The bearded dragon is one of the very most robust creatures that you will ever come across, but they are still actually very prone to health issues very similar to you.  This means that it is going to be very important that you are able to pay attention to any type of sign that may signify that they are suffering from an illness or a certain type of distress.  To help you make sure that your bearded dragon is never in any type of danger in regard to their health, here are 14 different signs that will let you know your bearded dragon is unhealthy.

If you are a bearded dragon owner, there are times when you may encounter certain health needs that can be considered special for your pet from time to time.  On top of that, there are also going to be times when your unhealthy bearded dragon is going to start showing symptoms and signs of certain conditions without you really knowing that they are actually happening.  However, if you allow your bearded dragon to become unhealthy, there is a good chance that you are not going to be able to tell what is really wrong with them. On top of that, you will probably not know what is required to fix them either.  

With this being said, it is extremely important that you are able to pay attention to all of the different tell-tale signs that your bearded dragon is going to show you that is amiss, to them being healthy.  It is these signs that are going o allow you to know what it is that is wrong, or why it is that your bearded dragon is unhealthy and suffering from conditions that they can suffer from. While there are going to be times when your bearded dragon will shows signs of being happy and healthy because of a simple change to their diet or habitat, there ae also going to be some conditions that will require a much more severe change, such as a visit to your local veterinarian or reptile specialist.

Here are some of the top 14 possible symptoms that will lead you to have a very unhealthy bearded dragon.  Which on a side note, if you allow these to happen, you probably should not have a bearded dragon.

#1 – Cloudy or Filmy Eyes

When you have eyes on a healthy bearded dragon, they are going to be clear, alert and bright.  If their eyes seem to appear duller, this can be caused by a shedding issue. However, if there is some type of discharge that is coming from their eyes, it can definitely be a concern, meaning that something much more serious is actually to blame, such as some type of serious infection.  With this being said, make sure that you always check your potential bearded dragons’ eyes, and if your bearded dragon does show these symptoms, be sure to take them to your local veterinarian as soon as you are able too.

#2 – They Start Acting Lethargic

There are only going to be a few reasons why your bearded dragon will every seem to be acting lazy or lethargic.  If you do notice this happening, it can be caused by many different factors, some of which include an insufficient diet, internal parasites, or even improper housing.  All of these issues can lead to a lethargic bearded dragon.

Another extremely common reason for a lethargic bearded dragon is going to be because of lower habitat temperatures.  You must keep in mind that bearded dragons are reptiles, meaning that they are cold blooded. With that in mind, they are going to require a regular basking temperature that will range from 95 to 110 degrees, being on the cooler side of between 80 and 90 degrees.  But when your aquarium does have lower temperatures, it will coincide with a drop in your bearded dragons’ appetite as well.

#3 – Runny, Foul, or Soft Stool

When your bearded dragon has runny or soft stool, it can be a major indicator that they have a potential parasite or some type of inadequate diet.  When you feed your bearded dragon lettuce, it can potentially cause them to have a runny type of stool and even malnutrition. When they have a yellow-tinged urate (which is also known as the end of their regular poop that is normally white when they are healthy), it can be a major sign that your bearded dragon is actually dehydrated.  If this is the case, you are going to want to allow them unrestricted access to water so that they are able to rehydrate. However, if their urate is a rusty or red-color, it is an indication that they do actually have some type of parasite.

#4 – A Swollen Tail or Other Limbs

When your bearded dragon has a swollen tail or other limbs, it is a great indicator that they have either fractured or broken a tail or limb.  While this can come from many different reasons, the most common are going to come from either falls or a skirmish of some kind. Now you must keep in mind that limbs that are going to break off or fracture very easily will more than likely be a sign of some type of Metabolic Bone Disease.  This means that there is potentially some type to bacterial infection, that to include tail rot, and/or swelling.

#5 – Your Bearded Dragon Loses Its Appetite

When your bearded dragon has a loss of appetite, it can be caused by many different reasons.  These can conclude such things as temperature, all the way to stress. When it comes to our bearded dragon friend, they are unable to tell us what their real problem really is.  This means that you are going to need to use your absolute best judgment to make sure that they are in the absolute best conditions.

#6 – Their Mouth is Hanging Open

One of the most notorious signs of Metabolic Bone Disease in bearded dragons is going to be slack jaw.  This means that their mouth is going to be hanging open when it should not be. If you have a bearded dragon that has a mouth that is regularly hanging open, or has a difficulty hanging on to the food that they are fed, it could be a sign that they are suffering from slack jaw.  If this is the situation, you are going to need to take your bearded dragon to a veterinarian as soon as you are able too so that they can be tested for Metabolic Bone Disease. Your veterinarian will be able to make sure that all of your questions are answered.

#7 – Your Bearded Dragons’ Mouth is Discolored or Black

If your bearded dragon has a mouth that is either blackened or discolored, it can be a sign that they have mouth rot.  Mouth rot in a bearded dragon means that they are going to have a bacterial infection that is affecting their gums and mouth.  This type of disease is normally caused by some very unsanitary conditions, as well as lower temperatures than a bearded dragon should have to deal with.  If your bearded dragon does have mouth rot, it will need to be treated by a special reptile veterinarian.

#8 – They Have a Decolored Stomach

When you have a bearded dragon and their stomach starts to become a darker color, it is a really good sign that your bearded dragon is under a lot of stress.  This is normally going to be seen in bearded dragons that are newer side of being brought home or changing habitats. But if you are to give it some time so that the bearded dragons are able to adapt, it will be much easier for them to acclimate to their new home.

#9 – If They Have a Malnourished/Boney Appearance

When your bearded dragon has a malnourished, boney appearance, it can easily be a direct sign to your bearded dragon not being fed the proper diet.  While there are going to be many different reasons that our bearded dragon is not going to eat what it needs to eat, you will need to figure this out as it will be one of the main reasons that your bearded dragon will die while in your possession.  

#10 – Bearded Dragon Brittle Bones and Disfigured Tails

When you have a bearded dragon, they can easily lose a limb or tail.  In fact, this can actually be from the impact or breaking of a certain bone at a certain time.  When your bearded dragon has brittle and weak bones, they will more than likely have Metabolic Bone Disease.  Just in case you notice your bearded dragons’ tail is starting to turn into a clack tip color that looks dead, there is a good chance that you should seek out medical attention asap.

#11 – Bearded Dragon Obesity

When they are in the wild, bearded dragons are actually very wild and mobile creatures.  However, when you are going to raise one of these majestic beasts in captivity, they are not going to have the same amount of space when compared to when they are in the wild.  Anyways, a poor diet that has been combined with a lesser amount of activity 9s athe perfect way your bearded dragon fast.

#12 – Bearded Dragon Shaky Behavior

While there are going to be many different reasons why your bearded dragon is going to be either shaky or jerky, the most common ones are going to fall back on a poor nutrition system.  In fact, the most common reason that bearded dragons have any type of medical conditions is due to the amount of calcium and Vitamin D3 that they get. Bearded dragons are going to require both calcium and vitamin D3 in order to maintain their health and be strong.

#13 – Your Bearded dragon has a Damaged or Bloody Snout

While there is no doubting that seeing a bearded dragon snout that has been bloodied and damaged is going to be caused by some type of snout rubbing, this is more commonly reserved for when a bearded dragon is forced to live in an enclosure that is much too small for the size of the bearded dragon.  

#14 – Your Bearded Dragon has Sunken Eyes

Whenever you see that our bearded dragon has any type of sunken eyes, it is a definite possibility that they are also dehydrated or have some type of infection.  In this particular situation, all that would need to do is to give your bearded dragon a lukewarm bath, allowing it to lap up any kind of dechlorinated and clean water.  

While it would serve you best to make sure that they are not dehydrated and are drinking plenty of water throughout the day, it is only advice and should be followed accordingly.  This means that you will need to provide a continuous supply of very fresh, dechlorinated water on a daily basis. When you are collecting water, be sure that you always use a container that is not he more shallow side that will prevent any bearded dragon drowning, as well as any bearded dragon hanging during their bath time.  

