Cheese is a popular human food full of flavor and nutrients. If you’re a bearded dragon owner, you may have wondered if you can share a bit of your cheese snack or meal with your scaly friend. In short, bearded dragons should not eat cheese due to potential issues with digestion and nutrition.
We’ll explore whether bearded dragons can safely consume cheese and dairy products. We’ll cover nutritional concerns, digestive issues, and healthier treat alternatives for your bearded dragon.
Can Bearded Dragons Digest Dairy Products?
Bearded dragons are generally lactose intolerant and have difficulty properly digesting dairy products like milk, cheese, yogurt, etc. Here’s a closer look at why dairy can cause issues for beardies:
Difficulty digesting lactose
Like many reptiles, bearded dragons lack the enzyme lactase which is needed to break down lactose, the natural sugar found in milk. Without lactase, lactose passes undigested through the gut and can cause uncomfortable gas, bloating and diarrhea.
Some effects of lactose intolerance in bearded dragons may include:
- Loose, watery stool
- Increased gas and abdominal discomfort
- Reduced appetite and lethargy
Bearded dragons of all ages can have trouble with lactose, but symptoms may be more pronounced in younger dragons with less mature digestive systems.
Risk of intestinal upset and diarrhea
The undigested lactose in dairy products has an osmotic effect, meaning it pulls water into the gut. This can quickly lead to loose stool or diarrhea, resulting in dehydration if severe.
Diarrhea can also wash out the ‘good’ gut bacteria that aid digestion, making symptoms worse. It may even allow the overgrowth of harmful bacteria, further irritating the gut lining.
Some other risks of feeding dairy products to bearded dragons include:
- Nutritional imbalances if dairy makes up a large part of the diet
- Potential food allergies or intolerances
- Increased risk of metabolic bone disease from an improper calcium-phosphorus ratio
While small amounts of yogurt or cheese may not cause issues in some dragons, it’s best to avoid dairy products altogether. This reduces the risk of adverse reactions and ensures a healthier gut environment.
Instead, focus on feeder insects, leafy greens, vegetables and appropriate calcium supplements to meet your bearded dragon’s nutritional requirements. A varied, well-balanced diet is key to keeping your beardie’s digestive system functioning properly.
Nutritional Value of Cheese for Bearded Dragons
High in fat
Cheese is very high in fat and calories compared to the foods bearded dragons naturally eat. An ounce of cheddar cheese contains about 110 calories and 9 grams of fat, while greens like kale only have around 30 calories and 0.5 grams of fat per ounce.
Too much fat can lead to obesity and other health issues in bearded dragons.
Bearded dragons have evolved eating diets very low in fat. Their bodies are not designed to process large amounts of fat well. Eating too much cheese and other high-fat foods could put strain on their digestive system and liver.
Lacks vitamins needed for bearded dragons
Cheese lacks many of the vitamins and nutrients bearded dragons need to stay healthy like calcium, vitamin D3, and antioxidants. Reptiles also cannot produce vitamin C on their own like humans can, so they need vitamin C in their diets from vegetables, fruits, and greens.
Calcium and vitamin D3 are crucial for healthy bone development and preventing metabolic bone disease. Cheese only contains minuscule amounts of calcium since most of it is removed during processing. Vitamin D3, which aids calcium absorption, is completely absent in cheese.
Here are some great sources high in nutrients appropriate for bearded dragons:
- Kale
- Collard greens
- Mustard greens
- Squash
- Sweet potatoes
The bottom line is cheese offers little nutritional value for bearded dragons. While small amounts very occasionally may not cause harm, it should not be a regular part of their diet. There are far healthier treat options for bearded dragons that provide more nutrients and fit their natural diet better.
Healthy Treat Alternatives
Fresh vegetables
Offering fresh vegetables is one of the healthiest treat options for bearded dragons. Leafy greens like kale, collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, and dandelion greens are excellent choices. Chopped broccoli, bell peppers, squash, zucchini, carrots, and sweet potatoes are also great veggie treats.
Just be sure to chop produce into bite-sized pieces appropriate for your dragon’s size. The fiber, vitamins, minerals and water content in fresh veggies offers fantastic nutritional value. Feeding a variety 2-3 times a week provides beneficial diet supplementation.
An authoritative veterinary website PetMD recommends alternating vegetables daily as part of a balanced diet.
Chopped fruits
Fruits can also make nutritious occasional treats for bearded dragons. Good options include chopped apples, berries, melons, mangos, peaches, and bananas. Just like veggies, fruits should be chopped for easy eating.
While fruits offer useful nutrients, they are high in sugar so should be fed in moderation 1-2 times per week at most. Refer to an authoritative care guide like ReptiFiles for proper fruit portion recommendations based on your dragon’s size and age.
The natural sugars and moisture in fruits make them a tasty reward!
Live feeder insects
Feeder insects like crickets, dubia roaches, black soldier fly larvae, and silkworms are staples of a bearded dragon’s diet. Offering extra insects can make an exciting and healthy treat! According to the bearded dragon care experts at The Bearded Dragon, juveniles under 18 months old should get 60% protein from insects.
Adults over 18 months can get 20% protein from insects. Good insect treats include an extra 1-2 appropriately-sized feeders 2-3 times per week. This satisfies their prey drive while providing extra protein, fat, vitamins and minerals from whole prey sources.
As insect treats can be fattening, be mindful of your dragon’s weight and adjust portions accordingly. But overall, insects make a fun protein-packed treat!
Conclusion
To sum up, it’s best not to offer cheese or other dairy foods to bearded dragons. Reptiles lack the enzymes needed to break down lactose contained in these foods. Offering lizard-safe fruits, vegetables, and insects will provide more appropriate nutrition for your scaly friend.