Can Bearded Dragons Eat Watermelon? Delicious Treat Or Dangerous Idea?

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Pet bearded dragons thrive on a varied diet of insects, vegetables, and some herbs and fruits occasionally. However, while fruits are nutritious, some can be poisonous, or harmful to your pet’s health in excess. Choosing the right type of fruit for your beardie and feeding it an adequate amount is crucial for its safety. So, are watermelons suitable for bearded dragons?

Bearded dragons can and should only eat watermelon in moderation. Although hydrating, watermelon is nutritionally insufficient and too sugary for beardies in excess.

By the end of this discussion, you’ll understand how to appropriately feed watermelon to your beardie, the pros and cons, and alternative options for your pet. Let’s get into it.

Are Watermelons Any Good for Bearded Dragons? Nutritional Value

Watermelon is only convenient for beardies as a treat due to its low nutrient density. Additionally, the suitability may depend on its ripeness; mildly ripe watermelons have less sugar and more vitamin C, but they can also be too acidic, which may harm your beardie’s digestive system. In contrast, fully ripe watermelons are sweeter, but generally safer for your pet as they’re less acidic.

According to the USDA, 100 grams of ripe watermelon contains the following nutrients:

  • Calories: 30
  • Water: 91%
  • Protein: 0.6 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 7.6 grams
  • Fiber: 0.4 grams
  • Sugar: 6.2 grams
  • Fat: 0.2 grams
  • Vitamin C: 8.1 mg
  • Vitamin A: 28 mcg
  • Potassium: 112 mg.
benefits of feeding watermelon to bearded dragons

Major Health Benefits of Feeding Watermelon to Bearded Dragons

It’s natural to wonder if watermelon can benefit your bearded dragon, and this section provides the answers to that.

Delicious Hydration Source

Watermelon can be an excellent hydrating treat, especially for bearded dragons who are sick or severely dehydrated. Regardless, while it can help with hydration, it should not replace fresh, clean water as a source of moisture.

Helps Maintain Heart Health

Watermelon contains lycopene and citrulline, organic compounds that help regulate blood pressure and enhance heart health. Although high blood pressure is rare in bearded dragons, including foods rich in these compounds can help reduce the risk of heart-related issues and improve blood circulation.

Improved Neurological Function

Potassium is essential for optimal neurological function, and offering it in moderation can support your dragon’s neurological health. Note that watermelon is not a treatment for neurological diseases in bearded dragons. Proper veterinary consultation is crucial to treat health problems and ensure your pet’s survival.

For Maintaining Bone Health

Potassium also aids in retaining calcium in the bones, which is vital for bearded dragons. When fed in moderation, watermelon can help maintain bone structure and density by facilitating proper calcium utilization. As long as your pet has sufficient calcium, potassium can play its part in collectively ensuring your pet grows strong, healthy bones.

Immune System Support

Vitamins A and C, found in watermelon, are important antioxidants that can help enhance your beardie’s immune system. These vitamins energize white blood cells, helping the body fight off infections and recover from illnesses.

Minimal Oxalate Content

Oxalates are compounds that bind to calcium, potentially depriving your bearded dragon of this essential nutrient. Fortunately, watermelon contains very low levels of oxalic acid, typically around 0.1 to 0.5 milligrams per 100 grams. This is much lower than many fruits and vegetables, making watermelon a beardie-safe treat.

How to Safely Feed Your Bearded Dragon Watermelon: 6 Precautionary Measures

To ensure the safety of your bearded dragon when feeding it watermelon, especially if it is young or unwell, follow these precautions:

1. Choose Ripe Watermelons

Only feed red, ripe melons to your bearded dragon. Unripe fruits are too acidic and may cause stomach discomfort such as diarrhea or ulcers. Look for watermelons with a deep, uniform red color and avoid those with green or pale flesh.

2. Remove All Seeds

Make sure to remove all seeds from the watermelon. Your bearded dragon cannot digest seeds, which can lead to varying degrees of intestinal blockage. Even small seeds can pose a problem, so check carefully when preparing the fruit and take out any remaining seed fragments with a spoon or fork.

3. Cut the Flesh into Small Pieces

Cut the fruit into bite-sized pieces to prevent choking and to make it easier for younger or weaker bearded dragons to chew and digest. The pieces should be small enough to fit between your beardie’s eyes, which is a good rule of thumb for safe feeding.

4. Add Calcium Supplements

Sprinkle reptile-safe calcium powder (view on Amazon) on the watermelon cubes before feeding them to your pet. This helps to maintain calcium supply, ensuring your beardie‘s well-being is uncompromised.

5. Limit Feeding Frequency

Offer your dragon the fruit in the right proportion twice every other week. Frequent feeding can lead to overhydration, as beardies already get their required moisture from eating greens.

6. Monitor Portion Size

Limit the quantity of the fruit to no more than 10% of your bearded dragon’s overall diet. A balanced diet of essential vegetables and insects is crucial, and the watermelon should not replace any key components. I’ve written an article on the healthiest beardie diet that expands this subject even further, highlighting what items are required for optimal growth.

The table below will give you a clear representation of your beardie’s diet according to its age.

Age (months)Percentage
0 – 3 (Baby stage)30% greens, 70% grubs
3 – 6 (Juvenile stage)30% greens, 70% grubs
6 – 9 (Subadult stage)40% greens, 60% grubs
9+ (Adult stage)70% greens, 30% grubs

The Risks of Feeding Too Much Watermelon to Your Beardie

At this point, you might be wondering what could go wrong with frequently feeding watermelons to bearded dragons. In excess, your pet can be at risk of the following:

Dangers of Malnutrition

Overfeeding watery foods can loosen your bearded dragon’s stools, and nutrients may not be properly absorbed leading to malnutrition over time. Proper stool consistency—like a firm but moist texture—and frequency are indicators of good nutrient absorption. Adult beardies might poop every other day, sometimes twice a week, while juveniles are most likely to poop daily.

High Sugar Content

Bearded dragons are sensitive to sugary foods as they can lead to stomach upsets or obesity if prolonged. Excessive sugars can also deplete your beardie’s immune system making it more susceptible to infections and diseases, and more resistant to treatment.

Alternative Fruits To Feed Your Bearded Dragon

Aside from watermelon, there are more fruits you can offer your beardie as treats. Exposing your pet to different flavors can help improve appetite and make its feeding time more engaging. Your pet may even develop favorites to look forward to once in a while. That being said, here are 7 safe fruits you can feed your bearded dragon:

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Medi

EL Mehdi (Medi), the founder and voice behind Desired Reptiles, renowned for his dedication to bearded dragons. As a passionate reptile enthusiast, Medi has developed a solid background in caring for these lovely creatures. He gained extensive knowledge about their diet, behavior, and how to create environments that mimic their natural habitat