If your bearded dragon hasn’t pooped in a while, you may start to get concerned. An irregular pooping schedule can indicate an underlying health issue, so it’s important to monitor your dragon’s bathroom habits.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Healthy bearded dragons should poop at least once every 1-3 days. If your dragon goes longer than 3-5 days without pooping, something is likely wrong.
Normal Bearded Dragon Pooping Habits
How Often Do Healthy Bearded Dragons Poop?
Bearded dragons are creatures of habit when it comes to their bathroom schedule. Healthy adult bearded dragons will typically poop once a day. Younger dragons under a year old may go 2-3 times per day as they eat more frequently.
As bearded dragons grow older, their metabolism slows down and so does their pooping schedule.
You can expect a normal, healthy adult bearded dragon to have a bowel movement about once every 24 hours. Sometimes they may skip a day here and there, but regular daily pooping is a sign your dragon is getting proper nutrition and hydration.
What Does Normal Bearded Dragon Poop Look Like?
Normal, healthy bearded dragon poop should be solid, brown, and well-formed. It may be a bit moist from the urates, which are the white part of their poop. The urates contain urine and other waste products.
Bearded dragon poop can range from medium brown to dark brown in color. It should not contain any blood, mucus, or diarrhea, as those can be signs of disease or parasites.
The poop may be connected to a white urate portion that will be semi-solid. The urates should not be runny or liquid-y. Some bearded dragons may pass the brown poop and white urates separately.
In general, the bearded dragon’s poop should:
- Be passed about once per day
- Be solid and brown in color
- Be connected to a semi-solid white urate portion
- Have no blood, mucus, or diarrhea
Any abnormalities in your bearded dragon’s poop could indicate a health issue that needs veterinary attention. Monitor your dragon’s bathroom habits daily for signs of constipation or diarrhea.
Signs of Constipation in Bearded Dragons
Inappetence
One of the first signs of constipation in bearded dragons is a sudden loss of appetite or inappetence. When a bearded dragon is constipated, it often feels too full or bloated to eat as much as usual. You may notice your dragon ignoring its favorite treats or insect prey.
This is because the backed-up feces in its digestive tract is taking up space, causing feelings of fullness. If your dragon stops eating entirely for more than a day or two, constipation could definitely be to blame.
Lethargy
Along with inappetence, lethargy and a lack of normal activity is another red flag for constipation. Healthy, unimpacted bearded dragons are quite active – they eagerly explore their habitat, climb branches, dig, and glass surf.
But when constipated, a bearded dragon will often just sit in one place without moving much. It may spend more time sleeping or laying down rather than being up and about. This lethargy occurs because constipation can cause discomfort, pain, and feelings of illness that zap a bearded dragon’s normal energy levels.
Difficulty Moving/Swollen Stomach
As constipation gets worse in bearded dragons, you may notice them struggling to move around properly. The swollen and distended stomach caused by the backed up mass of feces makes it physically harder for a dragon to walk or climb. Their bellies will look very full and round compared to normal.
Impacted dragons may also drink more water in an attempt to soften up the feces stuck inside. Dehydration often accompanies constipation too. You can check for dehydration by gently pinching up some skin on their backs – if it stays peaked instead of flattening out, dehydration is likely present.
Straining/Twisted Postures When Trying to Poop
One of the most obvious signs of constipation in bearded dragons is them straining excessively when trying to pass feces. You will see them repeatedly posture to poop with their legs extended out straight and tails raised high, but struggle to expel anything, or only pass tiny runny urates rather than well-formed feces.
Twisting their bodies into unusual positions is also common as impacted dragons try to find ways to relieve the pressure. These poop struggles tend to increase in frequency as constipation gets worse, and can even progress to prolapse if left untreated.
So strained or twisted pooping efforts are very concerning symptoms that require prompt veterinary attention.
Causes of Irregular Pooping
Improper Diet
One of the most common reasons for irregular pooping in bearded dragons is an improper diet. Bearded dragons are insectivores, meaning they need a diet high in insects and protein. If they are fed too many fruits and vegetables, and not enough insects, this can lead to digestive issues.
Some key diet tips:
- Feed babies and juveniles 80% insects, 20% veggies
- Adults should eat about 70% insects, 30% veggies
- Provide a variety of gut-loaded insects like crickets, dubia roaches, mealworms
- Dark, leafy greens are great veggie options
Dehydration
Bearded dragons can become dehydrated quickly, especially if they are not provided fresh water daily. Dehydration causes the stool to become dry and harder to pass. To avoid this, always provide clean water and mist your dragon with water a few times per day.
Signs of dehydration include sunken eyes, skin that lacks elasticity, and infrequent pooping. If you notice these, increase hydration immediately.
Low Temperatures
Bearded dragons are cold-blooded, so they rely on external heat sources to maintain their body temperature. If the temperature drops too low, around 65°F or less, digestion will slow down. This can lead to constipation.
