This is the day-by-day feeding schedule for baby bearded dragons aged 0–12 months. For general 0–4 month care, see our baby care guide. For 4–12 month care, see our juvenile care guide. For a complete food list, see our what bearded dragons eat page.
The short answer
Baby bearded dragons (0–12 months) eat 3–5 insect feedings per day, 5–10 minutes each, with greens introduced around 4–6 weeks. Calcium dust on most insect meals, multivitamin once or twice a week. The exact ratio shifts from 80% insects / 20% greens at hatchling toward 50/50 by 12 months. Use the age table below for the full breakdown [$TRAE_REF](https://reptifiles.com/bearded-dragon-care/bearded-dragon-food/)[$TRAE_REF](https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/bearded-dragons).
[IMAGE: Baby bearded dragon feeding schedule timeline chart by age from hatchling to juvenile showing daily insect feedings vegetable introduction and calcium dust frequency, source-needed, alt=”Baby bearded dragon feeding schedule timeline chart by age from hatchling to juvenile showing daily insect feedings vegetable introduction and calcium dust frequency”]
The 0–12 month feeding age brackets
The single most common error with baby bearded dragons is feeding them like adults. They are not adults. Below is the age-graded schedule that keeps a baby growing on track without over-fattening or stunting.
| Age bracket | Insects per day | Greens offered | Calcium dust | Multivitamin | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–2 months (hatchling) | 4–5 feedings, 5–10 min each | Offered daily; intake 10–20% | 5× per week (no-D3) | 1× per week | Pinhead crickets, tiny dubia, fruit flies; 80/20 insect-to-greens |
| 2–4 months | 3–4 feedings, 5–10 min each | Offered daily; intake 20–30% | 4–5× per week | 1× per week | Small crickets (1/4″), small dubia; 75/25 ratio |
| 4–8 months | 2–3 feedings, 5–10 min each | Offered daily; intake 30–40% | 3–4× per week | 1× per week | Medium crickets (1/2″), medium dubia; 65/35 ratio; greens introduced seriously |
| 8–12 months | 2 feedings, 5–10 min each | Offered daily; intake 40–50% | 3× per week | 1× per week | Adult-sized crickets (3/4″), large dubia; 50/50 ratio |
How to read the table
Each feeding session runs 5–10 minutes: drop in insects, let the baby eat as many as it actively hunts, then remove uneaten insects. The 5-minute rule prevents over-feeding and stops crickets from stressing the dragon after dark [$TRAE_REF](https://lafeber.com/vet/basic-information-for-bearded-dragons/).
The 80/20 → 50/50 ratio progression
Babies are protein-burning machines. Their first-year priority is growth, which is why insects dominate the first 4 months. The transition toward more greens starts around month 4 and finishes by month 12, when the dragon is closer to adult body composition.
- 0–4 months: 80% insects / 20% greens by volume. The baby needs protein to grow.
- 4–8 months: 70/30. Greens are now offered daily, but insects still dominate.
- 8–12 months: 60/40 moving toward 50/50. By 12 months the diet should resemble an adult’s.
- 12+ months: 50/50 stable. From this point the dragon is functionally adult — see our adult feeding chart.
What “5–10 minutes of insects” actually means
Drop in a small number of appropriately-sized insects (head-width rule below). The baby will stalk, chase, and eat. Once it loses interest — turns away, hides, or stops reacting — the session is over. This is the cleanest signal that the baby is full. Counting exact insect numbers is unreliable because appetite varies day to day [$TRAE_REF](https://beardeddragon.org/).
The head-width rule for insect size
Any insect you offer must be no longer than the distance between the baby’s eyes. Insects wider than that risk impaction, choking, or paralysis of the hind legs. The dragon cannot safely chew what it cannot fit in its mouth.
- 0–2 months: Pinhead crickets, 1-week-old dubia, fruit flies, small black soldier fly larvae
- 2–4 months: 1/4″ crickets, 2-week-old dubia, small BSFL
- 4–8 months: 1/2″ crickets, medium dubia, regular BSFL, small hornworms (treat)
- 8–12 months: 3/4″ crickets, adult dubia, adult BSFL, small mealworms (after 6 months)
Greens: when to start and what to offer
Greens are introduced from day one, even though the baby will mostly ignore them until 4–6 weeks. By offering greens every day, you train the baby to recognize them as food. Skipping greens in the first two months is a common cause of an adult that refuses vegetables entirely.
Safe daily greens (offer fresh every day)
- Collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, dandelion greens
- Endive, escarole, romaine (in moderation),
- Butternut squash (grated), acorn squash (cooked)
- Grated carrot (small amounts), bell pepper (small amounts)
Greens to limit or avoid
- Spinach (binds calcium — see our spinach page)
- Iceberg lettuce (no nutrition, can cause diarrhea)
- Avocado (toxic — see our avocado page)
- Rhubarb, onion, garlic (toxic)
Calcium dust schedule: the simplest rule
For a baby bearded dragon under 12 months, the rule is: calcium dust on 4–5 insect meals per week, multivitamin once a week. The exact weekly split depends on the age bracket table above.
- Calcium without D3: 4–5× per week. Place insects in a bag with a pinch of calcium, shake gently, then offer. See our calcium supplement guide for product type guidance.
- Calcium with D3: Optional backup; use 1× per week if your UVB output is unverified. If you run a known T5 HO 10% or 12% bulb at proper distance, the no-D3 routine is sufficient.
