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Can Bearded Dragons Eat Watermelon?
We’ve all had that moment when we’re enjoying a juicy slice of watermelon and the thought popped into our head’s – can bearded dragons eat watermelon?
Sure, watermelon may be a delicious and healthy treat for us humans, but does the same apply to our beloved beardies? Can bearded dragons eat watermelon?
Yes, Bearded Dragons can eat watermelon, but only as an occasional treat. Although delicious, it is low in nutrients and high in sugar, which can be dangerous in high quantities. However, watermelon can be a great way to hydrate your bearded dragon and provide a great source of vitamin C.
Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s dive a bit deeper into the nutritional value of watermelon, how often you can feed bearded dragons watermelon, and other delicious fruits that bearded dragons can consume safely!
Table of Contents
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How Often Can Bearded Dragons Eat Watermelon?
As tempting as it may be to watch your Bearded Dragon munch on a plate full of watermelon every other day of the week, it can actually be bad for their health. Try to keep this delicious treat to a minimum. We recommend giving your bearded dragon watermelon around once every two weeks.
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Health Benefits of Feeding Your Bearded Dragon Watermelon
Although feeding your bearded dragon watermelon can be unhealthy in high quantities, there are plenty of health benefits as well.
Some of these health benefits include:
- Vitamin C: Vitamin C will help protect your bearded dragons’ cells and keep them healthy.
- Vitamin A: Vitamin A is important for your bearded dragons’ immune system, heart, lungs, and other vital organs.
- Potassium: Potassium will regulate your bearded dragon’s fluid balance and water retention.
- Magnesium: Magnesium is a nutrient that supports your bearded dragons’ muscles and bones.
- Calcium: Calcium is essential for your bearded dragons’ bones.
Furthermore, feeding your bearded dragon watermelon is an excellent source of hydration when you consider that watermelon is 92% water.
So, can bearded dragons eat watermelon? Absolutely! In fact, there are plenty of important vitamins and nutrients that are essential to your bearded dragon’s health. However, let’s go over some of the reasons why you shouldn’t overdo it when it comes to this delicious treat!
Can Watermelon be Dangerous for Bearded Dragons?
Although tasty and full of vital nutrients, watermelon can be unhealthy for your bearded dragon in high quantities. This is why it’s important to understand the different risks when feeding your bearded dragon watermelon.
Feeding your bearded dragon too much watermelon may cause the following health issues:
Over-Hydration or Water Intoxication
Water intoxication is when the body has an excess amount of water in it. Because watermelon is a water-based fruit containing 92% water, too much watermelon could lead to over-hydration. As a result, your bearded dragon’s sodium levels will diminish, and swelling may occur.
Diarrhea or Bloating
Although your bearded dragon may love the taste of watermelon, it probably will not like its after-effects. Too much watermelon can lead to severe digestive problems such as diarrhea or bloating. Watermelon contains a sugar compound called Sorbitol. In high amounts, Sorbitol can cause your bearded dragon to have loose stools. It also contains an antioxidant called Lycopene which can also cause similar digestive issues.
Obesity
So, can you feed your bearded dragon watermelon every day? Well, if you want your bearded dragon to become extremely overweight, then sure. But in all seriousness, watermelon contains lot of sugar and as you probably already know, high amounts of sugar can cause severe issues such as tooth decay, obesity, diabetes, and issues with their bones.
Calcium Depletion
Watermelon contains high levels of phosphorus and low levels of calcium. Because calcium is such a crucial nutrient for your bearded dragon’s health, watermelon is simply not going to provide the proper calcium intake that your beardie requires. A lack of calcium can lead to the dreadful Metabolic Bone Disease that is extremely common in captive bearded dragons. This disease causes your bearded dragon to lose strength in its bones and can cause death if left untreated.
How Can Bearded Dragons Eat Watermelon?
If you decide to allow your bearded dragon to indulge in this tasty treat, it’s important to understand how to properly feed it to them.
