How to Bathe a Bearded Dragon
A step by step process on How to Bathe a Bearded Dragon. This will ensure your Bearded Dragon stays healthy and clean!
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Gather your supplies
Before you start, gather everything you need so you don’t have to stop in the middle of bathing your bearded dragon. You will need:
-A small, shallow container that your bearded dragon can easily fit into
-Lukewarm water that is shallow enough that your bearded dragon can stand in it without getting its head wet
-A soft, clean cloth or sponge
-A cup or small pitcher for pouring water over your bearded dragon
-A towel for drying off your bearded dragon after its bath
Fill the tub
Fill the tub with lukewarm water. The water should be shallow enough that your dragon can stand without having its belly touch the bottom of the tub, and deep enough that its beard does not touch the water. Add a drop or two of mild dish soap to help keep your dragon clean.
Introduce your dragon to the water
Bearded dragons come from the desert, so they’re not used to being in water. For this reason, it’s important to introduce your dragon to the water gradually. Start by putting a few inches of warm water in the bathtub. If your dragon seems nervous, you can hold him in your lap or place him on a towel. Let him splash around and get used to the water. Once he seems comfortable, you can add a little more water.
Wet their beard
Trim any long nails with nail trimmers before starting the bath. Gently wet their beard with lukewarm water using a cup or spray bottle. You don’t want to soak them, just get their beard nice and damp.
Gently scrub their body
Bearded dragons love to be scratched and will often fall sleep while you are doing it. Gently scrub their body with a soft toothbrush, taking care not to scrub too hard. You can also use a baby washcloth.
Rinse them off
Bearded dragons come from hot, dry climates and as such do not need to be bathed often. In fact, bathing them too much can actually be harmful. However, there are times when it is necessary to give your bearded dragon a good rinse. The most common reason for bathing your bearded dragon is to help them shed their skin.
Dry them off
Bearded dragons are semi-aquatic reptiles, so they enjoy bathing in water. However, it is important to dry them off afterwards to prevent them from getting sick. The best way to do this is to use a soft towel and gently pat them dry. You can also use a hairdryer on the lowest setting, but be sure to keep it at least six inches away from their body.
Offer them a treat
Bearded dragons are typically very mistrusting of humans. In the wild, they are only handled when being preyed upon. As a result, building trust is essential to successfully bathing your bearded dragon.
One way to do this is by offering them a treat while you’re handling them. This could be a piece of their favorite fruit or vegetable, or even live insects if they’reStill not trusting you?
Don’t worry, there are a few other things you can try.
Monitor their behavior
Your bearded dragon’s behavior can clue you in on how they’re feeling and whether they’re enjoying their bath. If they start to dive bomb into the water or claw at you, it’s time to get them out. Some bearded dragons will also try to eat the water, which can make them sick.
Have patience
Before you even think about starting to bathe your dragon, you need to have patience. A lot of patience. This process can take some time, and if you rush it, your dragon will be stressed out, which is never good. So, take a deep breath and relax. This isn’t going to be as difficult as you think.
The first thing you need to do is fill up your sink or bathtub with lukewarm water. The water should be shallow enough that your dragon can stand in it without being submerged. You also want to make sure that the water is not too hot or too cold Dragons are very sensitive to temperature changes, so it’s important to get this right.
Once the water is the perfect temperature, slowly lower your dragon into the sink or bathtub. Be careful not to splash any water on its head or face—again, dragons are sensitive creatures and they don’t like getting wet. Just let your dragon soak for 10-15 minutes until it’s fully clean.
After the bath, you need to make sure your dragon dries off completely. The best way to do this is to place them on a towel and then gently pat them dry with another towel. You can also use a hairdryer on the lowest setting—just be careful not to hold it too close to your dragon’s skin. Once your dragon is dry, put them back in their cage or enclosure and let them rest.