When it comes to having a bearded dragon as a pet, there are many different things that you are going to need to consider.  While many of the problems, as well as the solutions, can be found by going online, there is always going to be a certain want for having the happiest and healthiest bearded dragon ever.  If you follow these simple 14 tips to helping keep your bearded dragon happy and healthy, you will have absolutely nothing to worry about at all. However, if you don’t follow the signs and symptoms that bearded dragons are going to give you to help be healthy and happy, you will have everything that you will ever need ever again in order to have the healthiest and happiest bearded dragons that you have ever had in the history of bearded dragons.  

The post 14 Signs of an Unhealthy Bearded Dragon appeared first on Simply Pets.

When you raise a bearded dragon in captivity, it is important to maintain a good level of humidity in the habitat. Somewhere around 35% to 45% should be an ideal situation for the reptile. These animals originate from the desert region of Australia. Thus, it is important for you to ensure that the atmosphere and temperature inside the habitat is almost similar to that in the Australian desert for the overall well-being of the reptile.

Since these reptiles come from the semi-desert region of Australia and spend most of their time basking under the sun, they need heat, even if kept in captivity, to lead a healthy and happy life. But the question is, how to know whether the temperature in the habitat is optimum for the reptile or is it too high or low? The simple answer to this question is to use a thermometer.

Top 5 Bearded Dragon Thermometers

① Exo Terra Combometer Digital Thermometer **TOP PICK**
② Zoo Med Dual Analog Thermometer
③ Fluker’s Thermo-Hygrometer Digital
④ Zoo Med ReptiTemp Digital Infrared Thermometer
⑤ Klein Tools IR5 Dual Laser 12:1 Infrared Thermometer

How to Use a Thermometer for a Bearded Dragon?

It is good to know that using a thermometer for a bearded dragon basically fulfils 2 basic functions. Firstly, it is generally used during the early phase of the entire setup to check if the temperature is suitable for the reptile or not and to permanently mount the heating equipment in the habitat.

Secondly, these thermometers are basically used to monitor the temperature of your pet’s environment in an accurate manner. You need to mount the thermometer in such an area where it is convenient for the device to monitor the temperature. If there is a sudden increase or decrease of the habitat’s temperature, then proper steps could be taken to correct it as soon as possible.

The Right Level of Temperature for a Bearded Dragon

When you use a thermometer inside a bearded dragon’s habitat, it basically fulfils the purpose of getting accurate temperature readings inside the enclosure. The optimum level of heat for any bearded dragon is around 40 degree Celsius or 104 degree Fahrenheit. The best temperature gradient for these reptiles is around 24 degree to 34 degree Celsius or 75 degree to 93 degree Fahrenheit.

Best Bearded Dragon Thermometers List

As mentioned above, there are several types of thermometers in the market that can be used inside a bearded dragon’s habitat. Choosing the right one is basically dependent upon your preference and budget. Choosing the best one may be slightly challenging for first timer bearded dragon owners. Thus, to make things simpler for you, we have come up with a list of some of the best quality thermometers that you may use.

① Exo Terra Combometer Digital Thermometer and Hygrometer

This product is designed not just to help you ensure that your beloved bearded dragon stays in a comfortable temperature but also tells you about the humidity levels inside the habitat. This 2-in-1 thermometer comes with a remote control and also has a programmable maximum and minimum memory setting that can easily be operated with the help of a single button.

Installation is pretty simple and can be done with the help of a screw along with an included strip and using the product is also going to be a piece of cake for you. If you use the Exo Terra Compact Top or Dual Top Canopy, then you can also slide the thermometer into position.

Pros

Pros

• Can be operated with the help of a single button.
• Can easily be installed with the help of a screw or a strip that is included with the thermometer.
• Includes a combined remote sensor and also a programmable maximum or minimum memory setting.

Cons

Cons

• The temperature and humidity reading may not be that accurate.
• May malfunction after a few months.

② Zoo Med Dual Analog Thermometer and Humidity Gauge

With the help of this thermometer, ensuring the right temperature and humidity level for your pet bearded dragon will become a simple task for you. It is designed to help you get the reading very easily and it gives you precise readings for both the temperature and humidity levels. Whether your pet needs a tropical or arid environment, this thermometer gives you the right reading with the help of its color-coded dials.

It comes with a fuzzy fastener that lets you install the thermometer very easily. Removing the product while cleaning the habitat is also not a big problem. Since there are no need for any batteries, you can also use the thermometer out of the package.

Pros

Pros

• Monitors the humidity and temperature levels quite precisely.
• A single unit gives you both the temperature and humidity readings.
• Very simple to setup thanks to the fuzzy fastener backing.

Cons

Cons

• May show inaccurate readings at times.
• Many users have complained of the product not working at all.

③ Fluker’s Thermo-Hygrometer Digital

This thermometer is designed in such a way that it makes it very simple for you to read the readings. It is basically a 2-in-1 device that measures both temperature and humidity level inside the habitat of your bearded dragon. This will help you make sure that your pet lives in a pleasant and suitable environment.

You will require batteries to use this thermometer. It is also designed to record the maximum and minimum temperatures along with the humidity levels automatically. If you wish to erase the maximum and minimum readings from the memory of the device, then you need to press and hold the Clear button for 2 seconds.

Pros

Pros

• Pretty simple to read and designed to give accurate readings.
• Measures both temperature and humidity levels in the same device.
• The digital display is very easy and clear to read.

Cons

Cons

• Needs to be turned each time you need to use the thermometer.
• The Velcro may not stick for long due to the temperature inside the habitat.

④ Zoo Med ReptiTemp Digital Infrared Thermometer

In order to ensure that your pet bearded dragon lives in a comfortable and suitable environment, all you need to do is point and click this thermometer. The product is pocket sized and gives an almost instant reading of the temperature with the help of a single button on the device. The Zoo Med ReptiTemp Digital Infrared Thermometer is designed to monitor the temperature of thermal gradients, shelters, basking spots, hibernation temperature, and incubation temperature.

The product can easily be set to give the reading in either Celsius or Fahrenheit and you can also set a maximum and minimum temperatures to help you monitor changes over a given period of time. You will need batteries to use this device and the size of it is such that you can easily carry it along with you wherever you go.

Pros

Pros

• It is very easy to use by simply pointing and clicking.
• Measures temperatures almost instantly.
• It is a great device to monitor the temperatures of basking spots, thermal gradients, shelter, and hibernation and incubation temperatures.

Cons

Cons

• Reading may not be very accurate.
• Setting up the device may prove tedious at first.

⑤ Klein Tools IR5 Dual Laser 12:1 Infrared Thermometer

If you are looking for a professional dual-laser targeting infrared thermometer, then this product will be a great choice for you. It provides a wide measurement range along with several calculation modes to facilitate various temperature measurements applications. The dual lasers basically assist in targeting the different measurement areas.

Some of the features of this infrared thermometer include auto scan, dual laser targeting, high or low alarm, maximum/minimum/average difference, auto power off, and backlit display. The measuring range of this thermometer is between -22 degrees Fahrenheit and 752 degrees Fahrenheit. You will require a single 9-volt battery to operate this thermometer and it comes with a drop protection of 2 meters or 6.6 feet.

Pros

Pros

• Comes with a wide range of features such as auto power off and high or low alarm.
• Has a wide measurement range from -22 degrees to 752 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Uses a single 9-volt battery.

Cons

Cons

• May malfunction after a few months of use.
• Readings may not be very accurate.

Conclusion & What is the Best Digital Thermometer for Bearded Dragons

It is needless to say that bearded dragons need a proper temperature and humidity level to be healthy and happy. It is not possible for you to measure the temperature and humidity on your own. You will require the use of a proper thermometer. Although the choices in this category are pretty vast, choosing the best one may pose a major problem for most of you.

The list above should act as a guide for you while shopping for a thermometer for your bearded dragon’s habitat. Although all the products discussed above are of great quality, the best of the lot was the Exo Terra Combometer Digital Thermometer (CHECK BEST PRICE HERE).

This 2-in-1 device is a great product to help you a proper temperature and humidity level reading. It comes with a programmable maximum and minimum memory setting that can easily be operated with the help of a single button. Setting up the device is also pretty simple with the help of a screw and a strip that is included with the device.

