Crushed Walnut Shells?

[beebe1990]

I know everyone says that crushed walnut shells are bad to use, but why? Specific reasons why they are worse for your dragon.

 

[TheWolfmanTom]

They get dusty and can cause eye irritation, and even infections.
They get nasty even when cleaned regularly.
The way they are made can leave sharp edges on them that can cause damage if ingested.
Also if ingested impactation risk is much higher.

 

[beebe1990]

Thanks. My beardie has been on sand for the last year and a half and the only times he "tastes" the sand or other stuff in his cage is if i move stuff around. And i rarely do that. I want something less dusty than sand. Could i make a mixture of sand/walnut or something else. I am really not worried about impaction, especially since i do not feed him inside his cage.

 

[TheWolfmanTom]

Then use tile or non adheasive shelf liner

 

[LasagnaTheDragon]

walnuts are toxic to breadies

 

[TheWolfmanTom]

walnuts are toxic to breadies

Define toxic and please be specific.

 

[LasagnaTheDragon]

Well toxic pretty much defines itself, walnut shells are toxic from a natural chemical known as juglone. plus beardies cannot digest the shells if by mistake they eat it( which they usually do) it wont pass threw them good and could case serious problems , i don't trust most substrates like calcium sand and other lose dirt like mulch crap. yes i know they are desert animals and live on sand but breadies in the wild wouldnt last as long as our beloved house pets due to the healthy environments we have them in. use solid flooring, i use cardboard. (i just either get used cardboard from work or behind any restaurant or pizzeria. every place usually has a dumpster only for cardboard.) i use flat pizza boxes there perfect to cut out and shape. tiles are best because you can take out each one and clean off poopy or whatever (im going to update to tiles soon) . i dont really trust the reptile carpet i've heard of the maternal coming apart and the toes of beardies getting stuck, thus making no blood circulate and the breadies toes fall off. just my two cents everybody likes there own stuff

 

[TheWolfmanTom]

No I think your explanation is much better than your 1st statement. Specifics is what the OP was looking for....lol