Can you name a type of fruit that somehow manages to fill your mouth with water? Well, it seems lots of people think of melons, especially cantaloupe, as it perfectly fits into that category. But that’s for people, right? What about beardies? Can bearded dragons eat cantaloupe as well?
Bearded dragons can eat cantaloupe. But don’t even think about making it a staple food as the sugar content of it is significantly high. Plus, it comes with a poor calcium-to-phosphorus ratio as well. But with moderated feeding, the reptile can enjoy the benefits of getting a better digestive system as cantaloupes are filled with dietary fiber.
Now the question is, how frequently should you let your beardie have it, and how much? And is there any other benefit the fruit can bring to the table so that you can let your dragon have it on a regular basis? Well, it’s time to find that out.
Cantaloupe – Is It Good For Bearded Dragons Or Bad?
Every single edible fruit that you see around comes with the ability to add some benefits to human health. Guess what? They do the same for other animals as well, including bearded dragons. So, if you’re still looking for reasons to let your bearded dragons have a fruit, like a cantaloupe, let us get you some.
1. Beta-Carotene & Vitamin C
A beardie’s body comes with the ability to transform beta-carotene into vitamin A. And guess what’s got loads of beta-carotene? Exactly, Cantaloupe. Plus, you can count it as the perfect way to get your dragon its doses of Vitamins A and C. By the way, you can’t think about skipping these vitamins as your reptile needs them to develop normally, resist sickness, and reproduce healthily.
2. Fiber
Having the proper digestion system is more important for your reptile than you can imagine. For that, the high fiber content of cantaloupe can be amazingly helpful. So, if you’re dragon is fighting with constipation for a while, cantaloupes can help you out in relieving that constipation.
In case you’re thinking about other alternatives as well, you can give raspberries, grapes, Blueberries, and strawberries a shot. But no matter whatever you’re feeding, don’t forget to stay cautious while feeding your dragon a diet heavy in fiber.
3. Folate
Folate, or what you probably know as Vitamin B9, is capable of helping with tons of different bodily functions, especially of bearded dragons. Folate basically plays a vital role in creating healthy cells, including RBCs and WBCs.
Not only that but DNA replication and maintenance rely to a huge extent on its presence. So, we can’t count it as anything but an essential component of cells and tissues.
4. Water Content
Like any other melons out there, Cantaloupe too is nearly all water. So, if you’re looking for a way to replenish your reptile’s fluids, feel free to give it a shot. But you better keep the feeding under control; otherwise, too much of this food might lead your dragon to diarrhea.
By the way, cantaloupes are also loaded with potassium. So, after letting your dragon have them, keeping their blood pressure shouldn’t be a problem. Plus, it helps in making nerves work normally. On top of that, the carbohydrate in the fruit gives the reptile an extra dose of energy.
Cantaloupe Is Only Good Enough As A Treat – But Why?
Well, this is where we’re going to talk about the downsides of cantaloupes. After all, nothing is perfect, including cantaloupes. So, what are the drawbacks stopping cantaloupes from being your dragon’s staple food? Well, here’s the list.
1. Sugar
The sweetness of cantaloupes as fruits is unparalleled. Needless to say, the kind of sugar content they come with can easily develop health problems in your dragon. The first problem that can pop up due to feeding too much of it to your dragon is obesity.
We guess you already know obesity can lead to high blood pressure, liver issues, kidney issues, and of course, heart disease. Plus, the kind of calories this fruit can deliver are too much beardies to keep up with.
That’s not all! Due to being a juicy fruit, cantaloupe is acidic as well. And the last time we checked, feeding it frequently to beardies can mess with the digestive system along with inducing serious digestive problems.
2. Poor Calcium-To-Phosphorus Ratio
Unfortunately, cantaloupes come with an unfavorable ratio of calcium to phosphorus. You’re probably wondering what’s wrong with that. Well, when it’s a low calcium level against a higher level of phosphorus, the absorption of calcium absorption gets interrupted.
And the result? Issues like Metabolic Bone Disease or MDB might pop up. Under this condition, not only can your dragon suffer from weakened bones but also deformities and fractures.
3. Disrupts Natural Foraging Behavior
Bearded dragons grab most of their nutrition in the wild from insects and other types of plants. But adding fruits like cantaloupe can bring changes in their natural foraging behavior along with their preference for nutritious meals.
Changing too much of their eating pattern not only will make them lose interest in eating the bugs. But they will also feel less interested in having vegetables that are essential for their well-being.
4. Limited Nutritional Value
You already know that the majority of cantaloupe is filled with water. However, it still contains some of the major healthy ingredients, including vitamins and minerals. But are they enough to fulfill a bearded dragon’s nutritional needs?
Well, no. Bearded dragons do need a varied diet that won’t only provide them with critical nutrients like vitamins A and D3 but also a selection of essential minerals. So, if fed too frequently, over time, a diet like cantaloupe can lead to malnutrition and health issues.
5. Overhydration
Do you know the easiest way to prevent your dragon from absorbing the nutrients it needs from its food? Giving it too much is enough to do the trick. But that’s not the only drawback of overhydration. It can trigger diarrhea, and FYI, it can last for more than a few days. It can even kill your dragon if not treated properly.
What Should Be The Frequency Of Feeding Cantaloupe?
When it comes to food that you can use as a treat only for your dragon, sticking to the right frequency is more important than anything else. After all, how your reptile’s health is going to respond to that food depends totally on that frequency of consumption.
Now the question is, what should be that of cantaloupe? Well, the first we’d like to suggest here is letting your vet know about it, as they know better if the fruit is favorable for your lizard or not. But if we’re not wrong, most of them are going to suggest to you to feed the fruit not more than once or twice a week.
And the size of the pieces? Keep small enough that you can call it a treat, not a full meal. By the way, don’t forget to incorporate the fruit with other foods as well to maintain the right balance. You can try it with anything, including greens, insects, and veggies.
Before We Go…
Clearly, the sugary fruit isn’t good enough to be a staple food for your dragon. But what about something ‘sugar-free’ and green at the same time? If you’re running out of guesses, let us tell you it’s kale that we’re talking about. But can they really have it on a regular basis? Well, for that, you’ll have to click on our latest blog – Can Bearded Dragons Eat Kale?
