20 Steps To Avoid Bearded Dragon Diseases

It is an unfortunate truth that bearded dragons are prone to a number of diseases and illnesses. Whilst some are unavoidable, many are completely preventable. This is because many health problems are caused by environmental conditions such as lighting, substrate and humidity whilst others are caused by conflict with other dragons, diet and even you! If you notice your bearded dragon showing the signs of illness or disease, ensure you go to the vet right away. This is the best way to identify the problem and take steps to fix it as soon as possible. However, since your dragon is healthy and well at the moment, you can do your best to avoid any problems arising. Below are a number of things you can do.

- Provide plenty of space, with an appropriately sized enclosure. This will help to prevent your bearded dragon from feeling anxious or stressed.

- Clean out the tank and change over substrate regularly to prevent the build up of bacteria and eliminate parasite and viruses. This will help to maintain generally beardie health.

- Never leave any chemical residue on the cage after cleaning. This can be highly toxic to your bearded dragon.

- Ensure the substrate used is safe to be ingested, as some substrates can cause impaction if too much is eaten.

- Ensure temperatures are suitable and provide plenty of shelter. Many dragons fall ill as a result of overheating. Avoid this by keeping a number of thermometers through the enclosure and check them regularly.

- Giving him somewhere to hide and feel safe and secure will prevent stress.

- Keep humidity levels down and ensure the enclosure is ventilated well.

- Keep enclosure clean and dry.

- Rinse plants and rocks before putting them in the enclosure. This is to remove any chemical residue, fungi or other substances that may cause your bearded dragon harm.

- Feed a balanced diet, including plenty of veggies of varied colors, particularly those that are yellow and orange. This helps to reduce the likelihood of becoming beta-carotene deficient.

- Limit foods with high fat content such as wax worms.

- Feed only what is required - avoid overfeeding.

- Provide plenty of water.

- Provide food supplements containing calcium carbonate, calcium gluconate and vitamin D3. Deficiency of these important vitamins and minerals can cause serious health problems including, stunted growth, reproductive problems, soft bones and deformities.

- Have a quarantine tank on hand in the event one of your dragons contracts an infectious disease.

- Wash your hands regularly before and after handling. Many people aren't aware that they can be the biggest carrier of harmful germs and bacteria. Washing your hands will help to protect both you and your dragon.

- Control pests such as ticks, fleas, etc using bait or other pest controlling products - NB: ensure your bearded dragon does not come in contact with the chemicals.

- Maintain good hygiene - wash your bearded dragon on a regularly basis.

- Separate beardies if they are aggressive and continually fight to avoid serious injury. Remember bearded dragons develop a hierarchy and one dragon may be picked on more than another. You may need to remove a vulnerable bearded dragon if it is in danger of being injured.

- Ensure you purchase a beardie from a reputable breeder. This will decrease the chances of buying a dragon that is sick, prone to disease or has developed poor eating habits.