10 Best Calcium Powders for Bearded Dragons – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

Calcium is one of the most essential minerals for bearded dragons. It helps with bone development, muscle contractions, and processes in the female reproductive system. While your beardie can get calcium from his diet and lighting, supplementing with a calcium powder is a much easier and measurable way to boost his intake.

Many calcium powders are on the market, but not all are created equal. Some contain phosphorus and vitamin D3, while others do not. Knowing which your beardie needs isn’t intuitive, as many factors must be considered. Read on to learn more about the importance of calcium, how to pick the right one for your beardie’s needs, and to find our reviews of the ten best options on the market this year.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

The 10 Best Calcium Powders for Bearded Dragons

1. Fluker’s Calcium Without Vitamin D3 Outdoor Reptile Supplement– Best Overall

Fluker’s Calcium without Vitamin D3 Outdoor Reptile Supplement is the best overall calcium powder for bearded dragons. This supplement comes in two or four-ounce jars and is designed to provide your beardie with the calcium he needs for his vital bodily functions. Because this supplement does not contain vitamin D3, it’s best for beardies kept in intense UVB lighting (more on the vitamin D3 debate later in our blog). It has no phosphorus, so you don’t need to worry about overfeeding your dragon phosphorus. The powder sticks well to insects, making it easier to feed your beardie and know he is getting the calcium he needs.

Upon arrival, the jar’s seal may be loose and can spill powder when opened.

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2. Zoo Med Repti Calcium With D3 Reptile Supplement– Best Value

If your budget has dwindled after buying your beardie’s lighting set-up and enclosure, you’re probably looking for the best calcium powder for bearded dragons for the money. The Zoo Med Repti Calcium with D3 Reptile Supplement is an extremely affordable option that perfectly suits your tight budget. This calcium powder consists of uniquely-shaped particles which provide more surface area, ensuring your beardie gets the proper amount of calcium he needs to thrive. It contains vitamin D3, so it’s a perfect option if your dragon isn’t getting the D3 he needs from his lighting set-up. This formula is made in the United States without any fillers or additives.

You may need to add a drop or two of water to the powder to get it to stick to your insects.

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3. Repashy Superfoods Calcium Plus Reptile Supplement – Premium Choice

The Repashy Superfoods Calcium Plus Reptile Supplement may be higher priced than other options we’re reviewing today, but it’s still worth considering if you have the funds. This all-in-one formula covers your pet’s nutritional needs, so you won’t need to buy other supplements. This supplement provides calcium and other essential vitamins and minerals your reptile needs to thrive. The calcium is sourced from the Mojave Desert and has micro-sized particles that stick well to your beardie’s insects.

The powder has a strong smell that can be off-putting to some beardies.

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4. Exo Terra Calcium Powder Reptile & Amphibian Supplement

The Exo Terra Calcium Powder Reptile & Amphibian Supplement contains a high level of calcium to help keep your beardie in tip-top shape. This supplement does have a low amount of phosphorus, though the high calcium content balances it. The ultrafine powder is easy to dust on veggies and insects. This calcium supplement is priced affordably and lasts long when used as directed.

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5. Rep-Cal Calcium Ultrafine Powder Reptile Supplement

The Rep-Cal Calcium Ultrafine Powder Reptile Supplement is formulated with 100% natural oyster shell calcium carbonate to provide your beardie with a healthy, additive-free supplement. The powder is easy to use and can be added to your pet’s live prey or veggies. It’s made without phosphorus, vitamin D3, or preservatives.

This supplement is priced quite high, given its small jar size.

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6. Zoo Med Repti Calcium Without D3 Reptile Supplement

The Zoo Med Repti Calcium without D3 Reptile Supplement is a great option for beardies whose vitamin D3 requirement is already being met by their lighting and diet. This supplement is free of harmful additives; its only ingredient is calcium carbonate. It is made in the United States and is easily absorbed. Though this supplement is priced higher than some other options, a little goes a long way. The powder is fine and sticky, so you only need to use a little bit to dust your beardie’s insects.

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7. Fluker’s Calcium With Vitamin D3 Indoor Reptile Supplement

The Fluker’s Calcium With Vitamin D3 Indoor Reptile Supplement is a phosphorus-free calcium supplement that doesn’t have a strong smell or taste. Most beardies take to it right away and don’t even notice it is there. The powder coats insects well and is simple to use, though it is super fine, and the particles can get airborne easily. Use caution when using this powder if you have a sensitive respiratory system.

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8. Zoo Med Reptivite With D3 Reptile Vitamin

The Zoo Med Reptivite With D3 Reptile Vitamin is a complete multivitamin supplement containing no fillers, additives, or sucrose. It has a 2:1 calcium-to-phosphorus ratio and contains an amino acid complex to help your beardie digest his protein. This supplement is made in the United States and is meant to be used twice or three times weekly to promote healthy bones.

The powder has a somewhat strange consistency, making it difficult to coat insects.

