There are eight species of bearded dragons and the most popular kind kept as a pet is the inland or central bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps), from the arid to semi-arid southeastern parts of Australia. Pogona vitticeps is the species discussed in this handout.
Calcium is extremely important for bearded dragons. Without proper calcium levels, bearded dragons can develop a host of health issues that impact their bones, muscles, and overall wellbeing. This guide will provide a comprehensive overview of bearded dragon calcium needs, including how much calcium they need, the best sources of calcium, symptoms of calcium deficiency, and how to avoid calcium overdose.
Why Do Bearded Dragons Need Calcium?
Bearded dragons need calcium for proper bone development, muscle contractions egg development in females and overall health. Calcium is used throughout their body, so inadequate calcium leads to problems.
In the wild, bearded dragons get calcium from eating a variety of insects and greens. But in captivity, their calcium sources are limited. This makes calcium supplementation essential.
Bearded dragons also need vitamin D3 to properly absorb and utilize calcium. Vitamin D3 allows calcium to be absorbed from the digestive tract. Without enough D3, calcium supplementation will be ineffective.
Consequences of Calcium Deficiency
Calcium deficiency can lead to life-threatening health issues in bearded dragons. The most severe consequence is metabolic bone disease (MBD). MBD causes weak, brittle bones and skeletal deformities.
Other symptoms of calcium deficiency include
- Lethargy and weakness
- Muscle twitching
- Frequent fractures
- Constipation
- Seizures
- Bent or folded bones
- Swollen limbs or jaw
- Soft jaw and facial bones
- Bowed legs or arched spine
- Hind leg paralysis
Young, growing bearded dragons are especially prone to MBD and other calcium deficiencies But adults can also develop problems if calcium intake is chronically low.
Preventing Calcium Deficiency
There are several ways to prevent calcium deficiency in captive bearded dragons:
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Use calcium supplements – Calcium powders or liquids provide the most calcium. Aim for calcium products formulated for reptiles.
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Offer calcium-rich foods – Greens like kale, collard greens, turnip greens, dandelion greens, and squash are high in calcium.
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Gut load feeder insects – Feed crickets and worms a calcium-rich diet before feeding them to your bearded dragon.
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Provide proper lighting – A UVB light stimulates D3 production. Replace bulbs every 6-12 months.
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Take them outside – Safe sun exposure boosts vitamin D3 levels.
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Get annual bloodwork – Testing can catch deficiencies before symptoms appear.
Frequency of Calcium Supplementation
The ideal calcium supplementation frequency depends on your bearded dragon’s age:
- Baby bearded dragons: Daily
- Juveniles: 3-4 times per week
- Adults: 1-2 times per week
- Gravid/egg-laying females: 3-4 times per week
For adults with proper UVB lighting, supplementing every other week is usually sufficient. The more UVB exposure, the less supplementation needed.
Multivitamins containing D3 should be used 1-2 times per week. Avoid vitamin A supplements, as too much vitamin A is toxic to bearded dragons.
Calcium Overdose Dangers
While calcium deficiency poses the greater risk, too much calcium can also cause problems.
Calcium overdoses are rare but can occur if excessive calcium and D3 supplements are given. Symptoms include lethargy, weakness, loss of appetite, and calcification of the muscles and soft tissues.
To prevent overdose:
- Carefully follow supplement dosage guidelines
- Use a UVB light to reduce the need for D3 supplementation
- Offer food without supplements most days of the week
- Monitor behavior for signs of lethargy or weakness
- Have annual blood calcium levels tested
Finding the right calcium balance takes some trial and error. Work closely with your veterinarian to determine the ideal supplementation regimen for your bearded dragon.
The Best Calcium Supplements
The most convenient way to provide calcium is through powdered or liquid supplements. Here are some top options:
Calcium Powders
- Zoo Med Repti Calcium with D3
- Fluker’s Repta Calcium with D3
- Repashy Calcium Plus
- Miner-All Calcium Indoor
Calcium powders are easy to use. Just lightly “dust” crickets, greens, or other foods with powder before feeding. Go light, as too much powder deters eating.
Calcium Sprays
- Fluker’s Repta Calcium Spray
- Exo Terra Calcium + D3 Reptile Spray
Sprays are trickier to use properly. Only use sprays if your bearded dragon won’t eat powdered supplements. Never spray insects.
Liquid Calcium
- Fluker’s Liquid Calcium
- Repashy SuperCal HyD
Liquid calcium can be used if powder and sprays fail. Administer carefully with an oral syringe or add to bath or drinking water.
Signs of Calcium Deficiency
Be vigilant for any signs of potential calcium deficiency in your bearded dragon:
- Weakness or lethargy
- Twitching or tremors
- Frequent broken bones or fractures
- Bent or malformed legs or spine
- Swollen or soft jaw
- Constipation
- Loss of appetite
If you notice any physical abnormalities or debilitating symptoms, get your bearded dragon to a vet immediately. Blood calcium testing and x-rays can help diagnose underlying issues.