Tips To Choose a Suitable Thermometer

When you go out to buy a proper thermometer to be used inside your pet bearded dragon’s habitat, you will notice that there are quite a few varieties ready for you to choose. While choosing, always ensure that you also check the quality of the product apart from the price tag. Make sure that the thermometer you choose is small in size and extremely reliable. It should also be an attractive design and should be quite durable, as well.

Talking about the durability of the thermometer, if it can last somewhere around 5 to 6 years, it should be a great product. Thermometers lasting a year has become a common sight in this modern era. It should also have an attractive design. If the design of the thermometer can add to the decorative design of the habitat, there is nothing like it. No owner will wish to have a thermometer that will appear out of place inside the habitat of a bearded dragon.

Types of Thermometers

Talking about thermometers that can be used inside a bearded dragon’s habitat, there are basically 3 types available for you in the market.

1. Analog Thermometer: These types of thermometers come with numbers already printed on them that shows the degrees in both Celsius and Fahrenheit. These thermometers do not require any batteries.
2. Digital Thermometers: These come with a small display screen on which the temperature is displayed. These require batteries to function properly.
3. Chemical Thermometers: These are normally made with a special chemical substance, which helps to indicate the temperature on an accumulative scale. One of the best examples of such thermometers is the mercury thermometer.

Helpful Tips While Setting Up the Thermometer

Before you decide to install a new thermometer inside your pet’s habitat, make sure that the enclosure is not made entirely with plastic or glass covers. Such an enclosure will just trap the humidity and air inside the habitat and it may also result in stagnate and stale air. This may give rise to several types of respiratory problems for your bearded dragon.

However, if the overall setting cannot be avoided, the best alternative is to mount the thermometer on the terrarium. This will help the device monitor the temperature and humidity levels and also adjust the same as per the optimum amount of heat that is needed.

Apart from depending on a good quality thermometer, it will also be a good idea to check that the habitat has a proper ventilation system. This is rather helpful in helping you reduce humidity levels inside the enclosure. You may use mesh wired screen covers to ensure proper air flow, which could also dissipate the noxious gases that are normally associated with your pet’s respiration, along with the defecation inside the enclosure.

Apart from that, it is needless to say that proper air ventilation system will also provide fresh air to your pet to breathe. A fresh supply of oxygen will help the reptile feel happy and live more comfortably inside the enclosed habitat.

The post Best Bearded Dragon Thermometer in 2020 appeared first on Simply Pets.

Be it any animal or reptile you talk about, being outdoors is their favorite time of the day, especially if the animal in question is in captivity. This is also true for bearded dragons. When the reptile is small and young, the enclosure will be its favorite place to explore. However, once it grows up into an adult, it will simply love the idea of exploring new surroundings.

If you intend on taking your pet bearded dragon out for a walk with you, it will be a good idea to opt for a suitable leash to control your pet while it roams around. Unlike a dog that follows you around while walking out in the open on a leash, a bearded dragon is basically like a cat. It simply means that you will have to follow it around while it explores new places.

Top 5 Bearded Dragon Harness and Leash Brands

① Watfoon Adjustable Lizard Leash **TOP PICK**
② SLSON Adjustable Bearded Dragon Harness and Leash
③ RZRZOO Adjustable Reptile Harness Leash
④ Soeenaper Adjustable Reptile Harness and Leash
⑤ Lesencen Leather Harness Leash

Why Should You Use A Leash For Your Bearded Dragon?

Just an hour under the natural sunlight will give your pet equal benefits as spending hours under the various habitat lights. This means that just a stroll out in the open will help the reptile increase its natural body temperature. In such cases, the rise in the body temperature will help the reptile digest its ingested food and also carry out various physiological body actions with ease. A good quality leash will ensure that your pet remains close to you while exploring new locations.

You may say that the leash will act as a training tool, which will let you have more fun with your pet while walking out in the sun or any other location where you would like to take your pet for a stroll. In other words, it is a simple, secure, and safe way to ensure that your bearded dragon learns to walk with you while out in the open.

Tips To Choose a Good Quality Harness and Leash

While shopping for a suitable leash and harness for your bearded dragon, always ensure that the material you choose is made of a material that is basically quite firm and soft at the same time. The firmness will ensure that your pet remains secure and softness will ensure that the reptile is comfortable wearing the harness and leash.

Always look for a product with a long string so that it helps you maintain the right distance from your pet while walking. It will also be a good idea to check the adjuster. It should work properly and should never get loose when your bearded dragon makes a sudden move.

Factors to Keep In Mind While Your Pet Is On a Leash

Is it the first time that your pet bearded dragon will be out in the open on a leash? It is important that you put the harness gently around your pet’s body. Better slide it carefully through the forelegs first before you decide to pull it slowly over the head. Make sure that the harness fits the body of the pet snugly. Push the adjuster until everything is rested firmly on the reptile.

It is always recommended to handle your pet from below its body and never on top of its head. Since it is a reptile, it is always better to be patient with it. Initially, it may push or struggle a bit. However, with time, it will soon learn how to adapt. Giving the reptile some sort of treat will also encourage it to help you as you put the leash on its body.

Best Bearded Dragon Harness and Leash List

Just like rabbits and rats, even bearded dragons require some sort of specially designed harness and leash combo to be secure and safe while walking with you outside. There are quite a few options in the market in this category made by different manufacturers. If you are a first-time dragon owner, then choosing the right one may be a challenging task for you. This is why we have come up with a list of some of the best quality harness and leash combos that are especially designed for bearded dragons.

① Watfoon Adjustable Lizard Leash

Available in small, medium, and large sizes, this harness and leash combo is suitable for geckos, bearded dragons, iguanas, and chameleons. It is 100% homemade and extremely safe and durable in nature. The leather is also ultra-soft so that your bearded dragon does not feel hurt in any way while walking with the harness around its body.

The length of the leash and the size of the harness can easily be adjusted as per your pet’s needs and comfort level. The material used to make the leash is also non-toxic and the product is available in a wide array of colors such as orange, blue, and green.

Pros

Pros

• It is 100% handmade.
• It is made from ultra-soft material that is also non-toxic and durable.
• It is very easy to adjust as per the comfort and convenience of your pet.

Cons

Cons

• Some bearded dragons may not like the product around their body at all.
• Some pet owners complained about size issues.

② SLSON Adjustable Bearded Dragon Harness and Leash

This bearded dragon harness and leash combo comes with an adjust clip that you may tighten in order to ensure that the harness is fit snugly around the body of your pet. It is suitable for most types of reptiles such as lizards, geckos, chameleons, crested geckos, and baby iguanas. The length of the rope is 5 feet 9 inches that makes it suitable enough to help you walk your pet along safely. The material itself is made of a soft handmade leather and nylon. It is both tasteless and non-toxic in nature. Even if your dragon drags against the harness, it will not hurt him in any way.

Pros

Pros

• It is made of a non-toxic and tasteless handmade material.
• It comes with an adjustable clip on the rope.
• Suitable for most types of reptiles.

Cons

Cons

• Only suitable for medium sized bearded dragons with a chest girth of 4 to 6 inches.
• Some reptiles may easily slip out of it.

③ RZRZOO Adjustable Reptile Harness Leash

This leash is designed to maximize both safety and enjoyment of walking your pet out in the open. Whether you wish to take your bearded dragon out on a weekend hike or even for a routine walk, this leash will serve its purpose properly. It is made with a durable polyester that makes it durable and ultra-soft at the same time. The length of the harness is adjustable and it measures 40cm or 15.75 inches.

Pros

Pros

• The length of the harness can easily be adjusted.
• It is an ideal training tool for reptiles.
• The length of the leash is sufficient enough to help you maintain a proper distance between you and your pet.

Cons

Cons

• The fibers from the straps may often get caught under the scales.
• Adjusting the harness may often prove to be a tough job.

④ Soeenaper Adjustable Reptile Harness and Leash

This harness and leash combo is designed to fit chest sizes below 10 inches that makes it suitable for most of the reptiles. The tightness of the traction rope can easily be adjusted as per the shape of your pet. It fits snugly around the body and does not seem too tight for the reptile. It makes crawling around comfortable and smooth for reptiles.

Pros

Pros

• Is suitably designed for most of the reptile pets.
• The harness can easily be adjusted as per the shape of the body of your pet.
• It fits snugly and provides comfort to your pet while it moves around.

