Xylitol is considered as sugar alcohol. It’s also famous for its varying uses. In fact, it’s used in dental care products, baked goods, vitamins and nicotine gums. But is it good for bearded dragons? In other words, can bearded dragons eat xylitol? No, bearded dragons should not eat xylitol. That’s because xylitol is toxic to bearded dragons. They can suffer from symptoms including lethargy to hypoglycemia. In fact, a bearded dragon who consumes xylitol can even die.
Further, bearded dragons would see the symptoms of poisoning after 10 minutes of ingesting xylitol. In other cases though, symptoms don’t appear even after several hours have passed. But nonetheless, this is dangerous. You must consult with your vet in case your dragon has consumed xylitol.
Symptoms of Xylitol Poisoning in Bearded Dragons?
You can find out whether your bearded dragon is having xylitol poisoning in just minutes. Hypoglycemia – a condition in which blood sugar is low – is really dangerous. Bearded dragons can get this when they consume xylitol. Some signs that shows that your bearded dragon has xylitol poisoning include:
- Vomiting
- Drowsiness
- Weakness
- Seizures
- Liver issues
Some foods that contain xylitol include:
- Peanut butter
- Nicotine gum
- Sugar-free gum
- Toothpaste
- Dental rinses
- Candy
- Chewable vitamins
Why is Xylitol Bad for Bearded Dragons?
There are varying causes due to which xylitol is considered bad. Keep in mind that xylitol isn’t bad for humans. In fact, it’s a substitute for sugar that most people prefer adding to their coffee. But xylitol is really bad for bearded dragons. Let’s see what are the factors due to which xylitol is toxic to bearded dragons:
- Xylitol is absorbed into the bloodstream of bearded dragons.
- Xylitol triggers insulin release. This can also drop blood sugar of bearded dragons.
- Xylitol causes varying liver damage.
Diagnosis of Xylitol Poisoning in Bearded Dragons
As soon as you get to know that your bearded dragon has consumed xylitol, consult with your vet. In most cases, just within minutes bearded dragons start showing symptoms. Your vet will be able to diagnose poisoning based on the data you provide about your dragon.
Further, since the symptoms of xylitol can become severe within just minutes, the first thing a vet would do is to stabilize them. For this, they might hospitalize dragons as well. They may also do blood tests to further determine the level of toxicity.
Why are Xylitol Not Recommended for Bearded Dragons?
Well, bearded dragons shouldn’t eat xylitol because their pancreas can consider xylitol as real sugar. In result, their pancreas will increase insulin. What’s worse is that this process can make bearded dragons sick. In fact, your bearded dragon can have tremors or seizures after consuming xylitol. Sometimes, they can even get diarrhea. In the worse case, your bearded dragon can die! Keep in mind that even a small amount of xylitol is bad for bearded dragons.
What Sweet Treats Should You Avoid Feeding Bearded Dragons?
Before answering this question, why shouldn’t bearded dragons eat sweet treats? The reason is their diet. Bearded dragons are omnivores. They should only eat veggies and bugs. Sweet candies don’t have enough nutrition for bearded dragons. Now, what are the sweet treats that bearded dragons should avoid. Well, they should avoid eating all of the below mentioned sweet treats:
- Cookies
- Chocolate
- Candies
- Kiwi
- Grapes
- Melons
- Grapes
What to Do if Bearded Dragons Eat Xylitol?
Well, you must always make sure that your bearded dragon hasn’t eaten something toxic including xylitol. In case your bearded dragon becomes sick after eating xylitol, make sure you do the following:
- Don’t panic. You might make things worse.
- Call your vet.
- Look for any abnormal action that your dragon is doing.
Apart from xylitol, there are other foods as well that are toxic to bearded dragons. Salt, garlic, gummy bears are those foods that bearded dragons should never eat.
Conclusion
Can bearded dragons eat xylitol? No. Bearded dragons should never eat xylitol. That’s because xylitol is toxic to them. Bearded dragons should never eat anything that is dangerous for them. As a bearded dragon owner, it’s your responsibility to show them your love by giving them varying healthy food.
