Can Bearded Dragons Eat Bacon? (Benefits/Risks)

by

can-bearded-dragons-eat-bacon

There’s almost nothing more fascinating than watching your pet scurry around the house looking for food. One of the most common household pets, bearded dragons are great to have around due to their curiously endearing nature.

But as they say–be careful what you wish for! Keeping a beardie as a pet can be a rewarding experience, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges and fickle demands. As much as we would like to believe that feeding your pet only high-quality and nutritious foods will ensure its overall health, this isn’t always the case.

Case in point: giving your lizard bacon is not recommended. Keep reading to find out why.

What’s in bacon?

The short answer to this question is: a lot. Bacon is fatty meat from the back of a pig. Not only does bacon contain significant amounts of sodium, salt, and preservative-rich nitrates, but it’s also high in saturated fat.

This fat can wreak havoc on your bearded dragon’s body, putting them at risk for a myriad of potential health issues. The long answer to this question is: it depends. Like any food product, the exact ingredients in bacon are subject to the manufacturer’s discretion.

The way in which bacon is processed and packaged is also important to consider. In other words: unless you know exactly what’s in your particular bacon, don’t feed it to your bearded dragon.

See also  Can Bearded Dragons Eat Earwigs?

Why is giving your pet bacon bad for them?

It’s important to remember that your lizard does not naturally produce the enzymes necessary to digest certain foods. This means that feeding your pet bacon will cause digestive issues, obesity, or even death. The first issue that arises when feeding a bearded dragon bacon is an unnatural imbalance in the lizard’s gut bacteria.

This imbalanced environment isn’t great for your pet’s health because bacteria play a crucial role in digestion. Without bacteria, your lizard won’t be able to process nutrients, leading to a lack of energy and unhealthiness.

Another issue that arises when feeding a bearded dragon bacon is the way in which the meat is processed and packaged. Bacon, like other meats, is preserved with a compound called sodium nitrite.

Sodium nitrite is commonly used as a preservative in many foods, including bacon, to prevent bacteria from growing and to maintain freshness. But in high enough quantities, sodium nitrite can cause tumors in animals.

Can bearded dragons eat raw bacon?

Scientists and people alike have been wondering about this for a long time. Unfortunately, it’s not recommended. While it’s possible for a bearded dragon to safely consume raw bacon, it’s important to remember that your pet does not produce the enzymes necessary to digest this type of food.

When feeding a bearded dragon raw bacon, it’s possible that the meat will pass through your pet’s system undigested. But it’s also likely that your pet will develop bacterial infections that can be life-threatening. What’s more, consuming raw pork products such as bacon can cause your pet to develop an allergy to pork.

See also  Can Bearded Dragon Eat Celery Tops?

If you really want to give your pet a treat, try feeding them a few strips of crispy, hard-boiled bacon. Hard-boiled bacon is not only safe for bearded dragons to eat, but it’s also a great source of healthy protein and vitamins.

Can bearded dragons eat meat?

Yes, your pet can safely eat meat, but it’s important to know exactly what kind of meat your bearded dragon can eat. Like other pets, bearded dragons can safely consume a variety of meats, including raw, cooked, and even insects. To make sure that your dragon gets the most nutrients from their meal, choose a high-quality meat.

This will ensure that your pet gets the maximum amount of protein, vitamins, and minerals from their food. Another important tip is to make sure that your dragon’s meal is the right diet for their species. Different types of dragons need different diets in order to thrive.

For example, while bearded dragons can eat meat, they should not eat prey that contains too much calcium. Calcium is vital for your pet’s health, but too much of it can make your lizard lethargic, uncoordinated, and prone to diseases.

What kind of meat can I give my bearded dragon?

In addition to the type of meat you feed your dragon, it’s also important to know what species it is. While most species of bearded dragons are omnivorous, some are strict carnivores, while others are herbivorous. Each species has different dietary requirements, so it’s important to feed your pet a diet that is appropriate for their species.

To make sure that you’re feeding your pet the correct diet, consult with a reptile expert or read your bearded dragon’s diet guide. If you’re not sure what the appropriate diet for your pet is, it’s best to err on the side of caution and feed your lizard a diet that is higher in calcium, while ensuring that they get the necessary vitamins and minerals.

See also  Can Bearded Dragons Eat Crickets? (Benefits!)

Conclusion

Keeping a bearded dragon as a pet can be a rewarding experience, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges and fickle demands. As much as we would like to believe that feeding your pet only high-quality and nutritious foods will ensure their overall health, this isn’t always the case. The good news is that you can feed your bearded dragon a healthy diet of veggies and fruit, as well as high-quality crickets, mealworms, and worms.

But just like people, bearded dragons have specific dietary requirements that can’t be altered. So make sure you feed your dragon a diet that is higher in protein, vitamins, minerals, and calcium, while ensuring that it gets the necessary nutrients.

Latest posts by Brad (see all)