Can Bearded Dragons Eat Watermelon? 3 Benefits | Full Guide

If you’re looking for something tasty to add to your bearded dragon’s diet, perhaps the watermelon you just bought has caught your eye. But can bearded dragons eat watermelon? If so, what is a suitable amount to give them? In a nutshell, bearded dragons can consume a small amount of watermelon once in a while. You shouldn’t include this fruit in their regular diet, but a small amount now and then is acceptable.

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Watermelon?

Yes, bearded dragons can consume watermelons. However, they must do so occasionally. Watermelons are a refreshing fruit popular among summertime snackers because they are sweet, hydrating, and cooling. If you offer a piece to your bearded dragon, it will most likely devour it! These lizards are drawn to the fruit’s flavor.

Watermelons aren’t the most nutrient-dense fruits available. After all, these melons contain 92 percent water on average! They do have some vitamins and minerals, though, which can be helpful for your beardies’ health.

How Often Can Bearded Dragons Eat Watermelon?

Bearded dragons can consume watermelon on occasion as a treat. The sweet, hydrating melon can usually be offered to your pet without adverse effects.

But they shouldn’t be a staple of your bearded dragon’s diet. You can only give out one to three teaspoon-sized pieces per month at most, and that’s all. Including watermelon regularly can take your bearded dragon at risk of developing health problems.

As omnivores, bearded dragons need a varied diet rich in plant-based foods and proteins. Although watermelons contain some nutrients, they are not a long-term solution for maintaining the health of your lizard.

3 Benefits of Watermelon for Bearded Dragons

Bearded dragons enjoy eating watermelon, and it’s always nice to give your pet something they want as a treat. As its name suggests, watermelon essentially comprises water, and it can be an excellent option to ensure that your bearded dragon stays well hydrated on a hot summer day. 

Here are three benefits of watermelon for your bearded dragons :

1: Vitamin C Boosts Vision

The vitamin C and beta carotene found in watermelon benefit your bearded dragon’s immune system, vision, and growth. These nutrients also help in the fertility of your bearded dragon.

2: Magnesium and Potassium Works for Good Health

Magnesium and potassium are also present in watermelon. Magnesium plays a critical role in controlling inflammation and preserving a healthy metabolism, and potassium aids in regulating your bearded dragon’s blood pressure.

3: Sugar Helps to Get the Appetite Back

Considering that watermelon contains sugar, most bearded dragons also enjoy its flavor. It means that if your bearded dragon has lost their appetite for any reason, you can use watermelon to entice them to eat.

3 Risks of Feeding Watermelon to Bearded Dragons

Overdoing watermelon can lead to high chances of risking your pet beardie’s health. Watermelon overfeeding can lead to the following health issues:

Hyperglycemia and Hypocalcemia

Bearded dragons shouldn’t regularly eat watermelon because it contains too much sugar. A bearded dragon may develop hyperglycemia if it overeats sugary food like watermelon.

Hyperglycemia is when the blood glucose (sugar) levels are higher than usual. If their owners overfeed them sugar, adult bearded dragons are more likely to become obese and develop diabetes. Similarly to humans, bearded dragons can develop dental decay.

High blood sugar levels can also hamper healthy metabolism and blood pressure. It can lead to issues with the bones, liver, teeth, and gums. 

Hypocalcemia gets defined as blood calcium levels that are lower than normal. Young bearded dragons that consume crickets without receiving calcium supplements through gut loading or dusting can also develop hypocalcemia.

Calcium and phosphorus are present in watermelon, just like other fruits. The high phosphorus levels can bind up all the calcium and prevent calcium from being utilized in the bloodstream, leading to a dangerous condition known as metabolic bone disease.

High Water Content in Watermelon Can Cause Diarrhea 

Watermelon, as previously stated, is approximately 92 percent water. It’s great for hydrating your beardie but can also cause stomach problems. That extra water can wreak havoc on your lizard’s digestive system! It can cause diarrhea, which leads to further dehydration.

Moisture should not be a problem in small amounts. But giving your bearded dragon too much watermelon is a recipe for disaster.

Risk of Chronic Protein Disease

Since reptiles eat until satisfied, they may skip out on essential nutrients by stuffing themselves with their preferred fruits or vegetables. A lack of protein in the diet can cause chronic wasting and a weakened immune system, making bearded dragons more susceptible to infections and health problems.

How to Prepare watermelon for Your Bearded Dragons?

Are you ready to feed your bearded dragon some watermelon? It is fairly simple to provide these sweet treats, but some planning is required to avoid problems. Here’s how to feed a bearded dragon watermelon the right way.

Take Time to Choose a Ripe Melon

Your bearded dragon can only eat a few small watermelon pieces at once, but those pieces must be ripe and healthy. Unripe melons have a higher fibrous content. So, they are firmer and more difficult to consume.

On the other hand, overripe fruits aren’t very appealing and lose their flavor and texture, making them unappealing. 

If at all possible, give your bearded dragon organic watermelons. Organic fruits are grown without the use of harmful chemical fertilizers or herbicides.

Remove the Seeds from the Watermelon

Cut the watermelon into manageable pieces and scoop out the seeds. You can choose a seedless watermelon; a melon without seeds may still contain some, but not all. 

Remove all bits from the watermelon you intend to feed your bearded dragon. Because you’ll only be giving them a few small pieces, this shouldn’t be too difficult.

Small Watermelon Pieces Are Easier to Consume

Although they can eat watermelon, the ideal size is about one teaspoon! Teaspoon-sized chunks are safe and easy to consume. Younger lizards might require even smaller pieces, so make adjustments as necessary.

If you’re feeding watermelon for the first time to your bearded dragon, you might want to start with a quarter of a teaspoon. You can gradually increase the portion size in the future, provided the dragon doesn’t react negatively.

Conclusion

Bearded dragons have preferred pets for those who love pet reptiles. But having one as a pet isn’t enough. One needs to know their caring and concern about their eating habits. Many bearded dragon owners confuse about what to give their pet to eat. 

Bearded Dragons eat various fruits in their diet, but many fruits can harm their health if consumed regularly. One such fruit is watermelon, so can bearded dragons eat watermelon? 

Yes, watermelon is suitable for bearded dragons to eat, but you must limit their intake and properly prepare it.

FAQ