Is cantaloupe safe for bearded dragons to eat?
Bearded dragons, like other reptiles, have intricate dietary requirements.
Because of the variety of foods available, feeding time is a pleasant and stress-free experience for their owners.
Let’s find out whether cantaloupe fits well with their food philosophy!
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Short on time? Here is a table contrasting some of our favorite options.
What Bearded Dragons Eat in the Wild
Bearded Dragons, like many other omnivores, are known for taking advantage of food opportunities when they arise. In Australia, they acquire most of their nutrition from flowers, leaves, and even fruits.
This lizard is an omnivore, therefore it will consume small mammals and other reptiles. They’ll eat bugs if they have to.
Bearded Dragons sold in pet shops are not wild-caught but instead the product of extensive cage breeding. Decades of selective breeding have resulted in a diet shift. Mealworms, crickets, and commercial feeds are all viable options.
Nutritional Value of Cantaloupe
Chocolate is only one example of several human foods that are harmful to pets. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, cantaloupe is safe for cats, dogs, and horses to eat. But, you shouldn’t assume the same with Bearded Dragons.
According to the USDA’s Food Statistics Center, a cup of cantaloupe has around 53 calories and is mostly water (about 90%). It has 1.27 grams of protein, 12.2 grams of carbs, and 0.28 grams of fat. Benefit from its high potassium and vitamin A and C content.
Is Cantaloupe a Safe Food for Bearded Dragons?
Cantaloupe is perfectly OK for Bearded Dragons to eat sometimes, but it shouldn’t make up a large portion of their diet for a number of reasons. First, it has a high concentration of sugar. There are 12.2 grams of sugar in one cup of cantaloupe. This is not a species that normally consumes sugary treats.
Bearded Dragons should have at least half of their calories from greens and other low glycemic meals. Cantaloupe is great for your pet lizard, but too much of it may cause blood sugar surges and other health problems including obesity and dental damage. If the chunks are too huge, your lizards may have trouble digesting them. Bearded Dragons have keen teeth, yet they don’t spend much time chewing their meal.
The remaining portion of the RDA comprises of other vitamins and minerals. Another warning sign is that you shouldn’t give your Bearded Dragon melons. Because to its high calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, this fruit may increase your risk of metabolic bone disease. The calcium and phosphorus content per cup is 14 and 26.4, respectively.
Calcium should make up 1.0%-1.5% of an omnivorous reptile’s diet, with phosphate making up 0.6%-0.9%. As a result, we have a ratio of 1.67. Cantaloupe has a ratio of 0.53 to one. The greater levels of phosphorus in this fruit may prevent calcium from being absorbed by your lizard.
Your pet’s behavior might also alter. Because of the discomfort of the swelling, they may want to stay hidden or move in an unusual manner. The best solution is to change the animal’s food. If the condition is not addressed, it may quickly turn fatal.
Can Bearded Dragon Eat Cantaloupe
The sweet flavor of cantaloupe may attract your pet even if beardies don’t generally eat it.
But you do know that gustatory pleasure is no guarantee of moral superiority, correct? So, can bearded dragons safely consume cantaloupe? is the better question to ask.
In a nutshell: sometimes, but only when you deserve it.
Vegetables, low-sugar fruits, and insects should make up the majority of your adult beardie’s diet.
How Often to Feed Bearded Dragon with Cantaloupes
Some bearded dragon owners still feed their pets cantaloupes despite the fact that this is not a healthy option for bearded dragons. The following are some considerations:
- The green skin is more acidic and contains a large quantity of phosphorus, which might cause calcium-phosphorus imbalance, thus it should be peeled off the fruit before consumption.
- If you want to feed your pet dragon some cantaloupe, peel it first and then chop it up into pieces no larger than a pea.
- Before feeding it to your bearded dragon, make sure the cantaloupe has had time to dry out in the open air or a warm location.
- Sliced cantaloupe weighing between 100 and 500 grams per month is suitable for an adult bearded dragon.
- Never make cantaloupes the centerpiece of your pet dragon’s diet.
Can Baby Bearded Dragons Eat Cantaloupe?
Although it’s OK to sometimes offer a newborn bearded dragon a little piece of cantaloupe, you shouldn’t make it a regular part of their diet.
Because of its rapid growth, the protein in insects is essential for a newborn bearded dragon’s diet.
You should feed your young dragon insects at least five times a week, as recommended by reptile specialist Pete Hawkins. Dragons’ principal diet are tiny insects like crickets and roaches, which they devour with gusto.
To prevent the newborn bearded dragon from choking, the fruit should be sliced into little pieces.
Health Benefits of Cantaloupe for Bearded Dragons
Cantaloupe, unlike other less-healthy fruits, actually has certain health advantages that make it a decent treat option.
Water
With its high water content, cantaloupe is a great summertime treat for your dragon.
Also, it’s a tasty alternative to plain water for staying hydrated. In order for the body’s many systems to work properly, water plays a crucial role.
Keeping your pet well-hydrated protects them from a wide range of illnesses.
As an aside, cucumbers are another excellent choice for keeping your dragon well hydrated. Bearded dragons will enjoy weekly servings of cucumber.
Beta Carotene
Beta carotene gives cantaloupe its characteristic orange or yellow hue. Beta carotene, when digested, becomes vitamin A or antioxidants, which aid in the body’s defense against free radicals.
The health of your eyes, immune system, and blood cells are all enhanced by vitamin A. Vitamin C, which is found in cantaloupe, is useful in warding against disease.
Folate
Foods contain naturally occurring folate, vitamin B-9. Folate is abundant in cantaloupe.
Vitamin B9 supplements are often referred to as folic acid. Your pet dragon’s skin and tissues will thank you.
Fiber
Raw fruits, as opposed to fruit juice, provide you with fiber, an important component for healthy digestion. Thus, cantaloupe also aids with your dragon’s digestion.
Fiber aids digestion, but it also aids in maintaining a healthy weight. Bearded dragons don’t develop overweight in the wild since they have lots of opportunities to move about.
But, since bearded dragons kept as pets don’t receive nearly as much activity, it’s very important for their owners to provide dietary fiber.
Other berry options that may provide fiber for your dragon are blueberries, strawberries, grapes, and blackberries. Can you eat blackberries straight from the bush? To get the answer to the question “Can bearded dragons eat blackberries?” read on.
Too much fiber might cause diarrhea in your dragon, so moderation is key.
Potassium
Potassium is essential for normal muscle and cardiac function. Potassium is abundant in cantaloupe. It also helps the nerves and muscles function better.
Electrolytes like potassium and sodium are essential for your dragon’s fluid and blood volume to be maintained. Cantaloupe’s carbohydrate content serves as a source of fuel.
Other Vitamins and Minerals Present in Cantaloupe
- Vitamin K
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Zinc
- Copper
- Selenium
- Manganese
How Many Cantaloupes Can We Feed Bearded Dragons?
Every in a while, you can feed your bearded dragon some cantaloupe without worrying about it.
It just needs one little piece of fruit every other week.
Check out our new e-book for guidance on feeding your bearded dragon:
Conclusion
It’s obvious that cantaloupe isn’t the best choice for your lizard’s regular diet. These and similar fruits are acceptable, with two exceptions. For starters, they can’t account for more than 5% of your Bearded Dragon’s daily calories. The majority of their diet should consist of greens and insects. Second, to make the fruit more manageable for swallowing, you should chop it into smaller pieces.
In moderation, you may give your Bearded Dragon some ripe cantaloupe as a treat.