- Natural Laxatives. Try feeding your bearded dragon a reptile-safe, natural laxative, like fruit. Some unsweetened, pureed prunes or blueberries can do the trick.
- Warm Bath. Use a large, shallow container (a sink or your tub works just as well) filled with warm water (approximately 100 degrees Fahrenheit) to give your bearded dragon a ...
- Gentle Massage. Alternatively, you can also gently massage your pet’s belly and cloaca area regularly to encourage a bowel movement.
- Olive Oil. Add a couple of drops of olive oil to the tip of your bearded dragon’s nose—just within reach for them to lick off.
- Diet Adjustments. If you find that your bearded dragon is impacted, you should avoid feeding them feeders or hard foods.
How do you feed a bearded dragon?
Feeding a bearded dragon is a pretty simple process, but you’ll have to keep lots of insects, fruits, and vegetables on hand. Remember that the ratio of plants to insects your dragon needs will change throughout their life, even though the actual foods they eat remain the same. Baby dragons need more protein, adults need more plant matter.
What can I give my bearded dragon for constipation?
Try feeding your bearded dragon a reptile-safe, natural laxative, like fruit. Some unsweetened, pureed prunes or blueberries can do the trick. If your pet does not have an appetite and refuses to eat, try dabbing a little bit of the puree on its nose to entice it into licking off.
How to make a bearded dragon poop?
A few drops of olive oil are some of the most effective foods you can give to your bearded dragon to make him poop. 3-4 drops per day will do for adults. For juveniles, give them half teaspoon.
Do bearded dragons need calcium supplements?
It’s so important that even with a diet high in calcium-rich foods, your beardie will usually need some sort of calcium supplement, such as supplement dust on his insects or gut-loaded insects fed with calcium-rich food the day before they become dragon food.
How do you treat an impaction bearded dragon?
Massaging gently down towards the vent may assist your bearded dragon in moving an impaction down through his digestive tract, so that he can pass it. It is also strongly recommended that you go with your pet immediately to a veterinarian that specializes in treating exotic animals.
How do you treat a constipated lizard?
Treating the majority of colon obstructions, caused by a urate plug, is relatively simple. Your veterinarian will help to rehydrate the animal by soaking in lukewarm, shallow water for 30 minutes to 2 hours, or may give some fluids by injecting them under the skin, usually called subcutaneous fluid.
How do you get an impacted bearded dragon to poop?
2:419:23How to Clear Impaction in Bearded Dragons - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou need to give them a bath. If you have not tried anything else the bath is the first thing thatMoreYou need to give them a bath. If you have not tried anything else the bath is the first thing that you try before you try anything else if they don't poo in the bath.
How do I know if my bearded dragon has impaction?
Physical Signs of Impaction in a bearded dragonTrouble walking (stiff or awkward gait)Shaky or immobile rear legs (possibly dragging them around instead of using them to walk)Weight loss.Unhealthy appearance.Tender belly.Lumps between spinal sections.Bulge at the point of impaction.
How do lizards poop when constipated?
While you are searching for the reason for the constipation, you must assist the reptile to defecate. Bathe him in warmish water in the bath tub. After letting him soak for 10-15 minutes, begin to gently massage his belly, stroking from sternum to vent, for 5-10 minutes, rewarming the water as needed.
Why is my bearded dragon constipated?
Constipation, which is the failure to produce feces, is a common condition in bearded dragons. There are many possible causes including, but not limited to, dehydration, parasites, poor diet, an injury, infection, and tumors.
How long can a bearded dragon go without pooping?
one weekHow Long Can A Bearded Dragon Go Without Pooping? Healthy bearded dragons not in brumation should not go for longer than one week without pooping. Some individuals can go several weeks without pooping, but, this will be very painful and is normally a sign of a health issue.
How much olive oil should I give my bearded dragon?
Olive oil/water mixed and fed orally via syringe or dip bugs in olive oil before feeding. (Oil/water ratio - you can't to give is . 1ml per 100 grams of dragons weight. So if your dragon weighs 300 grams you will give .
Why do bearded dragons get constipated?
Of course, there are other ways bearded dragons can become constipated: Indigestible Food – Larger pieces of food, or feeders with hard shells or exoskeletons that bearded dragons are unable to digest completely, can be the source of their impaction.
