Bearded dragons make great pets for reptile enthusiasts of all ages. They are gentle, hardy, and relatively easy to care for. However, they do have specific needs in terms of habitat, heat, UVB lighting, diet, and more. Knowing what a bearded dragon needs and how often to provide it is key to keeping a happy, healthy pet. This article will outline the frequency of care needed for optimal bearded dragon health and wellbeing.
Housing
A proper enclosure is one of the most basic bearded dragon care needs. In terms of how often housing elements need maintenance or cleaning:
Tank/Cage
The actual tank or cage housing a bearded dragon only needs cleaning on a monthly basis. Use a mild soap and water solution to wipe down glass walls and decor items. Disinfectants are not necessary if the enclosure is kept clean.
Substrate
Substrate should be spot cleaned daily to remove feces and urates. Full substrate changes should occur every 4-8 weeks. Paper towel substrate may only need changing 2-3 times per week.
Hides
Hide boxes, tubes, or other accessories should be cleaned monthly with soap and water, or discarded and replaced if overly soiled.
| Housing Element | Maintenance Frequency |
|---|---|
| Tank/Cage | Monthly |
| Substrate | Spot clean daily, full change every 4-8 weeks |
| Hides | Monthly |
Temperature & Heating
Maintaining proper temperatures is extremely important for bearded dragon health. Here is how often heating elements need maintenance:
Basking Bulb
The basking bulb, which creates a hot basking site for bearded dragons, needs to be replaced every 6-12 months. Even if the bulb still lights up, it may not be emitting adequate heat anymore. Replace bulbs yearly.
Ceramic Heat Emitter
CHE heat emitters also need replacing every 6-12 months, even if the bulb still lights up. For optimal heat output, replace annually.
Under Tank Heater
Undertank or undercage heating pads generally run continuously for many years. However, they should be checked monthly to ensure they are not overheating. Replace immediately if cracked or otherwise damaged.
Thermometers
Digital thermometers should have batteries changed every 1-2 months to ensure accuracy. Analog thermometers do not require this. All thermometers should be double checked for accuracy monthly.
| Heating Element | Maintenance Frequency |
|---|---|
| Basking Bulb | Replace every 6-12 months |
| Ceramic Heat Emitter | Replace every 6-12 months |
| Under Tank Heater | Check monthly, replace if damaged |
| Thermometers | Change batteries on digital models every 1-2 months, check accuracy monthly on all |
Lighting
Proper lighting is just as crucial as heat. Here is how often lighting needs replacement or checking:
UVB Bulb
The UVB bulb should be changed every 6-12 months for optimal UVB output, as bulbs lose effectiveness over time, even if they still light up.
Daytime Basking Bulb
If using a daytime basking bulb separate from the heat bulb, replace every 6-12 months.
Fluorescent Full-Spectrum Bulb
These bulbs also need replacing every 6-12 months for optimal brightness and full light spectrum.
Timer
Always double check that automatic lighting timers are set properly each day. Replace if broken.
| Lighting Element | Maintenance Frequency |
|---|---|
| UVB Bulb | Replace every 6-12 months |
| Daytime Basking Bulb | Replace every 6-12 months |
| Full Spectrum Bulb | Replace every 6-12 months |
| Timer | Check daily, replace if broken |
Humidity
Bearded dragons do best when humidity is kept low, around 30-40%. Here is how often to maintain humidity elements:
Hygrometer
Digital hygrometers should have batteries changed every 1-2 months. All types should be double checked monthly for accuracy.
Misting
Unless humidity is extremely low, misting the tank is generally not needed. If misting, do so once daily at most, preferably every 2-3 days.
Dehumidifier
If using a tank dehumidifier, check it daily to ensure proper function and change desiccant beads monthly.
| Humidity Element | Maintenance Frequency |
|---|---|
| Hygrometer | Change batteries on digital models every 1-2 months, check accuracy monthly |
| Misting | Once daily at most, or every 2-3 days |
| Dehumidifier | Check daily, change beads monthly |
diet
A varied, vitamin-rich diet is essential for bearded dragons. Here is how often to feed and replace foods:
Live Insects
Live insects like crickets, roaches, worms, etc. should be fed daily as the bulk of a young dragon’s diet. Adults can be fed live prey 3-4 times per week.
Fresh Vegetables
Fresh leafy greens and chopped veggies should be offered daily. Replace uneaten fresh foods after 1-2 days.
Prepared Foods
Prepared dried bug diets, pellets, jars of baby food, etc. do not need daily replacement but should not be left uneaten for over 2 days in the tank.
Treats
Treats like fruit should be fed no more than 2-3 times per week. Remove uneaten fresh foods after 24 hours.
| Dietary Element | Maintenance Frequency |
|---|---|
| Live Insects | Feed daily (babies) or 3-4 times per week (adults) |
| Fresh Vegetables | Offer daily, replace uneaten after 1-2 days |
| Prepared Foods | Do not leave uneaten more than 2 days |
| Treats | 2-3 times per week, remove uneaten after 24 hours |
Hydration
Bearded dragons get much of their water from food, but also need a fresh water source. Here is how often to change water and clean dishes:
Water Bowl
Empty and refill the water bowl 2-3 times per week, more often if it gets soiled. Wash thoroughly weekly.
