Do you have a bearded dragon living with you? If so, you’ve probably noticed that his poop smells really bad. So how can you get rid of the bearded dragon poop smell?
As a general rule, you should scoop up your bearded dragon’s poop as soon as possible. The longer it sits there, the more it will stink. If you can’t scoop it up immediately, you can use a disposable paper towel to pick it up.
Bearded dragon poop smells because it contains high levels of urea, produced when the body breaks down protein.
The good news is that you can reduce the smell by keeping your bearded dragon’s enclosure clean.
Make sure to scrub the entire enclosure with warm water and a mild detergent weekly to remove any built-up waste. Finally, spray the enclosure with a vinegar-based cleaning solution once a month to kill any bacteria causing the bad odor.
How regularly must a bearded dragon poop?
Bearded dragons should typically go to the bathroom at least twice daily. If they are not pooping regularly, it could be a sign that they are not getting enough fiber in their diet. Make sure to provide plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits for them to eat.
If your bearded dragon is still not pooping regularly, it could signify a more serious health problem. In this case, you should take him to a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Baby bearded dragon
Generally, baby bearded dragons will poop more frequently than adults. They may go to the bathroom several times daily, especially after eating.
As your bearded dragon grows, he will slowly poop less often. He should be pooping about two times per day by the time he is fully grown.
Juvenile bearded dragon
A juvenile bearded dragon usually goes to the bathroom three or four times daily. Like people, juveniles generally have more energy and may poop more often than adults.
A bearded dragon’s diet also affects how often they go to the bathroom. Those who eat a lot of protein will poop more often than those who eat mostly vegetables.
Adult bearded dragon
Once a bearded dragon reaches adulthood, he will typically only need to go to the bathroom once daily. If he eats a balanced diet of protein and vegetables, he should have no problem staying regular.
Nevertheless, if you notice that your bearded dragon has stopped going to the bathroom, it might be a sign that his diet needs to be adjusted. You can try switching out some of his food to ensure he gets all the nutrients he needs.
What causes the bearded dragon poop smell?
There are several possible causes of smelly bearded dragon poop, but most are related to their diet or health. For example, if a bearded dragon is experiencing a parasite infestation, it may have symptoms like diarrhea or digestive upset that can cause its poop to smell especially bad.
Ultimately, pet owners must monitor their pets’ stools closely and consult a vet if they notice any illness.
What does a healthy bearded dragon poop look like?
Healthy bearded dragons produce brownish-yellow feces that contain little to no odors. The color of the feces depends on what type of food they eat.
For instance, fruit flies produce dark green feces, while crickets produce light orange ones. Beetles produce black feces.
When a bearded dragon eats insects, it produces a darker-colored stool than when it eats other types of foods. In a recent article, we discussed what color your bearded dragon’s poop should be.
Click that link to read it on my site.
What factors impact a healthy poop?
The following factors play an important role in determining whether a bearded dragon’s poop smells:
Age
Like humans, a baby’s digestive system is not fully developed and may pass more gas than an older bearded dragon. As your bearded dragon grows, he can control his digestive system better.
A young bearded dragon will have bowel movements more frequently than an adult, so you will see more daily poops when they are juveniles.
Diet
The most important thing about feeding your bearded dragon is getting enough food.
If you buy a reptile from a pet store, chances are it won’t be eating much because it hasn’t been given proper nutrition. You’ll want to ensure your bearded dragon has plenty of protein and calcium.
That’s because bearded dragons thrive on a wide variety of foods. Their diet consists of insects, small mammals, and reptiles in the wild. They can be fed a diet of commercially prepared foods, vegetables, fruits, and live insects in captivity.
Commercially prepared foods are available in pellet or powder form and can be found at most pet stores, even though we suggest feeding your bearded dragon live food as much as possible.
If you’re wondering what kind of live insects can a bearded dragon eat, check out our recent article, where I break down all the different types of live insects you can feed your bearded dragon.
Click the link below to learn more.
That said, we always recommend you supplement their diet with fresh vegetables and fruits.
Some of the best vegetables for bearded dragons include:
- Collard greens
- Kale
- Carrots
- Squash
- Beets
However, if you want to know exactly how many veggies and fruits you need to give your bearded dragon daily, you’ll have to consult a vet first.
Parasites
Parasitic worms and mites can cause bearded dragons to produce bad smells. In some cases, these parasites can also lead to diarrhea.
To prevent this, you’ll want to keep your bearded dragon parasite free by regularly cleaning its cage and changing its bedding.
You can use a commercial cleaner such as Fluker super scrub brush from Amazon to clean the enclosure using a solution specifically for reptiles.
