Monitoring your bearded dragon’s poop is an important part of its care. If you have recently purchased a new beardie, it may not poop right away due to the stress of moving but this needs to be monitored. If it lasts more than a week then there could be a serious problem.
This can also happen if you’re moving it to a new enclosure. As soon as it adjusts to its new surroundings which usually takes about a week, the bearded dragon’s bowel moments will get back to normal as long as its enclosure has the correct husbandry.
Also, during brumation, which is similar to hibernation in mammals, your beardie won’t eat as much (or at all), so it won’t have bowel movements as often as it normally would.
Bearded dragons make fantastic pets, but like any pet, they can sometimes get sick. One of the most common health issues bearded dragon owners have to deal with is diarrhea. Loose, watery stools in your bearded dragon can indicate an underlying problem that needs attention. In this article, we’ll cover the symptoms, causes, and treatments for bearded dragon diarrhea so you can get your scaly friend back to full health.
Recognizing the Symptoms of Bearded Dragon Diarrhea
The most obvious sign your bearded dragon has diarrhea is loose, watery, or abnormally frequent stools. Healthy bearded dragon poop should be solid and well-formed. Diarrhea is characterized by feces that are loose or even liquid in consistency.
In addition to watery stools, here are some other symptoms that may indicate diarrhea in bearded dragons:
- Unusual lethargy or fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Unexplained weight loss
- Dehydration
- Change in stool color
If you notice any of these symptoms occurring alongside loose stools in your bearded dragon, it likely indicates a diarrhea issue Catching diarrhea early and identifying any accompanying symptoms is key to getting your bearded dragon the right treatment
What Causes Diarrhea in Bearded Dragons?
There are several potential causes for diarrhea in bearded dragons. Here are some of the most common reasons bearded dragons get diarrhea
Diet
An improper diet or sudden change in diet can upset your bearded dragon’s digestive system and cause diarrhea Too many acidic fruits and vegetables or foods their body isn’t accustomed to can lead to loose stools.
Stress
Bearded dragons are susceptible to stress-induced diarrhea. Major habitat changes, introduction of new enclosure mates, or other sources of stress can trigger diarrhea.
Parasites
Intestinal parasites like worms, bacteria, and protozoa are common culprits for diarrhea in bearded dragons. All reptiles carry some level of parasites, but an overgrowth can cause health issues like diarrhea.
Diseases
Certain diseases, like adenovirus infections, can also result in diarrhea. Bacterial or fungal infections in the GI tract may also lead to diarrhea.
Dehydration
Sometimes diarrhea itself leads to dehydration if the bearded dragon is losing fluids and electrolytes. This dehydration can then cause further diarrhea, creating a vicious cycle.
Environmental Factors
Incorrect temperatures or unsanitary enclosure conditions can also cause loose stools. Make sure your temperatures and UVB lighting are ideal.
As you can see, the potential causes of diarrhea span diet, environment, stress, disease, dehydration, and other issues. The treatment will depend on identifying the underlying cause.
Treating Diarrhea in Bearded Dragons
If your bearded dragon develops diarrhea, here are some tips for treatment and care:
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Adjust Diet: Switch to a bland, low-fruit diet without any new foods. Offer more hydrating veggies like cucumber.
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Enclosure Changes: Double check your heating and lighting setup and disinfect the habitat to rule out environmental causes.
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Hydration: Give a warm soak for 10-15 minutes daily to prevent dehydration. Offer water by dropper if needed.
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Probiotics: Supplement with reptile-safe probiotics to replenish healthy gut flora.
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Parasite Testing: Have a fecal test done by your exotic vet to check for overgrown parasites. Treat accordingly.
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Vet Visit: If diarrhea lasts more than 2-3 days or your dragon seems weak, seek vet care for diagnosis and treatment.
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Electrolytes: Use reptile electrolyte supplements if dehydration is severe.
With supportive care at home and vet assistance if needed, most cases of bearded dragon diarrhea can be resolved within a few days.
Preventing Diarrhea in Bearded Dragons
While diarrhea can’t always be avoided, there are some key prevention strategies every bearded dragon owner should follow:
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Maintain ideal temperatures of 95-110°F in the habitat with a basking spot of 100-110°F.