How to clean out a bearded dragon's digestive tract?
An enema performed by your bearded dragon’s vet will help clean out its digestive tract, eliminating any blockage that is causing impaction. To do so, the vet will insert a lubricated catheter or feeding syringe into your pet’s cloacal opening and flush the area with warm water.
How to get a bearded dragon to chase a ball?
As hard as it is to imagine a bearded dragon chasing a ball around, it’s possible! Invest in a small, clear ball such as a cat toy, where you can place a few feeders inside. Leave the ball in your lizard’s tank for a while and get ready to watch it chase the ball around for a few minutes each day.
What to do if your bearded dragon is impaction?
However, if you find that your bearded dragon is experiencing impaction, it is best that you seek professional herpetological veterinary care for it as soon as you can. The vet will be able to take x-rays and accurately diagnose the severity of its constipation and provide the best treatment solution for its case .
What happens if a bearded dragon's digestive system is blocked?
If the digestive system is blocked to the cloaca, then, that means that your bearded dragon is unable to pass stool and urine, which can be very concerning for their overall health. In addition, if an impaction becomes bigger, the lump may press against your bearded dragon’s spinal cord, which lacks protection.
How to get rid of a bearded dragon's digestive blockage?
The exercise through swimming in the water can make it a little easier for your bearded dragon to digest and pass the blockage through their digestive system while simultaneously relaxing their muscles. The warm bath will also provide them with hydration if the cause of their impaction is dehydration.
What is the condition that bearded dragons face?
Written by Mark Ingram in Reptiles & Amphibians. A common condition that bearded dragons face is known as impaction or constipation. While this may not seem like a big deal it can be very dangerous for lizards. In addition, treatment can be more complicated than simply taking a laxative or eating more fiber.
What kind of insects do bearded dragons eat?
Most likely, you’ll end up choosing one of the big three. Crickets, dubia roaches, or black soldier fly larvae are by far the most common choices of primarty feeder insects for bearded dragons. Between crickets and roaches, we strongly prefer roaches ( you can see why here in our comparison article ).
How often should a baby beardie eat live insects?
Baby beardies (up to about 6 months in age) should get live feeder insects one to three times per day, every day. This is when they are growing the fastest ( for a detailed review of just how big your beardie will get, see our article here ). Therefore, this is when they need the most protein.
What is the best food to eat for baby food?
Processed human food – Outside of pureed apple or pumpkin baby food, stay away from anything that comes in a can, box, or jar. Stick to fresh produce, fruits, and live feeder insects. Lettuce – This includes iceberg, loose-leaf, green, butter, and red. Lettuce, on the whole, is almost devoid of nutrients.
Do bearded dragons eat the same thing every day?
They start to treat them like little people instead of captive wild animals. While you or I would get bored eating the same thing every day, your bearded dragon does not. They are perfectly happy eating the same exact thing every single day. Bacardi never every gets tired of roaches….
Can a bearded dragon be vegan?
Another important point is that your beardie is an omnivore. It cannot be a vegetarian or vegan. Period, end of story. If you are not comfortable feeding your beardie live feeder insects then you should not have a bearded dragon. Beardie’s need a live protein source several times a week. And yes, it needs to be live.
Is lettuce good for beardie?
Lettuce, on the whole, is almost devoid of nutrients. If your beardie fills up on lettuce, they will not get the nutrients they need to be healthy. Choose more nutrient-dense and healthier greens. Mushrooms – Specifically portabella mushrooms, but all of them are a bad idea.
Can you buy organic bearded dragons?
Because of the small size of bearded dragons, we recommend buying organic if you can. Even the smallest amount of pesticide could cause problems for your beardie. If organic isn’t an option, make sure to wash your produce well before serving it to your bearded dragon. Acorn squash.
What to do if your bearded dragon won't poop?
If your bearded dragon won’t poop for several days, you can do the following: Check the temperature, humidity, and possible substrate ingestion. As mentioned, too high or too low temperature and humidity could affect the digestive functioning of the bearded dragon.
Why doesn't my bearded dragon eat?
Parasites also contribute to the factor of why a bearded dragon does not eat enough food. Internal parasites are some of the common problems with bearded dragons that eat less. Every factor discussed above could potentially be the cause of why your bearded dragons won’t eat enough food.
Why do bearded dragons have low temperatures?