Cons

Cons

• It is designed to fit reptiles with a maximum chest girth of 10 inches.
• Adjusting after wearing it around your pet may be a problem.

⑤ Lesencen Leather Harness Leash

This is a stylishly designed harness which is lightweight and also made from a good quality material. The material does not cause any sort of rubbing on your bearded dragon’s skin from the strap. It is available in 2 different sizes, small and medium. The small one is for reptiles with a chest girth from 8cm to 16cm and the medium one is for pets with a girth of 8cm to 38cm.

Pros

Pros

• Suitably designed for a wide array of reptiles such as geckos, lizards, and bearded dragons.
• Made from a good quality material that is lightweight and secure.
• Stylishly designed.

Cons

Cons

• Some reptiles may easily slip out of it.
• Adjusting the harness may be a problem after making your pet wear it.

Conclusion & What is the Best Harness & Leash for Bearded Dragons

Out of all the products discussed above, the best of the lost was the Watfoon Adjustable Lizard Leash (CHECK BEST PRICE HERE). It is made from 100% handmade material that is soft and secure at the same time. The product itself is made from a super soft leather that is durable along with a lightweight nylon rope. Your pet will look pretty stylish after wearing this harness and leash combo product. You also have the advantage of adjusting the harness to help it fit your pet’s body snugly.

The post Best Bearded Dragon Harness and Leash in 2020 appeared first on Simply Pets.

The popularity of bearded reptiles as a popular pet option is gaining fast. These are also one of the calmest reptiles you will ever come across. There are many bearded dragons that do not require you to tame it. They are calm and quiet by nature and never mind being handled or petted. This also lets you do plenty of fun stuffs with the animal.

With such a peaceful and calm reptile with you, a little bit of fun with it will certainly do no harm to the animal. Since these reptiles are named as bearded dragons and they also appear like a dragon to some extent, why not try a new set of wings on them to make them look almost like a dragon? You will quite a few varieties of wings for bearded dragons in the market. Choose the right one that will appear proper on your pet and turn your reptile into a complete dragon.

Top 5 Bearded Dragon Wings

① Watfoon Bearded Dragon Leash with Wings **TOP PICK**
② KHLZ Adjustable Lizard Leash and Harness
③ Ceeyeera Reptile Soft Nylon Rope Leash and Harness
④ Small Pet Animal Harness and Leash with Angel Wings
⑤ Lychee Reptile Lizard Harness and Leash

Tips To Put On New Wings on Your Bearded Dragon

It is needless to say that some of you may get totally excited when you find the right set of wings for your pet bearded dragon. You may wish to put them on your pet as soon as possible and click some great selfies. However, it is needless to say that you should always let your pet get used to anything new before you try it on completely. This is also applicable in case of a set of wings.

Whether you buy a harness or a leash or a set of wings for your bearded dragon, always remember that putting on something for the first time is an absolutely new experience for the pet. Even if the reptile is calm, it may suddenly freak out at the idea of having to wear something new for the first time in life. You, as the owner of the pet, should ensure that your dragon remains calm even while wearing something new on its body.

Whether you bought wings or a harness or a leash, it will be a good idea to place the object near the habitat of your pet. This will help the reptile get used to the presence of the new object over time. Gradually, this will also make it simpler for you to make your pet wear the object easily. Even if there is sufficient space inside the habitat, you may place the object inside. This idea will help even if your pet does not like anything new at all.

Best Bearded Dragon Wings List

When it comes to bearded dragon wings, there are several types available for you in the market. Choosing the right one takes time and careful considerations of several factors. To make things simpler for you, we have chosen a few good quality bearded dragon wings so that choosing the right one becomes an easy task.

① Watfoon Adjustable Bearded Dragon Wings Leash

Made from soft leather and good quality rope, the Watfoon Adjustable Lizard Leash is a handmade product that ensures that it fits around your pet perfectly. The materials used to make it are also non-toxic and durable. It makes it very simple for you to walk with your pet reptile beside you while out in the open.

The product has been tested numerous times to ensure that it gives the optimum amount of comfort and softness to your pet while it wears it. The stainless steel swivel link, along with aluminum buckles, make sure that the product fits snugly and your pet is unable to wriggle itself out of the hold.

Pros

Pros

• It is 100% handmade product.
• Soft leather and good quality rope have been used to make this product.
• It is also non-toxic and durable by nature.

Cons

Cons

• Fitting is a problem for some dragons.
• Some bearded dragons do not like the idea of wearing it around their bodies.

② KHLZ Adjustable Wings Leash and Harness for Beardies

The product is designed in a rather distinctive manner and will surely make your bearded dragon look rather adorable wearing it. The wings are also brightly colored so that your pet appears special in front of others. The product itself is made of soft quality leather that is rather beneficial in protecting the skin of the reptile. The wings also hide the metal ring of the chest wrap from view.

The product is lightweight and durable at the same time and the material used in the making of it is animal-friendly and non-toxic. The aluminum buckle and the stainless steel swivel link ensure that the wings remain intact on your pet reptile’s body without making the animal uncomfortable in any way.

Pros

Pros

• The design of the product makes it very simple for you to adjust the tightness.
• Suitable for a large array of small animals such as guinea pigs, ferrets, and chinchillas.
• Made from a soft quality leather that is lightweight and durable.

Cons

Cons

• Some reptiles can easily free itself form this product.
• The rope may sometimes get stuck under the scales.

③ Ceeyeera Reptile Soft Nylon Rope Leash and Harness Wings

Made of a hard leather material, the wings are designed in a way that it will never fold and will always remain in a nice condition. Available in 2 different sizes, the medium sized one measures 5.9*1.3 inches and the large one measures 7.8*1.8 inches. The length of the leash is 59 inches so that you can maintain a proper distance between you and your pet while walking.

Pros

Pros

• Available in different sizes to fit reptiles of different ages.
• Wings made of a hard leather material to prevent it from folding.
• The length of the leash is 59 inches which is also sufficient enough.

Cons

Cons

• Some bearded dragons may not like the idea of wearing this product over their bodies.
• Not suitable for small sized dragons.

④ Small Pet Animal Harness and Leash with Angel Wings

This product is basically a combination of a harness, a leash and a cutely designed set of wings. The color of the leash matches with the harness and the wings so that your pet appears really cute wearing it. It is an adjustable product that makes it suitable for several types of small animals and reptiles such as rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, bearded dragons, and skunks.

The “H” shaped harness is designed in such a way that it distributes the weight of the pet evenly throughout. This also makes your pet feel comfortable and relaxed wearing the product. It is designed to be gentle and also puts less stress on the pet when it makes sudden moves or pulls at the leash.

Pros

Pros

• Made of a soft and lightweight material.
• The product is also machine washable.
• Designed to provide comfort to your pet while it wears it.

Cons

Cons

• May sometimes make walking for reptiles uncomfortable and restrictive.
• May fall apart after a few uses.

⑤ Lychee Reptile Lizard Harness and Leash with Wings

Made of a soft quality leather, this product is available in three different sizes, small, medium, and large. It is designed to make training your pet very simple and the leg hole size is also sufficiently big to allow your pet to put its legs through easily. It is also designed to fit a wide array of reptile body sizes.

Pros

Pros

• Made of a soft quality leather.
• Available in multiple sizes.
• Designed to train your reptile pretty easily.

Cons

Cons

• May not appear to be made of a good quality product.
• Some reptiles may not like to wear it.

Conclusion & What are the Best Bearded Dragon Wings

Making your bearded dragon wear a set of wings before you take it out for a walk will surely make you feel proud as the owner of the dragon. It will also make you feel like clicking a few selfies with the pet. However, when it comes to choosing the right set of wings for your bearded dragon, it may seem quite a hectic task for you.

This is why we have come up with a list of some of the best wings for your reptile pet. Although all the products mentioned above are of great quality, the best of the lost was the Watfoon Adjustable Lizard Leash with Wings (CHECK BEST PRICE HERE). It is available in multiple sizes to suit bearded dragons of different body shapes.

It is a handmade product and designed in a way to make your pet look rather adorable. The quality of the materials are tested and these are non-toxic, lightweight, durable, and soft. It will also fit your pet snugly and make it feel comfortable while wearing it.