First, it’s important to remember to NEVER feed your bearded dragon a watermelon seed. This is extremely dangerous as it can cause your bearded dragon to choke or suffer from digestive issues. Remember, this includes both black and white watermelon seeds. Even if you get a ‘seedless’ watermelon, remember to remove the white seeds and any excess black seeds.
Once you’re sure that all the seeds have been removed, slice your watermelon into thin slices. This will ensure that your bearded dragon can easily chomp down on each piece.
Next, you can put the thinly sliced watermelon pieces on a Styrofoam plate or simply toss them into your beardies’ veggie bowl.
How Much Watermelon Should I Give My Bearded Dragon?
We recommend starting small. Give your bearded dragon 4-5 small bite-sized pieces of watermelon and first of all, see if they like it. If they’re hesitant to indulge in it, you can mix it with their veggies so they understand it’s food.
From there, wait 24-hours and see if any issues occur. Make sure their behavior isn’t out of the ordinary and watch their stool in case of diarrhea. If any serious issues occur, be sure to contact your local veterinarian.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Watermelon Rind?
Yes, it is safe for bearded dragons to eat watermelon rind. In fact, the watermelon rind is full of vitamins and nutrients that are heathy for your bearded dragon. If you don’t know what the rind is, it’s basically the green-colored outer part of the watermelon shell.
However, if you do decide to feed your bearded dragon the watermelon rind, use common sense. Make sure to slice the rind in very fine pieces so your beardie can easily digest it!
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Watermelon Seeds?
As we discussed earlier, you should never feed your bearded dragon the seeds of the watermelon. Both the black and the white seeds can cause your bearded dragon to choke. It can also cause them to have digestion issues and blockage. It’s always important to remember to remove all of the seeds before feeding your bearded dragon any watermelon.
Can Bearded Dragons Drink Watermelon Juice?
You should never feed your bearded dragon watermelon juice. Unfortunately, it is full of sugar and as we mentioned earlier, sugar can be detrimental to the health of your bearded dragon. Never give your bearded dragon any type of fruit juice!
What Other Fruits Can Bearded Dragons Eat?
So, can you feed your bearded dragon watermelon as well as other fruits? Of course! Bearded dragons love the sweet taste of fruits and it can add important nutrients that they otherwise wouldn’t get in their normal diet.
Below is a chart of some of the fruits bearded dragons can also enjoy – along with their vitamins & nutrients and how often you can feed them:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Don’t worry – we get it! Understanding the health and diet habits of your bearded dragon can be confusing. Below is a list of frequently asked questions when it comes to feeding your bearded dragon watermelon and other fruits!
Can bearded dragons eat watermelon if they are still young?
We suggest you wait until your bearded dragon is an adult until feeding it watermelon. This is because the high levels of sugar and low levels of calcium.
What if my bearded dragon doesn’t like watermelon?
This is impossible – all bearded dragons LOVE watermelon! Just kidding – if you’re bearded dragon doesn’t like watermelon, it may simply be afraid to try it. Try mixing it with veggies or other treats. If that doesn’t work, we suggest moving onto another type of fruit that your bearded dragon may enjoy more!
Can you put calcium powder on watermelon?
Great question! You can definitely put calcium powder on the watermelon. Bearded dragons typically require sprinkling calcium powder on their food 2-3 per week.
However, it’s important to refer to your veterinarian for specific advice on giving your bearded dragon calcium powder.
Can bearded dragons eat blackberries?
Yes, bearded dragons can indeed eat blackberries. In fact, blackberries have a healthy amount of calcium and provide an excellent source of fiber!
What if my bearded dragon gets sick?
If you’re bearded dragon gets sick, be sure to contact your local veterinarian immediately.
Conclusion
So, now that we’ve finally come to the end, let’s circle back to our initial question – Can bearded dragons eat watermelon?
The answer is yes, but only on occasion! Watermelon can be an incredibly tasty treat for your bearded dragon and provide some key nutrients for its diet. However, it can also lead to some nasty side-effects if overfed. Keep this treat to a minimum and you’ll have one happy beardie!