If you’re a bearded dragon owner, you may have noticed some unusual noises coming from your scaly friend. Sniffing, snorting, wheezing – could these sounds be sneezes? As a caring pet parent, it’s natural to wonder if reptiles can catch colds like humans and other mammals.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll give you the quick answer and then dive deep into the respiratory biology of bearded dragons to help you understand sneezing in this species.

If you’re short on time, here’s the quick answer: Yes, bearded dragons can sneeze, but it’s not caused by illness like in humans. Sneezing is a normal behavioral quirk in reptiles.

What Causes Sneezing in Bearded Dragons?

Normal Behavioral Quirk, Not Illness

Sneezing is often perfectly normal for bearded dragons and not necessarily a sign of illness (BeardedDragonCare101.com). Many owners report their dragons sneezing occasionally with no other symptoms. Sneezing helps clear irritants from the nasal passages and is considered normal behavior.

However, excessive sneezing could mean there is an underlying issue. Generally, a few sneezes here and there throughout the day is nothing to worry about. But if the sneezing becomes frequent or is accompanied by other symptoms like lethargy or loss of appetite, a vet visit may be required.

Irritation From Substrate or Environment

Frequent sneezing is often due to an irritant in the bearded dragon’s environment, especially the substrate (bedding). Substrates like sand can easily irritate a dragon’s nasal passages when a small amount is inhaled.

Other problematic substrates include wood shavings, calci-sand, or crushed walnut shells.

Excessively dry environments can also lead to sneezing if the nasal passages become dried out and irritated. Ensure the enclosure has a proper temperature and humidity gradient allowing the dragon to self-regulate (TheSprucePets.com).

Place a hygrometer inside the enclosure to monitor humidity levels which should be 20-40%.

Shedding Skin or Growing Pains

Sneezing can also occur when bearded dragons are shedding their skin. The old skin peeling off inside the nasal cavities can cause mild irritation and trigger sneezes. This usually resolves on its own once the shedding process completes within a couple days.

Young, growing dragons may also sneeze frequently as they experience occasional “growing pains.” The bones in the nose and head expand, which can put pressure on the nasal passages resulting in sneezing fits. These typically resolve in a few days (TheBeardedDragon.org).

When Should Sneezing Concern You?

Frequent Sneezing

Occasional sneezing is totally normal for bearded dragons. In fact, some beardies are just biologically prone to sneezing more often than others. However, if your dragon is sneezing repeatedly throughout the day, that’s a potential red flag something could be wrong.

Frequent sneezing may indicate the beginning stages of a respiratory infection. Respiratory infections are one of the most common health issues seen in pet bearded dragons. They are often caused by poor husbandry, such as incorrect temperatures and humidity levels.

The early symptoms are usually increased sneezing and some discharge from the nose. Left untreated, respiratory infections can progress to labored breathing, wheezing, lethargy, and loss of appetite. So if your beardie is sneezing repeatedly, it’s important to get them checked out by an exotic vet.

Wheezing or Labored Breathing

The occasional sneeze is normal, but wheezing, whistling, or labored breathing is not. These symptoms indicate your bearded dragon is having trouble breathing properly. The most common causes are respiratory infections, pneumonia, obstruction in the airway, or a tumor/abscess compressing the airway.

Whatever the underlying cause, wheezing is a serious symptom that warrants an immediate vet visit. Proper treatment usually involves antibiotics, nebulization, fluid therapy, and other supportive care.

Nasal Discharge or Mucus

Some nasal discharge can occur with an occasional sneeze and isn’t too concerning on its own. But frequent discharge or excessive mucus production is abnormal. Yellow, green, or brown nasal discharge often signals an infection or inflammation in the respiratory tract or sinuses.

Clear nasal discharge may indicate an obstruction like stuck shed or a foreign object lodged in the nasal passage.

To remove minor nasal discharge, you can place your bearded dragon in a steamy bathroom for 10 minutes to help loosen and clear out mucus. Just make sure the room isn’t too hot. Avoid trying to manually remove discharge, as this can harm their delicate nasal tissues.

See a vet promptly if discharge persists more than a day or two.

How To Help A Sneezing Bearded Dragon

Check For Irritants

If your bearded dragon suddenly starts sneezing, the first thing to do is check their environment for any irritants that could be causing it. Some common irritants include:

  • Substrate – Switch to a safer substrate like reptile carpeting rather than sand, which can get stuck in their nostrils.
  • Cleaning products – Avoid using harsh chemicals and stick to natural cleaners when cleaning their tank.
  • Plants – Make sure any live plants in the tank are safe for reptiles.
  • New decor – Wash any new tank decor thoroughly as chemicals can cause irritation.

Also look for signs of mites, which can get into a dragon’s nostrils and cause sneezing fits. You may see small black dots around their eyes or nostrils. A vet can diagnose mites and provide treatment.

Adjust Temperature and Humidity

An improper temperature or humidity level in the tank can also cause sneezing. Bearded dragons do best at a temperature between 85-95°F in the warm side, and 70-80°F on the cool side. The humidity level should be around 30-40%.

Use a thermometer and hygrometer to monitor the tank conditions. Make adjustments as needed – a ceramic heat emitter or humidifier can help get levels where they need to be.

