Grubs are the larvae of some beetles, specifically the Japanese beetle.
They have a creamy body, a brown head, six legs, and a dark portion on the abdomen. This insect is around 2 inches long and feeds on plants.
There are three major grubs types: the green June beetles, Japanese beetles, and the annual white grubs.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Grubs?
Yes. Bearded dragons can comfortably eat grub as an occasional treat and a part of their balanced meals. Grubs contain proteins that are significantly helpful to your pet’s growth and development. Even so, these worms shouldn’t be the larger part of your beardie’s meals as they contain excess fats, which could lead to obesity if fed in excess.
Harm/Importance of Grubs to Bearded Dragons.
When prepared and served moderately, grubs have several nutritional benefits to your bearded dragon.
Beardies that consume grubs appear to be more robust and brighter than their counterparts since these worms contain plenty of nutrients.
Calcium is good for proper bone and tooth development, while proteins are responsible for hormone production and play a significant role in achieving a balanced diet.
They also serve as an appetizer to your darling, especially if he was previously sick or experiencing eating problems.
Grubs contain fats that are broken down to generate enough energy required for your let’s daily activities.
However, these worms should be offered moderately as their high fat concentration could easily lead to obesity if not well regulated.
Also, grubs might be harboring some toxic bacteria or parasites that could make your bearded dragon unwell if you offer them in excess.
It would be great to serve them occasionally alongside other meals such as vegetables.
Nutritional Value.
With proper preparation and distribution, grubs have plenty of nutrients for your bearded buddy.
Firstly, they are filled with fats that are broken down to create the energy your cutie needs for his daily errands.
They also have proteins which play a great role in making your pet’s diet balanced and controlling the production of hormones.
Grubs are rich in minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, and zinc. For instance, calcium supports a proper circulation of blood by the vessels, a good development of teeth and bones, and an excellent functioning of the nervous system.
On the other hand, phosphorus makes sure the body tissues and cells are well and timely repaired.
Lastly, though in small quantities, the carbohydrates found in grubs are broken down into simple sugars to supply your bearded dragon with some energy.
How Many Grubs Can I Feed My Beardie?
These creamy worms should be offered moderately as an occasional treat, comprising not more than 20% of your pet’s diet. At least two or three grubs occasionally would be okay for him.
If your beardie is a freshman to this delicacy, it’d be advisable to start with small portions as you study how he reacts to them.
If he turns out to be allergic or doesn’t like them, you could consider other foodstuffs for him.
Grubs also do great to baby beardies as they require much energy for their growth compared to adults. It would even help if you didn’t overfeed them since they could give rise to obesity.
If your dragon is undergoing any treatment or illness, kindly do not serve them grubs as they can quickly interfere with the healing process. However, they’d be a perfect treat as soon as he recovers since they act appetizers.
Why are Grubs Good or Bad.
Good.
Serving your bearded dragon grubs doesn’t go unrewarded as these worms contain a variety of nutritional benefits for him.
Calcium supports a great circulation of blood throughout your pet’s body. It’s also good for maintaining the proper functioning of the nervous system while strengthening the growth of bone and teeth.
On the other hand, phosphorus is responsible for the proper and timely repair of body cells and tissues.
These treats are filled with fats that are significantly important to bearded dragons. The fats are turned into energy-giving compounds as your pet’s daily requirement.
Harm.
Although grubs might be your beardie’s favorite titbit, you should offer them moderately to avoid the risks related to their excess feeding. If served in plenty, being rich in fats, these worms can effortlessly trigger obesity and other weight-related issues.
Even worse, grubs could at times contain toxic bacteria $ parasites that are dangerous to your beardie as they could make him sick. With that, grubs shouldn’t take much of your pet’s meal but rather be served as a rare treat.
How Can I Feed Grubs to Bearded Dragons?
Grubs should be served irregularly as a treat but not a whole meal. First, we urge you to squish them before serving to prevent possible gut blockage and choking. Two or three grubs thrice are more than enough for your beardie friend.
Essentially, it’d be recommendable to accompany the treat with other foodstuffs such as fruits and vegetables to achieve a complete diet. All these types are healthy for your baby, from green June beetles, Japanese beetles, and annual white grubs.
What are the alternative meals for grubs?
If your darling has shown a great craving for grubs, but he’s allergic to them, they are rare to find or don’t like feeding them to him; worry less, for there are plenty of other foodstuffs you could give your beardie in place of grubs. These are safe meals from fruits, vegetables, and other non-toxic worms for your darling.
Should I refrigerate grubs?
Refrigerating grubs is not a good option as these worms cannot withstand anything below 60oC. Bearded dragons like their grubs fresh from the soil. Thus, fetch a few grubs that will be consumed adequately with no unwanted surplus.
What if my bearded dragon eats unsure worms from the field?
If your beardie consumes some worms whose condition is not certain, it’d be great to rush him to the vet for examination as soon as possible. This is because such worms might be housing harmful bacteria and parasites, which could make your sweetie sick.
Having gone through this post, you’re now a thousand miles ahead of other bearded dragon parents out there. In spite that your beardie loves grubs to death, offering them in excess will only do him more harm than good.
