Beardie's Cage Smells Horrible...

[reptiles93002]

I know this isn't an emergency, but it still worries me. My beardie's cage stinks so bad, it smells like a petting zoo. I have to hold my breath when I put my head in the cage. I clean out his poop once it's dried out so that it doesn't run all over the place. He's in a 40 gal tank, on repticarpet (the orange one with the pebbles glued to it), so it's really easy to clean up. I just don't know how to get rid of the smell in his cage. Is there anything I can do? I'm worried that the smell is going to affect him somehow. His tank is very clean, so I just don't know how to get the smell out of the cage. It literally smells like a petting zoo in there. It's disgusting. If it's horrible for me, I'm sure it's worse for him because he has to sit in there. I obviously can't have him out all day, because he needs his UV and basking bulbs. So what should I do? Please let me know. Any suggestions are much appreciated. Thank you.

 

[diamc]

The tank certainly shouldn't smell that bad. Have you had a fecal checked for parasites?

It's possible that the poop and liquid has sunk into the carpet and pebbles and that is why you continually smell it. You might want to think about switching to slate tiles or NON-adhesive shelf liner as both are easier to clean.

Have you bathed him to make sure there isn't any feces left on him?

 

[Taterbug]

Unfortunate the smell suggests the enclosure isn't as clean as it looks. "Petting zoo" smell I assume to be ammonia and/or feces - which could be uncomfortable (ammonia burns the eyes and air ways) and long term unhealthy. Cleaning up the wastes right away would probably help (rather than wait for hem to dry out) and while it may need a good deep cleaning to start with but like diamc said, it shouldn't smell terrible.

If the wastes are extra runny and stinky a parasite screening is in order. Feces should be relatively well formed even when accompanied by fluid, it's it's a big goopy mess your dragon may have some digestive issues that need to be fixed. It's even more important when treating parasites to clean wastes as soon as possible since that is how they are transmitted.

 

[AHBD]

Absolutely get rid of the pebbly carpet. Even if you mop it clean right away there are nooks + crannies that will allow some feces to settle in where you just can't get it. Get some non adhesive [ adhesive releases fumes ] shelf liner which can be easily wiped up + cleaned, esp. the smoother type, or get some tile.

 

[reptiles93002]

Thanks guys. I will be sure to get new carpet as soon as possible. And yes, he does have parasites. I'm treating him for pinworms as of yesterday.

 

[reptiles93002]

also, could anyone reply to my other post? I can't get my beardie to poop. I just posted on that.

 

[diamc]

Good that he is under treatment for the pinworms. You might want to use papertowels until they are all cleared up. You also might want to reconsider using carpet as it is impossible to clean that thoroughly, all the liquid and waste so the smell will probably continue.

The NON-adhesive shelf liner comes in a lot of different colors and patterns. The DUCK brand is more cushiony. Amazon actually carries it.