What is the Best Bedding for Bearded Dragons? Best Substrate Flooring for Beardies in 2020
You will come across many people who have bearded dragons as their pets at home. These basically originate from the Australian desert regions and thus, like heat and bright light to remain happy and healthy. Just like there are several types of habitats for these animals, made from different materials, there are also various types of substrates that can be used in their habitats.
When you talk about a substrate, it is basically the covering of the base or the floor inside the bearded dragon’s habitat. The topic concerning the best substrate for these animals, is probably one of the hottest topics of discussion amongst the owners of such animals. There are many bearded dragon owners who dislike the idea of using some specific types of substrates, whereas, there are some who say that these are the best substrates for bearded dragons.
Top 5 Bearded Dragon Substrates
Types of Substrates for Bearded Dragon Bedding
The best type of substrate for a bearded dragon is largely dependent upon the age of the pet, the time needed to keep it clean, and the personal preference of the animal. Here are some of the most commonly used types of substrates by different bearded dragon owners.
- Sand: As discussed above, bearded dragons come from the desert region of Australia. Thus, it is very simple to understand that they spend their entire life scampering across pebbles and sand while out in the wild. There are many owners who say that using sand as a type of substrate will boost the chances of gut impaction, which basically means the blockage of the intestinal tract when the bearded dragon ingests an object. These blockages can be fatal if not treated on time. Many pet shops offer gravel and pebbles as a substrate for these animals. These materials can also lead to gut impaction if it swallows even a tiny sized pebble. These may also lead to teeth damages if the animal accidentally grabs one while chasing an insect. Non-silica sands can be used as a type of substrate for adult bearded dragons without worrying about gut impaction. However, it is not at all recommended for baby dragons.
- Play Sand: Although this is a better option that the ordinary sand, it is still not considered to be the best type of substrate for bearded dragons. This is simply due to the risks concerning infection and ingestion. Despite being termed as play sand, it is not ideal for playing since it fails to hold its shape properly. If your pet loves to make burrows and tunnels, then you can ensure that play sand will never retain its shape. You certainly have the privilege of dampening the sand. However, this will simply raise the level of humidity inside the tank. It is also true that play sand can easily stain your pet’s skin.
- Millet: Setting up a substrate made of millet may give rise to gut impaction problems if ingested by your bearded dragon. It can also grow moss very easily that may spread parasites and bacteria inside the habitat.
- Alfalfa Pellets: Substrates made from alfalfa pellets are probably the safest since it is easily digestible. However, the risk of impaction is still there is your bearded dragon makes the mistake of ingesting too many of it.
- Newspaper: Old newspapers make one of the best materials for substrates for bearded dragons. Although these do not look as pleasing as sand, these are pretty simple to maintain. However, if you are worried about gut impaction, then newspaper should be avoided. There are several pet stores that sell newspaper substrates that contain shredded and washed newspaper. If your pet loves to dig without any possibility of impaction, then this will be a great options for substrates.
- Reptile Carpets: Cage liners or reptile carpets are basically a synthetic carpet which is made to stimulate deserts or grass. All you need to do is simply lay the carpet across the floor of the habitat in order to cover the entire bottom. However, there is an area of concern. The loops of the carpet can easily get caught in the claw of the animal that may result in a snag. Your pet may also react by pulling hard against the snag resulting in the claw getting ripped off.
- Ceramic Tiles: One of the safest and latest trends amongst the owners of bearded dragons is to use ceramic tiles as a type of substrate in the habitat. You may easily use those times that are used in kitchens bathrooms. These tiles will give a nice look to the habitat and cleaning them is also very simple and fast.
- Bark and Mulch: Although these can also be used as a type of substrate for bearded dragons, there are many people who do not recommend them. These can easily retain humidity that will result in the humidity levels inside the habitat to rise higher than needed.
Is It Necessary To Have A Substrate For Your Bearded Dragons?
It is indeed necessary for your bearded dragon to have a proper substrate inside its habitat. Without the proper bedding, the animal would simply be walking around the glass bottom of the tank. Bearded dragons are habituated to live in a variety of environments. Thus, choosing a suitable substrate would be great for them. Without one, it would be too harsh on their claws and feet.
Apart from making the inside of the habitat look more realistic, a proper substrate also provides a great and comfortable walking surface to the animal. It helps to file down their sharp nails and can also trap heat and regulate the level of humidity inside the habitat. There are some specific types of substrates that encourage your pet to dig burrows and tunnels just like their normally do when they are out in the open.
Best Bearded Dragon Substrates List
There are several types of bearded dragon substrates that are available in the market. Choosing the right one is the key when it comes to your pet’s health and happiness. However, for a first time bearded dragon owner, choosing a suitable substrate for his pet may not seem as simple as it sounds. Here are some of the best bearded dragon substrates that we have come have come up with in order to make things simpler for you.
