Yes, bearded dragons need water sprayed on them. In the wild, bearded dragons would seek out bodies of water such as streams or waterholes, and would take frequent baths to keep cool. In captivity, you can provide simulated water troughs and baths for your bearded dragon.
This provides an area for your dragon to fully submerge itself and assists with hydration, as well as helps keep him cool by evaporative cooling. You can also spray water onto your dragon’s body, which will help to encourage the shedding process of their skin and hydrate their body.
You should be careful not to spray too much or too close to their face and eyes, as this can cause irritation. You should also provide ample hiding spots for your bearded dragon to go to in order to feel safe and secure after having a bath.
Table of Contents
How much water should you spray on a bearded dragon?
When spraying your bearded dragon with water, it is important to use a light misting and avoid any direct streams of water or heavy amounts of water onto the body. Bearded dragons in the wild would typically get water from the desert air, so they get the water they need from this light misting.
The amount of water you should spray on your bearded dragon depends on the humidity in the environment. If the humidity is 40-50%, you should mist lightly for 10-15 seconds about once or twice a day.
If the humidity is below 40% and your dragon is showing signs of dehydration, you should increase the misting to about five seconds for twice a day. Avoid heavily spraying the bearded dragon with water as this could lead to respiratory and fungal infections.
Additionally, after misting, use a soft cloth to pat dry your bearded dragon, focusing particularly on the head and limbs.
What is the way to give a bearded dragon water?
The best way to provide water for a bearded dragon is by using a shallow microbial cup that is secure and easy for the dragon to access. Fill the cup with fresh, clean water and place it in the terrarium near their regular basking area.
It is important to change the water daily and give the cup several times a week in order to make sure your beardie is receiving enough water. You may also use a spray bottle to mist the beardie, once or twice a day, as this will provide them with hydration as well.
Additionally, it is beneficial to provide your dragon with a variety of lettuces, greens, and vegetables, as these have natural water content that will help keep your dragon healthy and hydrated.
Should I spray my bearded dragon with water?
In general, no, you should not spray your bearded dragon with water. Bearded dragons, like other desert-dwelling reptiles, rely on their environment to maintain the correct temperature and humidity levels.
By spraying them with water, you disrupt these careful balances and could potentially cause them harm.
Bearded dragons can benefit from increased humidity, as it can help keep their skin healthy. However, the best way to achieve this is through a misting system or a way to mist their cage directly in the morning, which can give them the needed moisture without exposing them to too much water.
You can also increase water levels and humidity in other ways, such as including a shallow water dish or adding live plants to the terrarium. If your dragon needs a bath, you can fill a shallow tub with a few inches of warm water and let them soak.
Always make sure to monitor the water temperature to make sure it’s not too cold or hot.
For most cases, it’s best to avoid spraying any kind of water directly onto your bearded dragon. Doing this may disturb their environment, which could be stressful and could increase their risk of developing health problems.
How can I tell if my bearded dragon is dehydrated?
If you suspect your bearded dragon is dehydrated, it is essential to act quickly to ensure they remain healthy. The first step is to perform a visual assessment. Check the bearded dragon’s eyes, nostrils, mouth, and limbs for signs of extreme dryness and/or sunkenness.
Bearded dragons that are dehydrated often have dry, thin skin and reduced fat reserves. Additionally, the snake’s body should be slightly convex when viewed from the side. If the beardie appears to be severely dehydrated, it may become lethargic, limp, and its saliva may appear thick and stringy.
If you are unsure whether your bearded dragon is dehydrated, there are a few at-home tests you can administer as well. First, you may conduct a “skin pinch test” – use your thumb and pointer finger to pull up a small area of skin at the back of your dragon’s neck for 1-2 seconds and release.
A healthy bearded dragon’s skin should return to its normal position immediately, whereas if the dragon is dehydrated the skin may take longer to return to its original place or stay tented up.
The second test you can carry out is the “capillary refill test” – lightly press down on the dragon’s nose to cause some of the blood vessels under the skin to break. When you lift your finger, the broken vessels should refill with blood.
If the blood vessel refill quickly, the bearded dragon is likely hydrated. However, if the capillaries take longer than normal to refill, this could indicate that the beardie is dehydrated.
Lastly, you can take your dragon to see your vet, who may use medical-grade instruments to quantify hydration levels by calculating total body water percentage. Your vet will also be able to recommend the most suitable course of treatment to rehydrate your bearded dragon.
Will bathing a bearded dragon help hydrate it?
Yes, bathing a bearded dragon can help hydrate it. When a bearded dragon is dehydrated, their skin can become dry and flaky. A warm bath helps to rehydrate their skin and add essential moisture back into the system.
In addition, providing an occasional warm, shallow bath gives the dragon a chance to drink and provides enrichment activity. The water should be shallow enough that the dragon can turn around and walk out easily, and the water should always be warm (not hot).
Offer a shallow bowl or tub filled with an inch or two of warm water, and provide a cave or branch so the dragon can climb onto if they feel scared. Supervise the bath to make sure your dragon is safe.
Afterward, be sure to pat them dry. You can also mist your dragon lightly with water to help further rehydrate them.
Can I use Pedialyte for my bearded dragon?
No, you should not use Pedialyte for your bearded dragon. Although Pedialyte may contain electrolytes that are beneficial for reptiles, it also contains additives and sugars that could be extremely harmful for your pet.
If your bearded dragon is dehydrated, you’ll want to use plain filtered water to encourage your pet to drink, rather than Pedialyte, as it can contain too much sugar for your pet’s delicate digestive system.
