No, you should not use cat litter for your bearded dragon. Cat litter can contain chemicals and harmful materials that can be toxic for your dragon and make them sick. Also, when your bearded dragon uses the litter box, they could ingest the litter and cause problems such as intestinal impaction.
Additionally, the small granules in the litter can be a choking hazard for your dragon. It is best to provide your bearded dragon with an approved substrate such as peat moss, coconut fiber, or sand.
Approved substrates are specially designed for the needs of your bearded dragon and provide a safe environment for them.
What bedding is for bearded dragons?
When it comes to bedding for bearded dragons, there are a variety of choices. The best option is to use reptile-safe substrate, such as coconut fiber, cedar shavings, aspen shavings, Carefresh bedding, cypress mulch, Eco Earth bedding, or Repti Bark.
You’ll want to avoid using any type of sand, as it can cause impaction if accidentally ingested. Furthermore, you’ll need to spot clean the cage regularly and change out the entire layer of substrate at least twice a month.
It’s also important to provide a hide box or cave so that your bearded dragon can take refuge and have some privacy. Some people prefer to use newspaper or other non-toxic paper products as an alternative to the substrate that’s mentioned above, however it’s important to remember that these don’t provide enough substrate for them to dig or burrow in.
Additionally, it’s advised to neither place carpet nor use fabrics in their enclosures as these can easily lead to skin irritation and fungus infections.
What should I put on the bottom of my bearded dragon’s cage?
The bottom of your bearded dragon’s cage should be covered by something that your dragon can’t digest, such as non-toxic terrarium liners or tile, newspaper, butcher paper, or reptile carpet. It is important to use substrate that is free of dyes and inks to prevent accidental ingestion.
Providing your dragon with a substrate like reptile carpet is important, as it provides warmth and a sense of security to your pet. Additionally, it is important to provide your dragon with different levels, heights, and textures in the cage to give him somewhere to explore, hide, and climb.
Make sure that any substrate you use is safe for your dragon to ingest should they accidentally take a bite.
What do you put in a bearded dragon tank?
To create a suitable habitat for a bearded dragon, you’ll need to include certain features like substrate, plants, furniture, and temperature control.
For substrate, you can use natural materials like sand and calcium-rich dirt substrates, which will help your dragon to properly digest their food. A bonus of sand substrates is that they look natural and can also provide a good base for plants.
When deciding on plants, choose ones that are safe for bearded dragons, such as hibiscus, spider plants, aloe vera, and Pothos. These plants should be placed near a light source to keep them healthy and provide a natural environment for your dragon.
Furniture such as rocks, logs, and caves can provide your pet with a place to hide and help them feel comfortable. These structures should also provide material for your dragon to climb and explore.
Temperature control is essential for a bearded dragon’s habitat. You can use a combination of basking bulbs, heat mats, and ceramic heat emitters to create a hot spot of up to 95°F. A cool side should be kept at around 80°F and should be equipped with a UVB light source.
With the right environment and care, your bearded dragon will be able to thrive. So make sure to provide them with the essentials to create a safe and comfortable home.
What do bearded dragons like to lay on?
Bearded dragons are lizards, and lizards in general tend to like being on a variety of surfaces. Bearded dragons particularly enjoy laying on warm, rocky surfaces, as well as driftwood and branches. Many bearded dragon owners also provide special logs, stones, and overhangs that the dragon can hide under or lay on.
UVA and UVB lighting, which helps them regulate their body temperature, should also be provided when they are in their enclosure so that they have the choice to bask in the rays of the sun. Additionally, an area that allows the bearded dragon to burrow and hide is also recommended.
Bearded dragons that have vegetation to hide underneath and bask on generally seem to be the most content. The area should be kept free of any sharp objects, which could potentially injure the dragon, and any perches should be of the appropriate size for the dragon.
Do bearded dragons need daily baths?