When the temperature inside the tank exceeds normal, bearded dragons will seek ways to escape. Low temperatures too could cause indigestion and instability. Aside from temperatures, the humidity inside their habitat can also cause stress to bearded dragons.
Why does my bearded dragon poop in the water?
In most cases, it can poop in the water while taking a bath. The reason behind this is that water could stimulate pooping.
How many times a day should a bearded dragon eat?
Young bearded dragons, those that are only 16 weeks tend to eat three to four times a day. Those that are 28 weeks eat about two times a day. If your bearded dragon does not eat enough food, there might influential factors that you need to consider in this case. One of the most common causes behind this is stress.
Do bearded dragons eat dessert?
Believe it or not, low temperatures in the bearded dragon’s cage hinders proper food digestion. Remember that bearded dragons are accustomed to dessert temperature and it helps for their food digestion.
What is the best food for bearded dragons?
Dubia roaches are widely considered to be the absolute best live food for bearded dragons due to their incredibly high protein content. Furthermore, they’re very clean insects and tend to be much safer than crickets, which have been known to carry parasites. Phoenix worms are also a great choice.
How much food do bearded dragons need?
These baby dragons need 75% of their nutrition to come from live insects and just 25% to come from plants. You can split their feeding into five meals.
Why is my bearded dragon not eating?
What to Do if Your Bearded Dragon Isn’t Eating. There are many reasons that dragons could refuse to eat. Stress is a big one. If you’ve recently changed your dragon’s environment, lighting, or diet, then they could be refusing to eat as a reaction to this, which will take a short time to sort out.
How many crickets should a dragon eat?
During insect feedings, allow them 10 minutes to eat as many as they can. This could be as many as 50 crickets each day. Once a dragon reaches three months, it’s considered to be a juvenile. Juvenile dragons need a diet that’s about 50/50 plants and live insects.
What is gut loading in dragons?
Gut loading is when you stuff the insects full of nutritious food before feeding them to your dragon.
What to do if your dragon is eating everything?
If your dragon is eating every bit of the food you provide within the feeding window, then you might need to offer more food. On the other hand, if there’s always a lot of food leftover when the feeding window closes, then you should start reducing the amount of food you’re offering.
How long should I let my dragon eat?
When feeding insects, you should allow just 10 minutes for your dragon to eat the insects, removing uneaten insects at the end of the time.
What happens if you eat too much food for a bearded dragon?
Improper Diet. Any food that’s too large to move through a bearded dragon’s digestive tract can block whatever food they consume later, leading to impaction. As a general rule, only offer your beardie food that’s smaller than the distance between their eyes. The type of food also matters, so pick their diet carefully.
Where to take bearded dragon?
Take Your Bearded Dragon To The Vet. If none of the home treatments work within a week or so or if the symptoms are serious (such as immobility, regurgitation, or leg dragging), immediately take your beardie to the vet. Your vet should preferably be one who specializes in exotic animal medicine.
Why is my bearded dragon's belly so tender?
This means if you notice a bump on your dragon’s back between the vertebrae, or a bulging or tender belly, your beardie may be suffering from impaction . Other signs of impaction include weight loss and a generally unhealthy appearance. This is why it’s important to know your bearded dragon well so you can identify odd behavior.
Why is it important to know your bearded dragon?
This is why it’s important to know your bearded dragon well so you can identify odd behavior. A loss of appetite, regurgitation, or complete rejection of food isn’t normal (nor is straining when they’re trying to defecate). If your pet is lethargic or totally inactive, there’s definitely cause to be concerned.
Why do bearded dragons need UVB?
In order to properly digest its food, the cold-blooded bearded dragon can’t produce its own body heat and needs a warm place in which to bask (this is one of the reasons why a UVB bulb is so important).
Why is my bearded dragon impaction?
An unsafe substrate is one of the most common causes of impaction in bearded dragons (this is why it’s one of the most important parts of a proper habitat setup ). Loose substrate such as sand or pellets and commercial products like Calci-Sand can lead to severe blockage if ingested over a period of time.
How to keep bearded dragons from basking?
Here are some of your options: 1. Check The Temperature Of The Basking Area. Because a cool basking area is detrimental to your bearded dragon’s digestive health (and basking bulbs lose strength over time), you should regularly check the basking zone temperature.
