Why is your bearded dragon breathing heavy?
It is normal for the bearded dragon to have some heavy breaths, just like other characteristic behaviors like hissing, darkened body, or puffing his head.
Sometimes, the fact that your beardie has to breathe heavily may not only be because of some common reasons but also a sign that your beardie is having some problems with his health.
So, you must pay attention to your pet.
In this article, we will give a detailed answer to how to bathe a bearded dragon your question, “Why is my bearded dragon breathing heavy?”
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Why Is My Bearded Dragon Breathing Heavy?
1. Your Bearded Dragon Is Having a Digestive Process
If you see your beardie breathing heavily after eating, this may not be something that you should be worried about.
Due to a different digestive system from humans, the heat has a more vital role than acid and bacteria in how the lizard consumes nutrition.
Therefore, there is nothing wrong if your pet has a heavy gasp while eating.
And you should not be bothered about it too much.
All you need to do is give your pet the time to bask and digest his food.
It is also normal for your beardie to stop eating while having the meals to inhale and exhale heavily, then continue to eat again.
Sometimes, the reason why your beardies are having heavy breaths is that you have let them eat something too big.
It is important to think about the size of the food that has been given to your pet.
Particularly, you should be certain to keep food smaller than the gap between the eyes.
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2. Your Bearded Dragon Is Stressed by the Changes
The abnormal changes in the environment are the most common reasons that make the reptiles stressed.
It causes them to have some significant aggressive behaviors like gasping heavily.
Below are some suggestions about what could bring stress to your pet.
a. Relocation
It is totally reasonable for your pet to put on the guard and breathe slowly when you suddenly move your beardie into different places.
Even if you move him out of his usual habitat just to clean up the tanks.
Your baby beardie breathing heavily may be because he may need time to be familiar with the new things and new places to not feel threatened anymore.
b. Strange Movements Outside the Enclosure
Breathing heavily may not only be a sign that your pet becomes wary but also shows that he is feeling the threats about something unusual outside the tanks.
For example, the loud sound of children playing, the traffics that could be heard from the window, or the noise of your television could make your beardie scared.
Even unexpected changes in the light and shadow could also be the reason for the sudden heavy gasp of your pet.
You could think about putting more plants and hides in your beardie’s habitat, which not only helps to cover the view around his tank but also gives him more place to hide when your pet is in danger.
c. Seeing Other Animals
It is natural to be worried for your baby lizard if they inhale and exhale cautiously because of the appearance of your other pets such as cats, dogs, or birds in his territory.
Your beardie will feel threatened and be aggressive toward the “unwanted guests” when catching sight of the “invader” in his habitat. And he could be stressed due to that.
If you could not stop your beardie from breathing heavily with his mouth open and make your pets stay happily in the room together, you should not push them to do that.
d. Seeing Other Bearded Dragons
In the case that you accidentally let the beardies confront each other, you have put your lizards in a fierce war.
Certainly, that only brings the worse.
The heavy gasps would be the first sign to show the belligerent, unwelcome.
Then they will come along with other aggressive actions like hissing, blackening their beards, and puffing their heads to point that they are ready for the fight to gain domination and territory.
However, you should not try to have more than one of your beardies stay together in the same tanks or the same room where they could see each other.
This would keep your pets staying in a state where they always feel threatened, uneasy, and insecure.
This makes your bearded dragon breathing heavy and would have some bad effects on their health.
3. Your Bearded Dragon Feels Uncomfortable in the Tank
If there is nothing that could upset and make your pet feel uncomfortable, the reasons that make your beardie have heavy breaths are the improper things in his enclosure, like the unsuitable temperature in the tank.
Beardies, just like the other lizards, always have their own ways to control the heat inside their bodies.
Darkening the body is how they use the heat to warm them up.
You can notice bearded dragons breathing heavy with mouth open to cool down.
To make sure that the condition in the tank is good enough for your pet, consider preparing the thermometer to keep the temperature in check and the humidifier to ensure the humidity is just right.
More UV lights will also provide more heat and brighten the enclosure.
4. Your Bearded Dragon Is Shedding
In case of your beardie breathing heavily while shedding, and your pet is still eating, drinking, and pooping just like usual, there may be nothing to worry about too much.
All you need to do is ensure that your beardie does not have his nose plugged by the old shed.
There is advice that you should give your pet a warm bathtub because this helps him get some of the old skin peeling off.
You can read the reasons why your bearded dragon turned white and died.
5. Your Bearded Dragon Is Sleeping Deeply
If you are a newbie, you will be super anxious when seeing your pet have a heavy breath, inhaling slowly. You won’t be sure if your beardie is still alive or not.
However, it is a normal thing for your beardie to draw a heavy breath while asleep, so you do not have to worry.
When sleeping, lizards like bearded dragons may slow down their metabolic and respiratory rates. That could cause a slow and heavy breath, which makes it hard to say if they are dying or not and make a false alarm to you.
6. Your Bearded Dragon Just Took a Bath
It could be normal when you catch your beardie breathing heavily in the bath as a reaction to the change in pressure of the water in the tub or just because he does not like to have a bath.
There are no problems if your pet still looks fine, even happy, and is not getting his head in the water.
However, when your pet is having other actions like hissing or blackening while breathing heavily, this may be because he truly does not like to be bathed.
You should not force him to do what he does not want.
You should also consider the possibility that your beardie may inhale the water in the bathtub unintentionally and have the water in his nostrils.
In this case, your pet could have a respiratory infection due to the lack of a diaphragm to throw the water out effectively after aspirating the liquid.
It could also occur after your beardie drinks too much water.
If this incident happens, you should let your beardie sleep at a slight decline position to draw the water that may still remain in his lungs out.
7. Your Bearded Dragon Is Having a Respiratory Infection
Heavy breathing may not be the only sign of a respiratory infection.