- Multivitamin: 1× per week, replacing one calcium dust on that day. Most bearded dragon multivitamins include vitamin A, B-complex, and trace minerals.
Do not over-supplement. Excess calcium and vitamin A cause soft tissue calcification, gout, and joint swelling. More is not better. If your baby is healthy, eating well, and active, the schedule above is enough [$TRAE_REF](https://lafeber.com/vet/metabolic-bone-disease/).
When your baby refuses to eat: the 24/48/72-hour decision tree
Refusing food is the most common baby bearded dragon concern. Most refusals are not emergencies. Use this tree:
[IMAGE: Bearded dragon feeding refusal decision tree showing 24 hour 48 hour and 72 hour steps from observe to offer favorite food to veterinary visit, source-needed, alt=”Bearded dragon feeding refusal decision tree showing 24 hour 48 hour and 72 hour steps from observe to offer favorite food to veterinary visit”]
0–24 hours: observe only
One missed meal in a baby is normal. Temperature swings, a recent handling session, or a slightly off basking spot all reduce appetite temporarily. Check the basking temperature (see our baby temperature guide). Do not change anything else.
24–48 hours: try adjustments
- Re-measure basking temperature; it should be 100–110°F for a baby
- Re-measure cool side; it should be 75–80°F
- Offer a favorite treat (small hornworm, single waxworm) to test appetite
- Check for signs of stress: dark beard, stress marks, hiding, glass surfing (see our stress marks page)
- If this is a new arrival, see our first week guide — relocation refusal is normal for up to 7 days
48–72 hours: increase monitoring
After 48 hours of refusal in a previously good eater, weigh the baby. A weight loss of more than 5 grams is a red flag. Continue offering food. Check the lighting setup against our baby lighting guide.
Beyond 72 hours: veterinary visit
If the baby is still refusing food after 72 hours, is losing weight, is lethargic, or has abnormal stool, see an exotics vet within 24 hours. This is not optional — babies de burn fast and dehydration is the biggest acute risk [$TRAE_REF](https://www.zenhabitats.com/).
How to know your baby is eating enough
Three signals together give you a reliable read on whether the feeding schedule is working:
- Body condition. Tail base thick, belly full but not distended, limbs firm. A bony tail base or visible ribs = underfed. A squishy soft belly or fat pads under arms = overfed.
- Weight trend. Babies should gain weight steadily. A 30-gram hatchling should reach 100–150 grams by 4 months and 200–350 grams by 12 months. Weekly weigh-ins on a kitchen scale give you the trend.
- Stool quality. Firm brown stool with white urate = healthy. Runny, green, or foul-smelling = dietary or parasite issue. See our diarrhea page for red flags.
Quick answers
How often do you feed a baby bearded dragon?
3–5 insect feedings per day, 5–10 minutes each, from hatchling through 4 months. Drop to 2–3 feedings from 4–8 months and 2 feedings from 8–12 months. See the age bracket table above.
What can baby bearded dragons eat?
Insects (crickets, dubia roaches, BSFL) + daily greens (collard, mustard, squash). Avoid mealworms under 6 months, avoid avocado, onion, garlic, and rhubarb. See our complete food list.
How many crickets should a baby bearded dragon eat per day?
Use the 5–10 minute rule rather than counting. Most 0–2 month babies will eat 30–60 small crickets per day; 2–4 month babies 50–80; 4–8 month babies 30–50; 8–12 month babies 20–40. Appetite varies — let the dragon tell you when it’s done [$TRAE_REF](https://beardeddragonhub.com/best-feeder-insects-for-bearded-dragon/”>feeder insect guide).
When can baby bearded dragons eat mealworms?
After 6 months, when the dragon is large enough to handle their hard chitin. Under 6 months, mealworms risk impaction. Use BSFL, small dubia, or pinhead crickets instead. See our mealworms page.
Do baby bearded dragons need water?
Yes. Provide a shallow water dish at all times and offer a 5-minute shallow soak twice a week. Babies dehydrate faster than adults. See our dehydration page for warning signs.
Can a baby bearded dragon skip a day of eating?
One day is normal — temperature, stress, or shedding can suppress appetite briefly. Two days warrants checking temperatures and offering a favorite. Three days requires a vet visit, especially with weight loss.
How do I know if my baby bearded dragon is hungry?
Active hunting, head-bobbing toward the food dish, glass surfing near insect movements, and licking lips. A baby that just sits still at feeding time is often too cold or too stressed to eat — check temperatures first.
Should I feed my baby bearded dragon at night?
No. Bearded dragons are diurnal. Feed during the active period (morning to early evening) so digestion has heat and light support. Last feeding should be at least 2 hours before lights-out.
Sources & review
- ReptiFiles – Bearded Dragon Food & Diet: https://reptifiles.com/bearded-dragon-care/bearded-dragon-food/
- VCA Animal Hospitals – Bearded Dragons: https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/bearded-dragons
- LafeberVet – Bearded Dragon Basic Information: https://lafeber.com/vet/basic-information-for-bearded-dragons/
- beardeddragon.org – Feeding FAQ: https://beardeddragon.org/
- Zen Habitats – Baby Bearded Dragon Care: https://www.zenhabitats.com/blogs/reptile-care-sheets-resources/baby-bearded-dragon-care-sheet
This guide is informational and does not replace veterinary care. Refusal-to-eat beyond 72 hours, weight loss of more than 5 grams, or abnormal stool warrants an immediate exotics vet visit. Individual dragons vary; use the schedule above as a starting point and adjust based on body condition, weight trend, and your vet’s guidance.