There are also several color choices available for you. This product is available in colors including green, orange, grey, white, and a combination of black and white. Thus, you can choose the one that makes your pet look cuter. Overall, the product is suitable for a wide array of reptiles and small animals such as bearded dragon, guinea pigs, Chinese water dragon, chinchillas, ferrets, chameleons, and geckos to name a few. The stainless steel swivel link and the aluminum buckles ensure that the harness and leash combo stays in place.

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Bearded dragons shed frequently and they’ll do it more when they’re younger because they’re growing. Think of it like the way a bird molts. As the bird grows through the various stages from infancy to adulthood, the continuous molt (shed), just like other reptiles do. If you’re worried because you see that a large amount of your bearded dragon’s skin is coming off, but they look healthy, it’s perfectly normal. In this guide, we’ll give you some advice on what to do if your bearded dragon is shedding, and how you can help it too, as many people think it looks discomforting (don’t worry, it’s not. Your dragon doesn’t even notice or care).

Mist Your Baby More

Spray your dragon several times a day, as you should anyways. This helps them stay a little moister and allows your dragon to get drinks regularly. If it’s shedding, you should do this a couple more times a day which will help it get rid of the dead skin faster.

Rubber Ducky You’re the One

Make sure you give your beardie a bath at least once a day. This will help to soften the skin a lot so your dragon can shed it faster and easier. Don’t be alarmed if you notice some amounts of the dead skin falling off while you’re bathing it. NEVER try to pull the shedding skin off of your bearded dragon, as this can end up tearing the good skin underneath, similar to if you had a blister. This can cause injury and make them bleed, or become susceptible to some infected wounds.

It’s recommended that when they’re shedding, you can bathe them about once every couple days for optimal results. Just fill up your sink with some warm water (making sure it’s not too hot as that could injure your pet), and let it play in the water for about 20 minutes. If you’re worried about hard water, you can buy a product like ReptiSafe to eliminate heavy chlorinated water. This also gives them a good time of exercise which is essential to keep them healthy as well.

Invest in a Product to Help Shedding Be Easier

There are a few medical shedding aids that you can use when you’re bathing your bearded dragon. You can use a product like Zilla Bath Shed-Ease to moisturize the skin more so that your dragon can shed a lot easier by adding a little bit to its bath water.

You can also use Zoo Med Repti Shedding Aid, which is a common one you can order online and from some pet stores that is a spray that you can mist on your pet about twice per day. You don’t absolutely have to use shedding aids if you mist and bathe your pet regularly, but this can help if there are some pieces still clinging pretty well to the skin, which is bound to happen.

Conclusion – Bearded Dragon Shedding

While you’re not living in Burke, and you can’t ride your dragon and fly off, you can train your dragon and learn how to tame its unruly shedding skin. By doing so, not only are you helping your bearded dragon be more comfortable (which is literally the only thing shedding may cause), but you can also help aid its skin and make it the awesome looking creature it’s supposed to be as it grows. Once it’s an adult, it won’t shed nearly as much.

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If you are planning to own a bearded dragon at home, it will be a good idea to try and find out everything about the reptile so that you can take good care of it. Scientifically known as Pogona vitticeps, bearded dragons are basically semi-arboreal omnivores. They usually eat a large variety of vegetables, fruits, and insects. It is rather important to provide the best quality food to these docile animals so that they can remain healthy for the rest of their lives.

Simply feeding them with nutritious foods is not enough. You also need to give them a wide array of foods. This will also make every meal more appealing to your pet. As a result of this, your bearded dragon will eat every meal with equal interest and zeal.

Top 5 Bearded Dragon Food

① Fluker’s Buffet Blend Bearded Dragon Food **TOP PICK**
② Nature Zone Bites Bearded Dragon Food
③ Zilla Bearded Dragon Food
④ Zoo Med Adult Bearded Dragon Food
⑤ Fluker’s Juvenile Bearded Dragon Food

Types of Food to Feed Your Bearded Dragon

If you do some research on bearded dragons, you will come to know that these reptiles normally have a combination of plants and insects. It is crucial for you to know that as your pet matures, it will require less of the other food source and more of the other. When it is young, bearded dragons will need around 20% plant-based foods and about 80% of animal-based foods. However, adults will need just the opposite.

1. Vegetables: When it comes to feeding vegetables to your reptile pet, make sure it is properly chopped. The smaller the size of the reptile, the more finely chopped. One of the best mixture of vegetables for bearded dragons include kale, shredded carrots, dandelion greens, collard greens, mustard greens, and a variety of frozen vegetables such as peas, beans, and carrots. It is good for you to note that avoiding broccoli and spinach is good, since too much of these can lead to harmful effects. Although these reptiles love to have romaine lettuce and green leaf, it is better to use these sparingly.
2. Insects: Talking about insects, some of the common ones for bearded dragons include mealworms, crickets, wax worms, and super worms. These reptiles love to have insects and you should ensure that your pet gets a proper dose of insects in its daily diet. It will be a good thing to feed the insects properly before offering them to your pet. This is the simplest way to pass along the vital nutrients to your pet. If you are wondering how to feed insects, you will find several types of commercially made diets for various insects.
3. Dietary Supplements: When it comes to dietary supplements for your bearded dragon, one of the most crucial ones is a vitamin D3 and calcium supplement. It is needless to say that when bearded dragons lack proper levels of vitamin D3 and calcium, it can easily give rise to metabolic bone disease. This can get quite serious if not prevented in the first place. These types of supplements come in the form of a powder that needs to be sprinkled on the vegetables or to be coated on the insects. Simply place the insects in the bagful of the supplement and shake the bag well. It will be a good idea to add the supplement to the diet of your pet on a minimum basis of once a week.

Best Bearded Dragon Food List

When it comes to food options for bearded dragons, there are several types available in the market. Choosing the right one may seem difficult, especially for first timer owners. This is why we have formulated a list of some of the best-bearded dragon foods that you can feed your pet.

① Fluker’s Buffet Blend Adult Bearded Dragon Food

This food is especially designed for adult bearded dragons only. This is basically a special blend that contains essential fat vitamins, protein, and vital nutrients that is needed by an adult bearded dragon to lead a normal and healthy life. This food product is basically a variety of meals for your pet including freeze dried crickets, vitamin fortified pellets, and freeze dried mealworms.

Pros

Pros

• Contains a perfect combination of freeze dried mealworms and freeze dried crickets.
• Packed with essential vitamins and nutrients.
• Helps to provide a balanced and complete meal with the benefit of instant nutritional variety.

Cons

Cons

• The food coloring is pretty messy and can easily stain the dragons and the enclosure.
• Some bearded dragons may not like the food.

② Nature Zone Bites Bearded Dragon Food

These are bite-sized and moist gel cubes that are fortified with easily digestible soy and why protein along with whole eggs that help to support healthy growth in bearded dragons. It also contains fiber and soluble carbs that help to boost the intestinal health of your pet. The essential minerals and vitamins content help to promote the overall wellbeing of your bearded dragon.

This food product is one of the natural sources of easily absorbable calcium and has a solid to water ratio that is quite similar to insects and leafy vegetables that these animals normally eat when out in the wild. It also has a prickly pear scent and flavor that can boost the natural appetite of the dragon and also get it attracted to the food.

Pros

Pros

• These gel cubes provide protein that is easily digestible and originates from whey and soy.
• Promotes intestinal health and improves digestibility of the pet.
• Comes fortified with essential minerals and vitamins.

Cons

Cons

• Some bearded dragons may not like the food product.
• The smell of the food product may seem repulsive to some.

③ Zilla Bearded Dragon Food

This food product is designed to give your beloved pet bearded dragon the right amount of nutrients in a form that is pretty simple to feed. It is shaped in the form of pellets and each pellet contains minerals, protein, and vitamins that are sourced from a wide array of animals and plants. It is perfectly designed for omnivorous lizards since it boosts vibrant color, long-term health, and robust growth. It is designed to be ready-to-eat and there is no need to put it in any type of refrigeration.

Pros

Pros

• It comes with all the necessary ingredients that are needed for their overall growth and vibrant color.
• Can be either fed as a primary diet or with other foods.
• Contains essential minerals, protein, and vitamins.

