Bearded dragons are popular household pets, beloved for their unique appearance and relatively easy care. Most of us recognize the basics of caring for a bearded dragon, such as providing a proper habitat, adequate heating and lighting, and healthy food.
One important part of bearded dragon care that often gets overlooked is bathing. Bathing is more than just an opportunity for your pet to get clean; it can also help with shedding problems and help ease stress.
In this article, we’ll discuss the importance of bathing your bearded dragon and include the necessary steps you should take to keep your pet safe during the process.
Bathing Bearded Dragons
Bearded dragon baths are an essential part of their care. Providing regular baths not only helps them stay hydrated but also ensures they maintain good hygiene. Many dragon owners struggle to get their bearded dragons to drink from bowls, so giving them baths is a great way to give them the hydration they need without having to fight with them!
Baths also help keep bearded dragons’ skin healthy and provide an opportunity for them to get some exercise and move around – which is especially important for beardies who spend much of their time in tanks or terrariums. Plus, bathing your pet can be a great bonding experience for both you and them! So if you’re looking for a fun way to bond with your scaly friend, take ‘em out for a swim!
Why Do Bearded Dragons Need Baths?
Bearded dragons need baths for a variety of reasons, not only to keep them clean and healthy but also to give them an opportunity to play and bond with their owners. By providing a bath, you can help curb the spread of fungus, parasites, and bacteria while also promoting healthier skin.
Moreover, it is a great way to keep your dragon hydrated and alleviate any potential constipation or shedding issues they may have. Not only do baths benefit your bearded dragon physically but they can be a wonderful time for both you and your pet as well. Baths provide an opportunity for both of you to further strengthen the bond between each other through recreation and playtime.
Importance of bathing your bearded dragon
Bearded dragons need regular bathing to stay healthy, energetic, and hydrated. Without these baths, the beardie may develop fungi or bacteria on their skin, which almost always leads to a wide range of health issues.
Bathing helps keep your bearded dragon’s skin hydrated, preventing them from developing any sort of skin condition. Hydration is key for the health of your bearded dragon, and bathing helps keep them hydrated which will in turn help to maintain their health. Furthermore, it can also elevate their overall energy levels and help with digestion.
Another important benefit of bathing is that it has been noted to reduce stress levels in your bearded dragon as well. If they can stay relaxed while taking a bath then it may actually be beneficial for their overall wellbeing! Additionally, it provides an important social bonding time between you and your beardie by providing a shared activity.
It helps with hydration
When we’re talking about keeping your bearded dragon hydrated, bathing is one of the best ways to do this. When placed in their enclosures, a water dish can provide them with the water they need for daily functions, but when a bath is provided it gives them an extra boost of hydration that’s beneficial for long-term health.
Better Skin Health
Bathing your bearded dragon can significantly improve their skin health. Bearded dragons naturally spend a lot of time basking under UVB light in captivity, which can cause their skin to become dry and brittle. This can make it difficult for them to shed their skin properly, leading to skin rashes and injury.
By bathing your dragon regularly, you can help prevent this problem. The warm water will help soften their skin and make it easier for them to shed properly. If you notice that there are large chunks of skin stuck to your beardie’s body when they’re shedding, a nice warm bath will help loosen it up and increase the chances of its smooth removal.
Improved Hygiene
Regular bathing of your bearded dragon will not only keep your pet clean and free from any waste or germs, but it will also help improve hygiene in his enclosure. The beardie tends to crawl around in the waste that he produces, so it’s important to bathe him regularly, which means getting rid of bacteria, as well as reducing the risk of infections and diseases.
Better digestive health
Better digestive health can be achieved for your bearded dragon by making sure it is well hydrated. Hydration plays an important role in helping your dragon’s digestive system work more efficiently. Regular bathing is a great way to keep them hydrated, as it will help maintain the water levels in their body.
In addition, drinking more water also helps with impaction, which is caused by dehydration and should be addressed immediately. Bathing your bearded dragons can quickly get their hydration levels up so that they can recover from this problem faster.
How to bathe a bearded dragon?
Bathing a bearded dragon is not too complicated, but there are certain orders and requirements that have to be followed beforehand when preparing to give your beardie a bath.
Fill the tub with warm water
It’s important to ensure the tub has warm water when giving your bearded dragon a bath. The temperature of the water should be carefully monitored as it can heavily affect your pet’s comfort. Additionally, you must make sure that the bath bowl is deep enough for your beardie to swim in.
Take care not to overfill the bowl or splash too much water; an excess could potentially lead to respiratory issues in your pet. By following these steps, you will ensure a safe and comfortable bathing experience for your beloved beardie.
Don’t leave your dragon alone
It’s essential that you never leave your beloved bearded dragon alone when they are in the bath. Otherwise, there is a very real danger of them drowning due to being unsupervised or the water depth being too great for them.
To prevent this from happening and ensure their safety at all times, make sure to keep an eye on your dragon during the bath and never walk away, even for a moment. After all, your furry companion can’t always take care of themselves, so it’s up to you to be there for them!
Make sure the water temperature is correct
When giving your bearded dragon a bath, it’s essential to make sure the water temperature is correct. Dragons should ideally be bathed at temperatures between 85-100 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything hotter or colder than this could cause serious harm to their health.
To ensure that the water you’re using is at the right temperature, it’s best to use a thermometer every time. That way, you can keep your bearded dragon comfortable in lukewarm water without worrying about any potential hazards!
