How to bond with a bearded dragon

While Supplies last! Order a Heat Pack to protect your bugs! When considering a new pet, it may be obvious how you or your children would bond with a dog, a cat, or even a hamster. But a bearded dragon?

Pet Keen is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more. Bearded dragons are interesting reptiles. These little dragons hail from Australia but are revered as beloved household pets around the world.

How to bond with a bearded dragon

Potential owners of bearded dragons sometimes worry that lizards will be tougher to bond with than other types of pets. In reality, though, bonding is very achievable: these lizards can develop close relationships with their owners, making it possible to play and interact with your pet, and even train them to respond to basic commands. Nervous about how to bond with your bearded dragon? Here's everything you need to know about these surprisingly social creatures. In nature, bearded dragons are social creatures that live in groups with others of their own species. While they're known for being highly territorial and aggressive toward one another, this is a product of the rigid social order in which they live. As pets, bearded dragons behave differently. Owners are discouraged from forcing bearded dragons to live together because of the risk of fighting between them. While these lizards are better off in isolation when captive, they do tend to form a bond with their owners once they develop a sense of trust for that individual. Once they learn to trust their owner, many bearded dragons enjoy being held, and they will stay in an owner's hold for long periods of time without trying to get free. The trick is making sure you create an environment that puts bearded dragons at ease, which means trying to avoid potential triggers that might increase their anxiety or fear of being attacked. When properly held, your bearded dragon will enjoy the different texture of your arm as compared to other surfaces in its habitat, as well as the different vantage point offered by your embrace. When you approach your bearded dragon to pick them up, never approach from the top.

Another great way to bond with your pet bearded dragon is to lure and reward them with treats throughout the day. This can be a rock or another surface within six to eight inches of the basking light source. Your dragon will use his tongue to take the food from you.

Last Updated: September 3, Approved. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. This article has been viewed , times. When you own a bearded dragon, it is natural to want to love your pet. Your dragon also can have affection for you if you take care of him.

However, bearded dragons actually have a lot of personality and can engage in many fun activities! Are bearded dragons boring pets? Absolutely not. These pets can be very interactive and engaging with their owners, and there are tons of activities that you can do with your bearded dragon to bond with it. Keep reading and check out our list of 15 activities that you and your bearded dragon will love. There are many entertaining activities to partake in with your bearded dragon. These pets are more active and fun than you may think! Check out our top suggestions for fun activities to do with your bearded dragon.

How to bond with a bearded dragon

Some reptile owners are content to watch and observe their pets all day long. Other owners might want to interact with their pets and bring them out of their enclosures from time to time, and some want to be absolute best friends with their pets. The level of bonding you can achieve with your pet reptile does vary based on species. Bonding is all about positive reinforcement. To bond with your bearded dragon you should make sure that their enclosure and diet are perfect, and establish a routine with them early on. Hand feed them, handle them gently, and keep stressors to a minimum. You want your pet to associate you with good things and experiences. For animals, a bond is a strong attachment to another animal or a human.

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Quick Links. Make sure you are using the correct handling techniques when you do. Even though they're adapted to living in dry climates, bearded dragons can enjoy, and benefit from, occasional baths in water. Place a "basking platform" in the habitat as well. Just like dogs, you can take your beardie out for a walk on a harness and leash. If you skip even one day of holding your bearded dragon, you could end up back where you started. Bonding with your bearded dragon is not something that will happen overnight. Bonding with your bearded dragon can mean just being near them without handling or bathing them. Begin by holding him for short periods multiple times a day. While your beardie is water, you can gently wash your beardie by splashing water on its back and belly.

Bearded dragons are fascinating reptiles that have become increasingly popular as pets in recent years.

Do not use wood chips or shavings, gravel, cat litter, sand, or soil with pesticides, vermiculite, fertilizers, or surfactants for your substrate [7] X Research source. Place your second hand underneath the animal's stomach. But your bearded dragon may not enjoy this at first. Be careful when feeding him! Bonding with a bearded dragon is much different than bonding with mammal companion animals, like cats and dogs. Not only is your dragon getting some valuable mental stimulation by getting out and about, but she's also enjoying the heat from your body, which reduces her stress levels. Knowing how to bond with your bearded dragon is an important part of welcoming them into your home and creating a happy life for them. Order a Heat Pack to protect your bugs! Rodent Care. Related Articles. Your dragon will use his tongue to take the food from you. Hermanns Tortoise. I have kept chameleons, bearded dragons, leopard geckos, and many other reptiles. The majority of the articles are reviewed, and sometimes edited by veterinarians, to ensure their accuracy and bring you the best information for your pet. However, we strive to provide accurate and reliable pet health information.