Bearded dragons originate from the deserts of Australia, and, like other desert creatures, they have adapted to survive with minimal water. In captivity, however, they need help staying hydrated, as they don’t typically drink alone.
Water requirements vary depending on age and size, with adults needing more water than juveniles. Your bearded dragon also gets hydration from the food you offer. Live insects, fruits, and vegetables contain significant moisture, often fulfilling their water needs without extra hydration.
So, do bearded dragons drink water? Yes, they do. Like all living creatures, they need adequate water to thrive. Please continue reading to discover more about their drinking habits.
How Often Do Bearded Dragons Drink Water?
It’s essential to offer your beardie fresh and clean water every day. The most common method is using a water bowl. While beardies can obtain some hydration from their food, such as insects and plant-based items, providing water ensures they stay fully hydrated and maintain proper fluid levels. This is crucial for their overall health. As a responsible owner, you must ensure your beardie receives a balanced diet that includes insects, calcium, plant-based foods, and water at the proper intervals to promote well-being.
What Happens If Bearded Dragons Don’t Get Enough Water?
If your beardie doesn’t drink enough water, they can become seriously ill. Dehydration is dangerous and can lead to various health problems. It can cause kidney diseases, constipation, gout, and abnormal shedding. Mild dehydration can often be treated at home, but if the symptoms worsen, you must take your beardie to the vet immediately.
6 Signs of a Dehydrated Bearded Dragon
6 signs of dehydration that you can observe in your beardie and can try helping them are:
1: Excessive Wrinkled Skin
Excessively wrinkled skin on your beardie is a clear sign of dehydration. To fix this, you should hydrate your pet.
If the skin doesn’t improve after hydrating, take your beardie to the vet for treatment.
2: Constipation
Constipation occurs when bowel movements become infrequent. Dehydration can slow down colon muscle movement, leading to constipation. Rehydrating can help alleviate constipation with some assistance from the vet.
3: Decreased Elasticity and Flexibility of Skin
Dehydration reduces the elasticity and flexibility of a bearded dragon’s skin. You can quickly check for this at home by gently pulling on the skin and releasing it. If the skin returns to its original position, your beardie is appropriately hydrated. However, if it doesn’t snap back, it indicates dehydration and the need for hydration.
4: They Get Sunken Eyes
Dehydration is a common cause of sunken eyes in your beard. In many cases, sunken eyes require a vet visit, but some can be treated at home. When caused by dehydration, sunken eyes are usually not serious and can often be resolved by simply hydrating your beardie.
5: Trouble in Shedding
Shedding is an essential part of a bearded dragon’s growth process. It happens regularly, and if your beardie isn’t shedding, dehydration could be the cause. Lack of shedding can negatively affect them, so it’s crucial to rehydrate them promptly.
6: Lack of Appetite
Dehydration can lead to a loss of appetite, which is often linked to constipation. Bearded dragons experience discomfort when constipated, causing them to lose interest in food. If they don’t eat for an extended period, they can become weaker and sicker. It’s essential to address this issue promptly to avoid further health problems.
5 Ways to Make Your Bearded Dragon Drink Water
Here are five ways to help your bearded dragon drink water and stay hydrated:
1: Misting
If your bearded dragon isn’t drinking water, try misting the surfaces it can lick. This method can encourage them to drink as they enjoy sliding on the misted surface and occasionally licking it.
Before misting, be sure to clean the surface first. This helps prevent any potential illness from your beardie licking a dirty surface.
2: Providing Water Bowl
You should provide fresh water to your bearded dragon in a shallow bowl, changing it daily. The bowl should be shallow to prevent any risk of drowning. Clean the bowl regularly, as bearded dragons often like to roam and may stand inside the bowl, making the water dirty and undrinkable. Since bearded dragons don’t instinctively drink from a bowl, you must train them to do so.
3: Add Flavour to Their Water
Consider adding flavors to the water when training your beardie to drink from the bowl. Mix fresh fruit juices with a pleasant aroma, such as strawberry or papaya. This encourages them to drink directly from the bowl.
4: Bathing Your Beardie
Bathing your beardie is a great way to keep them hydrated. While some bearded dragons may not enjoy bath time, it’s still worth trying, as they often drink water during their baths. Try bathing them twice weekly for 15-20 minutes each session to support their hydration.
5: Misting Their Food
Misting their food involves spraying water on their meals. This way, they consume water without noticing, helping them stay hydrated. Many fruits and vegetables, such as kale, grapes, strawberries, and watermelons, are rich in water content. This allows them to get enough hydration from their food, reducing the need to encourage them to drink water.
Conclusion
Bearded dragons, native to Australia’s deserts, still require enough water to stay hydrated. While they don’t need large amounts, hydration is essential to prevent dehydration-related health issues.
It’s important not to force them to drink more water than necessary. If you’re unsure about the amount, it’s best to research or consult a vet.
Offering fresh water regularly, feeding nutritious food, and providing baths will help keep your bearded dragon healthy and content.
By now, you should have a clearer understanding of how often bearded dragons need water. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced pet owner, this information can help ensure your pet’s well-being.
FAQs
Can bearded dragons have tap water?
Yes, bearded dragons can drink tap water. Hard water is safe for them, and they don’t require distilled water.
How much water do bearded dragons drink daily?
Your bearded dragon doesn’t have a fixed daily water intake, but typically, it drinks about 2-3 teaspoons of water daily.
How long can bearded dragons go without water?
They can survive without water for roughly a week, but it’s not advisable, as it can lead to dehydration and death.
Does a bearded dragon need water?
Bearded dragons need water to stay healthy. Without enough water, they can become dehydrated. Dehydration can cause serious health issues, so ensuring your pet has access to fresh water daily is essential.