Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cucumbers? TopFlight Dubia Answered

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cucumbers? TopFlight Dubia Answered

Posted by William Jones on Apr 4th 2024

Every bearded dragon’s parent always looks for ways to give their pet the best care possible. 

From looking for the proper lighting to creating a comfortable habitat, every choice matters in caring for bearded dragons. One of the most important decisions is taking care of their diet. While the diet of bearded dragons is composed of insects and greens,  many pet parents wonder about including certain vegetables and fruits.

One such question that often comes to the mind of many pet parents is: 

Can bearded dragons eat cucumbers?

The cucumber is a popular vegetable that human loves for their crisp and refreshing quality. However, for bearded dragons it is essential to know whether this vegetable is safe as well as nutritious.

Let’s discuss more about this in TopFlight Dubia's guide on cucumbers for bearded dragons.

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cucumbers?

Yes, bearded dragons can have cucumbers in moderation (once a week).

According to a query on Reddit, one of the beardie parents shared their experience feeding cucumbers to their pet. They shared that it helped their beardies get water and proper digestion.

What Nutrients Present in Cucumbers?

Some of the important nutrients present in cucumber are as follows:

Nutrients

Amount

Beneficial for

Water

  95. 23g      

Health, digestion, and metabolism

Fiber   

  0.5 g

Digestion, bowel movements

Vitamin C

    2.8 mg

Immune system health, healthy skin, and tissue 

Vitamin K   

    16.4 µg

Bone and blood vessel metabolism, cell growth

Potassium 

    147 mg

Fluid balance, healthy nerve and muscle function

Phosphorus

    24 mg

Bone and teeth development

Calcium            

  16 mg

Strong bones and teeth

Magnesium

    13 mg    

Healthy bone density

Source: Nutritional value of cucumber per 100 grams 

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Different Types of Cucumbers?

There are almost 100 varieties of cucumbers. Some of them are as follows: 

Types of Cucumber

Image

Key Features

English (Or Seedless) Cucumbers

  Unnoticeable seeds

Armenian Cucumbers

Soft seeds  and thin skin

Garden Cucumbers 

Smooth skin, large seeds

Persian Cucumbers   

Easily digestible, has very few seeds, and has a thin and edible skin

When it comes to bearded dragons, they can eat cucumbers of any type but feed them occasionally. 

How To Prepare Cucumbers For Beardies

  1. Wash the cucumber. 
  2. Peel the cucumber.
  3. Cut the cucumber in half (lengthwise).
  4. Use a spoon to take out the seeds
  5. Cut the cucumber into small pieces (no larger than the distance between your beardies eyes).

Different  Vegetables For Bearded Dragons

Other vegetables have a similar water content, like cucumbers that you can feed to your bearded dragon are as follows:

Vegetables

Image

How To Serve

How Often

Zucchini



  • Wash the zucchini.
  • Remove the peel and seeds.
  • Cut into small pieces.

Once a week

Bell Peppers

  • Wash the bell pepper.
  • Remove the top, seeds, and membranes.
  • Cut the outer flesh into small pieces.

A few times a week or less


Butternut Squash



  • Wash the butternut squash.
  • Peel the squash using a potato peeler.
  • Cut into small pieces.

Every day

Celery

  • Wash the celery properly before feeding it, and cut it into small pieces.

Every other week

Collard Greens

  • Rip the greens from the stem.
  • Cut the greens into smaller pieces. 

Every day

 

Tip: Make sure to cut the vegetables into small pieces and consult a veterinarian before adding new vegetables to your pet’s diet.

Conclusion

In order to provide the best care to your beloved beardie, you must provide nutritious and safe food options. Cucumbers are one of the great vegetables with high levels of water and other nutrients that can help bearded dragons live long and happy. 

When feeding cucumbers to your pet, make sure to serve them in moderation ( once a week), remove the hard-to-digest peel, and cut the cucumber into small pieces. 

Apart from that, consult with a veterinarian about the specific dietary requirements of your bearded dragon to ensure their overall well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the healthiest vegetable for bearded dragons?

  • Many healthy vegetables like dandelion greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, and many more can be served on the bearded dragon’s plate.

2. How do you hydrate your bearded dragon?

  • There are different ways to hydrate bearded dragons: 
  • Give them shallow baths in warm water

  • Mist their enclosure regularly

  • Feed them vegetables with high water content, like cucumbers and leafy greens.

3. Can bearded dragons eat cucumber seeds?

  • No, it is recommended not to serve cucumber seeds to bearded dragons because they may result in choking issues and cause digestive problems.