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Change UVB bulbs every 6 months and use proper wattage for enclosure size.
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Disinfect the enclosure at least once a week to prevent germs and parasites.
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Use parasite prevention products like monthly dewormers.
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Feed a balanced diet low in fruits and acidic veggies.
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Ensure proper hydration with daily soaks or mistings.
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Add probiotic supplements to support healthy digestion.
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Quarantine new beardies for at least 30 days before introducing them.
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Reduce environmental and dietary stressors.
Prevention is always preferable to treatment. Keeping your bearded dragon properly housed, fed, and cared for is key to avoiding loose stools and diarrhea. But even with the best care, diarrhea can sometimes occur. Just remember to stay observant for symptoms and be prepared to support your bearded dragon’s health with vet assistance if needed. With prompt treatment guided by your exotic vet, your beloved beardie’s case of diarrhea can be cleared up quickly, getting their digestive system back in balance.
Yellow Poop or Yellow Urate
The yellow color of your lizard’s BM can come from red fruits but can also be indicative of liver problems that would need bloodwork to determine. However, if your dragon has off-color yellowish urates, it may be a sign that your pet is dehydrated, you will need to add more hydration to your dragons diet.
Brown and White
The most common bowel movement type in bearded dragons will be brown and white. the brown part will be log-shaped with the white part on the end. The white color is the urate or their pee – waste product from your beardie’s kidneys. Bearded dragons don’t pee, so urates come out with their BM.
The white part should be soft. If the white part of your pet is chalky and hard, this means your beardie has too much calcium in their diet. You will need to amend your dragons diet, either by offering less calcium-rich foods or usually by cutting back on the calcium supplements.
All white poop in your dragon can mean that he/she is overly-hydrated, as the white part is urate, and this should not concern you. However if the white part Is hard or chalky or off-color then see the relevant section in this article.
Runny poop means that your beardie has diarrhea, particularly if your pet is going frequently. The two most common reasons for diarrhea in dragons are diet (overhydration) and parasites (most commonly, coccidia). Overhydration is usually caused by feeding your bearded dragon too many leafy greens, fruits or horn worms. Parasite-caused runny BMs tend to be more smelly than normal, you will also notice that the poop is more of an unformed mess, compared to an overhydration runny poop. If this is the case then it needs to be treated as soon as possible since diarrhea can severely dehydrate your pet.
What To Do If Your Bearded Dragon Has Diarrhea
FAQ
What do I do if my bearded dragon has diarrhea?
To prevent or treat dehydration while they have diarrhea, you can give your bearded dragon a soak in a shallow dish of warm water (85-90F) for 15-30 minutes once or twice a day to encourage drinking. Water should be shoulder depth and they should be monitored to make sure their head does not submerge.
What does unhealthy bearded dragon poop look like?
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Healthy:Normal bearded dragon poop consists of two parts: a dark brown, formed portion (solid waste) and a white or light yellow urate (solid form of urine). The solid portion should be soft but not runny.
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Unhealthy:
- Runny or Diarrhea: Diarrhea can be caused by various factors including stress, parasites, bacterial infections, or diet.
- Black or Bloody: Black poop can indicate bleeding in the digestive tract, while bloody poop is a clear sign of a problem.
- Overly Yellow or Chalky Urate: This can be a sign of dehydration or liver problems.
- Runny or Diarrhea: Diarrhea can be caused by various factors including stress, parasites, bacterial infections, or diet.
What are the signs of coccidia in bearded dragons?
- Diarrhoea.
- Reduced appetite.
- Depression/lethargy.
- Blood or mucous in their faeces.
- Dehydration (may be seen as wrinkled skin or sunken eyes)
Why is my bearded dragon pooping so much?
- Parasites: Parasites can cause diarrhea, weight loss, and foul-smelling feces.
- Dietary Changes: A sudden change in diet, especially if it includes more or less greens, can cause digestive upset.
- Stress: Stress from environmental changes or shedding can also lead to diarrhea.
- Dehydration: Dehydrated dragons may have loose stools.
- Substrate Ingestion: If your bearded dragon is eating sand or other substrate, it can cause digestive issues.
- Illness: Underlying health issues can manifest as changes in bowel movements.