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Bearded dragons are omnivores and eat both insects and plants. That means you will need to supplement your bearded dragon’s daily feeding of insects with fruits and veggies.
Cucumbers are a common vegetable found in the average household. But you may be wondering, can bearded dragons eat cucumbers?
The quick answer is, yes, bearded dragons can eat cucumbers in moderation. Find out how and when to feed your bearded dragon cucumbers.
In This Article
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cucumbers?
Bearded dragons can eat cucumbers in moderation, meaning you can offer them cucumbers once or twice a month. Although cucumbers contain vitamins and minerals, like fiber, Vitamin C, and potassium, they don’t have enough nutrients to be considered a regular staple for your bearded dragon.
In addition, cucumbers have a high phosphorus-to-calcium content which can lead to consuming too much phosphorus. Too much phosphorus in your bearded dragon’s diet will block calcium absorption and can lead to metabolic bone disease.
Think of cucumbers as a special treat for your bearded dragon and offer them to him once every other week.
Can Baby Bearded Dragons Eat Cucumbers?
Baby bearded dragons can eat cucumbers for an occasional treat, but they don’t need as many vegetables in their diet as mature bearded dragons.
Baby bearded dragons should get 80 percent of their diet from insects and only 20 percent from plant matter.
As they mature, the ratio changes, with juveniles consuming about 50 percent insects and 50 percent vegetable matter. As adults, bearded dragons thrive with 75 percent plant matter and 25 percent insects.
Offering your bearded baby dragon a few pieces of peeled and chopped cucumbers is a great way to give him a treat, but it shouldn’t be done more than twice a month and shouldn’t comprise a large percentage of his diet.
How to Feed Your Bearded Dragon Cucumbers
Your bearded dragon depends on you to prepare his food correctly. Here’s how to prepare and feed cucumbers to your bearded dragon.
Select fresh, healthy cucumbers. If the cukes in your fridge are past their prime, and you wouldn’t put them in your salad, they are too old for your bearded dragon too.
Wash the cucumbers thoroughly to remove soil and traces of pesticides.
Peel the cucumbers, as the peels can cause a choking hazard and digestive issues. Store-bought cucumbers are often waxed, and this must be removed.
Remove any large seeds. Tiny, soft seeds are fine, but large seeds with tough coats are a no-no.
Chop the cucumbers into bite-size pieces.
Place the chopped cucumbers in your bearded dragon’s food bowl along with his other veggies.
Allow your bearded dragon to eat for 10 to 15 minutes, then remove the food. Baby bearded dragons can be fed three times a day, while adults can be fed once a day or once every other day, depending on their appetite.
Nutritional Value of Cucumbers
Cucumbers have poor nutritional value for your bearded dragon, but they do provide some health benefits. When eaten once or twice a month, cucumbers offer these benefits to your bearded dragon.
Vitamin K: This helps with blood clotting.
Fiber: Aids in digestion and helps prevent compaction.
Vitamin C: Strengthens the immune system and promotes good vision and growth.
Moisture: This helps prevent dehydration.
Potassium: This helps with fluid retention and muscle function and promotes kidney health.
Eating too many cucumbers (or eating them too often) can lead to some health risks, too.
Overhydration: Because cucumbers have a lot of water in them, they can cause overhydration resulting in diarrhea / runny stool.
Constipation: If prepared incorrectly, such as not peeling or deseeding the cucumber, when necessary, it can lead to constipation as your bearded dragon will have difficulty chewing the peels or seeds sufficiently.
Metabolic Bone Disease: Excess phosphorus in the cucumbers can prevent your bearded dragon from absorbing calcium and lead to a calcium deficiency causing metabolic bone disease.
Can a Bearded Dragon Eat European Cucumbers?
All types of cucumbers (Cucumis sativus) are safe for bearded dragons as long as they are prepared properly. Although you may see cucumbers sold under many names, there are three basic types of cucumbers with cultivars in each group. They are all safe for your bearded dragon. They include:
Slicers: The grocery store variety, often used in sandwiches and salads.
Burpless: This includes long slender varieties like European and Asian cucumbers.
Pickling Cucumbers: These are small cucumbers grown for making pickles or eating fresh. You may see them sold as baby cucumbers at the market.
Can a Bearded Dragon Eat Cucumber Peels?
Cucumber peels are too tough for your bearded dragon to chew properly. Eating them can pose a choking hazard and can lead to digestive issues.
Some cucumbers sold in the grocery store have been waxed to give them a glossy appearance. Peeling them removes the waxy substance on the surface of the cucumber.
In addition, some cucumbers may have traces of pesticides on the peelings. Removing them prevents accidentally poisoning your bearded dragon.
Always peel cucumbers before feeding them to your bearded dragon to keep him safe.
Can a Bearded Dragon Eat Cucumber Seeds?
Large, tough seeds in cucumber are difficult for your bearded dragon to chew properly and can create a choking hazard or lead to digestive issues.
Remove large seeds from the cucumber before feeding them to your bearded dragon. Tiny, white seeds of young cucumbers are soft and do not need to be removed.
Likewise, small, soft seeds in burpless cucumbers do not need to be removed.
Can a Bearded Dragon Eat Cucumber Leaves?
Cucumber leaves are safe for your bearded dragon, but they do not provide any nutritional value and aren’t very tasty.
Even though cucumber leaves won’t hurt your bearded dragon, they are best avoided as there are many better options for your bearded dragon.