① Zilla Ground English Walnut Shell Reptile Bedding
When it comes to choosing a suitable substrate for your bearded dragon, the Zilla Ground English Walnut Shell Reptile Bedding is a great choice. It is suitable for bearded dragons, skinks, uromastyx, and monitors. It contains English walnut shells that are all natural in order to provide a perfect sand substitute to your pet.
The product is made in such a way that it encourages your pet to burrow and dig whenever it feels like it. The walnut shells are great conductors of heat that also helps substrate to simulate the feel of the warm and comfortable desert.
Pros
Pros
- The ground English walnut shells create an attractive desert environment.
- Will certainly not scratch the glass walls like sand.
- Encourages natural burrowing and digging behavior in your pet.
Cons
Cons
- The tiny pieces may seem sharp and rough if applied pressure.
- Not suitable for all types of reptiles.
② Zoo Med Vita-Sand All Natural Vitamin-Fortified Calcium Carbonate Substrate
This is an ideal base for your reptile pet and comes fortified with beta carotene and various vitamins. As a result of this, it boosts the overall health benefits of your bearded dragon and several other reptiles such as geckos, monitors, uromastyx lizards, and desert tortoises.
The Zoo Med Vita-Sand All Natural Vitamin-Fortified Calcium Carbonate Substrate helps to increase the calcium delivery in all types of reptiles and is free from fat-soluble vitamins that may prove to be toxic if given in large doses. The best part about this product is that it does not contain any artificial colors and it is extremity safe and healthy for your beloved pet.
Pros
Pros
- It is suitable for a wide array of desert reptiles.
- Includes beta carotene and several vitamins to boost the overall health of your pet.
- Does not contain any color sealers, artificial colors or any fat-soluble vitamins.
Cons
Cons
- It may tend to kick up dust every time your pet moves inside the habitat.
- May cause breathing issues in reptiles.
③ Reptile Sciences Terrarium Sand
The grain size of this product is roughly around 0.1mm to 0.5mm and is best suited for various types of reptiles such as bearded dragons, BOAs, turtles, reptiles, snakes, green iguanas, rat snakes, iguanas, lizards, and blue iguanas. It is 100% natural orbicular grains that is both phosphate and silica free.
The product contains essential potassium, magnesium, and strontium, along with natural odor neutralizer. It helps to create an entirely natural environment and is also designed to lower the possibilities of gut impaction in reptiles.
Pros
Pros
- Helps to create an entirely natural environment.
- Contains essential magnesium, potassium, and strontium.
- Designed in a way to reduce the risk of gut impaction in reptiles.
Cons
Cons
- Despite all the claims made by the manufacturer, some owners say that sand will always remain sand and it may cause impaction.
- For extremely large habitats one bag is insufficient.
④ Zoo Med Excavator Clay Burrowing Substrate
If you wish to let your reptile feel as if it is still out in the wild, then this product will be a good choice for you. The Zoo Med Excavator Clay Burrowing Substrate is designed in such a way that it allows your pet to dig burrows and tunnels exactly the way they normally do when out in the desert.
This substrate is made to boost the natural digging instincts in bearded dragons so that they can create multi-level burrows and terraces inside their habitat. The product also holds its shape so that the tunnels and burrows do not collapse on their own. It is made from natural clay and does not contain any chemicals or artificial colors.
Pros
Pros
- Holds its shape to prevent burrows and tunnels from collapsing.
- Made from natural materials.
- Does not contain any chemicals or artificial colors.
Cons
Cons
- Some reptile owners say that the product does not hold its shape at all.
- It is basically course sand.
⑤ Zoo Med ReptiFresh Odor Eliminating Substrate
If you find a constant odor from your bearded dragon’s habitat, then the Zoo Med ReptiFresh Odor Eliminating Substrate will be a good option for you. It is designed to get rid of bad odor and can easily be used for a wide array of reptiles such as leopard geckos, bearded geckos, uromastyx lizards, sand BOAs, and many more. It is designed in such a way that it boosts the natural burrowing and digging behavior in your bearded dragon.
Pros
Pros
- It is pretty simple to maintain and use this product.
- It can easily last around 12 months before you need to replace it.
- It is made with natural products.
Cons
Cons
- Digging through the substrate kicks up dust.
- It is tough to replace or remove this substrate.
Conclusion & What is the Best Substrate for Bearded Dragons
Now that you have some idea about the various types of substrates available in the market and the best ones for your bearded dragon, choosing the right one should not pose a major problem to you. However, it will still be a good idea to get as much knowledge and information about bearded dragon substrates as possible to help you get the best product without having to waste much time in the process.
Although all the substrates discussed above are great, the best of the lot was the Zilla Ground English Walnut Shell Reptile Bedding (CHECK BEST PRICE HERE). The walnut shells are great conductors of heat that makes the substrate feel exactly like warm desert sand. Apart from creating a desert-like environment, the shells also encourage your beardies to dig and make burrows in it.
Substrates for bearded dragons can be categorized as non-particle or loose substrates. The latter may give rise to several health hazards and various hygiene concerns. Comparatively, the non-particle ones are better as the risks involved are less.
