Bearded dragons, or Pogona vitticeps, are a popular choice of pet among reptile enthusiasts. Although they are relatively easy to care for as adults, baby bearded dragons require special attention and care to ensure they grow up healthy and happy. Here are ten tips for feeding and caring for your baby bearded dragon.
Appropriate Habitat
Make sure that your baby bearded dragon has an appropriate habitat setup with plenty of space for them to move around in. Bearded dragons need a terrarium that is at least 20 gallons in size with a temperature gradient ranging from 75-85°F (24-29°C) on one side and 90-95°F (32-35°C) on the other side. The basking area should have full spectrum UVB lighting as well as a hide box or cave to provide cover from the light source.
Proper Substrate
Use sand, soil, or artificial turf as a substrate in your baby bearded dragon’s enclosure. Sand is the preferred substrate since it is easiest to clean up; however, it can cause impaction if accidentally ingested by the dragon. An artificial turf is also a good option since it provides traction without becoming too soggy when wet.
Provide Shelters
Provide several shelters within your baby bearded dragon’s enclosure such as rocks and branches to climb on and hide boxes where they can feel secure while resting or sleeping. A good rule of thumb is one shelter per foot of length of your dragon’s tank so you can adjust accordingly if you have more than one dragon sharing the same habitat space.
Offer Variety In Diet
Offer a variety of food items including insects such as crickets, mealworms, dubia roaches, super worms, wax worms (occasionally), vegetables, and greens like dandelion leaves and kale, along with occasional fruits such as apples or mangoes (more sparingly). You can feed your baby bearded dragon three times daily, making sure that all food items are appropriately sized so they do not pose a choking hazard to your pet!
Supplement With Vitamin D3
Bearded dragons require supplemental vitamin D3 in order to properly absorb calcium that helps form strong bones and muscles; therefore, add calcium powder with Vitamin D3 into their diets once every two weeks for newborns up to about 6 months old then once weekly thereafter until adulthood when supplementing will no longer be necessary due to the exposure from natural sunlight outdoors during basking time outside their enclosures!
Gut Loading Insects
Gut loading refers to feeding insects prior to offering them to your beardie so their nutritional value increases when ingested by your pet; offer live prey insect dust with calcium powder prior to feeding them off so they’re adequately loaded with essential vitamins/minerals essential for growth/development!
Monitor Hydration Status
Monitor hydration status by using moist paper towels or sponges in shallow water dishes inside the cage; this will help ensure proper hydration levels without drowning the risk associated with having too much standing water inside the enclosure which can lead to many respiratory issues if left unattended!
Provide Heat Source
Provide a heat source using either an incandescent bulb or ceramic heat emitter; make sure this source is placed on top of a mesh screen covering at least part of the enclosure’s roof so heat does not become concentrated directly onto bedding material but rather distributed evenly throughout environment instead creating optimal thermal gradient range between cool/warm zones needed for thermoregulation needs!
Clean Cage Regularly
Clean the cage regularly by spot cleaning daily then fully remove all substrate material each week replacing it fresh every few months depending amount used made out particular type chosen!
Take To Vet When Necessary
Lastly, be sure to visit your veterinarian whenever any questions arise regarding the health or well-being of your little ones’ new baby bearded regular dragon check owner, ups go you long way to keep may track of progress growth overall be progress board best practice wondering during early stages of life development what cycle exactly newly acquired you reptiles need like to ours do here to today ensure! your bearded dragon pet’s future.
Taking Care Of Health Issues – When Is It Necessary to Visit the Vet?
It’s important to remember that your pet is a beloved member of the family. As such, proper health care should always be a top priority. Knowing when it’s necessary to take your pet to the vet can help you provide them with the best possible care and ensure they remain healthy for years to come.
Signs That Indicate a Vet Visit Is Necessary
There are numerous signs that indicate a visit to the vet is necessary. These range from minor symptoms that may suggest an underlying issue to serious conditions that require immediate medical attention. Here are some indicators that indicate it’s time for a visit to the vet:
– Unexplained or sudden changes in behavior, such as aggression, lethargy, or an unwillingness to eat
– Unusual lumps or bumps on their body
– Excessive itching or licking of certain areas of their body
– Persistent diarrhea, vomiting, coughing, sneezing, or runny nose
– Limping/Lameness
– Seizures or difficulty breathing
– Abnormal discharges (such as blood in urine)
These are just some of the warning signs that could indicate your pet needs medical attention. If you notice any of these symptoms even if they seem relatively minor – it’s always best to get them checked out by a professional. After all, catching potential health issues before they become more serious can save you money in the long run and keep your pet safe and healthy.
Preparing for Your Pet’s Vet Appointment
Before taking your pet in for a checkup, there are several steps you should take beforehand in order to ensure everything goes smoothly. Start by gathering up all relevant paperwork such as medical records and vaccination certificates; having them handy can make things easier during the appointment. Additionally, it’s also helpful to jot down any questions or concerns you may have so that you won’t forget anything during your visit. Finally, be sure to arrive early so that you can fill out any necessary forms and give yourself enough time if needed.
What Happens At The Appointment?
When you arrive at the vet’s office for your appointment, the first step will typically be an examination by either a veterinarian technician or doctor themselves which will involve checking vital signs like temperature and heart rate as well as listening for any unusual sounds coming from inside your pet’s body with a stethoscope. Depending on what is found during this initial checkup, further tests may then be recommended such as x-rays or blood work so further diagnosis can be made. Once all tests have been completed and results have been analyzed, then treatment options if needed will be discussed in full detail with you so that together you can decide on what plan of action is best suited for your pet going forward.
Conclusion
Taking care of a baby bearded dragon requires patience, time, and effort. But the rewards are worth it! With proper guidance from experienced pet owners or your local veterinarian, you can provide the best possible environment for your beardie to thrive. From providing appropriate heat sources to gut-loading insects prior to feeding them off and even offering variety in their diet these 10 tips should help ensure that your little one will stay healthy and happy during its early stages of life development.