Defecating when outside of Enclosure

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I have an 8 month male bearded dragon and I have an issue of him defecating on me when I hold him - it seems as if he doesn't want to go in his enclosure (although he has before, just not on a regular basis). I am scared to hold him due to the problem.

Has anyone else ever experienced this problem or have any solutions?

Thanks
 

dmlgaines

Member
Definitely bathe him in a shallow container with slightly warm water.. Yours is a common situation with most, if not all beardies.. They usually just go when they feel like it. He's totally normal. I have one that tends to go in the same place in his viv everytime, and even then that doesn't always stop him from going when he's outside of the enclosure.
 

coldhearted

Hatchling Member
yeah you have to make sure they go before you play with them. ive had that happen to me twice...
and I enjoyed your use of the word defecated. Word of the day lol
 

jortiz9758

Sub-Adult Member
Definately give him a bath before you take him out to play. Place him in some warm water...just enough so the water is at his shoulders,his vent is underwater and his feet are still touching bottom. He might not go at first ,but if you do it daily he will learn to go in it and not on you. :lol:

I have a few lizards myself and they all go in water and never on me or in the tanks...makes cleanup so much easier... Good Luck
 

bluesoda025

Hatchling Member
That sounds kind of yucky when they're in the same water that they went to the bathroom in. After you dump out the water and replace it, do you just give them a good scrubbing, haha?
 

cadjockey

Member
You are talking about baths and beardies...

I had a situation where Harold had loose stools and walked through them multiple times during the day (I was at work). Anyways, by the time I got to him, the stool had stuck to his scales and hardened. :oops:

I gave him a bath and used a pipe cleaner (shape it like a loop so you don't jab the ends into him) and gently rubbed it on his bottom. :shock: He really enjoyed it...eyes closed and he actually backed into it. Must have been like a massage to him.

Anyways, now I always use pipe cleaners when bathing him :idea: , especially around the belly. You would be amazed at how much stuff gets collected in their scales. I just dispose of them afterwards. (I get them from the dollars stores). I also use them to clean out fish tank filters, etc.

Just a tip.
 

isabelleandpaul

Juvie Member
Balrog seem to get into the habit of pooping outside his viv as well. I don't really like the idea of pooping in the bath, he did it twice and I find it messy. I prefer when he poops on the kitchen floor, or even when he poops on my daugther's pants, it's still very easy to clean.
When he goes in the bath, we have to take him out, remove the water, disinfect the sink, then fill another bath, and put him back in...
When he goes on the floor: remove with paper towel and flush in toilet, then use disinfecting wipe to clean the area. Easy!
When he goes on my daugther (3 out of 4 times): remove solids from clothes, flush paper towel, put clothes in wasing machine. Easy!
 

cadjockey

Member
I never bath my beardie in a tub or sink because it could become unsanitary for all of us, including him.

The cleaners I use in the tub have bleach and I may not get them completely rinsed. Also, I don't really want to pick up any salmonella issues regarding his scales. The potential problem goes both ways.

Instead I purchased a rubbermaid tub and I put a little bit of water in it for a bath. If he poops, I just drain it into the toilet and start over again...no big mess...no big deal.

I will then clean the rubbermaid tub after each use and it is a smaller item to rinse.
 

VEGASLIZARD

Sub-Adult Member
My lizards have a sink that is just for them. The one in the bar. I clean it with bleach wipes and then wash it out really good. I guess everyone has their preference, but I find the sink is easy for clean up and Scorch hasn't pooed in her viv or on anyone else for that matter for more than 6 months.
 

Drache613

BD.org Sicko
Staff member
Moderator
Hello,

I don't blame your dragon for going out of his tank, unfortunately he likes going on you! :D
Use this opportunity to get him potty trained so you will have less to clean in his tank. They really prefer most of the times, to go out of their tank if they are given the choice to & you really can't blame them. It is not real hard to potty train them.

Tracie
 

shanation

Member
simple solution i figured out with my two beardies. before u take ur beardie out get a roll of paper towels ready and rip off a good chunk. fold it flat like one sheet. take ur beardie out let them run around but keep an eye on them with the paper towels at the ready, when they start to go slip the paper towel under their rear end and presto quick clean up and if ur beardies are like mine they drag their butts after they go so this works as toilet paper for them as well
 
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