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Bearded dragons are fascinating, adorable lizards that enjoy a lot of human attention. They’re also very popular in the exotic pet trade, which means there are lots of bearded dragon owners out there – and lots of bearded dragon questions! One question that seems to come up quite often is Do bearded dragons sneeze?
If you own or know someone who owns a bearded dragon, you should understand why they might sneeze and what you can do to help them feel better.
Some people think it may just be the dusty air in their habitat. However, if your bearded dragon starts sneezing a lot and doesn’t stop after you clean its habitat, it may have an upper respiratory infection or parasites.
Do Bearded Dragons Sneeze?
Bearded dragons can produce a variety of sounds. One sound that is often heard from a bearded dragon is when the lizard is experiencing an act of sneezing. Sneezing in reptiles can be attributed to a number of things, including respiratory infection, mouth rot, snout rot, and sinusitis.
If your dragon exhibits symptoms of any of these conditions, it would be advisable to consult with a veterinarian specializing in reptile care for diagnosis and treatment options. At times, even if a bearded dragon exhibits no signs of illness, it will still experience sneezing episodes. In most cases, this type of sneezing is caused by irritants like dust particles or strong smells (such as perfume).
Sneezes of this severity and frequency usually subside on their own after 30 minutes to 2 hours. It is not uncommon for people to mistake the sound of a beardie sneezing for wheezing or hiccups. To determine what sound you’re hearing, try playing a recording of a beardie sneezing back and comparing it to how your bearded dragon sounds.
If you cannot tell what’s going on with your pet after examining its body language, taking its temperature, and looking into its eyes, nose, mouth, ears, and throat, then please contact a veterinarian specializing in reptile care.
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Why Do Bearded Dragons Sneeze?
Bearded dragons sneeze for a variety of reasons. One reason is that they are very sensitive to the smell and dust in their environment. If you have recently cleaned your tank, the smell of cleaner may be making your dragon shake his head or even sneeze. Another reason is that bearded dragons are susceptible to a condition called exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), which means that their pancreas does not produce enough enzymes to digest food.
In this case, after eating an animal protein meal such as an insect, your dragon’s stomach will fill with food that cannot be digested properly. The pressure builds up until he sneezes out some of the undigested material. Other causes include bacterial infection, exposure to irritants like smoke or paint fumes, and seasonal changes such as allergies due to pollen or dry air.
Whatever the cause, if you notice your dragon shaking his head more than usual, wiping his nose on objects in his enclosure, or constantly sniffing at things around him, it could be an indication of illness.
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Is it Normal for Bearded Dragons to Sneeze?
It is normal for a bearded dragon to sneeze, but not all the time. Bearded dragons sometimes sneeze when they are exposed to something new or different in their environment or if they experience stress. Sneezing is an innate reflex that helps clear stuffy noses and other irritants from the nasal passages.
Bearded dragons often sneeze when exposed to new people, animals, food, or environments. If you have noticed your bearded dragon suddenly starting to sneeze more frequently than before, it could be a sign of illness. If your bearded dragon starts sneezing excessively, take them to the vet immediately as it could mean there is something wrong with them.
What sounds does a bearded dragon make?
Bearded dragons make different sounds depending on the situation. They make subtle hissing noises when they are relaxed and will growl if they feel threatened. They also emit a guttural sound that sounds like a cat purring if they are happy.
When they eat crickets or mealworms, it is common to hear the crunching noise of their jaws as they chew on the prey item. However, be careful not to feed them too many because these insects contain chitin which can cause blockages in their intestines. You may notice your bearded dragon making clicking noises with its mouth while basking in the sun- this is simply an indication that it’s comfortable and content.
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Conclusion
In essence, it is perfectly normal for a bearded dragon to sneeze. Sneezing is a sign of your beardie’s health and well-being. Sneezing is usually a reaction to something they find in their environment that doesn’t agree with them.
As long as your pet has been eating well and drinking enough water, the question of, do bearded dragons sneeze shouldn’t be bothersome. If you have any concerns about the sneezing behavior, take your dragon to an exotic vet right away.