This way, you’ll be able to get rid of any parasites without having to worry about harming your bearded dragon.
It’s also important to note that parasitic worms and mites don’t necessarily mean your bearded dragon has worms or mites inside him. They could just be passing through.
So, while you might think your bearded dragon is suffering from worms or mites, it could be something else entirely.
When faced with a smelly bearded dragon, many people quickly blame parasites. While certain parasites can indeed cause malodorous feces in bearded dragons, it is important to remember that there may be other underlying factors.
To determine the true cause of your dragon’s unpleasant waste matter, you should first consult with your veterinarian. This can help to rule out other potential causes, such as bacterial infections or dietary deficiencies.
Once any underlying issues have been ruled out, your vet can advise you on the best treatment for your bearded dragon’s parasitic problems.
This might involve administering worming medication or changing your pet’s diet to include more high-fiber foods like veggies and leafy greens.
Taking these proactive steps and working with your veterinarian can help ensure that your beloved bearded dragon remains healthy.
Environmental Conditions
Your bearded dragon needs a large space to roam around in. It also needs access to sunlight. A well-lit area is ideal for your bearded dragon.
You can also create an artificial environment using heat lamps and fans. This setup allows your bearded dragon to have a comfortable temperature without being exposed to direct sunlight.
How do I control bad odors in a bearded dragon’s enclosure?
The best way to manage odor in a bearded dragon’s tank is to keep it clean. That means removing feces, uneaten food, or water in the tank for over a day.
That being said, washing your bearded dragon’s tank isin’t enough. You also need to bathe your beardie every week. This will help remove any dirt or grime accumulated on his skin.
When choosing a cleaner, choose one specifically made for reptiles like bearded dragons. Some people use baby wipes because they think they’re safe for animals.
However, most baby wipes contain chemicals that can irritate the skin and cause problems. That’s why we recommend products specifically made for bearded dragons.
How often should the bearded dragon’s enclosure be cleaned?
To keep your bearded dragon smelling fresh, you’ll need to clean its enclosure at least once per week.
It’s important to note that this doesn’t mean you need to wash the entire tank. Instead, focus on cleaning the areas where the bearded dragon spends most of his time.
For example, if your bearded dragon spends most of its time in the back corner of the tank, you only need to clean that part.
Cleaning the tank more often will help prevent bad odors from taking over. It will also create a healthier environment for your bearded dragon.
Regular Deep Cleaning
The bearded dragon is one of the most popular reptiles kept as pets. They are known for being very intelligent creatures, recognizing human faces, and making sounds as humans do.
However, keeping a bearded dragon requires much attention because they are prone to skin infections. To keep your pet healthy and happy, cleaning his/her cage regularly is important.
A regular deep cleaning includes washing the cage’s walls, floor, and shelves twice weekly. This ensures that no bacteria are growing inside the dragon cage. You can use water and vinegar to wash the items, ensuring that everything is completely wet. Afterward, wipe down the surfaces with a damp cloth.
To avoid exposing your pet to smells, do not put anything into the tank that contains fragrances, such as perfume, cologne, laundry detergent, etc. Also, do not allow him/her to sniff objects that contain strong chemicals.
Summary
Before we move on to the conclusion, we’ve summarized this article into a short list of key points for you to remember:
- The best way to eliminate the smell in a bearded dragon’s cage is to keep it clean by removing feces, uneaten food, or water for more than a day.
- Bathing your bearded dragon weekly will help remove any dirt and grime accumulated on the skin.
- Regular deep cleaning is necessary to ensure no bacteria grow inside the cage.
- Do not expose your bearded dragon to scented items, such as perfume or other strong chemicals.
- If you have a large bearded dragon, make sure he has plenty of space to roam around.
- Make sure to provide your bearded dragon with an appropriate diet.
- Provide your bearded dragon with a comfortable temperature.
- Avoid using harsh chemicals when cleaning the cage.
Conclusion
In this article, we’ve learned the best ways to manage odor in a bearded dragon’s tank. We’ve also learned about the importance of regular deep cleaning.
Bearded dragons are fun and interesting pets. However, they are also very sensitive creatures. If you want to take good care of them, you must understand how to house them properly.
Want to learn more about bearded dragons?
Ready to boost your knowledge about your beardie? If so, check out our other articles below:
- How Many Crickets Should a Bearded Baby Dragon Eat? (Explained)
- What Bugs Can a Bearded Dragon Eat? ( 7 Must-Have Bugs)
- 9 Ways How to Tell If a Bearded Dragon is Scared (Solved)
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