One of the most common reasons for bathing a bearded dragon is hydration. Bearded dragons need additional moisture from their water bowl, daily misting, and baths.
Ideally, you would provide your beardie with all three methods of maintaining hydration. However, bathing them might be the best option if your beardie is suffering from constipation or diarrhea. Read on to learn how to give your beardie a bath and how to clean up afterward.
Why you should bathe a bearded dragon
When you decide to bathe your bearded dragon, be sure to start the process gently. Beardies can be quite reluctant to enter the water, and you should always support their body in order to keep them comfortable during the procedure.
When bathing your beardie, fill the tub with lukewarm water, but do not use hot water, as it can burn the beardie’s skin. Alternatively, you can use cold water, but make sure it’s lukewarm.
While many dragons love to soak in a tub, they may not be comfortable with it. While some dragons will happily float in deeper water, others may panic and try to climb out. In either case, you should bathe the dragon only once in a while, keep the water warm, and include objects for them to climb on.
Most dragon owners should bathe their beardie once every few weeks. It’s best to wash your beardie for no more than 20-30 minutes at a time, as longer baths could lower its body temperature and dehydrate the dragon.
How to treat constipation in a bearded dragon
When your beardie experiences constipation, it may be time to seek help. Impaction in bearded dragons is a life-threatening condition in which a large mass of impaction forms in its digestive tract.
While impaction is generally preventable, it is not always possible to prevent it. Improper substrate, feeding your beardie difficult to digest food, or a lack of appetite are the main causes of impaction. Here are some tips for treating impaction in beardies.
If impaction is the cause of a bearded dragon’s constipation, rubbing the sides may be harmful to the beardie. Instead, massaging the bearded dragon’s abdomen in a downward motion from the chest towards its vent can help it pass impaction.
Repeated upward strokes in this area may also help move the impaction out of the bearded dragon’s digestive tract.
How to bathe a bearded dragon
There are many factors to consider when bathing your bearded dragon. While many of these creatures are happy to swim in a deep bath, others will panic and writhe around the edges of the tub.
If your beardie is one of these types, be sure to keep the water temperature at about twenty to thirty degrees Fahrenheit if your dragon becomes overly agitated while bathing. Don’t leave him alone in the tub and adjust the water temperature.
Bearded dragons are highly sensitive to detergents and soaps, so using fresh tap water is important. Using dechlorinated water is also important. While it may seem like an unnecessary step, you’ll want to make sure to use the proper method for your beardie.
One of the easiest ways to give your beardie a bath is to fill a paper cup halfway with water and pour it up and down the back. Make sure to pour the water around the eyes and tail as well.
How to clean up a bath for a bearded dragon
Before you can start bathing your beardie, you will need to clean up its bathroom. There are several ways to clean up a beardie’s bath. You can use a bathroom sink, utility sink, or a large plastic box.
If you use a plastic container, you will need to clean the tub’s surfaces with a solution of water and vinegar. Rinse with clean water and dry thoroughly before putting your beardie back in the tub.
After a bearded dragon takes a bath, make sure to disinfect the tank and any tank accessories. A mixture of water and vinegar will kill any parasites and other harmful bacteria in the tub.
You can also place waterproof grip strips in the bath to help your beardie walk around. If you don’t have any of these items, you can purchase them online. When using a steam cleaner, you should always use a high-quality unit with a large capacity.
Conclusion
Bearded dragons are fun and easy to care for pets. However, they do require some special care. When it comes to bathing your beardie, make sure to use warm water, avoid soaps and detergents, and provide a way for them to climb out of the tub if they need to. If you have any concerns about your bearded dragon’s health, be sure to consult a veterinarian.
Also, speaking of water, you should also learn if bearded dragons can swim or not
