Nutrition
Bearded Dragon Calcium Guide
Updated August 1, 2026
🧪 Calcium with D3 vs without
Calcium WITHOUT D3
Use this if:
- • Your dragon has proper T5/T8 UVB
- • Dragon is indoors
- • Dragon gets 12+ hours of UVB weekly
Their body makes D3 from UVB. This is the safest option.
Calcium WITH D3
Use sparingly if:
- • No UVB (rescue situation)
- • Medical condition preventing D3 absorption
- • Very rarely as a supplement
Too much D3 is toxic. Use rarely.
📅 How often to dust
| Age | Calcium dusting | Multivitamin |
|---|---|---|
| Baby (0-4 mo) | Every feeding | 1x/week |
| Juvenile (4-12 mo) | 4-5x/week | 1x/week |
| Adult (12+ mo) | 2-3x/week | 1x/2 weeks |
Dusting too much is as dangerous as too little. Follow this schedule strictly.
💊 Multivitamins
Bearded dragons need vitamins A, B, E, and K in addition to calcium/D3. Use a quality reptile multivitamin:
- Herptivite — popular, trusted
- Repashy Supervite — comprehensive
- Zoo Med Reptivite — good option
Just a pinch on the insects — you don't need much. Overdosing vitamins is possible.
🏺 Types of calcium
- Calcium carbonate: most common, affordable, highly bioavailable
- Calcium citrate: easier to absorb, good for dragons with gut issues
- Calcium gluconate: rarely used, usually for sick dragons
Skip calcium with phosphorus — bearded dragons already get enough P from their diet. Pure calcium carbonate is best.
⚠️ Calcium sand warning
Never use calcium sand as substrate!
Despite the name, calcium sand (crushed limestone) is dangerous:
- • Causes impaction if ingested
- • Binds in the gut, preventing real calcium absorption
- • High pH can disrupt digestion
- • Many dragons have died from impaction
Safe substrates: paper towel, slate tile, excavator clay, or bioactive mix without calcium sand.
🦴 Signs of MBD (metabolic bone disease)
- Rubbery/bendy legs
- Legs bowing out (curved)
- Unable to walk properly
- Tremors/shaking
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Weakness
MBD is irreversible but can be stopped if caught early. See a reptile vet immediately if you suspect MBD.
Recommended supplies
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