There are a lot of things about which people are worried when it comes to a stinky beardie. So, we noted most of the questions by worried bearded dragon owners coming to the clinic and also from online channels and answered them in this section.
Do Bearded Dragons Smell When They Shed?
Shedding is a completely natural process and it has nothing to do with smell. None of the reptile smell while shedding. Shedding is simply getting rid of dead skin. So, the animals do not produce any kind of specific odor during the whole process.
Does Bearded Dragon Shed Smell?
No, bearded dragons shed do not smell at all. The basic reason behind this is that bearded dragons do not lose their skin until it is completely dead.
Unlike reptiles, mammals shedding produce the smell. It is because they are constantly shedding the cells that are not completely dead. Or in other words, these half-living cells deteriorate as they fall off. Therefore it produces the smell. However, the complete dead skin cells of the bearded dragon are not prone to such degradation. Therefore they do not produce any kind of smell.
How Bad Does Bearded Dragon Poop Smell?
Bearded dragon poop smells horrible. Therefore, we always recommend you clear off droppings as soon as you see them. Otherwise, your bearded dragon will collect the same smell. The poop smell of bearded dragons is much more similar to that of humans. However, it also depends on the type and quality of food you are feeding.
Why Does My Bearded Dragon Smell Like Poop?
There can be multiple reasons why your bearded dragon is smelling like poop. One of them is that your beardie may accidentally crawl through its fecal matter to reach a specific. The other can be that you are too busy to remove the droppings on time completely from the tank.
If you do not clear the droppings completely, a part may remain their which will produce a filthy smell in the enclosure. The best way is to bathe your bearded dragon readily if you see any particulate matter or fecal matter on its skin.
Why Does My Bearded Dragon Smell Like Pee?
When you do not care about deep cleaning or regular cleaning of the tank, your beardie may start smelling like pee. Moreover, using less absorbant substrate will also result in your bearded dragon getting the smell of its pee.
So, look into the better substrate options. Deep clean the tank and wash the substrate thoroughly to get rid of the smell in the tank. It is best to go for substrate options that do not collect odor from the surroundings. Moreover, bathe your bearded dragon to get rid of the smell.
Why Does My Bearded Dragon Smell Like Fish?
The fishy smell is indicative of high humidity and rotten food in the tank. In short, filthy tanks are the biggest cause of fishy odors. Another uncommon but most probable reason is that when the bearded dragon owner adds fish to the diet of their bearded dragon, the poop start smelling typically fishy. So, the bearded dragon may collect smell from its droppings.
The best way is to locate in the tank the origin of the smell and remove it completely.
Why Does My Bearded Dragon´s Vivarium Smell?
Your bearded dragon’s vivarium smell as if it has a massive bacterial growth-producing bad odor. To avoid vivarium smells you need to
- Clean the vivarium regularly. Mind to remove droppings completely from the tank.
- Clear the food and water bowls with hot water.
- Use a mild bleach solution to soak the objects that can be soaked.
- You may use vinegar, water, and lemon to clean the tank.
- Remove uneaten food right away.
- Look if any other living object or insect is present in the tank
- Change your substrate occasionally and keep it clean.
Can I Put Baking Soda In My Bearded Dragon’s Cage?
Putting baking soda in the tank of a bearded dragon is commonly suggested by many pet stores. However, from an expert point of view, it is a clear no.
You can never place baking soda in the tank of your bearded dragon. Baking soda is one of the most commonly used cleansing agents in the household. So, new owners do not hesitate in cleaning their beardie’s tank with the same. However, baking soda can cause severe respiratory problems in bearded dragons. Moreover, it is also extremely toxic for your bearded dragon if it ingests it accidentally.
The best practice is using bleach and water in ratio 1:1. You can then use warm water to remove any kind of leftovers.
Do Bearded Dragons Sweat?
Sweat glands are mostly present in mammals and warm-blooded animals. Cold-blooded animals can maintain their body temperature so they do not have any such gland in them. Therefore, bearded dragons do not have any kind of sweat glands in them.
Bearded dragons regulate their temperature by changing their position, changing the color, or opening the mouth. They do not need a highly advanced mechanism of sweating to maintain their inner body temperature.