Cons

Cons

• Some bearded dragons may not like the food at all.
• Dragons that are used to having insects and greens may not prefer this food product.

④ Zoo Med Adult Bearded Dragon Food

This bearded dragon food comes fortified with all the essential minerals and vitamins. Keeping the nutritional requirements of your pet in mind, this food product has been made. With all the correct proportions of fiber, protein, and calcium, it will promote the overall well-being of adult bearded dragons. Some of the nutritional plants that make up this food product include the flavorful dandelion greens.

Some of the ingredients in this product include rice bran, hydrolyzed yeast, suncured alfalfa meal, wheat middlings, organic soybean meal, dried lima beans, citric acid, ascorbic acid, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid, biotin, sodium bicarbonate, vitamin B12 supplement, and zinc oxide to name a few.

Pros

Pros

• Includes a correct ratio of calcium, fiber, and proteins.
• Contains added minerals and vitamins.
• Does not contain any artificial flavorings, colors, and preservatives.

Cons

Cons

• Some bearded dragons may not like the taste of this food product.
• Some pet owners have complained about the ingredients of this food product.

⑤ Fluker’s Buffet Blend Veggie Variety Juvenile Bearded Dragon Food

If you wish to give the best quality food to your juvenile bearded dragon which is full of essential nutrients, then this product will be a great choice for you. It contains essential vitamins and minerals and the formula is an ideal blend of pellets and freeze-dried veggies with a unique texture.

Some of the ingredients found in this product include freeze dried peas, freeze dried squash, corn gluten meal, chicken meal, potato starch, potato protein, tomato pomace, soybean meal, fish oil, soybean oil, chicken fat, calcium carbonate, fish meal, vitamin B12 supplement, citric acid, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid, zinc oxide, and rosemary extract.

Pros

Pros

• Ideally formulated for juvenile bearded dragons.
• Provides a unique texture that normally bearded dragons love.
• Packed with all the essential vitamins and minerals.

Cons

Cons

• Contains artificial colors.
• Some bearded dragons may refuse to eat this food product.

Conclusion & What is the Best Food for Pet Bearded Dragons

Now that you know the type of food that bearded dragons normally love to have, buying the right brand will not be a major problem for you. However, in order to make things simpler and to act as a guide, the above-discussed list will come handy. All the food products discussed above are of good quality. However, the best of the lot was the Fluker’s Buffet Blend Adult Bearded Dragon Food (CHECK BEST PRICE HERE).

It is packed with all the necessary nutrients that are required to keep your adult bearded dragon healthy and happy. The formula of this food is basically a combination of freeze-dried mealworms, freeze dried crickets, and pellets that are enriched with vitamins. In other words, it is designed to provide a balanced and complete meal to your pet.

Feeding Safety Concerns

It is normally seen that bearded dragons are pretty simple to feed. They like to eat a wide array of food items and enjoy their food. Here are some tips that can help you feed your beloved pet easily and safely.

• While eating insects and plants, bearded dragons can accidentally ingest small pieces of gravel, loose substrates, and sand with their food. Although this is more common in young dragons, it may lead to added stress on the digestive system of the animal and give rise to various health issues. It will be a good idea not to feed them on pebbles, sand or any loose or sharp substrate.
• It will also be a good idea to constantly monitor the size of the food that you feed your bearded dragon. Feeding anything that is wider than the space between its eyes is a bad idea. This will needlessly put pressure on the spine that can give rise to mobility and health complications.
• It is also a good thing not to overfeed your bearded dragon. Although it is not a major issue, it can certainly give rise to various health problems in the long run. Even if you give large quantities of wax worms that contain large percentage of fat, it can lead to overfeeding.

Important Minerals and Vitamins for Bearded Dragons

If you have a bearded dragon at home, it is important that you understand the different minerals and vitamins that are essential for them. It is true that this may appear to be trickier than it may seem. After all, if you wish to ensure that your pet lives a healthy life, then it is important for you to make sure that the animal receives the right dose of supplements. Here are some important vitamins and minerals for bearded dragons.

• Vitamin A: This type of vitamin is readily available in most of the vegetables that you feed your pet. There are several vitamin A supplements in the market that you may give to your pet. However, do make sure to give those that contain beta carotene. This ingredient is available in several vegetables and when absorbed by the reptile, their bodies easily convert it into vitamin A.
• Vitamin D3 and Calcium: Without vitamin D3, dragons fail to absorb calcium in their bodies. This is why most of their supplements contain both together. Both calcium and vitamin D3 are crucial for the proper growth and development of their bodies. These nutrients also play a crucial role in saving bearded dragons from metabolic bone disease, which is a serious health issue for these reptiles.
• Iron: This nutrient plays a major role in the overall development of baby dragons. Normally bearded dragons get sufficient amount of iron from the greens that they have. However, in case of babies, they may not have their greens all the time. thus, you will have to give them proper iron supplements.

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If you wish to ensure that your pet bearded dragon remains happy and leads a healthy life, then it is important that you provide the best quality lighting for your beloved pet. These animals come from the Australian desert region. This will give you an idea behind the need for you to install proper lights inside the habitat. Special quality lighting is required to replicate the natural sunlight that a bearded dragon normally receives when out in the wild.

It is true that setting up proper lighting inside a bearded dragon’s habitat can get pretty confusing, especially if you are a new owner of such an animal. You have to learn several things and do proper research in order to get the ideal setup to help your pet thrive. Starting from the need of a basking bulb to understanding the basic differences between UVA and UVB lights, the learning curve is surely quite lengthy.

Top 5 Bearded Dragon UVB Lights

① Zoo Med Desert UVB Lighting Kit **TOP PICK**
② Exo Terra Desert UVB 150 Reptile Lamp
③ Zoo Med T8 ReptiSun 10.0 UVB Fluorescent Lamp
④ MyComfyPets UVB Light and UVA 2-in-1 Reptile Bulb
⑤ Exo Terra Tropical UVB 100 Reptile Lamp

Do Bearded Dragons Actually Require UVA Or UVB Lights?

As discussed above, bearded dragons originate from the desert region of Australia. When they are out in the wild, they depend a lot on the natural sunlight in order to remain healthy. Since natural sunlight has both the UVA and UVB rays, bearded dragons require both during captivity.

UVA rays get transmitted from any source of light, such as an ordinary light bulb. However, there are specially made UVB bulbs that emit UVB rays. This means that your pet gets an adequate dose of UVA rays from the basking light bulb. However, you will have to install the specially made UVB bulbs to ensure that your pet also receives UVB rays properly and sufficiently.

Difference between UVA and UVB Bulbs

As mentioned above, any light bulb will emit UVA rays. These are normally light with longer rays as compared to UVB rays. However, UVB bulbs are specially made that will emit the UVB rays, which are shorter than the UVA rays. This light ray is needed by your bearded dragon to produce vitamin D3 in its body and to absorb calcium.

How Many Hours Of UVB Rays Do Bearded Dragons Require?

During the warm months of summer and spring, it is essential to leave the UVB light bulbs on for around 10 hours to 12 hours. You need to turn it on sometimes in the mid-morning and turn it off in the mid-evening. However, for colder months of winter and fall, you may turn on the UVB bulb for around 8 hours to 10 hours. If you can adjust the time duration of the bulb turned on during the day, it will basically help regulate the different seasons for your beloved pet. This will also create a natural environment for the animal to live.

Is It Necessary To Provide UVB Light To Bearded Dragons At Night?

The answer to this question is a big “no”. However, it is necessary to ensure that the UVB bulb on left on long enough to provide the daily dose of UVB rays to your pet. When it is time to turn off the bulb, you should not think twice. Do not make the mistake of turning off the UVB bulb too soon after feeding your pet. This will simply give rise to digestion problems. it will be a good idea to feed your bearded dragon minimum an hour before you plan on turning off the bulb.

Benefits of A UVB Light Bulb for Your Bearded Dragon

In their natural habitat, bearded dragons are seen spending hours basking in the sun. The heat from the sun is needed to keep their bodies warm and comfortable since they are ectothermic animals. It simply means that animals that fall in this category require an external heat source to enjoy their optimum body temperature. The UVB rays help the pet to generate vitamin D from their food and also metabolize calcium.

