Why Does My Bearded Dragon Only Poop in Water? (4 Key Reasons Why)

Why does my bearded dragon only poop in water? Well, many people don’t know that a bearded dragon can actually poop in the water. It is very common for them to do so. A lot of people ask why they do it and what it means when they do. 

In many cases, they do it because they are trying to tell you something. You must know what your pet is trying to tell you. Therefore, this article seeks to help you understand why your bearded dragon poops in water and what it means to you!

Let’s get straight to it!

Why Does My Bearded Dragon Only Poop in Water?

There are several reasons why your bearded dragon is considering defecating in its water bowl. The reasons range from health issues, their territorial nature or lack of a clean area in their tank. It could also be from forced habit as they might have first pooped in water when they were first brought to their new home.

Below are the main reasons why your bearded dragon only poops in water explained in a much detailed manner.

Health Issues

The first reason is that your pet may be experiencing some sort of health issue. If your beardie is ill, it may be trying to expel its feces into its water bowl because it is unable to get outside of its enclosure.

If you notice that your beardie has been refusing food or acting lethargic, then you should consult a veterinarian right away. Many diseases can affect bearded dragons, so it’s important to monitor their behavior and appearance regularly. 

Territoriality Issues 

If your bearded dragon believes that its water bowl is part of its territory, then it will likely use it as a bathroom. You will know if territoriality is an issue if another bearded dragon is living with yours. If there isn’t another lizard sharing your home with you, then territoriality isn’t likely an issue for your pet.

Inadequate Cleaning 

If your beardie has used its water bowl as a toilet before, then it may continue to do so because you aren’t adequately cleaning out its enclosure. Bearded dragons are fastidious creatures and they are very particular about their personal hygiene; they want to live in clean environments where they can feel comfortable and safe.

It’s the only place

If your pet has decided that its water bowl is a suitable toilet, then it may also believe that every other area of its enclosure is dirty. Therefore, it will continue to use its water bowl as a bathroom because there isn’t another place for it to defecate.

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How Long Can a Bearded Dragon Go Without Pooping?

Wondering how long your bearded dragon can go without pooping? It’s a common question, and it can be hard to answer because every animal is different. In fact, several factors determine how often your pet will need to relieve itself.

Ideally, a bearded dragon can go about a week without pooping. The biggest factor is how much your pet eats each day. If you feed your pet a large amount of food, it will need to go to the bathroom more often than if you feed it less. 

Additionally, some animals just naturally have faster metabolisms than others and will need to go more often. Bearded dragons are known for being on the lower end of metabolism scales compared to other reptiles like snakes or iguanas. If your pet is going longer than a week without pooping, you should contact your veterinarian immediately. In most cases, there’s a problem that needs to be addressed. 

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How Do You Stimulate a Bearded Dragon to Poop?

Stimulating a bearded dragon to poop can be a surefire way to make them happy and keep their enclosure clean. There are many different ways to stimulate your bearded dragon to poop, but you need to ensure that they are healthy before trying any of these methods. 

One common method is called hand walking, which involves picking up your bearded dragon and placing them on your hand or arm while gently stroking its belly. This will usually cause them to defecate almost immediately, as it mimics how they would normally do so in nature. 

Another popular method of stimulating a bearded dragon to poop is by feeding them dandelions. Dandelions are very high in fiber, meaning that if you feed your bearded dragon a few leaves from a dandelion plant, they’ll likely have an immediate bowel movement shortly after eating. 

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Is it Normal For a Bearded Dragon not to Poop Every Day?

Pooping every day is a good sign that your bearded dragon is healthy. However, for this to happen, there are some factors you need to consider first. Does your pet eat regularly? Do they have access to clean drinking water? Are they getting enough UVB light every day? 

These are just some of the questions you need to ask yourself before assuming that something is wrong with your bearded dragon. Despite that, it’s normal for a bearded dragon not to poop every day. In fact, if they do so more than once a day then there might be an issue and you should consult a vet immediately. 

Overall, if your pet poops less than 3 times a week, don’t worry about it. They’re probably healthy! Just make sure they have access to clean drinking water at all times!

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Conclusion

In a nutshell, bearded dragon poop can be a great indicator of your pet’s health. If you notice changes in color or consistency from what is normal for your pet, it could be an indication that something is wrong. If you have any questions about your bearded dragon’s feces or if you notice anything unusual, contact a veterinarian immediately.