Pooping is an important activity for humans and bearded dragons alike. It helps them get rid of waste products from their food and stay healthy. Regular poops help prevent constipation, parasites, and other health issues. How to get your bearded dragon to poop?
It requires taking several steps to ensure regular pooping of beardies, such as:
- Proper hydration
- Ensuring a balanced diet containing fruits, insects, and vegetables
- Maintaining an appropriate habitat environment
- Encouraging exercise and
- Massaging their abdomen
If your beardie is not pooping, then you must not take it lightly. Let’s see together how we can get its bowel moving.
Getting Your Bearded Dragon to Poop
As the parent of a reptile pet that is not pooping regularly, you have to take some steps. Try the following things, and hopefully, your issues will be solved.
1. Ensure Proper Hydration
Water is the number one solution for constipation. Make sure there is no issue of hydration with the dragon. Here is what you can do to ensure it.
A perfectly built DIY bearded dragon enclosure must have a water dish placed in it. It comes in handy for different purposes. First, it provides the necessary water to drink after a meal. Or whenever your pet wants to drink.
Additionally, it helps in maintaining the moisture of the enclosure. Don’t forget that bearded dragons are ecothermal. This means that their body temperature is highly influenced by the environment.
Access to easy water encourages them to drink more often. If they drink enough water, they won’t suffer from constipation. Drinking more water stimulates their bowel movement, too.
Give them warm baths sometimes. A warm bath positively impacts hydration. Beardies may also drink some water during the bath. Therefore, avoid mixing any shampoo or soap with the water. Just let them swim in the hot tub to have some fun and gain proper moisturization.
2. Provide A Balanced Diet
You cannot but be careful about the diet of your beardie if it is not pooping. An unhealthy diet can cause not only constipation but also other health issues. An ideal diet for these reptiles needs to contain vegetables, fruits, and, of course, insects.
Bearded dragons can eat many types of vegetables. Their “yes-list” includes carrots, bell peppers, collard greens, mustard greens, dandelion greens, etc. Some herbs, such as spinach, are okay for occasional treats.
Fruits are also a good option for them, especially when they are not laying feces. Fruits like raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes, mangoes, bananas, etc., are high in water. The water content ensures proper hydration and reduces the risk of constipation or other bowel-related problems.
And insects are a must for them for proper growth. Younger bearded dragons need more protein-based food. Let them have crickets, mealworms, dubia roaches, and pinky mice on a regular basis.
Avoid overfeeding. It leads to obesity and lethargy.
3. Maintain Appropriate Habitat
The habitat plays a crucial role in the life of bearded dragons. A properly built habitat can influence their health positively and save them from a number of health issues.
- Size: Think bigger is better! Adults need a minimum 75-gallon tank, offering ample space to roam and bask.
- Temperature: Provide a basking zone reaching 95-110°F with a UVB lamp for vitamin D3 synthesis. Cooler areas around 75-85°F allow them to regulate body temperature.
- Substrate: Paper towels or tiles are easy to clean and minimize impaction risks. Avoid loose substrates like sand for hatchlings and young dragons.
- Hiding spots: Bearded dragons need areas to feel secure. Rocks, driftwood, and strategically placed reptile hides offer comfort and a sense of security.
- Climbing enrichment: Branches and sturdy hammocks provide climbing opportunities for exercise and basking in elevated areas.
- Lighting: A UVB bulb is crucial for proper digestion and bone development. Provide 10-12 hours of UVB light daily with a basking lamp for warmth. Night time needs complete darkness for a healthy sleep cycle.
4. Encourage Exercise
If you are wondering why a bearded dragon is now pooping, then stimulate it to exercise. Just like for us, exercise gets things moving inside a bearded dragon. Increased activity helps push food through their digestive tract.
Additionally, exercise helps their body break down food more efficiently. This means nutrients are absorbed faster, and waste moves along quickly.
Bearded dragons bask to regulate body temperature. After a bout of exercise, basking helps them digest their food even better. The warmth relaxes their muscles and aids in digestion.
5. Give Massage
Giving your bearded dragon a gentle massage can sometimes help them poop. Here’s how:
Gently massaging your bearded dragon’s belly can help move food along their digestive tract. They feel better and may feel encouraged to lay the bodily waste out of the body.
However, remember that not all bearded dragons like to be held or massaged. If yours seems stressed or puffs up its beard, stop immediately. You want the massage to be relaxing, so use gentle strokes. Do not apply pressure.
Why Does Constipation Happen to Bearded Dragons?
Every health issue has some roots. Understanding and finding out the root of the problem helps solve it. So, what causes constipation in bearded dragons?
1. Diet Deficiencies
A lack of fiber in your bearded dragon’s diet can make it difficult for them to pass stool. Fiber helps bulk up waste and keeps things moving smoothly through their digestive system. Ensure their salad includes plenty of leafy greens.
2. Dehydration
Bearded dragons absorb most of their water through their skin, so proper hydration is crucial. If they’re dehydrated, their body will pull water from their stool. It makes it harder to pass. Offer fresh water daily in a shallow dish and consider misting the enclosure.
3. Temperature Trouble
Bearded dragons are cold-blooded and have to rely on external temperatures for regulating their body heat. Their digestive system slows down if the environment is colder. This can lead to constipation.
4. Substrate Issues
Loose substrate-like sand can be dangerous for bearded dragons. They may accidentally ingest it, causing impaction. It is a blockage in their digestive system that prevents stooling. Paper towels or tiles are easier to clean and reduce the risk of impaction.
5. Underlying Health Issues
Sometimes, constipation can be a symptom of an underlying health problem like parasites or a bacterial infection. Look for other symptoms like lethargy or loss of appetite. If they exist, contact a vet immediately.
FAQ
1. How do you massage a bearded dragon to poop?
Gently wet your hands and use small, circular motions to massage your bearded dragon’s belly. Begin from the front towards the back. Stop if they seem stressed and visit a vet if there’s no poop after a few minutes.
2. How do you stimulate a bearded dragon to poop?
You can stimulate your bearded dragon to poop in a few ways. Offer a warm bath, gently massage their belly, or encourage climbing to get their gut moving. If unsuccessful, consult a vet to rule out any health issues.
3. Does a bath help a bearded dragon poop?
Yes, a warm bath can help a bearded dragon poop in a few ways. The warmth relaxes them, aids digestion, and may stimulate their bowels to move. If a bath doesn’t help, consider other methods or consult a vet.
4. How long can Beardies go without pooping?
Bearded dragon pooping frequency varies with age. Adults can go 1-7 days without pooping, while young ones poop more often. If your bearded dragon hasn’t pooped in over a week, consult a vet, as it could be constipation.
Conclusion
Bearded dragons need to poop on a regular basis, at least once a week. If the beardie is not into stooling, then you must step on. Follow the given instructions and ensure proper diet and habitat. Hopefully, the problem will be solved. If not, then you must contact a vet.
Reference:
https://medium.com/@BeardedDragon/how-do-i-get-my-bearded-dragon-to-poop-1bb30ba01eb6
https://www.terrariumquest.com/bearded-dragon/not-pooping/