Place them in water and let them get comfortable
When it comes to introducing your bearded dragon to a bath, there is no need to rush. Start by holding your beardie for several minutes before slowly splashing water on them. This prepares them for the upcoming bath and helps them adjust to the temperature of the water.
If you encounter any resistance from your dragon, don’t panic – this could merely be because they are unfamiliar with bathing. To help reassure them, try putting your hand in the tub and forming ripples in the water as a visual reminder that this is nothing to fear.
Once everything is ready, place your bearded dragon inside the tub and let them get comfortable. The warm bath should be relaxing and beneficial both physically and mentally, so let them enjoy it!
Clean Them
If you want to give your bearded dragon a good cleaning, the best way to do it is by using a grooming brush or any other soft brush. When you bathe your beardie, make sure you gently brush their skin so that dirt and grime are removed from every single pore. However, take care not to scrub too harshly as this can be detrimental to your reptile’s health.
Make sure to cover all parts of the body when brushing, except for the eyes and cloaca. You could also use a small cup or spoon in order to rinse off their body properly when finished bathing. Let them soak in the water for at least 10-15 minutes, allowing them ample time to drink plenty of water. This will ensure that your reptile stays healthy and free from dirt.
Dry them off
Once you’ve finished your pet reptile’s refreshing 10-15 minute bath, it’s time to dry them off carefully. Take a towel of your choice, and carefully absorb all the extra moisture from their skin. It’s important to note that rubbing their skin too hard may leave rashes or cause skin damage, so it’s best to take a gentle approach when drying your bearded dragon.
Bearded dragons are cold-blooded reptiles, so once you’re done drying them off, it is vital that you place them under UVB light in order to maintain their body temperature and keep them safe and healthy.
Warm your dragon
It’s important to keep your dragon warm! Due to being cold-blooded, dragons depend on external temperatures to maintain their body heat. If you just brought your dragon out of the bath, its body temperature will start to drop immediately.
That’s why it’s best to place him back under his basking light as soon as possible in order for him not to get too cold.
Clean the tub
Cleaning your dragon’s tub is essential for their health and hygiene. Cleaning your dragon’s tub properly means rinsing it out thoroughly with a solution of water and white vinegar to remove any chemical residue. This will help get rid of any dirt or bacteria without compromising the safety of your dragon.
How often should you give a bearded dragon a bath?
The frequency of bathing your bearded dragon will depend on the level of hygiene you’d like to keep up with. Generally, it’s recommended to give your pet a bath twice to thrice a week in order to keep them hydrated and regulate their body functions properly.
However, you can adjust this schedule depending on how often your particular species needs bathing, and look at the condition of your dragon for further guidance. If you find that your dragon is extra dirty or having problems shedding its skin, then it may be best to increase the number of baths until these issues are resolved.
Too much bathing can be just as bad as too little; it’s possible to over-hydrate a bearded dragon which can lead to diarrhea and weak droppings. Therefore, it’s important to regulate the amount of baths given in order to ensure that your bearded dragon remains properly hydrated and healthy.
Should you use soap?
It’s suggested to avoid using soap when giving your bearded dragon a bath. Doing so can potentially contaminate the water and put your pet beardie at risk if they drink any of it. Not to mention, the skin on your beardie can absorb whatever substances are in the soap, which could be detrimental to their health and wellbeing.
It’s best not to chance it. Keep their bath water free from soap and other chemicals to ensure that your beloved pet will stay safe from the risks associated with them. Ultimately, this will keep your beardie healthy and hydrated while they bathe!
How Old Does a Bearded Dragon Have to Be to Take a Bath?
Bathing bearded dragons have no age restrictions; it can be done at any point during their lifespan. However, if we are talking about baby bearded dragons, it is not recommended that you introduce them to water right away. It is better to wait until they grow a bit and then start the bathing process.
When dealing with hatchlings, you must pay extra attention as they tend to be more excitable and inquisitive than adult dragons. You should always monitor the activity of your baby dragon while it is in the water so that it does not get out of sight.
What if my bearded dragon doesn’t like baths?
It’s normal if your bearded dragon doesn’t like being in the water. If this is the case, it’s important not to force them into taking a bath, as this can increase their stress level. The best way to approach this situation is to start slow and early. This will help get them comfortable with taking baths over time.
If you have an adult bearded dragon and they don’t want to get into the water, you can try splashing some on them and gradually increasing their exposure time. But if they continue to resist baths or become stressed out by it, you should stop immediately as this could negatively affect their emotional well-being. If a bath isn’t feasible for your beardie, there are still other ways of cleaning them such as misting or providing a water bowl for them to drink from.
FAQs
How much water should I use for bathing my bearded dragon?
Before placing your bearded dragon in the water bowl, make sure to check the level of water and make sure it stays below their head. If this is not followed, then water may get into the lungs of the bearded dragon, resulting in respiratory problems.
Can I Give My Bearded Dragon A Bath Outside?
On hot days, you can safely bathe your bearded dragon outside, but on cooler days, the sudden coldness after a bath may make it hard for them to return to their normal body temperature.
How long to give a bearded dragon a bath?
You can’t let your bearded dragon stay in the water too long, as this may cause health issues. Remember that when you permit your beard dragon to soak in water, 10-15 minutes is all it needs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, bathing your bearded dragon is a very important piece of their care. It helps keep their skin healthy, maintains their immune system, and can even aid in the shedding process.
Plus, it’s a great way for you to bond with your pet! So don’t be afraid to give them a nice warm bath every few weeks. They’ll thank you for it!
