Can Bearded Dragons Eat Honeydew?

Honeydew Delights For Bearded Dragons – Fact Or Fiction?

Fruits are a staple of any bearded dragon diet. They are delicious and provide crucial vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. But not all fruits are created equal. 

There are a variety of fruits for your bearded dragon, both good and bad. 

Can bearded dragons eat honeydew?

The short answer is yes.  It is nutritious and healthy for them to eat.

This article will explore the role of honeydew melon in a bearded dragon’s diet.

Nutritional Profile Of Honeydew Melon.

Nutritional content for 1 cup of honeydew melon

Nutrient Name	Amount
Calories	64
Carbohydrates	16 g
Fiber	1.4 g
Protein	1 g
Calcium	6 mg
Vitamin C	53%
Vitamin B6	8%
Folate	8%
Vitamin K	6%
Potassium	12%
Magnesium	4%
Water	89.82 g
Energy	36 Kcal
Sugars	8,12 g
Phosphorus	11 mg

Benefits When Bearded Dragons Eat Honeydew Melon

Here are some health benefits of honeydew:

Calcium For Healthy Bones

Bearded dragons need plenty of calcium for healthy bones.  Without it, your bearded dragon can contract Metabolic Bone disease.

Bearded dragons bodies become deficient without calcium as it starts pulling calcium from its bones, which causes metabolic bone disease (MBD). MBD is one of the most common diseases among domestic bearded dragons, but it is easily preventable with proper diet and care.

Alert your vet immediately if you notice any signs of metabolic bone disease in your bearded dragon. These include:

•  Lack of appetite
• Lethargy and weakness
• Stress
• Constipation
• Receded lower jaw
• Swollen limbs and jaw
• Bumps along the spine or bones
• Soft jaw, and facial bones
• Bowed limbs and arched spine
• Fractures and broken bones
• Greenstick fractures (folded or bent bones)
• Trembling and twitching limbs
• Tremors and seizures
• Paralysis or difficulty moving

Vitamin K

Honeydew is rich in vitamin K, which is essential for tissue and blood cell maintenance 

Water

Honeydew melon is a good source of hydration.  It is high in water content. It will help keep the bearded dragons hydrated, especially during the summer.

However, make sure they do not eat too much honeydew. Too much water in their diet can lead to digestive problems such as diarrhea and an upset stomach.

Vitamin C

The Vitamin C in honeydew is essential for a healthy immune system. If they become sick, plenty of vitamin C will help them recover quickly.

Vitamin A

The Vitamin A in honeydew promotes better eye health, healthy skin, a strong immune system, and helps to break down unwanted materials in the body.  

Potassium

Honeydew is high in potassium which helps regulate blood pressure and the nervous system and helps keep your dragon’s muscles working and with proper water retention.

Magnesium And Folate

The magnesium in honeydew melon maintains healthy muscles and brains while the folate assists tissue growth and cell maintenance.

Energy

The fruit provides the right amount of calories, which is an important energy source. 

Risks When Bearded Dragons Eat Honeydew Melon

Phosphorus Content

Phosphorus in honey melon is higher than its calcium content. It has a disproportionate ratio of calcium to phosphorus.  The ideal calcium to phosphorus ratio should be 1:1 or 2:1.

The honeydew should be an occasional treat and not a diet staple.  With disproportionate calcium levels, the phosphorus binds with the calcium in a bearded dragon’s body and prevents its absorption into the bloodstream.

If there is a lack of calcium in a bearded dragon’s body, the bones will secrete calcium to make up the shortfall which can lead to a calcium deficiency resulting in metabolic bone disease.

The calcium content should be higher than that of phosphorus.

Sugar

Do not give honeydew to your pet regularly but as an occasional treat because of its sugar level. Too much honeydew melon can be harmful to reptiles and lead to tooth decay, obesity, diarrhea, and heart disease.

Can Baby Bearded Dragons Eat Honeydew Melon?

Baby bearded dragons can eat honeydew in moderation.

When they are young, they require food with plenty of protein to help with their fast growth. For that reason, a baby beardie diet should consist of 80% live food and 20% vegetables. Live food can be insects such as crickets, grasshoppers, and beetles.

You can incorporate fruits such as honeydew into your baby bearded dragon’s diet.

Cut it into small pieces. Each piece be no larger than the space between its eyes.

How Often Can You Feed Honeydew To Bearded Dragons?

Bearded dragons should be fed honeydew in small quantities and once or twice per week. 

Too much phosphorus will prevent minerals such as calcium from being absorbed by the body which could lead to metabolic bone disease.

To ensure the honeydew doesn’t cause your beardie any health problems, give them a small piece of honeydew once or twice per month.

Prepare Honeydew Melon For Bearded Dragons

Preparing honeydew melon for your bearded dragons is straightforward. Make sure the fruit is fresh, and if possible, organic.  It is free of pesticides, herbicides, and other harmful chemicals.

With a sharp knife, cut the melon in halves and remove the seeds. The seeds are too large and could cause them to choke.

Once all the seeds are removed, slice off the rind which will leave the flesh, which is soft and nutritious.

Finally, cut the honeydew into bite size pieces. Each piece of the fruit should be no larger than the space between its eyes.

Wrapping Up 

Although honeydew isn’t a perfect food for your bearded dragon, it has health benefits. Feed it honeydew melon occasionally and not as a staple.

Whenever you decide to introduce new food to your bearded dragon’s diet, always research its nutritional value.  The food that seems the safest is not always the best.  If unsure, please ask your vet for advice.