Bearded dragons can eat cucumbers, but only every other week.
Cucumbers are a healthy snack when fed with a well-balanced diet.
They offer several vitamins and minerals your pet needs, but not enough to be a staple food.
In this article, you’ll learn how often you can feed your beardie cucumbers, how to prepare them before feeding, and which parts are safe to eat.
In This Article
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cucumbers?
Yes, bearded dragons can eat cucumbers in moderation.
They’re safe to eat when prepared correctly. You’ll need to wash them, remove the skin, and chop them.
Cucumbers aren’t part of a bearded dragon’s natural diet. Cucumbers are originally from the Old World (Africa, Europe, and Asia), so they wouldn’t come across them in the wild.
They shouldn’t be a staple food because of their poor nutritional value.
They do have some beneficial vitamins and minerals, like fiber, vitamin C, and potassium.
There are plenty of healthier vegetable and leafy green options for your beardie. It’s best to save cucumbers as an occasional treat.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Mini Cucumbers?
Yes, bearded dragons can eat mini cucumbers.
They have the same nutrients as regular cucumbers.
All types of cucumber are safe for bearded dragons to eat if prepared correctly. They may differ slightly in nutritional value, but not significantly enough to cause concern.
Varieties include:
- Persian Cucumbers
- Kirby Cucumbers (Have thick skins)
- Garden Cucumbers (Known to have a waxy seal)
- English/Seedless Cucumbers (Won’t need to deseed)
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Pickled Cucumbers?
Bearded dragons SHOULDN’T eat cucumbers if they’re pickled in vinegar.
Vinegar isn’t safe for your beardie.
If the cucumbers are pickled using a saltwater brine only, they’re safe for your dragon to eat. There should be no other ingredients or flavors added.
Too much salt can be dangerous for their health. It’s best to stick with fresh cucumbers.
How Often Can Bearded Dragons Have Cucumbers?
Bearded dragons can have cucumbers every other week.
Giving your beardie cucumber too often can cause serious health risks.
They don’t offer enough vitamins and minerals to be a staple food.
Nutritional Value of Cucumbers
The FDA reports the nutritional content of 100g of peeled, raw cucumber as:
- 0.7 g of fiber
- 96.7 g of water
- 14 mg of calcium
- 0.59 g of protein
- 21 mg of phosphorus
- 136 mg of potassium
- 3.2 mg of vitamin C
- 1.38 g of total sugars
- 7.2 micrograms of vitamin K
Cucumbers offer poor nutritional value overall, but there are some health benefits:
- Vitamin K helps with blood clotting.
- The high water content is beneficial for a dehydrated dragon.
- Potassium benefits kidney health, muscle function, and fluid retention.
- Fiber is important for digestion. It helps reduce the risk of impaction.
- Vitamin C is good for your beardie’s immune system, vision, and growth.
Unfortunately, cucumbers contain more phosphorus than calcium. Calcium deficiency can cause serious health issues for your bearded dragon.
Health Risks of Feeding Your Bearded Dragon Cucumbers
There are several health considerations to keep in mind when feeding your bearded dragon cucumber:
- Constipation
Cucumbers prepared incorrectly can lead to constipation.The skin of cucumbers is tough. It will be difficult for your bearded dragon to chew and digest.
Seeds that are too big and hard may result in a blocked digestive tract.
- Overhydration
Like spinach leaves, cucumbers are mostly water.Desert-dwelling animals get most of their water from food. Unless you have a dehydrated beardie, they probably don’t need water from cucumbers.
It’s possible to over hydrate your bearded dragon.
Overhydration causes diarrhea.
- Metabolic bone disease
Bearded dragons should be consuming twice as much calcium as phosphorus.Cucumbers don’t meet these requirements. They have more phosphorus than calcium.
Excess phosphorus blocks the absorption of calcium into the bloodstream. Calcium is an essential mineral for your bearded dragon’s health.
A calcium deficiency can lead to metabolic bone disease.
How to Feed Cucumber to Your Bearded Dragon
First, select the right cucumber. Look for one that’s fresh, without blemishes or wrinkles.
You must prepare cucumbers correctly before feeding them to your bearded dragon.
There are three important steps to preparing cucumbers:
- Wash – You should wash any produce you plan on feeding your bearded dragon to remove dirt and chemicals.
- Peel – They should not consume cucumber skins. A build-up of peels could cause unpleasant health issues.
- Chop – Cut peeled cucumbers in small bite-sized pieces appropriate for your beardie.
While it isn’t completely necessary, you may need to de-seed the cucumbers.
Small, soft cucumber seeds are safer to eat.
You should remove any large, hard seeds. These can cause choking or constipation.
It’s okay if your beardie consumes some cucumber seeds, but make sure they’re easy to swallow.
Can Baby Bearded Dragons Eat Cucumber?
Yes, it’s safe for baby bearded dragons to eat cucumbers.
Not only can baby bearded dragons eat cucumber, but they’ll enjoy them. Prepare them the same way as you would for adults.
A baby bearded dragon’s diet is only 15-20% vegetation. It might not be worth offering cucumbers when there are more nutritionally valuable options.
Like adults, they can have cucumbers on occasion and in moderation.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cucumber Leaves?
While bearded dragons can eat cucumber leaves, we don’t recommend it.
Unless you’re certain the leaves are completely organic, it’s best to feed other leafy greens instead.
Like cucumbers, the leaves aren’t toxic, but they don’t offer many of the vitamins and minerals your dragon needs.
So, can bearded dragons eat cucumber leaves? Rather not.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cucumber Peels?
No, Bearded dragons SHOULDN’T ingest cucumber peels.
Cucumber skin is too tough for bearded dragons to chew, which could result in a choking hazard or digestion issues.
Peeling the cucumber will also help get rid of lingering chemicals.
Other Veggies For Your Bearded Dragon
Your bearded dragon needs a wide variety of produce.
With so many options, which vegetables are safe?
A portion of what bearded dragons can eat:
- Kale
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Dandelions
- Bell Peppers
- Green Beans
- Collard Greens
- Mustard Greens
Other veggies and greens that are safe, but eaten less often include:
- Okra
- Carrots
- Asparagus
- Mushrooms
- A Variety of Squash
- Cooked Sweet Potato
Avoid iceberg lettuce and celery. These don’t offer the nutrients your bearded dragon needs.
As for tomatoes, we recommend serving them to your beardie a maximum of once a month.
Feeding Your Bearded Dragon a Balanced Diet
Feed your bearded dragon a varied diet to make sure they receive all the nutrients and minerals to stay healthy.
Your dragon’s diet should primarily be feeder insects, leafy greens, and vegetables.
Fruits provide essential nutrients but should be less than ⅕th of their diet.
An adult bearded dragon’s diet should be 20% protein-based and 80% plant-based.
Baby bearded dragons are the opposite. They require live foods.
A calcium supplement is essential for all ages. Sprinkle these on your dragon’s salads and insects so they get enough of this critical mineral.
For a complete list of foods safe for your bearded dragon take a look at our article on bearded dragon diets.
If you’re a new beardie owner check out our comprehensive care guide for beginners.
Does your bearded dragon like cucumbers? Let us know in the comments.