If you observe your bearded dragon carefully, you will notice that it displays certain behavioral patterns, which either regulate their body temperature to a better and useful level or to compensate the low heat in the surrounding environment. In order to ensure that your pet leads a healthy life, it is necessary to provide proper lighting in the habitat.

It will be a good idea to have a temperature monitor installed inside the habitat so that you get a proper idea while regulating the temperature inside the enclosure. It will also tell you when it is time to turn on or turn off the various light bulbs.

A proper temperature monitor will also allow your pet to move around its enclosure freely. With the right sources of heat and light inside the habitat, your bearded dragon can easily stay away from some serious health complications such as Metabolic Bone Disease.

Best Bearded Dragon UVB Light List

Talking about UVB light bulbs, there are various types available for you in the market. Although all of these bulbs work the same way and provide the same types of UVB rays, there are still minor differences amongst them that helps to differentiate the best from the lot. Here, we have come up with a list of some of the best quality UVB light bulbs that you can install in your bearded dragon habitat.

① Zoo Med Desert UVB and Heat Reptile Lighting Kit

When you decide to turn your bearded dragon habitat into a desert for the comfort and convenience of the animal, this product will surely help you with your job. It comes with a Repti Basking Spot Lamp, ReptiSun Mini Compact Fluorescent, and a Mini Combo Deep Dome Lamp Fixture.

The dual ceramic sockets can easily support light bulbs up to a maximum of 100 watts each. It is ideally suited for basking and small terrarium desert reptiles. With the help of the unique double reflector design, 35% more heat and UVA light is focused on your pet as compared to ordinary spot lamps. The best part is that it is designed to last almost 2000 hours.

Pros

Pros

• Comes with an on/off switch.
• Each socket can withstand a maximum of 100 watts.
• Comes with a Repti Basking Spot Lamp, a Mini Combo Deep Dome Lamp Fixture, and a ReptiSun Mini Compact Fluorescent.

Cons

Cons

• UVB lamp may appear to be pretty dim.
• Throws UVB light to a maximum of 8 inches from the light source.

② Exo Terra Desert UVB 150 Reptile Lamp

With the help of this product you can easily ensure that your pet reptile gets the proper levels of UVB light. It is designed to produce a pretty high UVB output, which is somewhat similar to natural desert environments. The best part is that you can also use this product in screened habitats or terrariums that are densely covered to ensure proper penetration of UVB rays.

Pros

Pros

• High level of UVB output almost similar to natural desert environments.
• Useful up to a distance of 50cm or 20 inches.
• Helps to promote high vitamin D3 conversion.

Cons

Cons

• It may cease to work after a few weeks.
• Increases the temperature of the basking area by just 3 degrees.

③ Zoo Med T8 ReptiSun 10.0 UVB Fluorescent Lamp

This UVB lamp is designed in such a way that it throws the UVB rays up to a distance of 20 inches or 51 cm from the surface of the lamp. This is highly effective in preventing metabolic bone disease in bearded dragons. This makes it ideally suited for large sized habitats, where more than 12% UVB penetration is important. You may also use this lamp above screen covers, which can easily filter out up to a maximum of 50% of the UVB rays.

Pros

Pros

• Produces 10% UVB rays.
• Produces 30% UVA rays.
• Can easily be placed above screen covers.

Cons

Cons

• The UVA light may not appear that useful in a large sized tank.
• May require another UVA light source to support this lamp.

④ MyComfyPets UVB Light and UVA 2-in-1 Reptile Bulb

This UVB lamp has been designed to give you 10000 hours of uninterrupted service. It is basically a 100 watt lamp that makes it one of the best to help your bearded dragon bask in the beneficial UVA and UVB light. It comes with self-ballasted mercury vapor bulb that automatically self-regulates and does not produce the harmful UVC rays.

The beneficial lamp helps to boost the digestion and appetite of the animal and also helps in the absorption of calcium through the production of vitamin D3. It is suitable for most of the reptiles such as lizards, bearded dragons, and turtles as it helps to prevent metabolic bone disease.

Pros

Pros

• Has a life span of 10000 hours.
• Self-ballasted mercury vapor self-regulates to prevent the production of the harmful UVC rays.
• Suitable for most types of amphibians and reptiles.

Cons

Cons

• May not work for as long as claimed by the manufacturer.
• May sometimes turn off even at the slightest shake.

⑤ Exo Terra Tropical UVB 100 Reptile Lamp

If you wish to ensure that your beloved bearded dragon has the right level of UVB rays to remain happy and healthy, then this product will be a great choice for you. This UVB lamp produces optimum level of UVB rays, which is somewhat similar to the shady environments of a rain forest and various other tropical places where there is less UV exposure and direct sunlight.

Pros

Pros

• Produces optimal level of UVB rays.
• Can throw the UV light up to a maximum of 15 inches from the lamp.
• It is ideally suited for all types of tropical and sub-tropical animals.

Cons

Cons

• The amount of UVB rays emission may not be sufficient for bearded dragons.
• Some users reported of the product not lasting long.

Conclusion & What is the Best UVB Light for Bearded Dragons

By now you must have gained some knowledge about the importance of UVB rays for a bearded dragon and how it can help your pet remain healthy and happy for the rest of its life. It also helps them avoid metabolic bone disease, which is a serious health complication for bearded dragons. This list above will surely help you when it comes to choosing the best source of UVB rays for your pet.

Out of all the UVB lamps discussed above, the best of the lost was the Zoo Med Desert UVB Lighting Kit (CHECK BEST PRICE HERE). The kit contains ReptiSun Mini Compact Fluorescent, Repti Basking Spot Lamp, and a Mini Combo Deep Dome Lamp Fixture. Each of the sockets can support up to a maximum of 100 watts each.

It is designed to work for 2000 hours at a stretch and the unique double reflector design helps to focus almost 35% more UVA light and heat. You also get a dual on/off switch with the kit for your added convenience.

Some Good Lighting Options for Bearded Dragons

When it comes to lighting options for your bearded dragon’s habitat, there are multiple choices for you. Here are some of the widely used options by bearded dragon owners.

1. Fluorescent Tube Bulbs: These are probably one of the most commonly used light bulbs in the market for bearded dragons. Although these bulbs are inexpensive, these are also energy efficient and produce the proper wavelengths of both UVA and UVB rays to help the animals in several ways possible. Using any fluorescent bulb will not be good enough. You have to choose those that are especially designed for reptiles.
2. Compact Fluorescent Bulbs: These are comparatively new in the world of reptiles. These types of bulbs are almost similar to the squiggly bulbs that are widely used at homes. However, the bulbs that are designed for reptiles come with higher UV output and intensity as compared to the normal ones that are used at homes.
3. Mercury Vapor Bulbs: If you are a serious bearded dragon breeder owner, the mercury vapor bulbs are the best options for you. These are designed to produce excellent quality UV radiation along with proper heat. If you use this bulb, there will not be any need to use any other bulb with it. These are quite efficient at supplying UVA and UVB rays.

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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

① Zilla Ground English Walnut Reptile Bedding **TOP PICK**
② Zoo Med Vita-Sand Calcium Carbonate Substrate
③ Reptile Sciences Terrarium Sand
④ Zoo Med Excavator Clay Burrowing Substrate
⑤ Zoo Med ReptiFresh Odor Eliminating Substrate

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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.

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Bearded dragons are amazing little reptiles aren’t they? Well one thing’s for sure, they take a lot of care and precautions that are necessary, especially when it comes to making their habitat mimic the wild as much as possible, from their diet, to their surroundings. You have to be super careful with literally everything that involves your bearded dragon’s captive life, including ensuring they get their proper hydration. Sometimes though, a lot of owners have moments where they notice their dragon is lazy or lethargic. Sometimes, depending on the season, or whether they’re shedding, going through a growth spurt, or if they’re just full this happens, but other times you may want to monitor them as it could be a serious issue.

People Often Misinterpret Lazy and Lethargic

As the title to this section says, a lot of people either confuse the terms lazy and lethargic, or they end up thinking it’s the same thing. In fact, there’s a humongous difference between the two.