Additionally, the chemicals and additives in Pedialyte can harm your reptile’s internal organs, as well as its kidneys and liver, and can possibly cause other health issues down the line. Instead of using Pedialyte, you should try offering your bearded dragon fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as offering them the filtered water in a shallow bowl.
You can also offer them a commercial hydration supplement made specifically for reptiles. If these measures do not improve your bearded dragon’s hydration level, it is best to take them to a veterinarian.
Can I give my bearded dragon water through a syringe?
Yes, you can give your bearded dragon water through a syringe if necessary. Bearded dragons get most of the water they need through their diet of crickets, greens, and other insects, but they can also benefit from occasional access to clean water.
For instance, very young bearded dragons, who may not yet be eating pieces of food, or sick bearded dragons, who may not have an appetite, may need to be given extra water. To do this, you can fill a small syringe or dropper with clean water and carefully give it to the dragon.
If you are giving a baby or very young dragon water through a syringe, you will likely want to avoid using the very tip so that it is not uncomfortable for the dragon. However, when giving older and larger dragons water, you can use the syringe directly to target their mouth, and the water will go straight down their throat, just like when they are drinking from a bowl.
It is best to consult a reptile veterinarian for exact instructions for your particular dragon, as each dragon has unique needs.
Can you soak a bearded dragon in Pedialyte?
No, it is not recommended to soak a bearded dragon in Pedialyte. While Pedialyte is a useful electrolyte solution to hydrate a dehydrated bearded dragon, soaking a bearded dragon in it can be dangerous and can even lead to sudden death.
Instead, you should use a shallow water dish in their habitat that allows them to climb in and out easily so they can access the water whenever they want. It’s also important to mist your bearded dragon at least twice a day using a spray bottle.
This will allow them to drink the collected water droplets directly from their body, skin and even from the surrounding surfaces in their habitat. And if you do choose to use Pedialyte for extra hydration, you should use it by mixing it with their normal drinking water, not soaking them in it.
What liquids can bearded dragons drink?
Bearded dragons can drink plain, clean water. The key is to provide them with a reliable supply of freshwater, which should be replaced daily. Additionally, providing a shallow bowl of water at all times will encourage the dragon to drink when it needs to.
You can also mist your dragon with water every few days to ensure it is getting enough moisture in its environment. Other than that, bearded dragons typically don’t need to drink much – they get most of their water from their food.
However, it is important that they have access to fresh, clean water at all times so that they can stay hydrated.
What does an underfed bearded dragon look like?
An underfed bearded dragon may appear thinner than what is considered to be healthy; their ribs, spine, hip bones and other bony protrusions may be easily visible. Additionally, their tail may be notably smaller and thinner than those of healthy dragons; further, their body weight may feel light and/or be noticeably lower than it should be for their particular size.
Their scales may also be darker, rougher and drier than those of a healthy dragon, as well as befitting of their general lack of well-being. They may be lethargic, disinterested in food and generally less active than they should be.
In some cases, they may also experience dehydration or stunted growth. All of these symptoms, along with others, can be associated with an underfed dragon, and should be addressed immediately.
What are signs of parasites in bearded dragons?
Signs of parasites in bearded dragons can vary depending on the type of parasite, but some common indicators include weight loss, lack of appetite, lethargy, vomiting or diarrhea, difficulty defecating, regurgitation, changes in coloration or skin texture, parasites visible in the feces or on the skin, decreased activity or mobility, and swollen joints.
Additional signs may include mouth rot, coughing, and abscesses. If you suspect your bearded dragon has a medical issue, contact a qualified veterinarian to provide a diagnosis and recommend treatment options.
Do bearded dragons like to get wet?
No, bearded dragons do not like to get wet. While they do need some moisture in their skin, bathing them frequently or for too long can be detrimental to their health. Additionally, their environment should be kept dry and the humidity should be low.
They may enjoy laying in a shallow bowl of water occasionally, but it should never go above the shoulders. If you are having trouble keeping their skin hydrated, consider lightly misting them with room-temperature water, no more than twice a day.
If they exhibit signs of illness, however, always consult a vet to ensure they are healthy.
How often do bearded dragons need to be soaked?
Bearded dragons should be soaked in warm water 1-2 times per week for 10-15 minutes. The water should reach up to their elbows, with the temperature set at 32-34° C (90-93° F). This allows the beardie to rehydrate and keeps their skin healthy.
After the soak, be sure to thoroughly dry your dragon with a soft cloth or paper towel and provide a warm place to bask. During the soak, you should also use a gentle reptile-safe cleanser to remove any dirt, impurities, and excess shed scales from your beardie’s skin.
Additionally, be sure to replace the water in their enclosure with fresh, clean water daily to ensure proper hydration.
Do you leave a bearded dragons light on all the time?
No, it isn’t recommended to leave a bearded dragon’s light on all the time. All reptiles absorb ultraviolet radiation, which is beneficial to their overall health, but bearded dragons need to have full-spectrum light during the day and darkness at night.
During the day, they should have a good quality UVA and UVB bulb that is on for 12-14 hours and kept within 10-12 inches of the pet. At night, the enclosure should be completely dark to mimic a natural environment.
Not offering your bearded dragon a period of darkness to rest could result in all sorts of health problems, such as sadness, stress, lethargy, lack of appetite or softer bones due to a lack of calcium absorption.
Additionally, the temperature of the enclosure should drop significantly during the night to give them the temperature changes they need. Therefore, leaving their light on all the time would cause the enclosure to be too hot, which can also result in health issues.
As such, it is important to make sure you turn the lights off in the nighttime.