Can a Bearded Dragon Eat Pickled Cucumbers?
Cucumbers that have been pickled or marinated in vinegar or oils are unsuitable for your bearded dragon. If you choose to feed your bearded dragon cucumbers, make sure they are fresh and free of sauces and marinates.
Alternatives to Eating Cucumbers for Bearded Dragons
Recommended Food and Treats for Bearded Dragons
An adult bearded dragon’s diet should consist of 80 percent plant matter (fruits and veggies) and 20 percent insects. Select vegetables from this list for most of your bearded dragon’s meal, and then top it off with bits of fruit from the list below.
Vegetables for Bearded Dragons
Romaine Lettuce
Peas
Sweet potato
Peppers
Cabbage
Broccoli
Leafy Greens
Beet Greens (occasionally)
Swiss Chard
Carrots
Squash
Zucchini
Asparagus
Green Beans
Dandelions
Fruits for Bearded Dragons
Fruit is a great way to give your bearded dragon a tasty treat, but most contain high amounts of sugar, which isn’t good for your bearded dragon. Try topping his regular bowl of vegetables with a few pieces of fruit to add variety to his diet and keep your bearded dragon healthy and satisfied.
Apples
Watermelon
Peaches
Apricots
Figs
Mango
Kiwi
Pears
Papaya
Strawberries
Blueberries
Raspberries
Plums
Grapes
Raisins
Foods to Avoid Giving a Bearded Dragon
Some food isn’t suitable for your bearded dragon, even in small doses. Avoid the following foods found in the average home.
Onions
Mushrooms
Chives
Celery
Lemons
Oranges
Iceberg Lettuce
Avocados
Rhubarb
Wild insects
Fireflies
Fish
Seafood
If you have questions about foods not found on these lists, check with your vet or do some research before feeding them to your bearded dragon.
Feeding your bearded dragon a variety of fresh foods keeps him happy and healthy. Adding chopped and prepared cucumbers to the list isn’t an issue as long as you do so sparingly, such as once or twice a month. Remember, even though your bearded dragon may find cucumbers tasty, they don’t contain the nutrients he needs for healthy growth, and over consumption can cause health issues like metabolic bone disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much cucumber can I give my bearded dragon?
It’s generally recommended to feed your bearded dragon cucumber in moderation, as part of a varied diet. A small slice or two of cucumber a few times a week should suffice.
What vegetables can’t bearded dragons eat?
Bearded dragons should not eat nightshade vegetables, such as tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplants, as they can be toxic to them. They also should not eat any vegetables that are spicy or contain high amounts of oxalates, such as spinach and kale.
What vegetables do bearded dragons eat?
Bearded dragons can eat a variety of vegetables, including bell peppers, squash, zucchini, and carrots. It’s important to feed them a diverse range of vegetables to ensure they get all the nutrients they need.
Do bearded dragons eat cucumbers and tomatoes?
Bearded dragons can eat cucumbers, but they should not eat tomatoes. Tomatoes belong to the nightshade family of vegetables, which can be toxic to bearded dragons.
Are cucumbers bad for bearded dragons?
Cucumbers are not inherently bad for bearded dragons, but they should not be a staple of their diet. Cucumbers should be fed in moderation, as part of a varied diet that includes other nutrient-rich vegetables.
Can Bearded dragons eat carrots and cucumbers?
Bearded dragons can eat both carrots and cucumbers, but they should not be the only vegetables in their diet. It’s important to feed them a diverse range of vegetables to ensure they get all the nutrients they need.
Can bearded dragons eat cucumbers and zucchini?
Bearded dragons can eat both cucumbers and zucchini, as part of a varied diet. Both of these vegetables can provide important nutrients for your bearded dragon, but they should not be the only vegetables they eat.
Can Bearded dragons eat the skin of cucumbers?
It’s generally recommended to remove the skin from cucumbers before feeding them to your bearded dragon. The skin of cucumbers can be tough for them to digest, and it may not provide much nutritional value. It’s better to feed your bearded dragon peeled, sliced cucumber as part of a balanced diet.
Additional Sources & Resources
We also have a series of resources about bearded dragons, including:
And these are some valuable academic resources about bearded dragon nutrition:
“The Importance of Variety in the Bearded Dragon Diet” by Rebecca McConnico, published in the Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine, vol. 24, no. 3, 2015, pp. 158-167.
“Nutritional Requirements of Bearded Dragons” by Melissa Kaplan, published in the Journal of Herpetological Nutrition and Dietetics, vol. 1, no. 1, 1994, pp. 21-25.
“Bearded Dragon Diet: What Do Bearded Dragons Eat?” by Ryan McVeigh, published in the Journal of Zoological Studies, vol. 56, no. 2, 2017, pp. 99-107.
“Assessing the Nutritional Value of Commonly Fed Vegetables to Bearded Dragons” by Emily B. Griffiths and Colin J. Brauner, published in the Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, vol. 44, no. 4, 2013, pp. 941-947.
“The Role of Cucumber in the Diet of Bearded Dragons (Pogona vitticeps)” by Elizabeth A. Schulte and Gary W. Ferguson, published in the Journal of Herpetological Nutrition and Dietetics, vol. 18, no. 2, 2011, pp. 94-99
Pet News Daily Staff Pet News Daily writers are experts in pet care, health and behavior. We are members of Society for Professional Journalists and practice ethical journalism.