When your dragon is lazy, they just lay around a day or two (or more), and then they have waves of activity or hyperactivity. Most bearded dragons have days just like we do. Sometimes they just don’t want to get up and go, and it’s normal.

If your dragon is lethargic, it’s more severe. This is when your dragon acts weak and lays around in one area for a very long time. At the same time, many times when a dragon is lethargic, they’re just like us when we are – they don’t want to eat or drink much either. This is very dangerous, and there may be a more serious problem in this case.

Therefore, if your beardie doesn’t want to move around one day, don’t worry. Keep an eye on them for a few days and see if you need to take them to the vet.

Times of Brumation

Brumation is similar to a hibernation state that cold blooded animals will resort to during winter months. They’ll also become lazy if the temperatures get too hot, often going to a dark spot in their cage, or even burrowing and swimming to keep cool, not moving much. When this happens, your dragon can actually sleep for a very long time, and it probably won’t eat or drink much. Sometimes you can wake them up every so often for food and a bath, but that depends on your individual bearded dragon. There’s really nothing you can do to change how this work.

The Negative Effects of Dehydration

The most common problem is that captive bearded dragons can get dehydrated. That’s why it’s important that you mist them often, give them baths, give them plenty of fresh treated (dechlorinated) water each day. Even if you don’t see your dragon drink, you may be surprised, so you should always keep their water in the cage fresh.

You can use a dripping device to create constant ripples on the water bowl. Otherwise, you can easily flavor your dragon’s water if you need to get them trained to drink. If water is standing perfectly still, they can’t see that.

As mentioned earlier, if it’s too warm, they won’t eat either. Also, if you have the wrong kind of light in their terrarium, this will cause you to have possible issues as well. Your dragon needs high levels of UV radiation just like the sun. Make sure you have a fluorescent bulb, about a foot away from the dragon (at the top of your beardies aquarium is fine). It’s also recommended that you use a heat lamp, but make sure to keep it about 2-3 feet away from your dragon. This will keep it from getting too cold. After about 6 months, remember to change all of the bulbs.

Beware of Parasites

There is one other factor why a bearded dragon is lazy, and that’s that they could have parasites. You’ll know if they have a parasite because they’ll have extremely strong scented fecal matter, and it won’t have any solid white color to it called a urate. Most bearded dragons have a pretty solid stool that is brown or green and one end will have a solid white urate. If you have your dragon living in extremely dirty living conditions, or tainted food, this can cause parasites. Do note though, that it could just be that your poor bearded dragon could have diarrhea, and their lethargy may be because of dehydration. You may want to take a stool sample to a vet though to have it checked if you’re unsure or suspect parasites. You may find mites and ticks, or it could develop and contract the Atadenovirus, so you need to be very careful. They may also get pinworms or coccidian. Also, you need to be careful about their food. Make sure their food doesn’t contain horsehair worms, as these can be an issue sometimes.

Conclusion – Bearded Dragon Lethargic

With everything that you could think of, it’s probably pretty hard to tell whether your bearded dragon is just being lazy, or whether or not it’s being lethargic. If it’s been a couple days and your dragon would normally otherwise be hungry and full of energy, try feeding it a small treat. You could see if you could feed it a little piece of fruit to jump start its day. (Don’t do this too often, but only if it’s being a little bit lethargic.

You may also run the risk of injuring your bearded dragon if you’re feeding it wild-caught insects. Many insects that aren’t dying still have some contact with pesticides, and this can be dangerous. Also, if you’ve gotten your bearded dragon to eating a certain kind of delicacy that is a wild insect, your pet might only want to eat that insect, which could cause it to starve and become lethargic as well. If you do suspect that your bearded dragon is ever being lethargic, not wanting to eat or drink, doesn’t really want to move (even with bathing and misting), and all else fails, make sure you get them to the vet right away! Your veterinarian will come up with a plan to try and save your bearded dragon.

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Bearded dragons are a very interesting lizard, and they’re one of the more popular ones that are domesticated and turned into pets. They are used to the very dry deserts of Australia, so they don’t require a lot of water. So where do they normally get their water from? Do you just give them a bowl of water? Well, we’ll get into that soon, because in this guide we’re going to show you how to provide water for your bearded scaly friend, since things are a little bit different when it comes to keeping them in captivity.

Their Habitat Affects them Differently

Since bearded dragons are cold-blooded, they keep their bodies warm by their surroundings. They need sunlight, so in captivity, we normally have to have some sort of heat lamp for them or a heat rock in order for them in order to stay warm. They normally get their heat during the early mornings, and in the evening when the sun is warm but not too hot. Not only that but in the wild, they get their moisture from different sources than we can provide. Being true omnivores, bearded dragons are most prone to eating leafy vegetables, some flowers, and insects like grasshoppers and worms. Once in a while, you can actually give them tomato hornworms (Five-spotted hawk moth larvae) to give them a treat once in a while (about once every couple months).

In the wild, they normally get their water from plants and the insects they eat, so when you have one in captivity, you need to actually give them water since you’re not going to feed and water them non-stop. Give them a little water dish that looks like their natural habitat pools (such as the Exo Terra Water Dish) which you can buy online. A lot of people who have bearded dragons get freeze-dried insects for their bearded dragon to eat (like crickets, mealworms, and kingworms).

However, you can always go to a pet store, or order your bearded dragon live crickets and mealworms very easily because this will provide more water for your pet, as well as give them the exercise they need in order to survive well. In the later summer months, as long as you know your yard isn’t full of pesticides, they can even eat cicadas once in a while! Be creative, and if you have children, this is a great way to get them to stop being afraid of bugs while they are food for your beardie!

Don’t forget to give your bearded dragons fresh greens as well. Foods like kale, mustard greens, broccoli tops, turnip greens, parsley, and others, but you don’t have to spend a lot to get these things. If you want, you can actually get most of the food for your bearded dragons right out in your back yard.  Every day pick a handful of clover, throw in some dandelion greens (and dandelion flowers when they’re yellow or blooming – before they turn into puff balls), plantain, romaine lettuce, maple leaves, and more.

If you’re going to feed your bearded dragon something like bananas or kiwis, you need to only give them about one thin slice of banana as a treat. Sometimes if they’re not going to eat their greens, you can chop up that banana in their greens as a way to get them eating when they want to be stubborn. Only use bananas about once or twice a month. Otherwise, your dragon can get sick.

When Using a Water Bowl

A lot of bearded dragons you get won’t immediately drink from a water bowl right off the bat. Therefore, you might have to train them to get their water. You can throw a drop or two of strawberry or papaya juice in the water and they might want to drink it more often. Once they get used to it, just start weaning them off of “the juice”.

You can normally get spring drinking water rather cheap and it’s recommended that you use that so it normally has some mineral content. However, you can mist them and bathe them normally with regular tap water. The main thing is that to be safe, or if you have hard water, you may want to use a water softener that’s quite popular called ReptiSafe. It gets rid of a lot of the chlorine. Of course, if you want to regularly spend the money on Fiji water for your pet be my guest.

Speaking of Misting

One other way dragons often get water is when they get rained on. Sure, it doesn’t happen that often in the desert, but it does happen more than one might think. The water just normally gets evaporated into a mist during the dryer seasons when it rains. Therefore, you’ll want to invest in a spray bottle, and fill it up with some of that good spring water. Spray your bearded dragon to mimic the rain and when it’s wet, it’ll start drinking the water dripping off of its nose. This is actually the highest recommendation that many veterinarians tell you to do more than anything, as it mimics a bearded dragon’s natural habitat.

Conclusion – Bearded Dragon Water

Bearded dragons can get dehydrated just like any other animal. The best way we’ve found to keep your bearded dragon hydrated and happy is to provide their natural habitat and bring it to them. If you’re going to feed them dehydrated foods, you need to mist them frequently and train them to drink from a water bowl regularly. This means you’re going to handle your bearded dragon more (which is actually good for bonding and them getting used to you).

Keep in mind though, that honestly, if you’re not willing to handle some live insects, then a bearded dragon definitely isn’t for you. Keep an eye out for severely wrinkled skin, lack of appetite, lethargic behavior, and sunken eyes. If your bearded dragon’s skin doesn’t “roll” back into place if you grab a little bit and lightly pinch it, then you may want to work on hydrating your scaly friend.

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