Bearded Dragons - Feeding | VCA Animal Hospital (2024)

FAQs

Can you take a bearded dragon to the vet? ›

Bearded dragons need proper veterinary care to stay healthy, just like any other pet. You'll need to bring your cute dinosaur in to the vet for regular checkups. Between appointments, watch for signs of illness, such as lack of appetite; discharge from the eyes, nose, or mouth; and diarrhea.

When you first bring your bearded dragon home, you must visit the vet within the first two days. Your vet will perform a series of tests to ensure that they are healthy and don't have any potentially dangerous parasites. That initial visit will usually cost around $75 to $150.

Take your bearded dragon to a veterinarian.

If you suspect that your bearded dragon is sick, you should have it looked at by a vet. A vet can assess the animal's health and run tests to find out exactly what is causing your pet to be unwell. Find a vet that specializes in reptiles, known as a herp vet.

Bearded dragons are omnivores, eating both plants and small animals. At the Zoo, they enjoy a meal of mixed greens and worms or crickets.

We recommend transporting your turtle in a plastic container lined with damp bedding (such as paper towel for small turtles and soaked towels for larger ones). The container should have adequate ventilation (e.g. holes drilled into the lid, a mesh section of lid) and be secure.

Their lifespan is usually 10 to 15 years or more, so they're quite a commitment. It's important to replicate their natural habitat as best you can. Learn more about how to care for your bearded dragon and how to keep them healthy and happy.

Like other pets, bearded dragons should be examined by a reptile-savvy veterinarian annually and have their feces tested for parasites.

How Often Should a Bearded Dragon Visit the Vet? It is recommended that you have your dragon vet checked every 6-12 months. Regular health checks will allow for the early detection of disease and illness.

A herpetology or herp veterinarian should have received further education and training specifically related to reptiles and amphibians in order to properly treat these species of animals.

Mature dragons with plenty of fat stores and weight to lose, can go up to 2 months without food, although this is NOT encouraged. On the other hand, juveniles who are rapidly growing and stop eating, should be a cause for some concern as they need protein to grow up healthy and strong.

How do you revive a malnourished bearded dragon? ›

You can overload a neglected beardie's organs by giving them insects (protein) right away. That overload can/will shut down their weak kidneys & liver and kill them. 😵 When you get a dragon that hasn't eaten for over a week, start with hydration. Give them baths and encourage them to drink.

The most popular live food for Bearded Dragons are crickets and meal worms. You can find them in most pet stores.

Beardies have a very good-natured disposition and a mild temperament. They're easy-going and friendly, and even more so when bred in captivity. Many exotic animals will be skittish and humans stress them out, but Bearded Dragons do very well in captivity.

As a general rule, bath time three times a week should be sufficient to keep your dragon clean and hydrated. If your dragon absolutely hates baths, then once a week may be a reasonable goal. If your dragon can't get enough bath time, you may want to do it more frequently, maybe even once a day.

Due to shorter lifespans of most reptile species, routine veterinary care is vital in early detection and treatment of infectious and chronic diseases. Therefore, such visits can help prevent problems before they occur and allow your pet to live a long and healthy life.

We care for all kinds of animals including dogs, cats, reptiles and small furries.

To restrain a lizard, place one hand around the neck and pectoral girdle region while the other hand supports the pelvis and tail base. To minimize the risk of zoonotic exposure, wear disposable gloves whenever possible and always wash hands thoroughly after handling a lizard.

Bearded dragons in captivity have a life expectancy of around 10 years, although the oldest bearded dragon on record lived to 18 years. The single most important factor to keep your bearded dragon healthy and living a long life is husbandry.

Bearded dragons are really very simple to take care of – just supply an appropriate habitat, feed them the right foods, keep them and their home clean, and interact with them as much as possible. That's really it in a nutshell!

Are bearded dragons easy to keep alive? ›

These charismatic lizards from Down Under are friendly and relatively easy to care for. They grow up to two feet in length and can live up to 15 years. If they are fed and housed properly, they can provide many years of companionship.

You can transport your pet reptile in an insulated environment such as a Styrofoam or other insulated coolers to maintain heat. If your reptile is small enough and hand tamed (such as many bearded dragons) you can wrap them up in a towel and tuck them inside your warm jacket.

Parasites, especially pinworms, are common in the intestinal tract of pet bearded dragons. The pet may show no clinical signs, and parasites will be detected on an annual fecal examination.

Try holding your reptile 15 minutes a day. As it gets used to being handled, you can extend these periods for as long as your pet looks comfortable. Some dragons don't enjoy being held for a long time while others love it and will allow you to hold them several times a day.

You can hold a bearded dragon for as long as it will tolerate being held. Start with 15 minutes once a day and as it gets used to being handled, you can hold it longer. Some dragons enjoy being held several times a day for several hours. When the beardie becomes restless, it is time to put him back.

SOLUTION: Contact a vet immediately.

Just like humans, bearded dragons lose their appetite if they are sick. Illnesses include: Mouth rot (infection) Gut impaction.

While lizards can't be trained to the same level as dogs or other pets, you can still train your bearded dragon to respond to simple commands, or to come to you when called in their habitat. Bearded dragons can learn their names and respond when called after just a few weeks of training.

The bearded dragon (also known as the dragon) is found naturally in Australia, but bearded dragons are kept as exotic pets in many places all around the world. Bearded dragons are commonly available at stores, reptile expos and breeders' websites.

