6 Nutritious Bearded Dragon Slurry Recipes for Any Health Concern!

Who doesn’t love a good smoothie? From their refreshing taste to their ease of consumption, they’re certainly a favorite in many cultures. And as it turns out… they’re also totally loved by bearded dragons!

That’s right. What you may or may not know, is that thousands of bearded dragon owners have had major success when it comes to feeding their bearded dragons smoothies or slurries.

Slurries are great because they have a texture that is easy on your beardie’s digestive tract AND allow you to sneak in medicines, supplements, and more.

In fact, whenever my dragons are sick, I find I am able to get them to take certain medicines and supplements easier if they are hidden within a slurry.

Now, to ensure you are giving your bearded dragon the right quantities of their supplements, medicines, etc. I highly recommend purchasing a 1ml scoop like this one here, as most recipes below will call for increments in 1ml or 0.5ml.

Note: when preparing any of the smoothies below, feel free to remove the middle veins/stalks from large leafy greens (such as collard, mustard, etc.) as they provide zero nutritional value and can make the slurry taste less appetizing.

In This Article

How Much Slurry Does My Bearded Dragon Need?

Before diving head first into the recipes, it is important that we first take a moment to discuss how much slurry you should actually be giving your bearded dragon at any one time!

Typically, you’ll want to just give your beardie around 3 – 6ml per serving, with large adult beardies getting 4-6ml and smaller or young dragons getting around 3ml once a day or as needed.

And when it comes to leftovers? I recommend simply freezing them or storing in the fridge for no more than a few days tops.

How to Feed a Bearded Dragon a Slurry

Next, you may be wondering how to best feed your beardie their slurry.

As I am sure you can guess, you’re not going to want to necessarily plop it into a bowl.

Now, if your bearded dragon will eat it this way… great! But, chances are it will take a little more work than this on your end.

I recommend purchasing some affordable syringes which you can use to syringe feed your bearded dragon. These syringes here are 10ml, meaning they’re the PERFECT size for single feedings and storing leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.

It is important when you draw the bearded dragon slurry into the syringe, that you do your best not to have any air bubbles as this can lead to your beardie swallowing air.

If your pet will not eat from a normal syringe and requires force feeding (this is always a last resort btw), then you’ll need to administer the bearded dragon slurry in 1 of 2 ways. See below.

AGAIN, force feeding is 100% a last resort and I’d only recommend doing this if you get the go-ahead from your vet and your dragon is not eating at all.

Do not force feed your dragon a slurry in the instance that it’s just a “treat” for them, only in situations where they are not eating, need their medicine, etc.

In the instance you do decide to force feed, you’ll have a couple ways to go about this. I recommend starting with option #1 and only progressing onto #2 if absolutely necessary.

Force Feeding Option #1: Syringe Feeding

If your dragon isn’t taking their slurry off the snout or simply licking at a syringe tip, then I recommend purchasing a specific type of syringe that will allow you to actually get the slurry into their mouth.

These ones here have worked great for me before and their curved tips allow me to gently insert them into the corner of my dragon’s mouth and aim the solution towards the middle of the tongue NOT the throat.

Force Feeding Option #2: Using a Crop Needle

Using a crop needle allows you to administer the bearded dragon slurry in a much more effective way because it ensures the slurry makes it down the dragon’s throat.

This is a great option for medicines that don’t taste good or stubborn dragons who aren’t eating.

You see, unlike a regular syringe that simply deposits the slurry in the mouth or the front of the throat, a crop needle actually places it down the throat, meaning the bearded dragon can’t simply spit out.

Naturally, you’ll want to use the right size crop needle to avoid penetrating the windpipe.

For bearded dragons 6 months and older, I recommend a size 12 or 14 gauge like this one here.

Watch the video below to get an idea of how to SAFELY use a crop needle to feed a bearded dragon.

Despite being focused on birds, the strategy will remain the same for your bearded dragon.

Bearded Dragon Slurry Recipe for Picky Eaters

Dealing with a picky eater? Fear not! Whip up this delicious smoothie below to help stimulate your bearded dragon’s appetite AND give them a nutritional boost!

Small handful of mixed greens OR 0.5-1 tsp. Alfalfa Powder
1ml Bee Pollen (I LOVE this one)
1 large strawberry or several small chunks of pineapple for sweetness
Nature Zone Appetite Plus
0.25 – 0.5tsp Repashy Grub pie OR insects of choosing
3-6ml water (will depend on desired consistency)

Baby Bearded Dragon Slurry Recipe

Want to make sure your little lizard grows up to be big and strong? Check out the recipe below for a supercharged slurry that will have them feeling their oats in no time!

If your bearded dragon is young, I recommend feeding them this anywhere from 2 times a week to once a day as they grow up.

This recipe will make a single serving.

1.5-2ml Fluker’s Repta Boost
3-4ml of water (may need less or more)
0.25-0.5tsp of Repashy Grub Pie OR insects of choosing
0.5tsp of Alfalfa Powder
1 drop of all natural Vitamin B ( aids growth and immune system)
Pinch of Bee Pollen (essentially an all-in-on vitamin)
Strawberry or small chunks of pineapple (not necessary, may help with taste)

Slurry Recipe for Malnourished or Underweight Bearded Dragons

Is your beardie looking a little (or a lot) on the thin side these days? If so, try this recipe below to fatten him or her up and and also ensure they are receiving all of their nutrients!

