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
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.
Kaylarae says
your suppose to give them bath every week.
No?
Taron says
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.
Jerdin says
I’m worried after reading this I bath Gary (my beardie) at least 1 time a week is that ok???!!!
Cami says
This is perfectly fine. That is actually what most pet stores and experts would recommend. 🙂
Gabby says
Yeah I put my in the bath if he did not go to the bathroom
Clara says
yup, that is perfectly fine, bathe my beadie once a week and she is just fine with it!
Taron says
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
Nikko says
I use a thermometer to check the water temperature.
melody says
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:(
Dyllan says
I was told to not give them( berries) a bath ever
veronica says
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.
Jack says
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.
roddy says
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.
collin says
i give spike a bath twice a week
Sammy says
Is spike his name, that is my bearded dragons name to !!!
Jazmine says
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.
Anna says
It’s scald, not scold.
Tee Riddle says
Thank you for the heads up. I guess it’s not good to scold either, but definitely not the right word lol
Kelly says
We just got 2 babies 2 days ago is it sage to bathe them tonight?
Savannah says
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 !!
michelle says
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 🙂
Emma says
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. 🙂
Vicky says
Can you give them a bath when u see them start shedding
dommy says
so months or weeks?
Ian says
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
Daniel says
Id say bathe him and if the problem isnt ressolved then take him to reptile vet and see what they can do
Erika H says
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.
DLewis says
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!?
Daniel says
Yes i would recomwd still bathing so it can feel fresh adn help it bond with you
Brooke says
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???
Sc says
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.
Beardie Man says
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.
Jessica Zegas says
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?
Janet says
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.
Angela Mccarty says
I just got my first bearded dragon any tips???
Bearded man says
Leif usually stay’s in the bath for about 15-25 minutes. is this a recommended time limit?
Luke says
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
Buggasdad says
Luke your beastie should be fine without light providing you dont sleep in a house under 65 degrees
Samantha says
It is okey if you look it up it says (you can give you bearded dragon a bath 1 or twice a week)