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The age old question – How often do bearded dragons poop?
We get this question a lot because people oftentimes become concerned when they believe their beardie is pooping too much. Or, in some cases, too little.
It’s important to keep track of how often your bearded dragon is pooping because pooping too often or too little can be a sign of certain health issues. In some cases, these health issues may require veterinary care.
So, circling back to our question – How often DO bearded dragons poop?
Bearded dragons generally poop every 1-3 days. Typically, bearded dragons will poop every day – sometimes even multiple times per day. However, it’s not uncommon for a bearded dragons to go a week without pooping. If your bearded dragon hasn’t pooped in over a week – it may be a sign that your bearded dragon has become impacted.
However, there are several factors that will play into how often your beardie friend uses the john. Some of these factors include diet, age, hydration, and more.
So, now that we know the normal amount a bearded dragon should be pooping – let’s dive a bit deeper into some of the factors that play a role into the frequency your bearded dragon poops.
Additionally, we’re going to discuss when you should become concerned about the frequency of your bearded dragon pooping. From there, we’ll explain what you should do if your bearded dragon is having trouble pooping.
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Age
Juvenile bearded dragons will generally poop more often than adult bearded dragons. This is largely in part due to the fact that they’re digestive system works faster than an adult beardie.
The reason for this is because juvenile bearded dragons need to eat a lot in order to grow. Therefore, the food will typically cycle through their digestive system rather quickly.
Furthermore, juvenile bearded dragons should be eating a lot of vegetables. Vegetables play a crucial part in the growth and development of a juvenile bearded dragon.
Vegetables contain high levels of water that keep your bearded dragon hydrated. Needless to say, a hydrated bearded dragon will digest food at a much faster rate.
All in all, don’t be surprised if your juvenile bearded dragon is pooping once or twice daily.
Diet
This ties into the above point regarding hydration. Like we mentioned previously, a bearded dragon that is drinking a lot of water (or consuming a lot of veggies) will likely be pooping much more often.
Adult bearded dragons typically don’t require the same amount of vegetables as baby bearded dragons. Therefore, they will naturally poop less often.
Food also plays a role in the amount your bearded dragon will be pooping. For instance, I’ve noticed my bearded dragon poops much more often when they’re consuming crickets versus mealworms or superworms.
This isn’t backed by science – it’s simply a personal observation. However, it is easy to realize that certain foods will process through the digestive system faster than others.
Husbandry Practices
Husbandry practices will also play a key role in the frequency of your bearded dragon pooping. “Husbandry” basically refers to the methods you use to care for your beardie.
This includes how often you’re feeding them, what type of diet they’re receiving, and whether or not you’re giving them water. Water bowls are typically considered an optional thing in the bearded dragon community. However, if your beardie is drinking water from a bowl – they’re probably going to be pooping more often.
Additionally, if you bathe your bearded dragon – it’s probably going to poop more often. A warm bath will assist your beardie in processing food.
Read More: Top 5 Calcium Supplements for Beardies
My Bearded Dragon Isn’t Pooping – Should I Be Concerned?
If your bearded dragon hasn’t pooped for eight plus days – it may be a good idea to consult a professional veterinarian.
Bearded dragons are really good at not giving obvious signs when they’re sick. However, one of the first signs that a bearded dragon is ill is the frequency of their pooping (or the consistency of their poop).
Therefore, it’s important to always keep an eye on your bearded dragon’s poops. If they’re not pooping or their poop is liquid – it may be a sign that your bearded dragon is sick.
A healthy adult bearded dragon should be pooping once per day or at the very least once per week. Furthermore, the poop should be solid in consistency.
If your bearded dragon has runny poop, don’t fret. It may just be a mishap, or it may be the food you’re feeding your beardie. Try switching up their diet and see if it resolves the issue.
If your bearded dragon isn’t pooping at all, it has likely become impacted. Essentially, this is when a bearded dragon’s food becomes stuck in its digestive track. Bearded dragon impaction is a serious issue and should be addressed immediately.
What to do If Your Bearded Dragon Becomes Impacted
If your bearded dragon becomes impacted – don’t assume it’s the end of the world.
It’s actually a very common issue among bearded dragons. In fact, it’s the number one health issue among bearded dragons and several other reptiles.
So, what should you do if your bearded dragon becomes impacted? Give them a warm bath!
Fill up a tub of lukewarm water and place your bearded dragon inside. Be sure to only fill the bottom of the tub so your bearded dragon still has the ability to stand and still keep its head above water.
From there, gently massage the abdomen of your bearded dragon in a vertical manner. Allow your bearded dragon to sit in the bath for 5-10 minutes and continue to massage the abdomen.
Best case scenario, your beardie will poop in the bath. However, if your bearded dragon doesn’t poop – they may poop later in the day.
If, unfortunately, your bearded dragon is still unable to poop – it’s best to seek a veterinarian that specializes in reptiles. Fortunately, since bearded dragons are common pets and impaction is a fairly common issue among them – most reptile veterinarians are well equipped to deal with impaction.
Wrapping Things Up - How Often Do Bearded Dragons Poop?
Needless to say, it’s important to keep up with the pooping patterns of your bearded dragon. A bearded dragon that isn’t pooping frequently may be a cause for concern.
Typically, when a bearded dragon goes more than a week without pooping – they are likely suffering from impaction.
However, fortunately, a warm bath will typically do the trick to assist their digestive system and allow them to poop.
Keep in mind, it’s always a good idea to seek the assistance of a veterinarian if you suspect your bearded dragon has fallen ill.
All in all, we hope you learned something new and as always – Happy Herping!
If you have any more questions regarding bearded dragon care and health – feel free to use the search bar at the top of your screen or send us a comment below!