Crickets might be your bearded dragon’s first choice for a nutritious meal. Is it safe for them to eat crickets?
Crickets are good protein for your dragon. Crickets can be fed frequently due to their high calcium and low phosphorus (Ca:P ratio of 1:3.2).
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cricket Quencher?
Cricket Quencher is a commercially produced gut-loading product intended to supplement the nutrition of insects that are fed to reptiles. There are contradictory views among reptile owners about whether feeding Cricket Quencher directly to bearded dragons offers any benefits.
Some people claim that feeding Cricket Quencher to bearded dragons provides them with extra vitamins, minerals and amino acids that the product contains. These include calcium, phosphorus, B vitamins and nutrients intended to supplement the diet of insects.
However, other reptile owners argue that Cricket Quencher is meant for gut-loading insects, not feeding directly to reptiles. They claim that bearded dragons cannot properly digest and utilize most of the ingredients in Cricket Quencher.
In reality, commercially available reptile diets that are formulated specifically for bearded dragons are likely to provide a more balanced and appropriate nutrition. While insects gut-loaded with Cricket Quencher may offer some benefits, directly feeding the product to bearded dragons offers little advantage and should not replace a healthy diverse diet.
A proper diet for bearded dragons consists primarily of dark, leafy green vegetables and greens. Appropriate amounts of fruits and non-citrus vegetables should also be included along with a regular source of live, gut-loaded insects for protein and fat.
In summary, while Cricket Quencher contains some vitamins and minerals, experts recommend against directly feeding the product to bearded dragons. A balanced diet primarily consisting of leafy greens, limited fruit and vegetables and live insects will provide optimal nutrition for beardies. Cricket Quencher is best used solely for gut-loading insects to supplement their value as reptile food.
Bearded dragons can eat small crickets (less than the width between their eyes). Feeding larger insects increases the risk of impaction, which can lead to death or paralysis.
Freeze-dried mealworms are high in phosphorus, difficult to digest, and fatty, so bearded dragons should not eat them.
Instead of mealworms, feed them Phoenix worms, also called Black Soldier fly larvae, Calci worms, or Repti worms. No dusting or gut-loading is needed for these bugs, which have an ideal calcium to phosphorus ratio of 1.5-2:1. They have 10{ee685e3adeb6997ca32ed3610b1b2ca8a7809e1b3fc9db6880a50336a8b9cba5} fat too.
To ensure your dragon gets all the nutrients it needs, feed it a variety of vegetables, insects, and fruit. Dragons prefer fruits to greens.
Nutritional Content of Cricket Quencher
Cricket Quencher cleans your bearded dragon or hermit crab’s water bowl without drowning them. It also comes in various flavors to meet their culinary needs. Best of all? Cricket Quencher is easy to use and will not attract bacteria or mold like wet sponges and paper towels, so it is perfect for freshening the bowl and keeping crabs cool while they eat!
Measure your pet’s height in inches and choose a gel that is at least as tall. This will keep them happy and healthy for years to come—the only problem is getting them to drink it!
Health Benefits and Risks of Cricket Quencher
Crickets are not the only healthy snack for your bearded dragon. Wax worms, dubia roaches, and goliath worms are nutritious pet food options.
To keep your dragon healthy, feed it a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables and a protein supplement.
Crickets are a popular food for bearded dragons, but they can harm them. They carry toxic poisons and diseases as well as protein and parasites.
Buy bearded dragon crickets from reptile breeders or online retailers if you want to feed them. Avoid bait shops’ crickets because they may carry parasites and diseases.
Other Alternatives to Cricket Quencher
Many bearded dragon owners feed their pets cricket feed and fresh fruits and vegetables. Carrots or radishes with a slice of green pepper are tasty and nutritious for your pet.
A glass or plastic water dispenser and misting system are other ways to hydrate your bearded dragon at home. To avoid rotting smell, cool the water before sealing the bottle. Many great reusable dispensers are available at local pet stores.
Conclusion about Eating Cricket Quencher
If your beardie is not allergic to cricket quencher’s preservatives, it should be fine to try it. To prevent digestive upsets and runny poop, reduce their calcium intake for several days after consumption.
Feed your beardie insect prey, fruits, vegetables, and commercial lizard food to ensure proper nutrition.