Yes, bearded dragons need daily baths. Baths are important for proper hydration and can help to keep their skin and scales healthy. Bearded dragons should be given a shallow bath daily, using water that’s at room temperature and no deeper than their elbows.
Baths help to keep their skin and scales hydrated and clean. During the bath, you can use a mild, reptile-friendly soap to gently scrub away dirt or food particles that may be stuck on their skin or in their scales.
You should also use a soft bristled brush to remove any waste material that is stuck in the scales. After the bath, you should pat your dragon dry with a soft, clean towel before returning them to their enclosure.
What chemicals are toxic to reptiles?
Reptiles are sensitive to many potentially toxic chemicals, including pesticides, heavy metals, and some abrasive cleaning products. Common household pesticides such as permethrin, pyrethrins, and carbaryl may cause serious health problems in reptiles, especially when left residue on furniture and flooring.
Heavy metals, such as lead and zinc, are poisonous to reptiles, and can be found in some water sources, paint, dust, and soil. Various cleaning products, such as disinfectants, chlorine bleach, and glass cleaners, may cause serious irritation and burns to the skin and respiratory tract of reptiles.
To keep your reptile safe, avoid contact with any of these chemicals, and be sure to carefully read the label on any products you use in their enclosure.
Can a bearded dragon eat bananas?
Yes, bearded dragons can eat bananas. Bananas are a high-energy, nutrient-rich food that can help provide a balanced diet for your bearded dragon. They are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants and can provide an important source of dietary fiber.
Bananas should be given in moderation and should be cut into small pieces to avoid choking and digestive problems. They should also be served without their peels. Additionally, bananas should be dusted with calcium powder to help ensure proper calcium levels.
Can Beardies eat grapes?
No, Beardies should not eat grapes. Grapes, raisins and currants (dried grapes) are all potentially toxic to dogs, and that includes Beardies. Eating grapes can cause kidney complications, and even in small quantities, these fruits can prove fatal for your pooch.
If grapes are ingested, your pet may experience vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and lethargy. In some cases, these symptoms may not manifest for several days after ingestion. If you suspect your Beardie has consumed grapes or any similar type of fruit, please contact your veterinarian immediately in order to seek the appropriate treatment.
How much banana can you feed a bearded dragon?
The amount of banana you can feed a bearded dragon will depend on the specific size and age of the individual dragon. In general, it is not advisable to give a bearded dragon more than two tablespoons of banana per week due to the high sugar content.
It is important to feed the dragon appropriately portioned, sliced banana as opposed to whole. Overfeeding banana can cause digestive issues and can also lead to expending too much energy. Banana can make up part of a balanced, healthy diet, as they contain essential vitamins and minerals.
However, they should only be given in moderation.
For a juvenile bearded dragon, feed a maximum of two teaspoons of banana per week. Feed young dragons one teaspoon per week. Adult bearded dragons should only consume one tablespoon of banana per week.
It is a good idea to rotate the fruit that you feed your bearded dragon, so banana should only make up a small amount of their weekly diet.
It is important to do your research to ensure you understand the diet requirements for a bearded dragon and to ensure these dietary needs are consistently met.
What can I dust my bearded dragons food with?
It is important to supplement your bearded dragon’s food with vitamins and minerals. A great way to do this is to dust their food with a calcium powder supplement. Be sure to buy a calcium powder supplement specifically designed for reptiles.
When using the powder, lightly coat the food, ensuring the supplement is evenly distributed. The amount of calcium powder to use depends on the size and age of your bearded dragon. For juvenile dragons, they should have 1-2 light dustings of the powder per week.
Adult dragons need only 1 light dusting per week. It is also important to have a balance of calcium to phosphorus in at least a 2:1 ratio. If the ratio is reversed to be 1:2, then you will need to increase the supplement amount, as the phosphorus in the food can interfere with the absorption of calcium.
In addition to the calcium powder, your dragon should also have a vitamin D3 and multivitamin supplement. You can get these in liquid, powder and tablet form. Again, make sure that the supplements are designed specifically for reptiles.
