Brushing teeth is recommended for dogs and cats to assist with dental health, but this is not true for bearded dragons. This is because dietary insects with a hard exoskeleton, such as Dubia roaches, act as nutrition and dental hygiene/cleaning simultaneously.
There are some pretty simple ways you can care for your dragon's dental health and prevent plaque buildup and disease: Schedule an annual teeth cleaning for your bearded dragon during his yearly vet checkup. Avoid giving your bearded dragon dried pellet food and freeze-dried insects that can cause buildup on the teeth.
Bearded dragons have around 30-40 teeth in their upper jaws. They're small, so small that they're difficult to see. They're flattened from front to back like a wide blade, with a single, triangular cusp. Unlike human teeth, which have a root and a socket, bearded dragons' upper teeth have no true root, and no socket.
Bearded Dragon Bites
Dragons rarely bite. When they do, it's rarely serious. A dragon bite may be painful because their teeth are sharp. If you are bitten, the site may swell and bleed.
You don't need to worry about the poison from a bearded dragon's venom or being singed by fiery dragon breath. However, there is another threat: salmonella bacteria. Bearded dragons, like other reptiles, often carry salmonella bacteria, and can pass it on to humans.
Many bearded dragons recognize their owner's voice and scent, and display various signs of comfort and familiarity around them. This can foster a really special bond even though it isn't technically love.
A cotton bud can be used to remove plaque from the teeth every second day to prevent it from hardening into tartar. The cotton bud can be soaked in a diluted chlorhexidine solution before running it over the teeth to help prevent bacterial overgrowth.
Clear, bright eyes are one of the signs of a healthy bearded dragon. A well-fed bearded dragon will have a thick base to its tail and the hips will not be protruding. Healthy dragons become brighter in colour after basking. Bearded dragons shed their skin in large pieces.
WHY DO BEARDED DRAGONS SMILE? The bearded dragon often sits with a gaping mouth, which makes it appear as if it is smiling. But the lizard actually opens its mouth to help it regulate its body temperature.
Play safely: Don't kiss or snuggle your bearded dragon, and don't eat or drink around it. This can spread salmonella germs to your mouth and make you sick. Keep your bearded dragon out of your kitchen and other areas where you eat, store or prepare food.
Avoid cleaning agents.
It is unnecessary, and soap could damage his skin. Also, bearded dragons will often drink when they are bathing, and you don't want him drinking soap. Never put your bearded dragon into chlorinated water.
Regular handling helps bearded dragons get used to people, so you should handle your beardie daily. Doing so also minimizes stress during regular care, such as bathing or tank cleaning.
You can hold a bearded dragon for as long as it will tolerate being held. Start with 15 minutes once a day and as it gets used to being handled, you can hold it longer. Some dragons enjoy being held several times a day for several hours. When the beardie becomes restless, it is time to put him back.
They're Gathering Information About Their Environment
A bearded dragon in a home environment, especially a new beardie, will lick you for much the same reason. Your pet wants to know if you are a friend or a threat, but as it gets used to you and its environment, they won't need to do this as much.
As a general rule, bath time three times a week should be sufficient to keep your dragon clean and hydrated. If your dragon absolutely hates baths, then once a week may be a reasonable goal.
They're Scared or Stressed
This is probably the most common reason why bearded dragons puff up. The use of a defense mechanism is a widespread behavior within the animal kingdom. By looking larger and more threatening, the animal tries to frighten off a would-be predator.
They don't need to form bonds because they are so well adapted for survival alone. So the answer to this question, in short, is “absolutely not.” Your bearded dragon isn't lonely, and totally loves being the center of your attention, and his heat lamp.
Yes, Bearded Dragons Feel!
Bearded dragons can become attached to their owners and perhaps other animals. Many pet owners tell stories of their bearded dragon's affection from seeking attention to cuddling up (article on bearded dragon cuddles).
Also known as “Beardies” they are not particularly lazy pets. It's just that they are known to enjoy cuddling up with their owners while they watch TV. Yes, they're cuddly! Another reason that bearded dragons are an increasingly popular pet is because of the common (mis)conception that they are easy to take care of.