The secret lies in the amazing Oxbow Carnivore Care Pet Supplement, which features an easy to absorb protein dense formula and a taste most beardies love!

Before making this slurry, verify your bearded dragon is ACTUALLY underweight here, as it is SO important to not feed healthy dragons too much protein.

Please Note: If you feel confident your bearded dragon isn’t nutrient deficient but instead just underweight, I recommend just mixing 1 TBSP of the Carnivore Care per kg of your bearded dragon’s body weight with water to form a paste and feeding them this 2-3 times weekly. OR if your bearded dragon is sick and/or coming out of surgery, I recommend trying the recipe in the next section instead.

The recipe will make a single serving. I recommend 3 servings per day for bearded dragons that are very underweight and struggling to get their nutrients.

The following recipe will make a single serving. If your dragon is very malnourished/thin, I recommend feeding them this 2-3 times a day OR if they’re just a little on the thin side, several times a week. Use your best judgement.

1ml Oxbow Carnivore Care Pet Supplement per 100g of body weight
2-4ml of water
0.5tsp of Alfalfa powder OR several leafy greens (mustard, dandelion, etc.)
Fluker’s Repta Boost (should help improve appetite)
Any vitamins you’re already giving them (Suggestions here)

Slurry Recipe for Sick or Post Surgery Bearded Dragons

The following recipe is great if you have a bearded dragon that is sick or weak from surgery. I recommend getting the advice of your vet, but typically for the first 2-3 days you’ll want to ONLY administer fluids to your weakened reptile. NO BUGS! This is why having this recipe on hand is especially helpful.

Due to the incorporation of Critical Care, I recommend you know the weight of your beardie, as the dosage calls for 1 TBSP of powder per kg of your bearded dragon’s weight.

For reference, most bearded dragons will fall between 0.5lb. (0.30kg ) and 1.5lb. ( 0.68kg). So, if your dragon is around 1 lb., then they would be around 0.5kg and you would use HALF a TBSP of critical care per serving.

This recipe will make 2 servings, give them one in the morning and the other half at night.

1 TBSP of Critical Care per Kg of your dragon’s weight
1ml of unflavored Pedialyte for every 50 grams of body weight
2ml of No sugar added Butternut Squash Baby Food
Pinch of Bee Pollen (helps immune system)

After your bearded dragon has had this slurry successfully for around 3 days, feel free to incorporate their calcium, vitamins, and probiotics at the rate you normally would.

From there, if all is going well you can consider adding in insects after a few more days.

Bearded Dragon Slurry Recipe for Upper Respiratory Infections

As a disclaimer, I have not personally tried this when my bearded dragons have a Respiratory Infection, but I have read several times online that it has worked great for others during their dragon’s treatment.

Of course, if you suspect your bearded dragon has an infection you should always take them to the vet first and have them diagnosed and given proper medication. But, if you can’t get them in right away or are looking to help them eat as they are recovering, this bearded dragon slurry recipe may prove to be beneficial.

Read this article here to help your bearded dragon beat their upper respiratory infection!

Lastly, I’ve also included Serrapeptase to the slurry recipe because it is an anti-inflammatory enzyme derived from silkworms that helps to thin mucous and prevent bacterial infections in the lungs. This addition is not 100% necessary, but recommended.

Please Note: To figure out how much Serrapeptase to give, take your dragon’s body weight in grams and divide by 1,000 to get the number of ml necessary to include. For example, if your dragon weighs 500 grams, you’d divide this by 1,000 to get 0.5ml.

The following recipe makes a single serving. I recommend 1-3 servings per day based on how much your dragon is eating, how sick they are, and the instructions of your vet/any medications prescribed.

1.5-2ml Fluker’s Repta Boost
3-4ml water
Serrapeptase (see formula above for dosing)
Sprinkle of Alfalfa Powder or leafy greens
Insects of choosing, or Repashy Grub Pie

Bearded Dragon Slurry Recipe for a Treat

If your bearded dragon is totally healthy but you’re just looking for a slurry recipe that can work as the occasional treat… then look no further! The recipe below is great to give every once in awhile if you’re in the mood to spoil your dragon.

Please Note: You can switch in and out virtually any veggies and fruits you want to create custom slurry! Read up on what veggies and fruits are approved here to give your bearded dragon a unique and personalized treat!

Small handful of greens of choosing
1 strawberry, several small berries, or small chunks of pineapple
Insects of choosing (make sure no exoskeleton remains)
Already regularly given probiotics/vitamins
3-5ml of water (may vary based on desired consistency)
A couple drops of raw & organic honey for extra sweetness/health benefits

Bearded Dragon Slurry Recipes: In Conclusion

Whether given as a means to combat any wide array of health issues or as the occasional treat, bearded dragon slurries serve a variety of purposes and offer an easy and practical way to practice hand/force feeding via syringe.

And while the recipes above are great for beginners who’ve never experimented with slurry making, they are by NO means the only ones you can feed your beardie!

Part of the fun thing about bearded dragon slurry recipes… is that you can make your own!

So, go ahead and get creative, your dragon will certainly thank you for it.