Ensure your dragon’s enclosure provides a basking spot of 95-105°F and a cool side around 80°F. Turn on supplemental heating like ceramic heat emitters at night if needed.
Impaction
Impaction is when an indigestible object gets stuck in the digestive tract. This could be caused by accidentally ingesting substrate like sand, or eating a prey item that is too large. Symptoms include lack of appetite, lethargy, and unsuccessful attempts at pooping.
Impaction requires immediate veterinary treatment, which may include laxatives, enemas, or manual disimpaction.
Certain Health Conditions
Some health conditions can also lead to irregular bowel movements in bearded dragons. Parasites like coccidia disrupt the intestinal tract, making it difficult to pass stool normally. Adrenal or thyroid disorders can also impact digestion.
If your dragon has an ongoing pooping problem with no obvious cause, have your exotic vet run some tests to look for underlying health issues. Catching and treating problems early is key!
When to See a Vet for Pooping Issues
Bearded dragons are generally pretty regular when it comes to their bowel movements. However, changes in their pooping habits can signal potential health issues that may require veterinary attention. Some signs that point to an underlying problem include:
Infrequent Pooping
Healthy adult bearded dragons will usually pass one poop a day. If your dragon hasn’t pooped in 2-3 days, it could indicate they are constipated or have an intestinal blockage. Lack of proper heat and hydration are common causes of constipation.
Make sure temperatures and lighting are correct in the enclosure. Also provide fresh greens and mist your dragon with water. If no improvement within 12 hours, have your exotic vet examine them.
Runny Poop
Occasional loose stool can happen if a bearded dragon eats something that disagrees with them. But frequent watery poops that smell particularly foul point to a possible parasitic, bacterial, or fungal infection.
Your vet can examine a fecal sample and prescribe antibiotics or anti-parasitic medication if needed.
Discolored Poop
The normal color of a healthy bearded dragon’s poop ranges from brown to black. However, red, yellow, green, or white poop is considered abnormal. Red or bloody stool could mean internal bleeding or a prolapse. Green poop may indicate a liver or gallbladder issue.
And white or yellow poop can signify problems with the pancreas or small intestine. Let your herp vet take a look right away.
Difficulty Pooping
Some symptoms that your bearded dragon is having trouble passing stool include: straining, arched back, digging in one spot, and a swollen abdomen. The most common cause is impaction from ingesting a foreign object like substrate or moss. Avoid using loose substrates.
If you notice signs of impaction, see your exotic vet promptly as medications or hydration therapy may be needed.
By being aware of your bearded dragon’s regular pooping habits, you can better monitor any changes that may indicate illness. Reach out to an experienced reptile vet whenever eliminations seem off. Proper diagnosis and treatment will help get your dragon back on track.
How to Help a Bearded Dragon Poop
Give Them a Warm Bath
One of the best ways to help a bearded dragon have a bowel movement is to give them a warm bath. The warm water helps to relax their muscles and stimulates their digestion. Aim for a water temperature of 85-90°F and allow them to soak for 10-15 minutes.
You can give them baths daily until their digestion gets back on track. Just be sure to thoroughly dry them off afterwards so they don’t get too cold.
Massage Their Belly
Gently massaging a bearded dragon’s abdomen can also help get things moving through their digestive system. Use slow, circular motions and very light pressure along their stomach and sides. Focus near the back legs and underside where waste buildup tends to occur.
Massage for 5-10 minutes once or twice a day. Let your dragon relax on a flat surface during the massage.
Use Mineral Oil
Mineral oil is a gentle lubricant that can make passing waste easier for a constipated dragon. Dip a cotton swab in food-grade mineral oil and lightly coat the area around their cloaca opening. The oil helps soften compacted feces so it’s less painful to pass.
Only use a tiny bit and never insert anything into the cloaca. Monitor them closely afterwards and repeat daily if needed.
Adjust Their Habitat Conditions
Checking habitat conditions can reveal ways to get your bearded dragon back on a healthy pooping routine. Make sure they have a hot basking spot around 105°F to help digestion. Provide a gradient with a cooler side around 80°F so they can self-regulate body temperature.
Use a suitable loose substrate like reptile carpet or paper towels that won’t cause impaction. Stay on top of regular tank cleanings and ensure access to fresh, clean water at all times.
Constipation in bearded dragons can result from things like dehydration, inadequate temperatures, poor diet, or certain health issues. If natural remedies don’t restore normal bowel movements within a few days, a vet visit may be needed to check for underlying problems.
Catching impaction early vastly improves the chances of successful treatment.
Conclusion
Bearded dragons rely on regular pooping to stay healthy. If your dragon goes longer than 3 days without pooping, it likely indicates a major problem.
By monitoring their bathroom habits, diet, and environment, you can help avoid pooping issues. But if problems persist, get veterinary help right away to avoid lasting health effects.