Provide Clean Water

Dehydration can cause nasal and respiratory irritation in bearded dragons. Provide fresh, clean water daily in a shallow bowl. The water should be dechlorinated by leaving it out overnight or using a dechlorinating product made for reptiles.

You can also provide a “humidity box” – a hide box with a damp cloth or sphagnum moss inside to help increase humidity levels for better hydration.

Consult a Veterinarian

If your bearded dragon is sneezing frequently or seems lethargic and ill, take them to an exotic vet. Sneezing can be a symptom of an upper respiratory infection (URI) which requires antibiotic treatment. URIs are often caused by unsanitary housing.

Other causes for sneezing the vet may check for include parasites, foreign bodies stuck in the nose, nasal tumors, and more. Don’t try home remedies without an exam first.

With proper care, most cases of sneezing can be resolved. But a vet visit provides peace of mind and proper treatment if the sneezing signals a health issue.

Can Bearded Dragons Get Respiratory Infections?

Yes, unfortunately bearded dragons can develop respiratory infections. These are typically caused by bacteria, fungi or viruses that infect the lungs and airways. Respiratory infections can range from mild to severe, so it’s important for bearded dragon owners to understand the causes, symptoms, and treatment options.

Causes of Respiratory Disease

There are several potential causes of respiratory infections in bearded dragons:

  • Unsanitary living conditions – Accumulation of waste, uneaten food, and high humidity promote bacterial/fungal growth.
  • Temperature fluctuations – Drastic highs or lows stress the immune system, allowing pathogens to take hold.
  • New pets – Adding unfamiliar bearded dragons to an enclosure can introduce new pathogens.
  • Stress – Changes to environment, handling, diet or habitat that cause chronic stress.

When a bearded dragon’s immune system is compromised by any of these factors, inhaled bacteria, viruses, or fungi can initiate infection in the lungs. In severe cases, the infection spreads systemically. Proper husbandry is key to avoiding immunosuppression and subsequent respiratory disease.

Symptoms To Watch For

Look for these signs of potential respiratory infection in pet bearded dragons:

  • Labored breathing – Open-mouth breathing, wheezing, stretched neck.
  • Nasal discharge – Mucus dripping from the nostrils.
  • Loss of appetite
  • Lethargy – Lack of normal activity or movement.
  • Gaping mouth
  • Coughing/sneezing

Severe infections can be identified by crusty mucus accumulating around nares, extremely rapid breathing rate, or bluish mucous membranes indicating oxygen deprivation. Veterinary assistance should be promptly sought if advanced symptoms appear.

Healthy Breathing Rate 10 – 30 breaths per minute
Concerning Breathing Rate Over 30 breaths per minute

Treatment Options

A reptile veterinarian can diagnose respiratory infections through a combination of physical exam, medical history, radiographs (x-rays), and laboratory culture of discharge. Treatment typically includes:

  • Antibiotics – Enrofloxacin, doxycycline, azithromycin for bacterial infections.
  • Antifungals – Itraconazole for fungal infections like aspergillosis.
  • Fluid therapy & nutritional support
  • Environment modification – Address husbandry issues promoting infection.
  • Follow up testing to confirm resolution.

With an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment, many bearded dragons fully recover from respiratory infections. However, complications like permanent lung damage or the infection spreading systemically can occur.

Preventing respiratory disease through stellar husbandry practices is ideal, coupled with close monitoring for symptoms of illness.

Preventing Respiratory Problems in Bearded Dragons

Proper Husbandry

Providing proper housing is crucial for preventing respiratory issues in bearded dragons. Their enclosure should be large enough, with a minimum of 40 gallons for juveniles and 75-120 gallons for adults. Proper heating and lighting is also essential.

Beardies need a basking area between 95-110°F and a cool side around 75-85°F.Using appropriate substrates like reptile carpets or paper towels instead of sand can help prevent impaction issues. Additionally, spot cleaning daily and full tank cleans 1-2 times per month reduces ammonia buildup and bacteria growth.

Nutrition and Hydration

Giving beardies a varied diet high in calcium helps keep them healthy. Feed juveniles 80% insects like dubia roaches and crickets, and 20% greens like collard/mustard greens and butternut squash. Adults should eat 80% veggies and 20% insects.

Provide calcium powder 5 times per week and multivitamin once. Staying hydrated is also important. Mist the enclosure 1-2 times daily and provide a water bowl changed daily. Dehydration thickens respiratory secretions making it harder to clear them.

Annual Exams and Testing

Yearly vet exams allow early diagnosis of respiratory issues. The vet listens to the lungs for crackling or wheezing and may recommend lab tests. Fecal tests check for parasites, and radiographs help visualize lung abnormalities. Swab cultures can identify bacterial or fungal infections.

Testing for adenovirus via PCR and blood work for issues like gout are also recommended. Getting exams done when the beardie is healthy provides a baseline for comparison when respiratory signs arise.

Conclusion

In summary, an occasional sneeze is normal for bearded dragons and not a cause for alarm. However, frequent sneezing or any signs of labored breathing warrant a vet visit to check for potential respiratory infection. With proper care and husbandry, most beardies can avoid serious lung problems.

If you notice any changes in your pet’s breathing or energy levels, don’t hesitate to call the vet – respiratory issues can progress quickly in reptiles. With prompt treatment, most infections are manageable.

Above all, remember that sneezes in bearded dragons are typically just harmless behavioral quirks, not cold symptoms like in humans.

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