There are several ways to tell if your bearded dragon is enjoying their bath. Body language, happily swimming and drinking the water are often reliable indicators that your bearded dragon is enjoying bath time. If they are staying in the water longer than normal, it is a further indication that they are likely having fun.
What You'll Learn
Signs That a Bearded Dragon Likes Taking a Bath
Relaxed Body Language
One of the signs that your beardie is enjoying their bath is relaxed body language. If they are resting their head on the side of the bath, or lying on their stomach, they are likely quite content. You may also see them closing their eyes or even dozing off. This is a great indication that your bearded dragon loves taking baths!
Happily Swimming
Another indication that your bearded dragon likes bath time is when it is swimming joyfully. They will begin playing in the water and swimming around when they are content and at ease.
Staying in the Water
This is especially true if they were reluctant to get in the bath at first. Staying in the water indicates that they are at ease and comfortable. Make sure to monitor them to prevent them from becoming too cold.
Drinking the Water
If your beardie takes a few sips of water while in the tub, it’s a positive sign that they’re feeling comfortable, secure, and happy. This also helps to keep your dragon hydrated, which is crucial for general health.
Signs That a Bearded Dragon Does Not Enjoy Bath Time
Pay attention to the signs a bearded dragon doesn’t like taking a bath – like blackening their beard, squirming a lot, puffing up, or being aggressive.
If you see these behaviors, it’s a sign that the bearded dragon doesn’t like their bath. Get them out fast!
Blackening Their Beard
A sign your bearded dragon doesn’t like its bath is when their beard goes black. This is how they signal distress in the wild, so keep their stress levels in mind and don’t let their bath be too hot or too deep.
Frequent Squirming
Frequent squirming is a sign that your bearded dragon does not enjoy their bath. They may be trying to escape the water, so it’s important to keep a close eye on them if they’re squirming around. If it persists, it’s best to take them out of the water and let them dry off, as they may be feeling stressed or uncomfortable in the bath.
Puffing Up
Bearded dragons puff up when they’re scared or don’t like something, and when they puff up in the bath, it means they’re not enjoying it. Don’t forget to take them out of the bath if you see this.
Just remember that in some cases, such as shedding, puffing up is normal behavior, so it’s important to observe your beardie closely to determine if they are enjoying their bath or not.
Aggressive Posturing
If your bearded dragon is displaying aggressive posturing, such as hissing and puffing up (as mentioned above), then they are likely not enjoying the bath. Remember that although baths can benefit their skin health and hydration, it is not necessary for them to have regular baths. If they are not enjoying it, it is best to avoid bathing them or only do so in very small doses.
Benefits of Bathing
Bathing can provide numerous benefits to your bearded dragon in terms of their health and wellbeing. Not only does it help to keep their skin clean and hydrated, but it can also help improve their digestion.
Regular baths can help to reduce the risk of parasites, bacteria, and fungi that can lead to serious illnesses. Baths also provide a great opportunity for bonding with your bearded dragon. Most bearded dragons love to explore the water and play in it!
Still, it’s important to remember that not all bearded dragons enjoy bathing, so it’s best to watch for signs mentioned above before proceeding.
Hydration
Hydration is an important part of bearded dragon health. While drinking water from their bowl is essential, regular baths can offer a great way to increase their water intake.
When given a bath, your bearded dragon can drink the warm water and get the much-needed hydration.
Skin Health
Bathing can help the overall hygiene of your bearded dragon by removing any old skin and scales. Soaking in warm water does wonders for removing stubborn old beardie skin that refuses to fall off on its own.
The warm bathwater helps to soften, and therefore loosen, the old skin, making it easier for your dragon to rid itself of it. With more water in their system, you may also see your bearded dragon’s skin health improve. Thanks to all that basking, these reptiles can often develop dry, flaky skin. Bathing helps to keep their skin moisturized and healthy.
Improved Digestion
Taking a bath every now and then is great for your bearded dragon’s digestion. Letting them soak in warm water for 10-20 minutes will make them drink and stay hydrated. This is a great way to keep their digestion healthy. Plus, it flushes away any bacteria or parasites that might be in the digestive system, giving it an extra layer of defense.
Key Points
- Bathing your bearded dragon is a great way to keep them healthy, hydrated, and comfortable.
- It’s important to recognize the signs that they are not enjoying the experience. If your beardie is blackening their beard, squirming, puffing up, or aggressively posturing, it’s time to take them out of the water.
- There are many benefits to bathing your pet such as improved hydration, skin health, and digestion.
- Offer your dragon a weekly bath and pay attention to their body language to make sure they are enjoying the experience.
Hi! My name is Bryan, I am the “one behind the words” here are BeardieAnswers.com. I believe that providing quality care and nutrition is the best way to ensure the health of your pet. Every beardie is special and deserves the best care and attention. If you have questions about your bearded dragon, please don’t hesitate to ask! View My Full Author Page
