Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cantaloupe? beardeddragongeek.com

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cantaloupe? Facts and FAQs

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This melon is a popular, sweet, and refreshing garden fruit. Cantaloupe is great in salads and on its own. This sweet fruit is a good source of minerals and vitamins and bearded dragons will love it. But can bearded dragons eat cantaloupe? How safe is cantaloupe for bearded dragons? What are the health concerns of cantaloupe for bearded dragons?

In this article, the following of your questions will be answered:

Cantaloupe And Bearded Dragons – FAQs

What Is The Nutrient Profile Of Cantaloupe?

Raw cantaloupe per 100-gram serving offers the following nutrients:

  • Calories: 34Cal
  • Water Content: 90.15g
  • Sugars: 7.86g
  • Proteins: 0.84g
  • Calcium: 9mg
  • Phosphorus: 15mg
  • Vitamin A: 3382IU
  • Vitamin C: 36.7mg
  • Oxalates: 2mg
  • Ca:P Ratio: 0.6:1 (Poor)

Can Bearded Dragon Eat Cantaloupe?

The short answer is:

  • Yes, bearded dragons can eat cantaloupe as an occasional treat.
  • No, bearded dragons can’t eat cantaloupe as a staple.

Bearded dragons can eat cantaloupe but in moderation in small quantities. Cantaloupe offers essential nutrients such as vitamins A, C, potassium, etc. But, how often can bearded dragons eat cantaloupe? Let’s find out.

How Often To Feed Cantaloupes To Bearded Dragons?

Bearded dragons can eat cantaloupe in moderation due to the many side effects of it. In moderation, cantaloupe has many benefits and is healthy for bearded dragons.

Bearded dragons can eat cantaloupe every few weeks or so, as a rare treat only.

So, cantaloupes have benefits as well as side effects for bearded dragons, depending upon how much and how often you feed this sweet fruit to bearded dragons. In short, moderation is key to getting all the benefits of cantaloupes. Let’s discuss the benefits and health concerns of cantaloupes.

What Are The Benefits Of Cantaloupes For Bearded Dragons?

When fed in moderation, the sweet juicy melon cantaloupes offer many benefits to your pet lizard, such as:

Loads of Beta-Carotene and Vitamins:

Cantaloupes contain a lot of Beta-carotene which converts to Vitamin A in the bearded dragon’s body. It is also a good source of Vitamin C. Your pet lizard needs vitamins for better vision, to fight off diseases and illness, and for healthy growth and healthy reproduction.

Folate:

Sweet fruit is also a great source of folate, which strengthens bearded dragon cells and tissue.

Fiber:

Cantaloupe has lots of fiber, which ensures a smooth flow of digestion.

If a bearded dragon is suffering from constipation, feeding cantaloupe will help him to remove the blockage.

You could also try blueberries, raspberries, grapes, or strawberries for the same purpose. But remember, too much consumption of fiber can have negative effects like runny stool, or diarrhea.

Almost 90% Water:

Cantaloupe is 90% water, making it a great source of hydration for bearded dragons. But feeding too much cantaloupe can cause over hydration which will lead to diarrhea and then dehydration, a vicious cycle.

Potassium:

Potassium helps bearded dragon to regulate blood pressure and nerve function. 

Why Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cantaloupe Every Day?

So, after all these benefits, why can’t bearded dragons eat cantaloupe as a staple diet? What are the health concerns of cantaloupe for bearded dragons?

Bearded dragons don’t need fruits every day as their diet is 80% plants and 20% insects. Out of 80% of plants, only 20% can be fruits. So, fruits make a minor part of the bearded dragon’s diet. Bearded dragons can eat some fruits more frequently such as apples, while other fruits should be rare diet such as cantaloupes.

The side effects of cantaloupe are as under:

Poor Calcium to Phosphorus Ratio:

Cantaloupe has too much phosphorous as compared to calcium, which means its calcium-to-phosphorous ratio is poor. When selecting any food for bearded dragons, its content of calcium and phosphorus is very important.

On one end, calcium is very important for your pet lizard’s growth and overall well-being. On the other end, phosphorous binds with calcium and stops its absorption in bearded dragon bloodstreams. So, only foods that are low in phosphorous and high in calcium are recommended for bearded dragons.

The calcium-to-phosphorous ratio of cantaloupe is 0.6:1, a poor ratio.

Cantaloupes have nearly twice the phosphorus than calcium, which means it doesn’t provide any calcium to bearded dragons, instead the high amount of phosphorous also binds the calcium available in the bearded dragon’s body which will eventually cause calcium deficiency which will lead to weaker bones, broken tissues or even the metabolic bone disease (MBD) which can be fatal in severe cases. So, feeding a moderate amount of cantaloupe is recommended for bearded dragons to maintain the calcium level in them.

Too Much Sugar:

Sugar is not a part of the natural diet of bearded dragons and they don’t need it for survival. If bearded dragons eat high-sugar meals or fruits, they will face many health problems such as obesity, tooth decay, diabetes, blood pressure issues, or even heart failure.

Like all fruits, cantaloupe also contains high sugar, a cup of this fruit contains 13 grams of sugar. Although it’s a decent amount, feeding this frequently will cause health issues in bearded dragons.

Overhydration:

Cantaloupe is 90% water, making it a source of hydration for bearded dragons. But frequently feeding cantaloupe to bearded dragons will cause overhydration which will lead to diarrhea and then dehydration, a vicious cycle.

How to Serve Cantaloupe for Your Bearded Dragon?

Bearded dragons love to eat cantaloupe and it is also safe for them in moderation. But how to prepare this sweet melon for your pet lizard? Preparing cantaloupe for a bearded dragon is very easy. Do the following to feed cantaloupe to bearded dragons:

  • Get fresh, organic ripe cantaloupe.
  • Wash cantaloupe with warm water to remove dust, pesticides, or other chemicals.
  • Peel the entire green skin as it is more acidic and contains a high amount of phosphorous.
  • Remove the seeds as they pose a choking hazard, so double-check it.
  • Slice the cantaloupe into very small bite-size pieces for the bearded dragon.
  • The largest piece should be smaller than the distance between the eyes of your pet dragon.
  • Keep the sliced fruit in open air to ooze off excess water.
  • Add the prepared cantaloupe to a salad and serve it to your pet lizard.
  • It is preferable to serve cantaloupe in salad as compared to by itself.
  • An adult bearded dragon can eat 100-500 grams of cantaloupe in a month.

So, now you know that bearded dragons can eat cantaloupe and how you can prepare it. So, try it and let us know the experience. The chances are your dragon will love this sweet treat. If you have questions or feedback, please contact us. 

Cantaloupe and Bearded Dragons – FAQs

Can baby bearded dragons eat cantaloupe?

Yes, baby bearded dragons can eat them but in very small amounts and less frequently.

Can cantaloupe cause any digestive problems for bearded dragons?

Yes, frequently feeding or feeding too much cantaloupe can cause diarrhea in bearded dragons.

How much cantaloupe can a bearded dragon eat at one time?

An adult bearded dragon eats only a small piece of cantaloupe, about the size of his head.

Can feeding cantaloupe affect bearded dragon’s poop?

Yes, feeding this sweet melon can make the poop softer and more watery.

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