Despite popular belief, it is not a good idea to feed ham to a bearded dragon.
A bearded dragon shouldn’t eat ham. If you want to keep them healthy, you should feed them lettuce, apples, plums, and dark leafy greens like spinach.
If you have a bearded dragon, you may have heard that they will eat ham, but this article will debunk that myth and provide you some alternatives for feeding your reptile.
What Is Ham? The Nutrition of Ham
Ham, a kind of pork, is often cured and smoked and comes from the pig’s rear leg or shoulder. Meat that has been preserved by smoking, salting, or boiling. Depending on how it’s cooked, ham may be rich in fat and salt.
Protein and niacin may both be found in large amounts in ham. Thiamine, riboflavin, vitamin B6, folate, and zinc may be found in small amounts, as can magnesium. The vitamin C content of ham is low.
Is Ham Harmful To Bearded Dragons: Yes or No?
Vegetables, some fruit, and insects make up the ideal diet for bearded dragons. Bearded dragons can eat a wide variety of foods, although ham is poisonous to them.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Ham?
Being a processed meat that’s also heavy in salt, ham is not a good choice for bearded dragons’ diets. Bearded dragons are also susceptible to the chemicals and germs that may be present in ham.
Bearded dragons may have ham as a treat, but it should be given in small amounts and only occasionally. Meats like chicken, beef, and turkey are suitable alternatives for bearded dragons. Talk to your vet about what your bearded dragon may safely consume.
Why Can’t Bearded Dragons Eat Ham?
Ham, like other processed meats, is preserved using additives. Bearded dragons need proteins, but ham isn’t a good option for them to eat.
Moreover, your bearded dragons require vitamin D3, A, and calcium, which are not included in ham.
Once again, bearded dragons should not be fed ham.
Nutrients Derived From Ham
Ham is a great source of nutrients for bearded dragons, including niacin, protein, zinc, folate, thiamine, vitamin B6, and riboflavin.
There is just around 8 milligrams of calcium per 100 grams of ham, but there is roughly 159 milligrams of phosphorus. Bearded dragons are susceptible to a metabolic bone disease that may be triggered by a diet high in ham.
Although ham may provide some nutritional value for bearded dragons, the hazards associated with feeding it to your pet exceed any potential advantages.
Risks of Feeding Ham To Your Bearded Dragon
Fat and Cholesterol
Your bearded dragons shouldn’t eat it because of the high cholesterol and fat content. The condition leads to extra weight gain, brittle bones, and gastrointestinal issues.
High Sodium Content
Because of its high salt level and preservative chemicals, ham may lead to dehydration, which can be exacerbated if you don’t eat other hydrating items at the same time.
Ham Poisoning Symptoms
Ham poisoning has a variety of symptoms, including
Vomiting \sDehydration
Diarrhea.
Please take your bearded dragon to the vet as soon as possible if it ever becomes unwell. Do not give it ham again, even if it does not grow ill.
What Happens When a Bearded Dragon Mistakenly Eats a Ham?
What happens if you feed ham to your bearded dragons? The foregoing consequences will occur, but death is not a certainty.
But, keep an eye out for symptoms that might suggest your bearded dragon has been poisoned by ham.
Safe Foods For Bearded Dragons
Not all meals high in protein are suitable for bearded dragons to consume. One or more people aren’t getting the nourishment they need from their food.
You may give kids boiled eggs and scrambled eggs as long as you don’t add anything more to either (which should be eaten in moderation).
Nevertheless, highly processed meats like ham, chicken breast, and even plain chicken should be avoided since they might create gastrointestinal issues in your pet.
Insects
Live dubia roaches, locusts, mealworms, cockroaches, crickets, king worms, silkworms, waxworms, and butterworms are all good options for your bearded dragon’s diet. These live insects may be used in place of luncheon meat and served with greens.
Vegetables
Bearded dragons are able to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, including acorn squash, sweet potato, and other hydrating veggies. But, iceberg lettuce does not provide the necessary nutrients for your cat and should be avoided.
Safe Fruits For Bearded Dragons
The only fruits that are safe for bearded dragons to eat are apples, bananas, grapes, and watermelon.
What to Do if Your Bearded Dragon Ate Ham
Ham is unhealthy for bearded dragons and shouldn’t be fed to them. There are a few things you can do to aid your bearded dragon if it turns out that it enjoys eating ham.
Get them sick to their stomach first. They may be forced to consume baking soda-laced water or hydrogen peroxide to achieve this. If they don’t throw up, get them to the vet ASAP. Bearded dragons should not be fed ham since it might lead to bloating and intestinal obstructions.
Know what foods your bearded dragon may and cannot have. If you’re not sure whether something is safe for your bearded dragon to eat, it’s best to ask a vet. The secret to a long and happy relationship with your bearded dragon is to ensure its health and safety at all times.
What Other Food Can Bearded Dragons Eat Instead?
Bearded dragons are omnivorous, meaning they will eat just about everything. Bearded dragons thrive on a variety of foods, including crickets, mealworms, wax worms, fruit, and vegetables.
To be clear, bearded dragons shouldn’t eat ham. Bearded dragons shouldn’t consume ham because of its high salt content. The dragon’s digestive system may also be affected. Don’t feed your bearded dragon a ham bone or any other leftover ham; instead, throw it away.
Bearded dragons may also consume other, equally healthy and safe foods. To avoid giving your bearded dragon a stomachache, use one of these alternatives to ham.
Final Thoughts
If you want to keep your bearded dragon healthy, you shouldn’t feed it ham. There are a few things you can do for your bearded dragon if you discover that it like ham.
Get them sick to their stomach first. It’s possible to achieve this by forcing them to consume baking soda-laced water or by orally administering hydrogen peroxide. Your pet has to be seen by a vet immediately if they do not vomit.
Bearded dragons shouldn’t eat ham since it might induce bloating and intestinal obstructions. Bearded dragons may consume a variety of different foods that are just as healthy and safe; you don’t have to feed yours ham if you don’t want to.