For the liquid and powder forms, lightly spray or sprinkle it over the food and for tablets, lightly crush the tablet and sprinkle it over the food. As always, make sure the supplement is evenly distributed.
Once the food is dusted, feed the food to your dragon right away.
How do you dust reptile food?
When dusting reptile food, you should use a diatomaceous earth powder or other type of vitamin, mineral, or calcium supplement powder. It’s important to be careful not to over-dust the food, as too much of it can be dangerous for your reptile.
Begin by filling a plastic bag or a container with your supplement powder of choice. Place a few pieces of your rodent food inside the bag or container, and shake thoroughly until the food is completely covered.
Make sure the powder is evenly distributed and free of lumps or clumps.
You should also be sure to wear a face mask when handling the powder, as it can create particles that can be ingested. Once you have finished dusting the rodent food, you should remove the food from the bag or container and store it in a cool, dry place until you are ready to feed it to your reptile.
It’s important to remember that reptile food should not be dusted more than once every couple of weeks. Too much supplemental dusting powder may cause your reptile to become ill or experience other health issues.
If you have any questions or concerns about your reptile’s diet or nutritional needs, feel free to speak with your veterinarian.
What can replace calcium powder for bearded dragons?
If you are looking for a substitute for calcium powder for your bearded dragon, there are many options available. Some of the most popular alternatives include feeding your dragon a variety of fresh vegetables, gut-loading crickets with a calcium and vitamin supplement, adding a pinch of salt to your dragon’s diet, and providing a variety of safe rocks and branches in their enclosure for them to feed on.
Adding calcium-rich vegetables to your bearded dragon’s diet is a great way to ensure they are getting the calcium they need. Vegetables such as turnip green, mustard greens, kale, zucchini, squash, and collard greens are all excellent sources of calcium.
It is also important to remember that a variety of other vitamins and minerals are essential for a healthy bearded dragon diet, such as essential fatty acids, vitamins A, D3, and K, and trace minerals.
You can provide these through a balanced diet of fresh vegetables and fruits, as well as vitamins and minerals from gut-loaded crickets to ensure proper nutrition. Additionally, offering safe rocks and branches in your dragon’s enclosure will give them the opportunity to feed on them, as they often contain valuable minerals that dragons need.
Finally, adding a pinch of salt to your dragon’s diet will help regulate calcium and calcium uptake, which is important for healthy bones and a healthy immune system. Ultimately, you have the choice between feeding your dragon a variety of fresh vegetables and fruits, gut-loading crickets with vitamins and minerals, offering safe rocks and branches in their enclosure, or sprinkling a pinch of salt on their food.
How many times a week should I soak my bearded dragon?
Your bearded dragon should be soaked in a shallow, warm bath for 10-15 minutes, twice a week. Be sure the temperature of the bath is comfortable for your dragon. The water should reach no higher than your dragon’s shoulders and should be no longer than their torso.
The bath will help keep your dragon’s skin and scales hydrated and free of parasites. Additionally, it should also provide some relaxation and mental stimulation for them, since the warm water may remind your dragon of the humidity of their natural habitat.
After the bath, use a clean cloth or paper towel to gently dry your dragon, being sure to completely remove all excess water. It’s also important to make sure that the water is changed and cleaned after each bath.
If all is going well, you can increase the frequency of baths to three or four times a week. Ultimately, the frequency of baths should depend on your individual dragon’s needs.
How often should I dust my bearded dragons insects?
You should dust your bearded dragon’s insects roughly once per week. This is to ensure your dragon is getting its essential minerals, vitamins, and nutrients. When dusting, make sure to use a fine dusting powder, as coarse powder can damage a dragon’s delicate digestive tract.
Dust lightly and be sure to hold the insect in the same position so your dragon can not see the dust, as they may be scared by the fine powder flying around. Additionally, make sure to offer a variety of different dusting powders, as different insects will require different nutrient mixes to keep your dragon healthy.