Can Bearded Dragons Eat Blackberries

Below is the "reptile" nutrient label for blackberries. We created this label using data provided by the USDA and other reliable sources.

Blackberry Health Concerns

Overall, blackberries are a healthy fruit with very little health concerns. Unlike most fruit, blackberries actually have more calcium than phosphorus, which is good. They are also lower in sugar than most fruits. The only minor concern is the pH value of blackberries.

Blackberries have an average pH value of 4.1, which makes them a bit more acidic than most fruits. Foods that are too acidic can cause mouth and stomach irritation in bearded dragons as well as other digestive discomfort. Fortunately, blackberries are small so it's easy to serve them mixed with other basic (pH value larger than 7) foods which will help offset discomfort from the acidity.

Blackberries are safe to feed bearded dragons, but due to their higher acidity level they should be fed in moderation. Giving your beardie blackberries once or twice a week should be fine.

Preparing Blackberries

You should choose fresh blackberries as they are usually less messy and do not have any added sugars which store-purchased frozen fruit sometimes contains. Thoroughly wash the berries before preparation to remove any dirt, loose debris, and pesticides the fruit may have come in contact with.

Some blackberries can be surprisingly large. It's important to remember that bearded dragons can and will eat food that is too large for them to safely digest so you should not feed any berries that are larger than the distance between your beardies eyes. Some owners prefer cutting the berries in half to make them smaller, but that can be messy so you may choose to save the larger berries for yourself and give their beardie the smaller ones.

You should serve the berries with other non-acidic foods (pH value of 7+). This will help offset any discomfort from the blackberries acidity.