Can bearded dragons eat cucumbers?

image of a bearded dragon and cucumbers and a test saying: can bearded dragons eat cucumbers?

Simple Summer Fresh Cucumber – Yea-Or-Nay For Your Beardie

Can bearded dragons eat cucumbers?  Yes, bearded dragons can eat cucumbers, but we recommend that you provide these vegetables occasionally due to the low nutrient content.

This article will explore the nutritional value of fresh cucumbers, their positives and negatives, the preparation of cucumber for your beardie, and more. If you are interested to know more about your bearded dragon and cucumbers, read on.

The Nutritional Information Of Cucumbers,

The Nutritional Value Of 100g, Raw,  Peeled Cucumber Are As Follow

Nutrient NamePeeled Amount
Water96 %
Protein0.59 g
Calcium14 mg
Phosphorus21 mg
Sugar1.38 g
Fiber0.7 g
Vitamin C3.2 mg
Vitamin K7.2ug
Potassium136 mg

The above table clearly shows that cucumbers offer poor nutritional value, but there are a few health benefits.  The Benefits Of Feeding Your Bearded Dragon Cucumber?

The Benefits Of Feeding Your Bearded Dragons Cucumbers?

Let’s look at some of the nutritional benefits of the right amount of cucumber.

  • 96% Water – This amount of water makes cucumber an excellent source of hydration. It’s perfect when your bearded dragon is dehydrated. However, keep an eye on the water content of the food you feed your bearded dragon.

Too much cucumber can lead to health issues such as overhydration and diarrhea.

  • Fiber – Bulks up the stool for optimal digestion and preventing constipation and impaction. Impaction is a severe issue where your bearded dragon gets a blocked digestive tract obstructed by a solid mass of food or substrate.
  • Vitamin C – Fortifies your beardie’s healthy immune system, vision, reproduction, and growth.
  • Vitamin K – regulates blood clotting and is essential for tissue and blood cell maintenance.
  • Potassium – Help regulate blood pressure and the nervous system and helps keep your dragon’s muscles working and retain proper water retention
  • Manganese – Aid metabolism and prevents inflammation
  • Magnesium – Promotes Brain and Muscle Health

Cucumbers are not acidic.  They are softer on your bearded dragon’s stomach than other food.

Risks Of Feeding Cucumber To Your Bearded Dragon

There are many nutrient deficiencies that bearded dragons can develop, so always be aware of the nutrient content of the food and meals that you give them.  Here are some of the risks of the low nutritional value of cucumber.

  • Lack Of Calcium – Staple veggies for bearded dragons have a decent amount of calcium with less phosphorus and tend to have more nutrients than water. 

The calcium to phosphorus ratio in cucumbers is 1:1.5. With phosphorus being the     

larger amount.  It’s problematic because phosphorus binds with calcium and 

prevents absorption in your beardies bloodstream.  

Too little calcium in your bearded dragon’s body can lead to metabolic bone disease, which causes serious health issues such as metabolic bone disease.  

This disease is a severe and paralyzing condition and can even lead to death.

To prevent calcium deficiency, always sprinkle some calcium supplements over your bearded dragon’s food to give them a boost in their calcium intake.

How Often Can A Bearded Dragon Eat Cucumber?

Bearded dragons can have cucumbers every other week or so. 

Suppose you, a bearded dragon owner, feed your bearded dragon cucumber too often. In that case, some unpleasant issues, as discussed under the risks of providing cucumber to your bearded dragon can result.

Bearded dragons require a varied diet of many feeder insects,  fruit, and vegetables to be happy and healthy, and cucumber should only be a small part of their overall diet.

Cucumbers should be an occasional treat for beardies and not a staple food in their diet.  

Can You Feed Baby Bearded Dragons Cucumber?

Yes, It is safe for your baby dragon and younger bearded dragons to eat cucumbers.  You can prepare the cucumber the same way as you do for adults.  A baby bearded dragon’s food intake is only 15% to 20% vegetation.

Like adults, baby dragons can eat cucumbers occasionally and in moderation.

It might not be worth not to feed cucumber in your baby bearded dragon’s diet if there are other veggies with healthier options out there.

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cucumber Leaves, Seeds, And Skins?

Cucumber Leaves

Cucumber leaves are not toxic, and bearded dragons can eat them.  We, however, advise you to avoid them, especially if they are not growing from your garden.  Cucumber grown in your garden will give you the ease of mind that they are organic and free of pesticides.

With store-bought leaves, you have no assurance that they are organic or not and might contain chemicals dangerous to your pet beardie.  It is, therefore, better to avoid them.

Cucumber Skin

Cucumber peels aren’t suitable for bearded dragons.  They are too hard to chew even when sliced into small pieces.  When feeding cucumber to your bearded dragon, make sure to feed them peeled cucumbers. The tough skin can cause health risks like impaction or a choking hazard.  

Can Your Beardie Eat Cucumber Seeds?

Never feed your beardie cucumber seeds or any other seeds.  They are usually associated with impacting the beardies bowel and making it difficult to defecate.  Such complications can lead to illness and death.

Prepare Cucumbers For Your Bearded Dragon

There are six essential steps when preparing cucumbers for your bearded dragon.  They are:  Select, clean, peel, chop, de-seed, and serve.

Select

The first step is to select the right cucumber.  The safe ones will be organic, free of blemishes or wrinkles.

Clean Thoroughly

Wash the cucumber thoroughly under cold running water to remove dirt and chemicals.

Peel

Your bearded dragon should not consume cucumber skins.  A build-up of skins can lead to impaction and other unpleasant health issues.  

Chop

Cut fruit into thin cucumber slices and then into smaller bite-size pieces for your bearded dragon’s food bowl.  The pieces must be no larger than the space between your beardies eyes to prevent choking.

De-seed

Although it is not completely necessary, you might want to de-seed the cucumber.  Soft small cucumber seeds are safe to eat, but the bigger, harder ones might pose a choking hazard and other health problems with your bearded dragon.

Serve

When feeding your bearded dragon cucumber, we recommend pairing it with nutrient-rich foods such as collard greens, dandelions, pineapple, crickets, and more.

Final Thoughts

From this article, it is clear that although we can give a yea to feeding cucumber to bearded dragons, there is also a big nay involved.  We recommend giving your beardie cucumber in moderation every other week and then as part of a balanced diet.

Read up on the product before introducing any new food to your bearded dragon.  If you remain unsure if your bearded friend has underlying health conditions, you should speak with your vet before introducing the food.  

Always remember that all food, even healthy food, can harm your bearded dragon.

Continue to read our main article “What do Bearded Dragons Eat?” for all the ins and outs on general diet questions, and get a further detailed breakdown of other popular foods in the articles below:

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AUTHOR

Annemarie Dutton
I am a huge animal lover and have four dogs, a Labrador, Jack Russell, Pug, and Teacup Yorkie. I also have a cat and a Cockatiel. I have had pets since I was a toddler, and there was not a day when there wasn't an animal in my house.