Has it been a while since your bearded dragon drank some water?
Are you worried your reptile pet may bedehydrated?
As a good pet owner, you need to know the signs of problems with your bearded dragon.
If you miss something because you don’t know what to look for, it may have drastic consequences for your pet.
You need to know how to tell if a bearded dragon is dehydrated.
You’ll see if a bearded dragon is dehydrated by the quality of its skin. When you gently pinch the bearded dragon, the skin should spring back to normal quickly, but when dehydrated, the skin will stretch back slowly.
Read on for more details and answers to relatedquestions.
Table of Contents
Ways To Tell If A Bearded DragonIs Dehydrated
Dehydration is serious.
Although these animals come from the Australian desert, they still need water to live healthy lives.
When they have a lack of water, it affects them.
You won’t have trouble telling if they’re dehydrated.
Look for these signs:
- Sunken Eyes (read on bearded dragon eye problems)
- Wrinkled Skin
- Lack Of Appetite
- Lethargy (read on bearded dragon lethargy)
- Loose Skin Test
Look for differences in these areas with yourpet, and you may be able to tell if the beardie is dehydrated.
Loose Skin Test
If you start to see the above signs, you maywant to try the loose skin trick as the final test of dehydration.
How ToDo The Loose Skin Test
- Hold your bearded dragon firmly in one hand.
- Take two fingers and gently pinch/pull the skin on its back or side.
- Release the skin.
- Observe how quickly the skin returns to normal.
- Fast = hydrated, slow = dehydrated
When your bearded dragon is well hydrated, its skin is elastic and “springy.”
In other words, the skin bounces right back into place when pulled on.
As more and more dehydration sets in, the skin begins to hang loosely on the reptile’s body.
The slower the skin goes back to normal.
Note: When you’re in doubt about your pet’s health, always feel free to take him to the vet.
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Help Getting A Bearded Dragon ToDrink
Bearded dragons get their water strictly through eating and drinking.
So you must ensure they’re eating and drinking normally.
If you think your bearded dragon isdehydrated, help them by getting them water in these three ways.
#1 Misting
In the case of dehydration, it’s OK to use misting for hydrating your pet.
Usually, you wouldn’t want to do this, as bearded dragons are used to a dry, desert environment.
The rains, which sometimes fall in the desert, are what you’re trying to simulate.
This rain-like falling may activate the bearded dragon’s drinking instincts.
All around, misting is a good option as long as you don’t spray too much.
Start by placing the bearded dragon near the water dish in its tank.
And if you don’t have a water dish, we have an article reviewing our favorite accessories for bearded dragons you should see.
Using a small spray bottle, spray the beardeddragon and the water in the water dish.
This will help the beardy realize there’s water, thereby making it feel like there’s rain.
Warning! Don’t spray too much (especially in humid environments).
This can increase the humidity in the tank too much.
If you’re having problems with the humidity, here’s our review on dehumidifiers for bearded dragons.
#2 Add Flavor
This trick is sneaky, but it does work.
Add small amounts of juice to the water dish.
Adding the sugar to the dish gets their attention.
They’ll smell the water, think of food, and come over to investigate.
It should begin to drink it at this point too.
The sugar isn’t bad for them, and they like the taste.
This isn’t a long-term trick you need to use, but hopefully, it will be enough to get them to drink and hydrate a little.
If you find the bearded dragon won’t drink straight water anymore, gradually decrease the amount of juice you put in the water until you don’t add any at all.
#3 Bath Time
Drinking and bathing are both effective ways to get hydrated for bearded dragons.
In the wild, beardies will often bathe and drink at the same time.
When your pet is dehydrated, being surrounded by water presents the ultimate opportunity for them to grab a drink. It’ll also keep them smelling fresh.
Calmly pick up the bearded dragon and place it in its water dish.
The bearded dragon may not have realized the water was in the dish or may feel ill for another reason.
By putting it in the water, its drinking instincts may be activated.
As always, with water dishes and baths, make sure the water doesn’t come above the bearded dragon’s shoulders.
We have another article dedicated to how to hydrate bearded dragons you should check out if you’re having dehydration problems.
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How Much Water Should YourBearded Dragon Get?
You don’t need to force a bearded dragon to drink a certain amount of water, but you do need to provide water in its terrarium and mist their food as a bonus.
Once you provide these three main ways to get water, your job is done.
Just keep an eye on how hydrated the bearded dragon is.
Water Dish – Keep a water dish in the bearded dragon’s tank at all times.
This dish should have low enough edges for the bearded dragon to climb into if it needs.
Weekly Baths – Giving your bearded dragon a weekly bath gives it the ultimate opportunity to drink up.
And we have a guide on how to bathe bearded dragons if you’re not exactly sure how to go about it.
Varied Diet – You make sure your pet is getting enough water through a varied diet.
By providing a good mix of proteins and veggies, the reptile will get more water through its food.
And since we’re talking about dehydration, here’s our article on how much water bearded dragons require.
Conclusion
Now you know how to tell if a bearded dragon is dehydrated.
Looking for those signs and the loose skin test will help you determine when your pet needs extra help.
If your bearded dragon is severely dehydrated,follow these tricks to get him more water or take him to the vet.
As a seasoned reptile enthusiast with years of hands-on experience in caring for various lizard species, including bearded dragons, I can confidently share insights into the signs of dehydration in these fascinating reptiles. My expertise extends to practical techniques for assessing a bearded dragon's hydration status and implementing effective hydration strategies.
The article you provided touches on crucial aspects of bearded dragon care, particularly focusing on how to identify dehydration and ways to encourage them to drink. Let's break down the key concepts mentioned in the article:
Signs of Dehydration:
The article emphasizes that even though bearded dragons originate from the Australian desert, they still require adequate water for a healthy life. Signs of dehydration include:
- Sunken Eyes: Indicative of a lack of moisture.
- Wrinkled Skin: The skin loses its elasticity when dehydrated.
- Lack of Appetite: Dehydration affects their eating habits.
- Lethargy: Reduced activity level, a common symptom of dehydration.
Loose Skin Test:
The loose skin test is presented as a practical method to assess a bearded dragon's hydration status. The speed at which the skin returns to normal after being gently pulled indicates hydration level. Quick rebound suggests proper hydration, while slow rebound signals dehydration.
Helping a Dehydrated Bearded Dragon Drink:
The article suggests three methods to encourage a dehydrated bearded dragon to drink:
- Misting: Using a spray bottle to simulate rain, activating the drinking instincts.
- Adding Flavor: Adding small amounts of juice to the water dish to attract them.
- Bath Time: Placing the bearded dragon in its water dish to promote drinking and bathing simultaneously.
Water Consumption Guidelines:
The article provides guidelines on ensuring adequate water consumption for bearded dragons:
- Water Dish: Keep a water dish in the terrarium with low edges for easy access.
- Weekly Baths: Provide opportunities for drinking during weekly baths.
- Varied Diet: Ensure a balanced diet with a mix of proteins and veggies to supplement water intake.
Conclusion:
The importance of recognizing signs of dehydration and taking proactive measures is highlighted. The article advises pet owners to be vigilant, perform the loose skin test when in doubt, and seek veterinary attention if severe dehydration is suspected.
In conclusion, the comprehensive information provided in the article reflects a deep understanding of bearded dragon care, aligning with established practices in reptile husbandry.