If your beardie is gasping heavily and showing other symptoms indicating he does not feel well such as coughing noises, gaping like it is choking, lacking appetite, and so on, you need to take your sick lizard to the vet as soon as possible.
The vet can diagnose and treat the infection of your beardie carefully.
If your pet has to take medicine to treat the illness, you should feed him before letting your beardie have the pills.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bearded Dragons
1. What Makes Bearded Dragons Gasp?
It is normal for the lizard to have a heavy breath for some reasons such as eating, temperature regulation, shedding, having a bath, or being stressed.
But it is also one of the remarkable signs to point out that your pet is having problems with respiratory disease.
To be careful, you should take your beardie to the lizard’s vet and ask for more advice.
2. Why Is My Bearded Dragon Breathing Heavy While Being Handled?
Because of the need for “the lonely time” and the hiding places where the lizard can relax and be alone, your beardie could be stressed and tired in case of the lack of his private time and space.
Another reason is that you spend too much time handling him and impacting his own routine.
It could also happen when you hold him improperly and make your pet feel uncomfortable. For example, you hold him too tight, hurt him by using more force, or grab him from the wrong angle.
You just need to give him more space, and when you want to come near him, remember to be gentle.
3. Should the Bearded Dragon Take a Bath?
Almost all the beardies would love to have a nice, warm bath. But you should know the process to go on step by step in order to bathe your little pet properly.
Especially, you need to set up the temperature and the depth of the water for your pet. This makes sure your pet does not have to worry about drowning and being cold when you bathe him.
4. How to Bathe a Bearded Dragon?
First, you should make sure that the level of water is just as high as the knees of your pet’s limbs. And, you always pay attention to your beardie when put in the water.
The ideal temperature of the water in the “tub” is between 85 to 92 degrees F.
That makes it feel warm instead of being scalded or discomfort while bathing.
You should use de-chlorinated water and never put any soaps or detergents in a bath because your pet may drink the bathwater, including other substances in it.
In addition, you can gently splash water on your beardie with a paper cup and pour the water up and down easily. But you should remember to not pour water around its eyes and nose.
Your beardie should be soaked in the water for about 15 to 20 minutes to help clean the skin and to peel off some shed.
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5. What If My Bearded Dragon Hates Having a Bath?
There are so many beardies that like to have a warm bathtub. But not all of them would like that idea.
Some of them may be terrified when being put in the bathroom, showing some unwelcome signs like a dark beard, having a heavy gasp, and hissing out of fear.
For some of the first times, you could try to make your pet have a good soak in the bath at a comfortable temperature.
Besides, you should ensure that the water is not too deep for your beardie to get drowned.
When he becomes familiar with the bathing process, you could give your pet a warm bath frequently with nothing to worry about.
However, if your beardie still does not like the idea of getting a bath, and is stressed about that, it is pointless for you to force your pet.
Conclusion
Through this article, we hope you have gotten all the information that you need to understand why your bearded dragon is breathing heavy.
Thank you for reading and I wish you and your lovely lizard the best!
Key points on why do bearded dragons breath heavily:
Bearded dragons are popular reptile pets known for their unique behaviors and charming personalities. If you notice your bearded dragon breathing heavily, it can be a cause for concern. Here are key points to consider regarding heavy breathing in bearded dragons:
1. Normal Breathing Rate:
- Bearded dragons typically exhibit slow and steady breathing, with breaths ranging from 5 to 15 breaths per minute.
2. Causes of Heavy Breathing:
- Heavy breathing in bearded dragons can indicate underlying health issues.
- Identifying the cause is essential for proper diagnosis and treatment.
3. Respiratory Infections:
- One common reason for heavy breathing is respiratory infections, such as pneumonia.
- Signs may include open-mouth breathing, wheezing, or mucus discharge from the nostrils.
4. Stress and Anxiety:
- Bearded dragons can exhibit heavy breathing when stressed or anxious.
- Stressors may include changes in their environment, handling, or the presence of other animals.
5. Overheating:
- Overheating or inadequate temperature regulation in their habitat can lead to heavy breathing.
- It’s crucial to maintain appropriate temperature gradients in their enclosure.
6. Dehydration:
- Dehydration can result in heavy breathing.
- Ensure your bearded dragon has access to clean water and a humid environment when needed.
7. Obesity:
- Overweight bearded dragons may experience heavy breathing due to excess body weight.
- Managing their diet and exercise is essential to prevent obesity.
8. Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD):
- MBD can affect the respiratory system, leading to heavy breathing.
- Ensure proper calcium supplementation to prevent MBD.
9. Impaction:
- Ingesting foreign objects or substrate materials can cause impaction, leading to heavy breathing.
- Maintain a safe and clean enclosure to prevent ingestion of harmful substances.
10. Egg Laying Difficulties: – Female bearded dragons can experience heavy breathing and respiratory distress when they have difficulty laying eggs. – Seek immediate veterinary assistance if you suspect egg-laying issues.
11. Seek Veterinary Care: – If your bearded dragon exhibits heavy breathing for an extended period or if it is accompanied by other concerning symptoms, consult a reptile veterinarian.
12. Quarantine Sick Individuals: – Isolate sick bearded dragons to prevent the potential spread of infectious diseases to healthy individuals.
13. Preventive Measures: – Maintain proper husbandry practices, including providing the correct temperature, humidity, and a clean environment. – Avoid overcrowding and stressors in their enclosure.
In summary, heavy breathing in bearded dragons is not a normal behavior and often indicates underlying health issues or stress. It’s crucial to identify the cause and seek prompt veterinary care when heavy breathing is observed. Maintaining optimal husbandry practices and providing a stress-free environment are essential for preventing respiratory problems and ensuring the well-being of your bearded dragon.
