Generally, bearded dragons don’t suffer from many medical issues and make healthy pets. However, if you have never had a bearded dragon or are a new Beardie’s fancier, you may not have any idea how much-bearded dragon owners are concerned about their pet’s poop. They even keep a complete record of when, how much, what color their pet poop, and when was the last time he had relieved. To notice such things is important because the frequency, color, and consistency of poop depict a lot about the health status of your beardie.
In this guide, we have talked about a common issue that bearded dragon owners talk about the most “My bearded dragon is not passing stool,” Or “How to make my bearded dragon poo,” etc. Although constipation or impaction is a problem that bearded dragons often face, however nothing to worry about; read to the last line, and you will come to know how to fix it.
How Often Normally A Healthy Bearded Dragon Poop?
Bear in mind that, like humans, every bearded dragon is distinct and may have its own rhythm or routine. Going to the toilet once daily or once a week is normal as long as they do it regularly. So it is crucial to observe your bearded dragon’s routine closely.
However, a baby beardie, up to 90 days of age, generally poops one to three times daily. A young bearded dragon (of age 4-18 months) will increase the interval gradually as he grows old, from pooping on alternate days to once or twice weekly. However, a lot of variation has been observed in the pooping habits of Adult Beardies with the age of more than 18 months. It’s perfectly healthy if an adult bearded dragon goes to the toilet 1-7 times a week.
Factors Affecting The Poop Frequency
Age
As mentioned above, younger bearded dragons have more frequent bowel movements than adult beardies, and pooping frequency decrease with age. However, if you don’t know the age, you can get an idea from the figure below. (Although these figures may not tell you the exact age, you will get a good idea to start.)
| Length Inches(cm) | Age in Month |
| 3 – 4 (7 – 10) | Up to 1 |
| 5 – 9 (12 – 22) | 2 |
| 8 – 11 (20 – 27) | 3 |
| 10 – 12 (25 – 30) | 4 |
| 11 – 16 (27 – 40) | 5 |
| 13 – 18 (33 – 45) | 6 |
| 14 – 20 (35 – 50) | 7 |
| 16 – 22 (40 – 55) | 8 |
Diet
After age, the second most crucial factor that affects bowel movements is the type of diet bearded dragons are eating. Your beardies will poop more often if you feed them a calcium-rich diet than those who eat more crickets and vegetables.
Environment
The temperature and duration of UVA and UVB radiation inside the enclosure also affect bowel movement, so it’s crucial to keep everything within the optimum range.
Brumation
During brumation, bearded dragons generally eat less, so they poop less often, and it’s perfectly normal.
What If My Bearded Dragon Don’t Poop (Constipated)?
Constipation or impaction is one of the issues that bearded dragon owners most commonly encounter; in fact, it is one of the leading causes of death in bearded dragons. Impaction is a severe condition that requires immediate attention. Common signs of impaction or constipation (other than the absence of stool) are Regurgitation, walking with difficulty, not using back legs, a curve or bump in the lower spine, bloating, gaining weight, fatigue, and continuing to eat without pooping.
Generally, the primary causes of impaction or constipation are
- Stress
- Eating more or less than required
- Dehydration
- Eating too much salad
- Lack of physical activity (laziness)
- Temperature less than required inside the enclosure
5 Ways To Make Bearded Dragon Poop
You can take many steps to make your bearded dragon pass stool; however, we have summarized the 5 most effective and easy-to-use methods for your convenience.
1. Hydration
Generally, the stool of a healthy bearded dragon is soft (paste-like), and if your beardie is passing dry, hard poop, or feeling pain while passing the stool, he may be suffering from constipation due to dehydration. Other signs of dehydration are sunken eyes, loose skin, and thick saliva. Sufficient moisture inside the intestine is essential for proper bowel movement. So you must make sure that your beardie is drinking a sufficient amount of water. By nature, bearded dragons love to drink moving water, so arranging a water dispenser or fountain will help a lot.
2. Maintain Optimum Temperatures And UVB Inside Tank
The internal temperature of the container and the duration of UVB and UVA also impact the process of digestion and bowel movement. So maintaining the ideal temperature and providing sufficient UVA and UVB is necessary to help your pet avoid constipation and pass stool normally. Ideally, bearded dragons need 10-12 hours of UVA and UVB daily to maintain optimal digestive health. As far as temperature is concerned, the recommended basking temperature is 95°F -105°F (for adult bearded dragons) and 105°F -110°F (for baby beardies). 80°F – 84°F is recommended for warm area and 80°F – 90°F for the cool area. The objective of maintaining such a temperature gradient is to allow the bearded dragon to sit anywhere at will according to its body requirement.
3. Increase Activity Level
Young bearded dragons are generally more active, and their activity level decreases with age as they grow old. A beardie who is not physically active is more likely to face constipation and other digestive issues. In addition to this, lazy or physically less active bearded dragons are more prone to develop boredom and stress. So enrichment of the internal environment of the container is necessary to keep your pet happy and active. Below is a list of common toys and physical stimuli that you can easily arrange to make your pet active and content.
- Take him out for a walk with a special leash on
- Hammock
- Laser pen
- Looking mirror
- Simple Play Ball
- Taped ball with insects inside
- feeder ball
- Swimming
- Tunnel
- Cat toys
- Caves & hides
- Bridge
- A Cat Wand
- Crinkled Wrapping Paper
4. Give Him Bath
Giving a bath to your bearded dragon works best when it comes to relieving constipation or impaction, according to most bearded dragon owners. Giving a bath twice weekly for 15-20 minutes is preferred if your bearded dragon has constipation. Even some owners give a bath daily to their bearded friend. However, ensure that the beardie is relaxed before the bath; otherwise, if he gets stressed, things will worsen. Bathing your bearded dragon will also replenish its moisture and hydration.
For effective relief from constipation and make your bearded dragon poop, keep the water temperature between 85-95°F and massage the belly (from head to vent) during the bath.
In addition, be careful that your beardie does not become accustomed to defecating while taking a bath because, in that case, he will hold the stool and wait for you to bathe him. This will further complicate the condition.
5. Give Him Laxative
Giving laxatives is also an excellent option to help your bearded dragon relieve constipation. You can give olive oil (0.1ml per 100gram body weight), pure pumpkin, pumpkin apple sauce, or banana with a syringe. These foods are high in fiber, which aids digestion and stimulates bowel movement.
When To Consult A Vet
If your bearded dragon has not passed stool in the last 7-10 days, and none of the above options are giving results, you should visit a vet’s clinic immediately. It’s imperative because impaction or constipation is a serious issue that worsens as blockages build up. If delayed, it can lead to paralysis or even the death of your cute beardie.
And if you don’t know exactly when he last defecated, staying on the safer side, it is better to contact a veterinarian immediately.
