Food safety
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Pears? Yes, Cored and Diced Small
Yes, bearded dragons can eat pear as an occasional treat. Pear appears on VCA Animal Hospitals' list of fruits for bearded dragons, with VCA's caution that fruit should be only 10 to 20 percent of the plant portion because it is low in minerals. Choose a ripe pear, cut a thin slice, remove the core and seeds, and dice it small. Mixed through a salad of leafy greens once every week or two, it is a soft, mild treat.
By Matt GarnettUpdated November 14, 20263 min read3 sources
Pear is fine in small amounts
VCA includes pear with apple, apricot, banana, figs, grapes, kiwi, mango, melon, peach, raspberry, strawberry and tomato among fruits a bearded dragon can eat. Pear is not toxic to dragons; it is a treat because fruit carries little of the calcium and minerals a dragon needs.
A ripe pear is soft and juicy, which makes it easier to eat than a crisp apple. That softness also means it spoils quickly in a warm enclosure, so serve small amounts and clear leftovers promptly.
Why the seeds and core come out
Pears and apples are close relatives with similar cores. Lafeber, writing about pet birds, notes that apple seeds contain cyanide and should always be removed before feeding. The same simple precaution makes sense for pear seeds and for any pet.
The core itself is tough and fibrous, which is another reason to cut it away. Offer only the diced flesh, and the skin if you like, from a well-washed pear.
How to prepare pear
Wash the pear, cut a thin slice, and remove the core and every seed. Leave the skin on a soft, ripe pear if it is washed, or peel it for a small juvenile. Dice the flesh into pieces about the size of the chopped greens.
Mix the pieces into the salad and remove leftovers within a few hours. Avoid canned pears in syrup, pear juice, dried pears and baked desserts with sugar or spices.
Diet is only half of reptile care: the heat and UVB setup in a well-planned reptile terrarium decides how well a dragon digests what it eats, and our bearded dragon enclosure guide covers the sizes.
How much and how often
For an adult, a few small pieces of pear once every week or two is plenty. For a juvenile, a fingernail-size piece occasionally is enough, since young dragons should eat mostly insects with finely chopped greens.
Count pear toward the total fruit allowance with anything else that week. VCA's share of 10 to 20 percent of the plant portion covers all fruit together. Pear does not need to be offered at all for a dragon to thrive.
Signs to watch and when to see a vet
The Merck Veterinary Manual names metabolic bone disease, caused by diets low in calcium relative to phosphorus, too little vitamin D3 or poor UVB lighting, as the most common bone disease in reptile practice. Its signs include poor appetite, lethargy, abnormal walking, a swollen jaw or limbs, muscle twitching and tetany.
Any of those needs a reptile veterinarian soon. Merck also notes reptiles gain weight easily on excess calories, so cut back on fruit if your dragon refuses greens or grows heavy. A dragon that stops eating for several days outside of brumation should be seen.
Better everyday foods
Build meals on leafy greens, which VCA says should make up 80 to 90 percent of the plant portion: collard greens, turnip greens, mustard greens, dandelion greens, escarole, watercress, bok choy, cilantro and parsley, with green beans and bell peppers for variety.
Add gut-loaded, calcium-dusted insects such as crickets, dubia roaches and hornworms, follow VCA's calcium powder routine, and provide UVB light. A little pear then sits comfortably on top.
This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.
Common questions
Can bearded dragons eat pear skin?
Yes, washed pear skin is fine on a soft, ripe pear if diced finely. Some keepers peel it for small juveniles. Always remove the core and seeds before serving.
Can bearded dragons eat pear seeds?
Remove them. Pear seeds resemble apple seeds, which Lafeber notes contain cyanide. Cut away the core and seeds and offer only small pieces of the flesh.
Can bearded dragons eat pears every day?
No. VCA keeps fruit to a small share of the plant portion because it is low in minerals. A few small pieces once every week or two is the right frequency.
Can bearded dragons eat canned pears?
No. Canned pears are usually packed in syrup or juice with a lot of added sugar. Use a small piece of fresh, ripe pear instead, cored and diced.
Can baby bearded dragons eat pears?
A tiny piece occasionally is fine. Baby dragons need mostly insects plus finely chopped greens, according to VCA, so fruit should be rare for them.
Sources we checked
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell or injured, contact your veterinarian.
