Chocolate is not safe for bearded dragons and you should never feed it to them. In fact, chocolate is toxic to all types of reptiles including lizards.
Cocoa contains theobromine, a compound that can cause a number of health problems, including vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and death.
Even a small amount of chocolate can be harmful to a bearded dragon, so it is important to avoid feeding them this treat altogether.
If you think your bearded dragon has eaten chocolate, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Why is chocolate toxic to bearded dragons?
Theobromine is a stimulant that is similar to caffeine. It is metabolized more slowly in reptiles than in mammals, which means that it can stay in their system for longer and cause more problems.
In addition to theobromine, chocolate also contains other compounds that are harmful to reptiles.
These compounds can damage the liver and kidneys, and can also lead to heart problems.
What are the symptoms of chocolate poisoning in bearded dragons?
The symptoms of chocolate poisoning in bearded dragons can vary depending on the amount of chocolate that was eaten.
Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Hyperactivity
- Trembling
- Seizures
- Difficulty breathing
- Death
If you see any of these symptoms in your bearded dragon, contact your veterinarian immediately.
What to do if your bearded dragon eats chocolate
If you think your bearded dragon has eaten chocolate, the first thing you should do is contact your veterinarian.
They will be able to assess the severity of the poisoning and recommend the best course of treatment.
In some cases, your veterinarian may recommend inducing vomiting to remove the chocolate from your bearded dragon’s stomach.
They may also give your bearded dragon fluids and medication to help support their liver and kidneys.
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PetsWithScales.com is an informational website about big lizard pet care. We collect and provide information from different sources across the web on how to keep and care for reptiles as pets. The species we mainly deal with are tegus, monitor lizards, skinks and geckos. Our aim is to provide high quality information to help pet owners make better, more informed decisions about their animal’s diets, health and life.