With attentive husbandry, calcium supplementation, UVB lighting, and annual vet checkups, you can help ensure your bearded dragon lives a long and healthy life. Proper calcium intake is crucial, but with some know-how calcium deficiencies can be avoided.
What types of animal-based proteins can I offer my bearded dragon?
Appropriate animal-based protein sources include calcium-dusted crickets, mealworms, and Dubia roaches. Silkworms and hornworms are also nutritious. Waxworms and “superworms” should not be offered daily because they are high in fat and tend to cause your beardie to become overweight.
All insects should be gut-loaded (fed nutritious food that is then passed on to the lizard) within 12 hours of being fed to your dragon. Most pet stores carry a variety of “gut loading” diets for insects. You can also feed fresh vegetables to the insects before feeding them to your pet. (Photo at right shows an overweight bearded dragon; photo courtesy of Gregory Rich, DVM)
Live prey such as crickets and various worms may be raised by owners or purchased from pet stores, bait stores, or reptile breeders. Collecting insects from outside or from the home garden is not recommended, as fertilizers and insecticides may be present in or on these insects and may be toxic if fed to bearded dragons. Fireflies should never be fed to bearded dragons, as they are generally toxic to lizards. Larger bearded dragons may be fed “pinkie” or young “fuzzy” mice, sparingly.
Remember to feed a healthy and wide variety of food items from all the food categories listed above for balanced nutrition. Consumption of an imbalanced diet will lead to serious health conditions such as hypocalcemia (low blood calcium) or Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD).
What are some types of plant material I can feed my bearded dragon?
Most of the plant material (80-90%) should be leafy green vegetables and flowers and only 10-20% should be fruits. Yellow, red, and orange vegetables may also be included. Avoid fiber-rich, nutrient-poor, and vitamin-deficient light green vegetables, including celery and iceberg or head lettuce, as these vegetables are mainly composed of fiber and water with little nutrient value. The inner, light-colored parts of some vegetables are less nutritious than the darker green outer leaves.
Recommended vegetables include:
| collard greens | beet greens | mustard greens | broccoli | turnip greens |
| alfalfa hay/chow | bok choy | kale | parsley | Swiss chard |
| watercress | clover | red/green cabbage | savory | cilantro |
| kohlrabi | bell peppers | green beans | escarole | dandelion greens |
A smaller percentage of the diet can include:
| cactus | squash (various) | sprouts | cooked sweet potato |
| parsnips | okra | cucumber | asparagus |
| mushrooms | carrots | peas | corn |
Acceptable fruit can include (most nutritious are bold):
| apple | pear | banana (with skin) | mango |
| grapes/raisins | star fruit | peach | tomato |
| guava | kiwi | melon | figs |
| apricot | dates | raspberry | strawberry |
Your bearded dragon may prefer fruits, but these are low in mineral content and should be fed sparingly, as a treat only. Swiss chard, spinach, and beet greens should also be fed sparingly, as they contain oxalates, chemicals that can bind calcium and other trace minerals, preventing their absorption. Diets composed primarily of these foods can lead to nutritional deficiencies.
Caution should also be exercised when feeding cabbage, kale, and mustard greens because they contain goitrogens (substances that suppress thyroid gland function by interfering with iodine uptake) and excessive intake may lead to hypothyroidism.
Vegetables can be offered cooked or raw, although raw is more natural and retains more nutrients. Thoroughly wash all fruits and vegetables. They should be finely chopped and mixed to ensure your bearded dragon eats a wide variety of food types and to discourage the selection of a single preferred food item.
Flowers such as geraniums, carnations, dandelions, hibiscus, nasturtiums, and roses may also be offered as treats. Flowers can be homegrown or purchased from floral shops. Often, floral shops throw out older, wilted flowers. While these may be unacceptable for sale to the public, bearded dragon owners can often get them at no charge. Before feeding them to your dragon, be sure that no chemicals have been applied to the flowers or water.
Food should be presented in a shallow, clean dish that is not easily tipped over.
Do Bearded Dragons Need Calcium With D3 or Without D3
FAQ
How to tell if your bearded dragon needs more calcium?
Caused by low levels of Calcium and Vitamin D3, it’s by far the most common cause of illness in ‘beardies’. Symptoms can be hard to spot, but can include muscle twitching, swollen legs and fragile bones, which can eventually lead to permanent deformities in the limbs, jaw, spine or tail.
What is high in calcium for bearded dragons?
Hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the body) is rare in bearded dragons, but it can happen, and it can result in illness and death. So it’s always best to check with a vet first before starting any supplementation.
How long can bearded dragons go without calcium powder?
Calcium supplements should be alternated daily. Pet parents should use a powdered calcium supplement with vitamin D on one day and then use a calcium supplement without vitamin D the next. A multivitamin powder should be used once a week. Before feeding, dust your bearded dragon’s insects with a powdered supplement.
How to reverse calcium deficiency in bearded dragons?
Treatment may involve oral calcium supplementation, phosphorus-lowering medication, rehydration with fluids, nutritional support, treatment with injectable vitamin D3, and/or injections of calcitonin, a drug that helps re-deposit calcium back into the bearded dragon’s bones).