Bearded Dragon Feeding Schedule by Age
A bearded dragon feeding schedule by age: how often to feed insects and greens for babies, juveniles, and adults, with the insect-to-plant ratio for each stage.
Quick answer: Babies (0 to 3 months) eat insects 3 to 5 times a day and greens daily, at roughly 80 percent insects to 20 percent plants. Juveniles (3 to 12 months) eat insects 1 to 2 times a day, gradually shifting toward greens. Adults (18 months and up) eat a salad every day but insects only 2 to 3 times a week, at roughly 80 percent plants to 20 percent insects.
A bearded dragon's feeding schedule changes more than almost any other part of its care as it grows. The insect-hungry baby becomes a salad-eating adult, and feeding an adult like a baby is the fastest route to obesity. Use the chart below to match meals to your dragon's age.
Feeding Schedule Essentials
Feeding schedule chart
| Age | Insects | Greens | Ratio (insects to plants) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby (0 to 3 months) | 3 to 5 times daily | Daily | 80 / 20 |
| Juvenile (3 to 6 months) | 2 times daily | Daily | 70 / 30 |
| Juvenile (6 to 12 months) | 1 time daily | Daily | 50 / 50 |
| Sub-adult (12 to 18 months) | Every other day | Daily | 30 / 70 |
| Adult (18 months and up) | 2 to 3 times weekly | Daily | 20 / 80 |
How to feed each session
On insect feedings, offer as many correctly sized, calcium-dusted feeders as your dragon will eat in about 10 to 15 minutes, then remove any strays. Size every insect no larger than the space between the eyes to prevent impaction. Offer the salad in the morning once the dragon has warmed under the basking light, and remove it in the evening.
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Why the ratio flips
Babies need heavy protein to fuel explosive growth, so insects dominate their diet. As growth slows, that same protein and fat would simply become stored fat, so adults shift to a plant-heavy diet that keeps them lean. Offering greens daily from the start trains your dragon to accept salad, which makes the adult transition smooth. Pair this schedule with the right supplement schedule and a complete food chart for balanced nutrition at every age.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I feed a baby bearded dragon?
Feed a baby bearded dragon insects three to five times a day, offering as many appropriately sized feeders as it will eat in about 10 to 15 minutes each session. Babies are growing rapidly and need a protein-heavy diet of roughly 80 percent insects and 20 percent greens. Always keep a small fresh salad available too, and dust insects with calcium at most feedings.
How often do adult bearded dragons eat?
Adult bearded dragons eat a fresh salad every day but only need insects two to three times a week. By adulthood their growth is finished, so a constant supply of insect protein and fat causes obesity and fatty liver disease. Make greens the daily centerpiece and offer a small portion of dusted staple insects on the two or three insect days each week.
When should I switch a bearded dragon to more greens?
Start increasing greens and reducing insect frequency through the juvenile stage, from about 3 to 12 months, then settle into a plant-heavy adult diet by around 18 months. The shift is gradual, not sudden. Offer greens daily from day one so your dragon develops a taste for them early, which makes the transition to a salad-based adult diet much easier.
How many insects should I feed at each age?
Babies may eat 25 to 50 small insects spread across several daily sessions, juveniles eat fewer but larger insects once or twice a day, and adults get a small portion of about 10 staple insects on each of their two to three weekly insect days. Use the 10 to 15 minute rule per session and size every insect no larger than the space between the dragon's eyes.
What time of day should I feed my bearded dragon?
Feed during the warm daytime hours when the basking lights are on, since a dragon needs heat to digest. Offer the salad in the morning after the dragon has warmed up, and give insects later in the morning or early afternoon. Avoid feeding late in the day, because food sitting in a cooling gut overnight can lead to digestive problems.
Why does my bearded dragon eat less as it gets older?
A reduced appetite as a dragon matures is usually normal. Growth slows, so the body needs less food, and insect meals naturally drop to a few times a week. A seasonal slowdown can also signal brumation in dragons over a year old. Sudden anorexia paired with weight loss, sunken eyes, or lethargy is different and warrants a reptile vet visit.
Should greens be available every day?
Yes. Offer a fresh salad of staple greens every single day at all ages, even for babies that eat mostly insects. Daily exposure builds the habit of eating plants and ensures fiber and nutrients are always available. Remove uneaten salad in the evening so it stays fresh and appealing the next morning.
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