Baby bearded dragons that are 3 months old or younger usually poop one to three times a day because their diet is rich in proteins. A young bearded dragon (4 to 18 months old) will have a bowel movement every day or so, while you can expect those older than 18 months to poop 1-7 times a week.

Most young bearded dragons eat once or twice daily, while older lizards can be fed once daily, depending upon each pet's individual appetite.

How do you force feed a bearded dragon? ›

Force-feeding a bearded dragon boils down to using a syringe filled with fruit, veggie, worm, and supplement puree to insert the mix into the beardy's throat. You should apply gentle but firm pressure to the sides of its mouth, 3 centimeters behind its ears to open the mouth.

It's a smart idea to provide your beardie not only with a shallow and sturdy dish of water, but also with regular mistings. If you mist your lizard's enclosure and vegetables, you might be able to promote increased hydration. Never allow your bearded dragon's living environment to get overly wet, however.

Sick beardies may have eyes looking cloudy, filmy, or lazy. This is seen around shedding time, but it is a sign of a severe infection. If you suspect shedding is the cause, help your pet through this by bathing your sick bearded dragon. Soaking in hot water for 15 minutes will help loosen the skin up.

For an ill bearded dragon, I recommend soaking bearded dragon pellets in a sports drink and then putting them in the blender to make a gruel or smoothie that can be easily syringe-fed to him. If you choose to locate another herp veterinarian, you have a couple of ways to find one.

Insufficient diet, improper housing, internal parasites are all common issues that can result in a lethargic bearded dragon. A common issue is low habitat temperatures. For instance, a young bearded dragon requires a basking area temperature of between 95°F to 110°F, with a cooler region of around 80°F to 90°F.

Loud noise, such as outside traffic, dogs, yelling, TV, music, or a crying baby. Vibrations and rumbling from loud noises can bother your dragon almost as much as the noise itself. A new pet (even a new dragon or reptile in another tank can upset your dragon).

Salmonella is not commonly contracted via reptiles, but it is important to play it safe to make sure you do not get the illness. Never allow people with weakened immune systems, young children, or the elderly to handle bearded dragons. Even though bearded dragons are very cute, never kiss one.

Crickets. By far the most popular choice, crickets are a tasty protein- and calcium-rich snack for your beardie. They are widely available at pet stores. Just keep in mind that they can easily escape and their noise can be irritating, so if you go this route, make sure you store them securely and out of earshot.

Avoid vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, and romaine as too much can be harmful, or they offer limited nutritional value. Bearded dragons will also eat fruits like apples, strawberries, watermelon, and peaches. Aside from delicious fruits and vegetables, dragons will eat just about any insect that moves.

What is fun for bearded dragons? ›

Most bearded dragons love playing around in the water. It's a great way for them to have some fun while also getting hydrated. A large plastic storage bin that is at least twice as long as your bearded dragon makes for a perfect swimming hole. A small kiddie pool works well, too.

Bearded Dragons are the only known reptile to show affection for their human companions, which is why they make great exotic pets if a reptile is the kind of animal you are looking for.

Turtles, tortoises, bearded dragons, iguanas, and chameleons are some common examples of reptiles that need UVB light. This helps prevent animals from developing hypocalcemia (or lack of calcium). UVB lights should be kept on during the day and turned off at night and should be used along with calcium supplements.

Unlike lizards who are active at night, bearded dragons are awake during the day. They often like to climb branches and sit on logs to bask in the sun. As a result, they make great pets for people who want to interact with their pets during waking hours.

Bearded dragons can drink tap water; however, it is a good idea to use one of the commercially available dechlorinating products to treat the water. There are chloramines and chlorine in the water that you want to remove as well as unwanted minerals present in the water.

Drying. Let your beardie soak for about 15 – 20 minutes. Once bath time is over, gently pat your pet dry with a soft sowel. This is very important!

Do Bearded Dragons Like to Swim? Similar to bath time, some dragons like it, some don't. If your dragon enjoys getting a bath, he might love the chance to swim in deeper water.

How Often Should a Bearded Dragon Visit the Vet? It is recommended that you have your dragon vet checked every 6-12 months. Regular health checks will allow for the early detection of disease and illness.

Pet bearded dragons are high maintenance work and expensive. Bearded dragons take a lot of effort to keep well compared to the average cat or dog and the lighting and heating is expensive. What is this? Bearded dragons require a specialised environment that must be kept clean to prevent diseases.

How can I help my lethargic bearded dragon? ›

Poor lighting.

Bearded dragons need exposure to UV rays that mimic the desert sun in their natural habitat. It helps them properly digest and absorb food and nutrients. And without it, they may act lethargic and become sick. Make sure your basking bulb is on 12 hours a day and is about 12 inches above the basking spot.

Hire A Pet Sitter (That Specializes In The Species They Will Be Caring For) While almost anyone can care for cats or dogs, your exotic pets are unlike Fido and Whiskers and will need to be cared for by someone with a good understnading of the kind of care your fish or reptiles require.

A herpetology or herp veterinarian should have received further education and training specifically related to reptiles and amphibians in order to properly treat these species of animals.

Vacationing With Your Reptile

Smaller reptiles can be easily transported in small boxes (but make sure they stay warm while in transport) and then set back up in the place where you are staying. Campsites and other places that don't have access to electricity are not good options for vacationing with reptiles.