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You are here: Home / Bearded Dragon Care / How To Bathe a Bearded Dragon

How To Bathe a Bearded Dragon

How to bathe a bearded dragon may seem like a simple task, but there are some important things to know before going forward. One of the most fun and exciting activities you can do with your bearded dragon is giving it a bath. Most bearded dragons love a nice, warm bath every so often.

Giving your bearded dragon consistent baths is also very important for proper hygiene. Let’s go over how to bathe a bearded dragon properly.

Setting Up The Bath

Giving Bearded Dragon Bath

The most important things to remember when bathing your bearded dragon is the depth and temperature of the water. You do not want to inadvertently drown or scold your bearded dragon while bathing!

The bath water should be no deeper than the joints (or “knees”) on its limbs. If you use water that is a little deeper then make sure to closely observe your bearded dragon at all times when in the water.

If you are bathing a baby or juvenile bearded dragon, a bathroom or kitchen sink may work best to prevent drowning. A sink works well for bathing a very small bearded dragon.

An adult bearded dragon can be bathed in a bathtub or even a Rubbermaid plastic storage box, or anything that will hold water.

Once you have a suitable bathing area, fill it with warm water. Make sure the water is not too hot. You don’t want to scald your bearded dragon. Using water that is between 85 to 92 degrees F is ideal. This will keep the bearded dragon warm while bathing, but not cause scalds or discomfort.

For baby and juvenile bearded dragons, fill the bath with about half an inch of water to one inch.

For adults, you can fill the bath with one to three inches of water, depending on its size. Remember, do not fill the bath up too deeply!

Bathing The Bearded Dragon

When bathing the bearded dragon never use any soaps or detergents. The bearded dragon will most likely take a few drinks of the water and you don’t want it drinking any suds. Just using fresh tap water that has been dechlorinated will suffice.

At this point, you can gently splash water on your bearded dragon. The best method is using a paper cup and easily pour the water up and down the bearded dragon’s back and tail. Avoid pouring water around its eyes and nose.

Allow the bearded dragon to splash around some itself. Most bearded dragons love water and will enjoy the nice dip.

Let the bearded dragon soak in the water for at least 15 to 20 minutes. This will give it a good soaking which will help the skin, especially when shedding.

When The Bath Is Finished

Once the bearded dragon’s bath is finished, you can use a soft cloth towel to gently pat it dry. This is very important if you are using a loose substrate like ReptiSand. The sand particles will stick to the wet bearded dragon if you do not dry it first.

It is also important to dry the bearded dragon and get him back under the basking lights so it can warm back up. This is especially needed if it’s during the cold winter months. Being without heat for an hour or two will not harm your bearded dragon, but getting it back in the heat as soon as possible is recommended.

Bath Your Bearded Dragon Frequently

It is recommended to let your bearded dragon splash around in warm water around once a week. Twice a week works even better in the summer months.

Bathing can help the overall hygiene of your bearded dragon by removing any old skin and scales. Bathing also helps to clean and remove any bacteria and germs build up on the feet and claws, and it can also by aid shedding.

Learning how to bathe a bearded dragon can be rewarding for you and your bearded dragon. Here’s a quick video that shows how to bathe a bearded dragon.

Filed Under: Bearded Dragon Care

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kaylarae says

    May 19, 2015 at 5:33 pm

    your suppose to give them bath every week.

    No?

    Reply
    • Taron says

      June 26, 2015 at 5:31 pm

      That’s also what I was told by the pet store and breeder both said about two to three days to give her a bath.

      Reply
  2. Jerdin says

    May 25, 2015 at 1:00 pm

    I’m worried after reading this I bath Gary (my beardie) at least 1 time a week is that ok???!!!

    Reply
    • Cami says

      June 30, 2015 at 6:48 pm

      This is perfectly fine. That is actually what most pet stores and experts would recommend. πŸ™‚

      Reply
    • Gabby says

      July 16, 2016 at 11:45 am

      Yeah I put my in the bath if he did not go to the bathroom

      Reply
    • Clara says

      April 10, 2021 at 10:00 am

      yup, that is perfectly fine, bathe my beadie once a week and she is just fine with it!

      Reply
  3. Taron says

    June 26, 2015 at 5:34 pm

    what I was told by the pet store, breeder and my five buddy’s that have dragons said about two to three days to give her a bath. So I don’t know if I can trust the water temp witch is why I’m here. Sounds like false info you should never bath them less then once a week I know that for fact

    Reply
    • Nikko says

      March 7, 2018 at 3:15 pm

      I use a thermometer to check the water temperature.

      Reply
  4. melody says

    October 19, 2015 at 9:17 am

    Squishy loves to swim/have baths, sometimes I’ll put either his rock or perch in the tub so when he’s ready to get out of the tub he let’s me know him self when he’s ready!
    I don’t like to take him out till i know he wants to .
    Also, he gives him self baths just about every day by his self in his little pool of water in his tank
    However he isn’t I’m his tank very often!
    When ever i can take him with me i do and when I’m home he’s normally either on me or rite by my side, he’s one of my kids! O
    I’d be lost with out him:(

    Reply
  5. Dyllan says

    November 10, 2015 at 7:36 pm

    I was told to not give them( berries) a bath ever

    Reply
    • veronica says

      April 25, 2018 at 4:26 pm

      that’s horrible information, they need bathes. its good excersize, helps them go to the bathroom, gves them most of their water supply, and its good bonding.

      Reply
  6. Jack says

    December 19, 2015 at 12:42 pm

    A bath for a bearded dragon is like a laxative too. I usually let my beardie soak for a bit and he almost always relieves himself. Would recommend draining the water and refilling if it he or she does so at the beginning of the bath.

