Eggs are cheap, high in protein, and easy to prepare. So it’s only natural that many bearded dragon owners consider including them in their pet’s diet.
But can bearded dragons eat eggs?
This resource will cover everything you need to know about how eggs will impact your beardie, and the right way to prepare them.
Table of Contents
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Eggs?
Eggs are an enticing food source that many owners consider adding to their bearded dragon’s diet. On paper, eggs seem like the perfect meal. They’re cheap, easy to buy, and packed with nutrients.
So, can bearded dragons eat eggs?
Yes, bearded dragons can eat standard chicken eggs. However, they can only do so in moderation.
How Often Can You Feed Them Eggs?
Despite all the positive aspects of eggs, it’s important to remember that bearded dragons process foods differently than humans. While eggs might be a staple in your daily breakfasts, the same habits could be dangerous for your pet bearded dragon.
That means while bearded dragons can eat eggs, limiting their consumption is important.
As a general rule of thumb, bearded dragons should only eat eggs once every other week. During those sporadic feedings, limit the meals to about half an egg each time. Anything more than that, and you run the risk of creating avoidable health problems.
Expert Tip: That doesn’t seem like much, but snack-sized feedings are more than enough for your lizard to reap the rewards. Eggs have a lot to offer reptiles as far as nutrients go.
One of the best things about eggs is that they’re high in protein. Bearded dragons are natural omnivores that flourish when they eat a varied diet of proteins and plant-based foods. Usually, the go-to for protein is feeder insects. However, eggs are a fantastic alternative.
A large egg has about 6 grams of protein in it. Half an egg can undoubtedly fulfill the dietary needs of both adult and juvenile bearded dragons.
The protein content supports overall development, improves the immune system, and maintains muscle and organ function. Plus, it provides tons of energy to keep your lizard going.
Another notable benefit of eating eggs is Vitamin content. Eggs contain Vitamins A and B12. Vitamin A improves skin and boosts immune health. Meanwhile, Vitamin B12 maintains metabolism levels and enhances brain function.
Eggs are a great source of Vitamin D, too. Bearded dragons need Vitamin D to synthesize and absorb calcium naturally. Without it, these lizards can suffer from debilitating skeletal problems. That’s why you see so many Vitamin D and calcium supplements on the market.
A natural supply of Vitamin D can do a lot to prevent long-term health problems.
Why It’s Important To Limit The Number Of Eggs You Feed Them
With so many healthy vitamins and nutrients, it’s easy to think that eggs are suitable for everyday meals. Unfortunately, that’s not the case for bearded dragons.
An egg meal’s strongest asset also happens to be its most significant detriment. The protein content of eggs is beneficial in moderation. It’s particularly helpful for juvenile dragons, as they need protein levels up to 80 percent as they get closer to maturity.
All that said, there’s a good chance that you’re already giving your reptile a steady supply of protein in other forms. Whether it’s crickets or commercial food, your beardie is getting plenty of protein through other foods.
Letting your bearded dragon eat eggs as an occasional snack can give them an extra boost of protein. But if you make it a regular treat, your bearded dragon can start to suffer the effects of surplus amino acids.
Believe it or not, too much protein can do more harm than good! It can cause unwanted weight gain, which increases your bearded dragon’s risks of diabetes and heart failure.
The liver can develop issues trying to filter out those extra amino acids, too. Fatty liver disease is a byproduct of consuming too much protein. If not addressed swiftly, it can eventually lead to liver failure.
Expert Tip: There’s a delicate balance between giving your bearded dragon too much and not enough protein. Have a conversation with your vet if you’re unsure. Generally, your beardie should be fine as long as you keep egg snacking to once every other week.
Small amounts of egg in moderation shouldn’t have a negative effect on their health.
How To Feed Eggs To Your Bearded Dragon
Feeding your bearded dragon eggs is a bit more involved than fruits or greens. You must prepare the eggs correctly before treating your lizard.
Luckily, it’s easy enough to do, even if you lack culinary skills!
Source High-Quality Eggs
First things first, you have to get the right eggs!
Standard store-bought eggs should be fine. Organic and cage-free eggs are suitable as well. For the sake of easy measurements, go for large eggs. This will make things easier to track and avoid overfeeding.
Many bearded dragon owners also like to provide quail eggs on occasion. Quail eggs have a similar nutrient profile to chicken eggs. So, you can feed them to your bearded dragon. But because they’re so small, you can offer up an entire egg instead of splitting it in half.
Perform A Visual Inspection
Once you gather your eggs, perform a thorough visual inspection. Most of the eggs you get at the supermarket go through intense scrutiny before they make it to shelves. However, some rotten eggs still slip through the cracks.
Look out for any noticeable debris or physical abnormalities. If something seems off, toss the egg in the bin and get a fresh one! It’s better to be overcautious with quality when you let your bearded dragon have eggs.
Cooking The Eggs
Contrary to popular belief, bearded dragons shouldn’t eat raw eggs!
Usually, cooking nutritionally dense foods is frowned upon because heat burns off essential nutrients. Eggs, however, are the exception.
Uncooked eggs can carry bacteria that make your bearded dragon very ill. It’s not worth the risk to serve raw eggs. Take a minute to cook them before serving.
You have a few different ways to do this. The most straightforward cooking technique is to hard-boil the eggs. Gently place the eggs into a pot of boiling water.
Let the eggs cook for about 12 minutes. You want the egg to be fully opaque, even in the yolk!
Another option is to scramble them. Crack the egg, scramble it up in a bowl, and cook it in a skillet. It’s the same process you would do if you were making an omelet for yourself.
Expert Tip: It’s important to make sure you forgo the seasoning. Don’t cook the eggs in any oil, butter, or flavoring, either. Keep the eggs plain to keep them safe for your beardie!
Preparing & Serving
Give your cooked eggs several minutes to cool down to room temperature. Then, portion them out. Remember, the most you should feed bearded dragons is half an egg every other week!
Even after finding the right portion, chop the cooked egg into bite-sized pieces. Eggs are relatively soft, but the rubbery texture could make things difficult for your lizard to chew. Cut the eggs into manageable chunks to reduce the risk of choking.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Hard Boiled Eggs?
Bearded dragons can eat boiled eggs. In fact, it’s one of the best ways to prepare them!
Boiling kills any bacteria that could cause harm to your lizard’s gastrointestinal tract. Plus, it creates a chewy texture that’s more enticing to eat.
When boiling, make sure you’re cooking the eggs thoroughly. Soft yolks will not do. Also, don’t forget to peel and chop the eggs.
Discard the shells, as they can become an impaction risk if your bearded dragon tries to eat them.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Scrambled Eggs?
Bearded dragons can eat scrambled eggs as well.
However, you must ensure that you’re not mixing any other food ingredients with the eggs. That means no seasoning, no vegetables, and no oils.
You can add cooked scrambled eggs with a mix of greens. But, don’t cook the ingredients together.
Conclusion
Bearded dragons can eat eggs, and this food can be a great addition to their diet (as long as you stick to the recommendations above). Personally, we love feeding our beardies a little bit of egg from time to time, and they seem to love it!
If you have any thoughts or questions about how eggs can fit into the existing diet you have mapped out for your bearded dragon, send them our way.
