It’s completely normal for a bearded dragon to experience stress.
Countless factors can contribute to their stress levels—did you just change their habitat? That could be stressful. Is the temperature too high? That’s another source of stress. Is it mating season? You guessed it, stress. And let’s not forget the moment they see their reflection—talk about a major stressor!
Unlike us, who have a wealth of resources to cope with stress, our pets rely entirely on us for their well-being. It’s our responsibility to provide them with the best environment possible to help them thrive.
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Bathe the Stress Away
When it comes to alleviating stress, there’s no simpler or more effective method than a warm soak. For my boys, it’s a remedy that works wonders.
To create a sense of security, consider adding some rocks or decorative elements as anchors in their environment. If they still seem anxious, a gentle brushing with a soft toothbrush can also provide comfort and reassurance.
Bath time for my boys usually lasts between 10 to 20 minutes. They tend to stay in one place, but occasionally, they like to paddle around or even surf the edges of the tub when they’re ready to hop out.
This routine also serves a dual purpose: it allows me to give each of my boys some individual time. When Grimm is enjoying his soak, Norman gets the chance to explore freely, and the same goes for when Norman is in the tub.
The Legendary Window: Stress-Relief with a Front-Row Seat to the Outside World
Bearded dragons are avid fans of “world-watching,” which is just a fancy way of saying they sit around judging everything that moves.
While they enjoy observing their surroundings, this behavior also serves as a reminder of the less-than-ideal aspects of life in captivity.
My suburban neighborhood is like a nonstop parade, with cars, walkers, and even the occasional squirrel passing through. My bearded dragons? They’re the nosy neighbors who see everything. Honestly, I sometimes wonder what secret adventures they’ve witnessed without even realizing it!
Now, if your bearded dragon is busy glass-surfing and you think they’re feeling a bit ‘trapped,’ try setting them up by a window with a little action going on outside. It gives them a chance to watch the world go by and feel like they’re living in a spacious, open world—without actually escaping the safety of their home.
I like to toss down a towel or a comfy throw pillow for them to lounge on, so they can relax and feel secure if a sneaky predator (or just a very curious bird) happens to zoom by. And when it’s chilly outside, I use a dome lamp fixture with a detachable clamp to keep them toasty while they enjoy the day’s episode of “keeping tabs on the humans.”
Reducing Stress with Auditory and Visual Stimulation
Singing is an easy (and free) way to bond with your stressed-out pets!
For my bearded dragons, a little soft music can do wonders to ease their stress. I keep the volume nice and low—I’m not trying to give them a concert they didn’t ask for or blast their tiny, adorable ears.
When I head out, I make sure their environment is all set up to keep them safe and cozy. To keep stress levels low for all my pets, I play nature videos while I’m gone. It’s like their own private wildlife documentary—minus the commentary, of course!
Having a nature scene play on a 55-inch screen is usually enough to keep them calm and prevent them from glass-surfing or tearing up their enclosures from lack of visual stimulation.
A Walk to Calm the Scales
If you notice your bearded dragon looking stressed and like they’re about to start a protest about being ‘trapped,’ why not take them for a little stroll around the yard (with a harness on)?
A change of scenery might just do the trick!
Quick disclaimer: This doesn’t work for every bearded dragon—take Norman, for example. He gets even more stressed outdoors because he wasn’t exactly socialized by his previous owners (but don’t worry, I’m on it!). For Norman, being outside is like a bad episode of Survivor.
Now, Grimm? He’s a different story. Sunbathing is his jam. If he could, he’d probably lounge on a beach with sunglasses. When he starts getting his scales in a bunch, a quick walk outside is like hitting the ‘reset’ button for him.
So, next time your dragon starts glass-surfing like they’re in a dance-off with the window, try a little walk! Let me know if it helps calm them down in the comments!
Stress Free and Roaming
Grimm often feels like he’s in a tiny, glass-walled prison when he’s in his enclosure. But oddly enough, letting him roam free indoors doesn’t help either. He’s out of his enclosure from morning to night, yet being ‘free’ inside just makes him more aware of how small his world is. That’s why you’ll always find him sitting by the window, enjoying a bigger ‘view’ of the world outside. I swear, he’s meant to be a wild dragon—it’s just in his nature!
Now, onto Norman, the little nomad.
When he’s ready (and has had a bathroom break in the tub, of course), I set him loose. Norman knows where he’s not supposed to go… and of course, he heads straight for it anyway.
He loves roaming around without the barrier of glass walls. For Norman, this is like a mini adventure, and it almost always helps him shake off his stress. Maybe your beardie is an explorer too—give it a try!
Just a friendly reminder: make sure the space is safe before letting your bearded dragon roam free, and always keep an eye on them while they’re exploring! I also wouldn’t recommend letting them wander around with other pets (yep, that includes other bearded dragons)—you know, just to avoid any potential harm or drama!
Make a Dig Box
Dig boxes are usually a thing for female bearded dragons to lay their eggs in. But not this one—it’s just for fun! Of course, being the picky dragon that he is, Grimm took one look at the dig box and was like, ‘Nope, not for me,’ so it’s just one more thing that annoyed him.
Norman, on the other hand, would probably plot my demise if I ever took his dig box away. It’s his zen zone, kind of like how a bath is Grimm’s calm-down routine. Norman spends so much time in his dig box, that I can’t help but rave about how amazing they are.
I won’t go on and on about it (okay, maybe I will), so if you’re curious about how I made Norman’s dig box, check it out here.
And there you have it—these are the tricks that have helped bring some peace to my two wild (and very different) boys!
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