Yes, the bearded dragon can eat cucumber but in moderation. It is a healthy addition to the bearded dragon’s diet but does not serve more than once a week. It should be an occasional treat to the bearded dragon but not a staple food. It should be carefully washed and peeled off. Beardies require many other fruits, vegetables, and cucumber is a small portion of their diet.
Cucumber contains around 95% water but lacks a lot of, any other nutrients like vitamin A, and calcium which are commonly found in other fruits and vegetables. On the other hand, cucumber contains a lot of fiber which helps in digestion and keeps the dragon hydrated. A bearded dragon is a desert animal and does not drink much water so cucumber is a good option to keep them hydrated.
Contents
Nutritional values of cucumber
- Water content – 95%
- Protein – 0.66
- Fiber – 0.7%
- Fat – 0.11%
- Potassium – 147mg
- Calcium – 16mg
- Phosphorous – 24mg
- Vitamin C – 2.7µg
- Vitamin A – 5µg
- Oxalates – 20mg
- Total sugars – 1.38g
- Vitamin K – 7.1mg
Though cucumber provides low nutritional values there are also some benefits of cucumber-like it provides some essential minerals and vitamins that are beneficial to the dragon’s health.
- It provides a good amount of vitamin K which helps in blood clotting.
- Higher water concentration helps to keep a bearded dragon hydrated.
- Fibers present in cucumber reduce the risk of impaction and plays important role in indigestion.
- Potassium present in the cucumber helps to promote muscle functions and prevents kidney issues.
- Vitamin C is good for the vision health of the lizard, and immune system and stimulates growth also.
- Magnesium and manganese present in the cucumber regulate metabolism and are good for brain health and muscle function.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cucumber?
Bearded dragons can eat cucumber once a week because it can also cause some unpleasant health issues. There are several reasons why bearded dragons can’t have a cucumber on the daily basis. These reasons are mentioned below:
Higher water content
Higher water content is one of the reasons. As bearded dragons are desert animals and they do not need much water and they are already in a state of dehydration unless not caused by diarrhea. So the consumption of higher water contents suddenly is not good for them though it also provides some essential nutrients too much water consumption is not good.
Bearded dragons consume water content mostly from the food they eat so they do not require extra consumption of water.
Low calcium levels
Low calcium levels in the cucumber than phosphorous poses a bad effect on their health. For a bearded dragon, a portion of healthy food should have a calcium to phosphorous ratio of 1:1 or 1.5:1 but in the case of cucumber, it is 1:1.5 which means high phosphorous amount than calcium. A portion of healthy food should have less phosphorous than calcium.
The reason is phosphorous can bind with the calcium and prevent it from entering the bloodstream. Too much consumption of cucumber by dragons can cause metabolic bone disease which even causes paralysis or death sometimes.
How to feed cucumber to bearded dragons?
You need to prepare cucumber for the bearded dragon very carefully and there are various steps you must follow.
- Wash the cucumber properly is the first and important step before feeding to the beaded dragon in order to remove the dust particles and make it free from pesticides and fertilizers as consumption of these elements will cause health issues in the dragon.
- Peeling off the cucumber is also a necessary thing and you should remove the skin of the cucumber before serving it to the dragon. The buildup of peels inside the dragon’s stomach can cause unpleasant health issues.
- Now chop the cucumber into fine pieces so that they can easily eat them without choking themselves.
- Remove the seeds as they are not good for the bearded dragon’s health and remove the seed with the help of a spoon make sure don’t leave the seeds behind. Some of the cucumbers are seedless and you must go for them.
Can bearded dragons eat pickled cucumber?
No, the bearded dragon cannot eat pickled cucumbers as they are pickled in the vinegar and vinegar is not at all safe for them. In case cucumber is pickled using ingredients like saltwater brine only then they can have them but no other ingredients or flavors should be added.
It is better to serve fresh cucumbers as pickled cucumbers contain a high amount of salt which can be dangerous to the health of bearded dragon.
How to feed cucumber properly to the bearded dragon?
You need to feed a proper amount of balanced diet with proper nutrients to the bearded dragon to keep them healthy and fit. Make sure they receive all the nutrients for their overall growth. Their diet should consist of leafy green vegetables, fruits, and insects.
For example, a baby dragon requires 80% insects and 20% fruits and veggies and on the other hand, an adult dragon requires 20% insects and 80% plant-based things.
1. Serve cucumber with insects:
Serve cucumber slices with their favorite insects so they will like their food and eat completely. It provides them with both plant-based nutrients and insects too.
2. Introduce cucumbers to the baby dragon:
It is better to introduce cucumbers and other veggies to the baby dragon at an early age so that the dragon gets used to it because it is hard to get used to the new food. The best way is to feed them in the early morning before they eat anything so they will not refuse it.
3. Mix cucumber with fruits:
You can all cucumber pieces with the fruits like strawberries, papaya, and apple in the small pieces and mix them thoroughly. In this way, they don’t miss the cucumber also while eating their favorite fruit.
Health benefits of cucumber
- Provides a good amount of vitamins and minerals to the bearded dragon and is a light food that they can easily digest.
- Vitamin C presents in the cucumber even though in little amounts also provides good health benefits and is an effective antioxidant and helps to restore cells and fight oxidative stress.
- Rich in fiber helps in digestion and vitamin K, as well as potassium, presents it provides really good benefits like building a healthy nervous system and maintaining a regular heartbeat.
Side effects of excessive cucumber
1. Overhydration:
Overhydration can be caused if eating cucumbers in excess. Beardie is a desert animal and even if dehydrated does not require enough water. It is better to feed cucumbers in a limited amount as overhydration leads to diarrhea.
2. Constipation:
Constipation can be caused if the cucumber is prepared incorrectly as the skin is hard to digest and chew to the dragon. Also, the seeds are too big and can’t be digested so make sure to remove the seeds and peel them.
3. Metabolic bone disease:
Metabolic bone disease (MBD) can be caused due to excessive consumption as there is a high amount of phosphorous than calcium present in the cucumber and excess phosphorous in the body can block the absorption of calcium in the bloodstreams of dragons.
Other veggies that a bearded dragon can eat
Bearded dragons require a variety of food in their diet and it is mandatory to serve different food items to them to provide all the nutrients they require for their healthy growth. Some of the veggies that can be frequently eaten by beardies are:
- Cabbage
- Greens beans
- Mustard greens
- Broccoli
- Kale
- Collard greens
Some of the veggies that are less frequently eaten are:
- Carrots
- Mushrooms
- Okra
- Squash
- Cooked sweet potatoes
In case you are feeding lettuce or celery, then you should not offer them as they do not provide the number of nutrients a bearded dragon requires for their growth and health.
The wrap-up
Bearded dragons can eat cucumber but occasionally as a treat only once a week. They are rich in fibers, and water content, and also provide some amount of vitamins and minerals but also have some health risks of cucumbers. Removing the seeds and peeling off the skin is necessary as they are hard to digest and can lead to some serious health issues. So it is better to feed cucumber in the moderation and limited to keep the dragon healthy.
