A bearded dragon’s poop should never be underestimated! It has got to be one of the stinkiest feces of all reptiles.
As a matter of fact, all you need to clean the stinky poop off is a warm bath and a toothbrush (Preferably unused or brand new).
Letting them soak in warm water usually does the trick, even for the dried-off bits. Though, you do need to pull the toothbrush on that one.
It’s better to brush off the poop from the dragon rather than pick it off with your hands since their skin tends to be delicate and can easily get irritated.
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Bearded Dragon: Poop 101
Bearded dragons like to mess around in their mess sometimes. Unfortunately, poop does not take a long time to dry and can easily stick to your beardies.
Summer is also the time they get more energy. So, there’s a high chance they stumble upon their poop out of excitement.
So, if you flip your buddy around, you might see some dried bits around the underside of their tail. But if your beardie is especially messy, you may find some stuck on the belly.
It’s an ordinary habit, albeit frustrating. But do not worry! Just like we told you, they’re pretty easy to clean!
What you need:
- A safe place for soaking (Preferably small)
- Lukewarm water
- A type of brush
- An extra bowl
- Towel
- Dragon Shampoo (optional)
How to clean poop off a bearded dragon
Cleaning a bearded dragon is easy, as long as they’re not uncomfortable with it! After all, some bearded dragons hate baths.
Step 1: Preparation
Make sure that you have everything you need since you cannot leave their side once you start cleaning them.
Put water in the small bowl and place it near them. Make sure they drink from the bowl and not from the water they’ll be soaking in.
Step 2: Let them soak
The water should be slightly above room temperature, it might hurt your pet otherwise.
Soaking is essential as it helps soften the dirty bits. If you want to have an easy time throughout the process, do not be impatient with this step.
Step 3: Shampoo (optional)
If you have a shampoo, wet the bristles of your brush before applying it. This will help dilute the chemicals in the shampoo and avoid irritating your dragon.
Step 4: The brushing stage
If you don’t have shampoo, gently brush through your bearded dragon’s dirty parts. Make sure not to go too hard, as they have very sensitive skin.
Once the dirt is off, you can proceed to the next step. Otherwise, you may need a smaller brush (to get to the tight places).
And if the poop isn’t coming off, go to step 3 (if you haven’t already).
Step 5: Drying
Use the towel to wrap around your bearded dragon, and pat it gently until the dragon dries. Do not rub the towel against their skin.
Step 6: Warming
As cold-blooded creatures, it’s necessary for dragons to have an ample supply of heat.
Getting exposed after soaking in warm water can significantly lower their temperature.
So, make sure to warm them after they’ve been patted dry. Don’t let them get too cold!
Things to look out for during cleaning
Sometimes, things don’t necessarily go to plan. It’s easy for them to injure themselves, especially in a slippery area.
Squirming and Squiggling
In some cases, bearded dragons are afraid of cleaning. They might squiggle while you try and brush them.
So, make sure to have a firm but gentle hold on them whenever you’re trying to clean their undersides, especially the toes.
Otherwise, they may accidentally twist their legs and get injured.
Drinking dirty water
They may try to drink the water they’re soaking in, so having a drinking bowl is essential to the cleaning process.
Imagine if they drank the water full of dried poop floating around, it’s disgusting and unsanitary!
Possibility of escape
Most owners tend to wash their dragons in the sink. That’s because it’s more comfortable for dragons to have a smaller space when cleaning.
Unfortunately, this also means that their cleaning area is way up high. If they fall from that height, they risk serious injury.
So, be sure to keep your eye out for your bearded dragon.
Skin irritants
Brushing too hard or rubbing the harsh surface of the towel can easily irritate your dragon’s skin.
Remember, their skin isn’t as tough as the dragons we see in movies, be gentle!
This is the same for the shampoo you’re using. Make sure it’s for bearded dragons! If not, then at least use something similar to baby wash (for sensitive skin).
Open Wounds
If your dragon has open wounds, it’s best to clean them as gently as possible to avoid infection but do not use chemical products. The products can quickly get inside the wound and sting your poor beardie.
What to do if the poop is hard to get off?
When this happens, it’s time to start bringing in the products. Most dragon owners opt to use dragon detox for deep cleaning.
It has activated charcoal which will help clean your bearded dragon. According to this article by Medical News Today, activated charcoal draws microparticles which include dirt and poop!
How often should I clean my bearded dragon?
Usually, adults should have a bath once a week, and younger beardies should bathe more often.
But, if you notice poop sticking on their body, then clean them as soon as possible, even if they’ve already had a bath!
After all, dried poop is very hard to brush off. Sometimes, just soaking them in warm water wouldn’t be enough.
Although, if it’s near shedding time, then it’s best to wait for them to shed rather than clean off a tail that’s going to be removed soon.
Conclusion
Bearded dragons easily get poop stuck on all parts of their body. They dive around at times and land on their mess.
But they’re generally easy to clean. Just soak them in warm water and then use the brush to get the poop off.
It’s a simple process as long as you take care of the necessary precautions.
