Yes, bearded dragons can eat apples, but only occasionally, and only peeled, cored and without seeds. A vet-reviewed Chewy guide suggests one or two quarter-inch cubes once every two weeks for an adult, and one or two pea-sized pieces once every three to four weeks for a baby. Apple seeds contain amygdalin, which can release cyanide, so they must never be fed. Peeled apple has about twice as much phosphorus as calcium.
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Apple nutrition for a bearded dragon
Bearded dragons need more calcium than phosphorus, and apples have the opposite. USDA figures for raw apple without skin, the way you should serve it, per 100 g:
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Water | 86.7 g | Mostly water |
| Calcium | 5 mg | Very low |
| Phosphorus | 11 mg | About twice the calcium |
| Ca:P ratio | 0.45 : 1 | The wrong way round for a dragon |
| Total sugars | 10.1 g | Similar to blueberries |
| Fiber | 1.3 g | Fine in small amounts |
Source: USDA FoodData Central, “Apples, raw, without skin” (FDC 171689).
Apples compared with other fruit and greens
Apples sit in the middle of the common fruits for sugar, with a Ca:P ratio as poor as most of them. Collard greens, a daily staple in our food guide, are shown for contrast. All figures are USDA FoodData Central, per 100 g raw.
| Food | Calcium | Phosphorus | Ca:P | Sugars | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collard greens | 232 mg | 25 mg | 9.3 : 1 | 0.5 g | Staple, daily |
| Papaya | 20 mg | 10 mg | 2 : 1 | 7.8 g | Treat |
| Strawberries | 16 mg | 24 mg | 0.67 : 1 | 4.9 g | Treat |
| Apple, peeled | 5 mg | 11 mg | 0.45 : 1 | 10.1 g | Occasional treat |
| Blueberries | 6 mg | 12 mg | 0.5 : 1 | 10 g | Rare treat |
| Banana | 5 mg | 22 mg | 0.23 : 1 | 12.2 g | Rare treat |
| Grapes | 10 mg | 20 mg | 0.5 : 1 | 15.5 g | Rare treat |
How much apple, and how often
| Age | How much | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Baby (under 12 months) | 1–2 pea-sized pieces | Once every 3–4 weeks |
| Adult (12 months and up) | 1–2 quarter-inch cubes | Once every 2 weeks |
Amounts are from Chewy’s vet-reviewed guide, which keeps fruit to no more than 5% of the diet. ReptiFiles advises generally avoiding fruit, so a dragon that never gets apple is missing nothing. Its diet should be greens and gut-loaded insects such as dubia roaches.
How to prepare apple
- Remove the core and every seed. Chewy says the seeds contain amygdalin, which can release cyanide during digestion, and should never be eaten.
- Peel it. The skin isn’t toxic, but Chewy says it is hard to digest and can be a choking hazard.
- Cut it into small pieces: quarter-inch cubes for an adult, pea-sized for a baby.
- Serve it raw and fresh, mixed into the salad.
- Dust the salad with calcium as usual. Our calcium guide has the schedule.
- Clear away leftovers the same day so they don’t brown and spoil in the enclosure.
Risks of apple
- Seeds and core. If your dragon eats seeds or core, Chewy advises seeing a vet.
- Weight gain and digestive upset from the natural sugar over time (Chewy).
- Overeating. Chewy lists diarrhea, less appetite and lethargy as signs. Mild cases usually settle within a day. See a vet for severe or lasting diarrhea, extreme lethargy or dehydration.
- Calcium balance. Chewy notes that diets high in sugary or imbalanced foods may raise the risk of metabolic bone disease. Good UVB and calcium dusting matter far more than any single treat.
Applesauce, dried apple and other forms
| Form | OK? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh, raw, peeled and cored | Yes, occasionally | The only form to offer |
| Seeds or core | No | Amygdalin, which can release cyanide (Chewy) |
| Skin | Best avoided | Hard to digest and a choking hazard (Chewy) |
| Cooked apple, applesauce or pie filling | No | Chewy says to avoid cooked apple with added sugar or other ingredients |
| Dried apple or apple chips | No | Drying concentrates the sugar |
Tools we would use
- Corer: Stainless steel apple corer. Takes out the core and seeds in one go.
- Calcium: Zoo Med Repti Calcium without D3. Dust the salad to make up for fruit’s low calcium.
- Scale: Digital kitchen scale in grams. A weekly weigh-in shows early if treats are adding weight.
For the full menu, see our bearded dragon food guide.
FAQ
How much apple can a bearded dragon eat?
One or two quarter-inch cubes of peeled, cored apple once every two weeks for an adult, according to a vet-reviewed Chewy guide.
Can baby bearded dragons eat apples?
A little. Chewy suggests one or two pea-sized pieces once every three to four weeks for dragons under 12 months.
Are apple seeds dangerous for bearded dragons?
Yes. Apple seeds contain amygdalin, which can release cyanide during digestion. Remove every seed and the core, and see a vet if your dragon eats them.
Can bearded dragons eat apple skin?
It isn’t toxic, but Chewy recommends peeling apples because the skin is hard to digest and can be a choking hazard.
Sources
- USDA FoodData Central: Apples, raw, without skin (FDC 171689)
- USDA FoodData Central: Strawberries, raw (FDC 167762)
- USDA FoodData Central: Blueberries, raw (FDC 171711)
- USDA FoodData Central: Bananas, raw (FDC 173944)
- USDA FoodData Central: Grapes, red or green, raw (FDC 174683)
- USDA FoodData Central: Collards, raw (FDC 170406)
- USDA FoodData Central: Papayas, raw (FDC 169926)
- Chewy: Can bearded dragons eat apples? (reviewed by Ivan Alfonso, DVM)
- ReptiFiles: Bearded dragon care guide