    Reply
    • roddy says

      March 31, 2016 at 10:44 am

      Do you spray your beardie, I spray mine a couple of times a day and he loves it. The spray tends to prompt a bowl movement and he keeps his bath clean. Mine gets a bath once per week.

      Reply
  7. collin says

    January 4, 2016 at 6:13 pm

    i give spike a bath twice a week

    Reply
    • Sammy says

      January 17, 2018 at 6:07 pm

      Is spike his name, that is my bearded dragons name to !!!

      Reply
      • Jazmine says

        May 31, 2021 at 12:09 am

        Well giving Puff a bath once a
        helps him shed. But my question
        is are you supposed to upgrade the
        Size of the tank as they grow? Cause
        Thats what i was told and im taking care
        Of a friends bearded dragon. He also
        seems to want to climb.

        Reply
  8. Anna says

    January 6, 2016 at 2:33 am

    It’s scald, not scold.

    Reply
    • Tee Riddle says

      February 1, 2016 at 12:42 pm

      Thank you for the heads up. I guess it’s not good to scold either, but definitely not the right word lol

      Reply
  9. Kelly says

    February 4, 2016 at 4:53 pm

    We just got 2 babies 2 days ago is it sage to bathe them tonight?

    Reply
    • Savannah says

      February 14, 2016 at 9:14 pm

      It is not recommended to bathe them when you first get them . Let them get used to their environment first and get used to you or whoever the main owner is . I would recommend bathing after a few weeks of them being in a new place . Good luck !!

      Reply
  10. michelle says

    February 7, 2016 at 2:56 pm

    So give beardies a bath 2-3 times a week? and make sure to not use tap water unless you buy the solution to dechlorinate right ? I’m new to owning a beardie so I want to make sure hes the happiest and healthiest πŸ™‚

    Reply
  11. Emma says

    May 21, 2016 at 12:10 pm

    My bearded dragon Cashmere gets a bath twice a week one on Mondays and on on Saturdays especially when she is shedding. She is about 10 months old now and she is shedding and growing pretty fast. I took her to the exotic animal veterinarian a few weeks ago for a check up and he says that everything that I’m doing for her is fine. Her color is great and she’s growing perfectly. He called her beautiful. πŸ™‚

    Reply
  12. Vicky says

    December 29, 2016 at 10:25 pm

    Can you give them a bath when u see them start shedding

    Reply
  13. dommy says

    January 6, 2017 at 9:06 am

    so months or weeks?

    Reply
  14. Ian says

    January 14, 2017 at 9:41 am

    Hi i am new on here just purchased. A bearded dragon n he has wax comeing out from underneath. On his backend will a bath help to clear this or does he need a vet

    Reply
    • Daniel says

      August 5, 2018 at 2:19 pm

      Id say bathe him and if the problem isnt ressolved then take him to reptile vet and see what they can do

      Reply
    • Erika H says

      June 3, 2021 at 11:48 pm

      I’m always glad to see people having questions and getting answers. My husband and I are setting up a tank for the bearded dragon. She is sold by a breeder who breeds bearded dragons and also does rescues.

      Reply
  15. DLewis says

    January 14, 2017 at 1:48 pm

    I have a pretty big rock display that holds a fair amount of water in my bearded dragons tank… is it still necessary to bath it with that being in the tank!?

    Reply
    • Daniel says

      August 5, 2018 at 2:17 pm

      Yes i would recomwd still bathing so it can feel fresh adn help it bond with you

      Reply
  16. Brooke says

    April 5, 2017 at 9:04 pm

    Hey my beardie copper doesn’t really like baths so I have to hold him on my hand the whole time, is there anyway I can get him to like bathes more???

    Reply
  17. Sc says

    April 14, 2017 at 1:20 am

    One of our beardies will only drink water when in the bath. Will it hurt her to sit in the bath daily? She was becoming dehydrated before we started bathing her daily, but now I’m worried that the frequent baths will make her sick.

    Reply
    • Beardie Man says

      May 7, 2017 at 2:39 am

      I give my beardie a bath once a day because he likes to poop in the sink rather than his cage. He’s a very spoiled beardie and will get mad if he ever has to go in his cage. He is very large and healthy so I can say from experience that frequent baths have no harm to beardies.

      Reply
  18. Jessica Zegas says

    January 16, 2018 at 8:10 pm

    I live in Rochester NY and my beardy is acting very lethargic today. Is it ok to give him a bath in the tub with very low water?

    Reply
  19. Janet says

    February 28, 2018 at 11:31 pm

    All the info was awesome. My bearded is about 6 months. And I’m learning as i go.i do bath him but he would rather be in my hand and have a cup of water on my side and i dip my hand in it and bathe him.its our time to bond.

    Reply
  20. Angela Mccarty says

    June 30, 2018 at 4:12 am

    I just got my first bearded dragon any tips???

    Reply
    • Bearded man says

      February 25, 2019 at 3:02 pm

      Leif usually stay’s in the bath for about 15-25 minutes. is this a recommended time limit?

      Reply
  21. Luke says

    October 31, 2019 at 7:47 pm

    Just got my bearded dragon today it was born in August I was wondering if it’s okay to turn off the heat light at night but as i live in Ireland I’m afraid it might get cold and I don’t have a thermostat is there any way I can notice the bearded is cold

    Reply
    • Buggasdad says

      January 10, 2021 at 10:29 am

      Luke your beastie should be fine without light providing you dont sleep in a house under 65 degrees

      Reply
  22. Samantha says

    July 14, 2021 at 8:49 am

    It is okey if you look it up it says (you can give you bearded dragon a bath 1 or twice a week)

    Reply

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