Misting
Light misting can also provide hydration 1-2 times per day if desired.
Soaking
Juvenile dragons may be soaked 2-3 times per week for 15-20 minutes in shallow warm water. Adults do not require regular soaks.
| Hydration Method | Maintenance Frequency |
|---|---|
| Water Bowl | Refill 2-3 times per week, wash weekly |
| Misting | 1-2 times daily |
| Soaking | 2-3 times weekly for juveniles only |
Tank Cleaning
For full tank cleaning, this is what you need to do and how often:
Remove All Decor
Once a month, completely empty the tank of decor, substrate, and dishes to enable thorough cleaning.
Discard Substrate
Remove and discard any reusable substrate monthly as well, or spot clean daily. Paper towels may only need weekly replacement.
Clean Glass
Use glass cleaner or mild soap and water to wipe down the inside and outside of the tank to remove stuck-on debris and germs monthly.
Disinfect Decor
Decor and hides should be washed monthly with soap and water or disinfectant and thoroughly air dried if mold is an issue.
Replace Substrate
Add fresh substrate after everything is fully clean and dried. Spot clean daily.
| Cleaning Task | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Remove All Decor | Monthly |
| Discard Substrate | Monthly, spot clean daily |
| Clean Glass | Monthly |
| Disinfect Decor | Monthly |
| Replace Substrate | Monthly, spot clean daily |
Shedding Care
Bearded dragons shed their skin regularly as they grow. Here is how often shedding needs may arise:
Humidity Increase
Increase humidity for 1-2 days as shedding approaches, either via misting or moss box.
Soaks
Soak juveniles in warm water 10-15 minutes daily during a shed cycle to aid skin loosening.
Exfoliation Help
Gently rub loose skin with a soft brush or towel if it is not coming off well on its own 1-2 times daily if needed.
Moisturize Skin
Use coconut oil or a reptile-safe moisturizer to soften stuck skin as needed while shedding.
| Shedding Aid | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Humidity Increase | 1-2 days during shed cycle |
| Soaks | 10-15 minutes daily for juveniles when shedding |
| Exfoliation Help | 1-2 times daily if needed |
| Moisturize Skin | As needed while shedding |
Nail Trimming
Here is how often bearded dragon nails need trimming:
Juvenile Dragons
Young dragons under 1 year may need nails trimmed as often as once per week, as their nails grow quickly. Check weekly.
Adult Dragons
Adult dragon nails may only need trimming once every 2-4 weeks on average. Check biweekly.
Geriatric Dragons
Elderly dragons over 5 years old may need nails checked monthly or less, as growth slows significantly.
| Dragon Age | Nail Trim Frequency |
|---|---|
| Juvenile | Weekly |
| Adult | Every 2-4 weeks |
| Geriatric | Monthly or less |
Bathing
Bearded dragons generally do not require frequent bathing other than shedding assistance. Here are bathing best practices:
Juveniles
Baby bearded dragons under 1 year can benefit from 10-15 minute shallow warm water soaks 2-3 times per week.
Adults
Healthy adult dragons do not need routine baths. Only bathe if excessively soiled or constipated.
All Dragons
If any dragon shows signs of illness, such as poor appetite, lethargy, etc. a warm soak may stimulate appetite and activity.
| Dragon Age | Bathing Frequency |
|---|---|
| Juvenile | 2-3 times weekly, 10-15 minutes |
| Adult | Only if needed |
| All Dragons | During illness as beneficial |
Handling
Frequent, gentle handling is important for taming and bonding with pet bearded dragons. Here are ideal handling routines:
Juveniles
Young dragons benefit from at least 10-15 minutes of daily supervised handling while establishing bonds with owners.
Adults
Healthy adults can be handled 10-20 minutes 2-3 times per week once accustomed to people.
All Dragons
Monitor all dragons for signs of stress during handling such as darkened beard or body color, puffing up, etc. End a session if the dragon appears distressed. With consistent gentle handling, most dragons become quite docile and seem to enjoy human interaction.
| Dragon Age | Handling Duration & Frequency |
|---|---|
| Juvenile | 10-15 minutes Daily |
| Adult | 10-20 minutes 2-3 Times Weekly |
| All Dragons | Monitor for stress, end session if distressed |
Conclusion
Caring for a pet bearded dragon requires dedication and a routine. While they are relatively easy reptiles to keep healthy compared to some exotic species, they do have specific care needs. Maintaining proper housing conditions, heat, UVB light, a varied diet, and handling routines are vital. Use this guide of ideal maintenance frequencies to ensure your bearded dragon lives a long, happy life in your home! With their docile nature and endearing behaviors like arm-waving and head-bobbing, bearded dragons make captivating and rewarding pet reptiles when their basic care needs are consistently met.