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Bearded dragons are one of the calmest, most docile, and cutest reptiles you can add to your home. Despite their calm and cute nature, the most common question among most individuals or pet enthusiasts is, do bearded dragons eat their poop?
Depending on the food and fluids, these pets produce stinky poop. With the stinky nature or foul smell of the poop, it may be disgusting if you find the pet munching the poop.
Many beardie owners find it challenging to understand if their bearded dragon can eat their poop and if it’s safe. Read through this post to understand if your bearded dragon can eat their poop.
Do Bearded Dragons Eat Their Poop?
Despite not being normal with the dragons, most bearded dragons will eat their poops or feces. Although the poop is usually foul and sticky, you’ll find your dragon eating the poop if you don’t clear it from its habitat.
The omnivorous animal can feed on animal and plant diets, making it easy and comfortable to feed on its feces. Thus, you may find it eating its feces for various reasons, including insufficient minerals and vitamins.
When the food contains undigested foods, the pet will always see it as a food source for its consumption. It’s common to find your pet eating their poop or face after excreting.
Besides the presence of undigested food, experts reveal other reasons your bearded dragon chooses to consume its poops. These factors may include the following:
- Lack of or inadequate nutrients
- Presence of undigested foods in the fecal matter
- Prevents waste of nutrients
Despite eating poop being a common characteristic of most omnivores, you may be concerned about safety. Experts reveal that eating poop might not be dangerous to the animals but could result in some minor issues.
Thus, getting rid of the poop immediately after you find them in the habitat or glass will be vital.
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How Often Will Your Bearded Dragon Poop?
Studies show that the frequency at which bearded dragons defecate will depend on various factors, like age, types of food, etc. It’ll be wise for babies and younger dragons to feed on high-proteins diets to enhance development and growth. The high protein diet makes these dragons poop at least once daily.
However, the bearded dragons taking transitional diets will take more proteins, making them poop twice a day.
Lastly, adult dragons, usually above 18 months, can defecate approximately daily or weekly. Besides their age, different body processes, activity levels, and diet, you can also determine how frequently your dragon poops.
Generally, bearded dragons can poop every 1-3 days. However, some dragons can poop multiple times daily due to various factors. Experts reveal that you seek veterinary advice if your pet doesn’t poop in over one week. Furthermore, provide the pet with appropriate food or diet depending on age for easy excretion.
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Why Does My Bearded Dragon Eat His Poop?
Watching your pet munch the foul, smelly, and stinking poop is usually disgusting. Despite the disgusting feelings, the behavior is common in most animals. Coprophagia is a common term when an animal eats poop or feces. Most animals usually eat their poop for beneficial health and dietary reasons.
Despite not being inherently known for coprophagia, bearded dragons can eat their stinking defecates due to undigested food. When the animal’s system doesn’t complete digestion, the feces may contain some undigested foods. The animals may start eating the food particles present in the feces.
Furthermore, deficiency in vitamins and minerals may cause these animals to poop. When the body lacks or has an insufficient supply of various macronutrients and essential vitamins, these animals may want to source these nutrients elsewhere. Thus, you may find the pets eating their poop to cover the deficiency.
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Is Bearded Dragon Poop Dangerous?
Experts reveal that eating poop and feces is common and safe among most animals. Nevertheless, many have been wondering if bearded dragon poop is healthy and safe for these animals. Studies show that bearded dragon poop is safe for consumption, but regular consumption might result in some risks.
Most dragons will consume poops with undigested food particles, like plant or animal-based materials. Thus, these undigested foods may not be dangerous or unhealthy for the animal. However, regular eating can result in various health risks, as the more the animal eats feces, the higher the chances of developing complications.
Regular consumption of poop may predispose your bearded dragon to various health issues. Coprophagahlia may predispose your pet to parasitic infections as it can ingest intestinal parasites and other disease-causing pathogens. Furthermore, your pet may suffer gut implications as it ingests sand collected on the poop.
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Is It Normal For Bearded Dragons to Eat Their Poop?
Studies reveal that coprophagia is common among most animals in the Kingdom Animalia. While eating poop is common and normal in most animals, bearded dragons aren’t known for eating their poops. However, it’s normal for the pet to eat their poops a few minutes or hours after defecating.
Despite being horrific and disgusting to watch your pet eat its poop, the animal might be eating the feces for various reasons. For instance, dragons will munch the poops to curb vital mineral and vitamin deficiencies. Furthermore, undigested foods in the waste may cause the animal to eat its feces.
Despite eating feces being normal in bearded dragons and other animals, it might result in various issues or complications. Eating poops can cause parasitic ingestions and other diseases. Remember, the pet can contract Salmonella, which is usually transmittable to human beings.
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Conclusion
Despite coprophagia being common in most animals, it’s normal for bearded dragons to consume their poop. So, do bearded dragons eat their poop?
These animals will only eat poop when they notice undigested plant or animal foods in their feces. Furthermore, a deficiency of vital nutrients and minerals in their diet can make them munch their poop.
The dragons may remain healthy and active after eating the poop, but regular consumption predisposes them to gut implications and parasitic infections. Furthermore, they spread Salmonella to you easily after consuming their poop. You can prevent these pets from eating poop by removing the fecal matter and providing them with a balanced diet.