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9. Gargeer All Reptile Calcium Powder with Vitamin D3

The Gargeer All Reptile Calcium Powder comes in several formulas, so you can choose whether you’d like yours to contain vitamin D3 or not. You can also choose between a fruit blend with calcium and D3, pure calcium with or without D3, and tropical flavored with or without D3. It is free of impurities and phosphorus and made from locally-sourced calcium. The ultra-fine particles stick nicely to feeder insects and mix well into salads.

This supplement is priced quite high, given the size of the container, and can be difficult to get your hands on as it is only sold by very few retailers.

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10. Rep-Cal 52296 Phosphorous-Free Calcium Fine Powder With Vitamin D3

The Rep-Cal 52296 Phosphorous-Free Calcium Fine Powder With Vitamin D3 is made of 100% natural oyster shell calcium carbonate. The powder is coarser than others, though the company makes an ultrafine powder alternative if your beardie prefers that texture more. This formula contains vitamin D3 to aid in calcium absorption if your dragon needs the extra help.

The manufacturer recommends mixing this supplement with their Herptivite powder, a multivitamin supplement with beta carotene.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Calcium Powder for Bearded Dragons

Why Do Bearded Dragons Need Calcium?

Beardies need a lot of calcium in their diets to facilitate bone growth and development. The proper intake will prevent issues like hypocalcemia and MBD and regulate your beardie’s metabolism. A reptile deficient in calcium will have changes in their behavior, movement, and energy levels. They may become twitchy or skittish; some can even develop seizures from poor calcium intake.

Calcium is one of the most essential minerals your beardie can receive. However, they cannot metabolize it without vitamin D3, which brings us to our next topic.

Powders With Vitamin D3 or Without Vitamin D3?

You may have noticed that one of the parameters we used when reviewing these ten calcium powders was whether they contained vitamin D3. Not every bearded dragon requires additional vitamin D3, so you must know whether yours does before you buy him a calcium powder for his food and insects.

Vitamin D3 is essential for calcium absorption, and if your dragon isn’t getting enough D3 through his diet or UVB lighting set-up, he can become calcium deficient. Beardies that don’t get enough calcium may develop a painful and debilitating condition known as metabolic bone disease (MBD).

If your dragon gets plenty of UVB or you use a mercury vapor bulb in his set-up, you can probably safely skip the calcium powders that contain vitamin D3. Mercury vapor bulbs have a much higher UVB output than other UVB bulbs, allowing beardies to process vitamin D3 naturally.

If you’re unsure whether your beardie is getting his D3 needs met, we recommend speaking to your exotic vet for advice. Until then, alternate between using a D3-containing powder and a non-D3-containing one.

Phosphorus

Another parameter we used when reviewing the above calcium powders was whether they contained phosphorus. All beardie owners should pay close attention to their reptile’s phosphorus intake as they need a calcium-to-phosphorus ratio (Ca:P) of at least 2:1 to stay healthy. This ratio ensures your dragon gets twice as much calcium as he does phosphorus, so even if some calcium is absorbed and excreted in his waste, there is still some left over for the body to use.

The problem with phosphorus is that it partially absorbs calcium and turns it into waste. This will prevent your reptile’s body from absorbing calcium and prevents him from getting the amount he needs to thrive.

The best calcium powders have no phosphorus at all. But if you prefer a low-phosphorus powder, you’ll need to ensure the veggies and insects you’re offering your beardie have optimal Ca:P ratios.

How to Use Calcium Powder

The easiest way to use calcium powder is by dusting your beardie’s feeder insects. Most dragons won’t put up too much of a fuss over calcium-dusted insects, as long as you do it properly. Your feeders should be evenly dusted with a very light coating of powder. Too much powder can be a turn-off for finicky beardies. Dusting feeders is very easy.

Some dragon keepers also dust their pet’s salads lightly with calcium. If you decide to do this, please know that it is not uncommon for beardies to entirely shun their salad when it is dusted with calcium. Beardies are notoriously picky eaters as it is, and getting them to eat their greens can feel like a losing battle without the added challenge of sprinkling it with calcium powder.

Calcium-Rich Foods to Offer Bearded Dragons

Even if your calcium supplementation program is on point, it’s still important that you offer your beardie calcium-rich foods.

As for insects, phoenix worms are one of the best feeders as they’re a fantastic source of calcium. Also known as black soldier fly larvae (BSFL), this is the only calcium-rich feeder you can safely offer your beardie as a staple. They have the perfect Ca:P balance and are a great source of protein.

Conclusion

For the best overall calcium powder for bearded dragons, Fluker’s Calcium without Vitamin D3 combines the perfect texture with a phosphorus and vitamin D3-free formula. Beardie owners on a tight budget will prefer the Zoo Med Repti Calcium with D3 formula for its affordable price and uniquely-shaped particles that stick easily to insects and veggies.

Getting his diet, lighting, and supplement program down to a science will ensure your beardie has the cards stacked in his favor to live a long and happy life. We hope our reviews and buying guide have helped teach you about the importance of calcium if your beardie’s diet.

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Featured Image Credit: New Africa, Shutterstock