read more about our knowledge control process here.
Contents
Are Eggs Nutritious to Bearded Dragons?
Yes, eggs are highly nutritious, and they are rich in protein, vitamin D, and other essential nutrients. Understanding the nutrient contents in eggs will help you to determine if they are suitable for bearded dragons or not.
According to USDA, one chicken egg, which is approximately 50.3 grams, contains the following nutrients.
| Name | Average Amount | Unit |
| Water | 38.1 | g |
| Energy | 74.4 | kcal |
| Protein | 6.24 | g |
| Calcium | 24.1 | mg |
| Phosphorus | 92.6 | mg |
| Sodium | 64.9 | mg |
| Total fat | 5.01 | g |
| Vitamin A | 90.5 | µg |
| Vitamin D | 49.5 | IU |
| Ca:P | 1:3.8 | – |
It is evident from the table that eggs are rich in a wide range of nutrients. Additional nutrients include selenium, magnesium, iron, folate, vitamin B, C, K, zinc, and more.
The egg yolk is quite rich in cholesterol, which isn’t bad for humans but can be nutritionally high for bearded dragons if fed in large quantities.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Eggs?
The common thing in bearded dragons is that they tend to eat anything and everything you provide them to eat, except for picky eaters.
Eggs aren’t toxic, and bearded dragons can eat them safely. But it is best if you get eggs that should be untreated and free from drug residues. Quail eggs also have a high nutritional value and are the best option for providing the beardies.
Eggs significantly boost protein and calcium to the bearded dragon’s diet, but you should not use them as a regular food source. Baby bearded dragons require more protein, but they get much of it from the insect feeders. Adults, on the other hand, don’t need much protein.
If your dragon loves the eggs, don’t hesitate to give it occasionally. But avoid mixing the egg with any dairy product. The beardies can’t digest dairy products since they are lactose intolerant.
How Often Should Bearded Dragons Eat Eggs?
Ideally, bearded dragons should eat half an egg if it’s from chicken or one full quail egg every other week or so.
One chicken egg of about 50g contains 6g of protein, and since bearded dragons are already getting much protein from insects, excess eggs can lead to protein toxicity.
Extra protein in the beardies can expose them to many health issues including, diabetes, fatty liver disease, and obesity.
However, malnourished bearded dragons that have a high demand for protein can eat one whole chicken egg. The egg is loaded with protein, and it will help to pack on the weight quickly.
But make sure to check with your reptile vet and inquire about the best way to provide the eggs. It will be helpful even if your lizard isn’t malnourished.
You might also like: Complete list of common food can a bearded dragon eat that people usually ask.
Can I Feed Raw Eggs to My Bearded Dragon?
Now that it’s clear that eggs are safe for a bearded dragon, you might be wondering if they should eat them raw or you need to cook them first.
However, I would not recommend you to feed raw eggs to your beloved lizard, not even unboiled eggshells. Raw eggs are most likely to carry bacteria, and this can make your dragon pretty sick. For example, Escherichia Coli is present on the contaminated egg and eggshell of the egg.
For the safety of your pet, consider boiling the eggs first to kill off any existing bacteria. The beardies can also eat scrambled eggs, but avoid using any seasoning ingredients, butter, a dairy product, or oil while scrambling.
Are Egg Shells Safe for Bearded Dragons?
Bearded dragons can eat the eggshells since they are loaded with calcium, the mineral necessary for bearded dragon development. But it would be best if you are cautious about the shells, especially the raw eggshells which contain bacteria.
You will need to boil the shells and pulverize them first before you provide them to your dragon. But if I’m asked, I would not feed eggshells to my lizard; they are not pretty safe. Other than having bacteria, egg shells are dangerous to swallow and thus need to be ground.
The powder from eggshells has a lot of calcium, and it isn’t easy to track how much calcium your dragon consumes and may end up eating an excess of it. Instead, use a calcium powder supplement; at least you can keep track of it.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Egg Yolk?
There is no harm feeding egg yolk to your bearded dragon; it is safe, and the beardies enjoy eating it. Egg yolk is exceptionally nutritious and provides essential minerals and vitamins to bearded dragons.
So, the beardies can eat both the egg yolk and egg-white as a rare treat. If you are looking for a staple diet, stick to greens and bugs.
How to Prepare Eggs for Bearded Dragons?
If you want your dragon to eat an egg, make sure it is not raw. You can prepare the egg in various ways; you can boil or scramble it.
You can scramble the egg using a microwave, but if you don’t have one, make sure to use a non-stick frying pan in scrambling. Also, don’t use any oil, butter, or cooking spray, and no seasoning.
After cooking, allow the egg to cool, and then you can mix it with raw and staple vegetables. For the case of boiled eggs, peel off the shell before feeding and chop it into appropriate sizes. The ideal size should be the same as the space between the beardie’s eye.
Fully understanding your bearded dragon will help you better take care of them. As a suggestion, we would recommend you to get a good bearded dragon book. Not to become an expert on bearded dragon care but will help you avoid the common mistake in new pet lizard owners.
- Team, Ben (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 92 Pages - 05/28/2016 (Publication Date) - IMB Publishing (Publisher)
Last update on 2022-12-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Conclusion
As you see, eggs are rich in many essential vitamins and protein, and bearded dragons can eat them safely, though on an occasional basis.
Whether you use scrambled or boiled eggs, they are all nutritious and help to add a little more protein to your lizard’s diet.
