Digging right before bed. Should I get substrate in there?

[FreakedOutMama]

Hey, I have a bearide who is about 6 months old and is 287 grams! She sleeps in a cave, but EVERY night before she goes to bed, she digs for about an hour.
Her temps are fine, she's not dehydrated. I have tried to put tissue paper/toilet paper in the cave and she will climb on top and dig down and rip it all to shreds and then pout until I put more in. I know that Viti-sand and Calcium sand are no-nos. What about the clay like breeding sand? Are there any other alternatives?
Thanks.

 

[Gail]

clay is bad, any loose substrate had potential dangers and she would probably dig right through it to the bottom of the cage. Try placing a terry cloth hand towel in her cave, it will give her something to dig on and will reduce the noise.

 

[FreakedOutMama]

And that wont get her claws stuck?

 

[Gail]

I never had issues with that but I keep my dragons nails trimmed. You could use polar fleece instead, its snag proof.

 

[FreakedOutMama]

How do you keep their nails trimmed?!?!?!?!?

 

[Gail]

I use a baby nail clipper and clip of the tippy tip of the nail. You can also use a emery board.

 

[Taterbug]

I'd try to find something that lets her settle in reasonably quickly. Dragons often like to dig under things or dig burrows and it sounds like she isn't quite able to feel comfortable.

What if you put her cave in a deep pan or kitty litter tray filled with something like dried leaves (could be dried greens if you worried it might get eaten), fleece, shredded paper.... Etc . Something to give her stuff to dig into and deep enough to hide under. My guys didn't like fleece for some reason. I use a soil-mix substrate, it's great for them to dig burrows in.

 

[FreakedOutMama]

I'd try to find something that lets her settle in reasonably quickly. Dragons often like to dig under things or dig burrows and it sounds like she isn't quite able to feel comfortable.

What if you put her cave in a deep pan or kitty litter tray filled with something like dried leaves (could be dried greens if you worried it might get eaten), fleece, shredded paper.... Etc . Something to give her stuff to dig into and deep enough to hide under. My guys didn't like fleece for some reason. I use a soil-mix substrate, it's great for them to dig burrows in.

WONDERFUL IDEA ABOUT THE DRIED GREENS! although with her fat butt, she would probably stay up all night eating it! (she waits for the fresh greens to "crisp" in the heat, then she eats them)
I just went and bought "play sand"? for a "sandbox"?

 

[BeardedLion]

My 7 month always digs before sleep. If he is on my bed when he's ready for a snooze, he will dig himself under my blankets. In his viv, I usually just give him a cloth or paper towels to dig around with, or he will try and pull up his reptile carpet.

 

[SDragon]

I'd try to find something that lets her settle in reasonably quickly. Dragons often like to dig under things or dig burrows and it sounds like she isn't quite able to feel comfortable.

What if you put her cave in a deep pan or kitty litter tray filled with something like dried leaves (could be dried greens if you worried it might get eaten), fleece, shredded paper.... Etc . Something to give her stuff to dig into and deep enough to hide under. My guys didn't like fleece for some reason. I use a soil-mix substrate, it's great for them to dig burrows in.

WONDERFUL IDEA ABOUT THE DRIED GREENS! although with her fat butt, she would probably stay up all night eating it! (she waits for the fresh greens to "crisp" in the heat, then she eats them)
I just went and bought "play sand"? for a "sandbox"?

Playsand should be fine, I know a lot on here don't like it, but I don't think it poses a risk providing the correct husbandry is in place.

 

[FreakedOutMama]

Okay, I have a plastic tub in there with some sand. But her enclosure is still primarily tile. In her cave I put some paper towels. Anything else I should do?
Thank you so much for your help!
UPDATE: she is going CRAZY! I would think she was digging to CHINA! the sand keeps collapsing on her/ her little cave that shes dug. Should I keep the sand wet so theres more hold? I dont know how to help with the sand collapsing. She gets mad a little cave is destroyed.

 

[Taterbug]

Okay, I have a plastic tub in there with some sand. But her enclosure is still primarily tile. In her cave I put some paper towels. Anything else I should do?
Thank you so much for your help!
UPDATE: she is going CRAZY! I would think she was digging to CHINA! the sand keeps collapsing on her/ her little cave that shes dug. Should I keep the sand wet so theres more hold? I dont know how to help with the sand collapsing. She gets mad a little cave is destroyed.

Is it possible she is trying to find a place to lay eggs? 6mos seems young. Is it just at night... or?

I'm not sure if damp sand would get foul after a while or not. I've onlyb used it dry and it was too loose and shifting for me. I use a mix with topsoil, cocohusk and sand (+ some small bugs for clean up) - kept slightly damp it hold burrows very well. Google "bioactive substrate", also there is a good Facebook group if your interested. It's not for everyone but I love it and we get beardie owners everyday trying it at the FB group. Just a thought

 

[FreakedOutMama]

If she is trying to lay eggs, I should name her Mary and the babies Jesus! She has been doing it ALL.DAY. she wont do it when I am watching, and she is exhausting herself. I had the sand in a little corner, but she dug straight to the bottom, so I put in more and she did the same thing.
I will take up your advice on the bioactive substrate!
EDIT: I googled it and Zoo Med excavator clay came up. Is that what you were talking about?

 

[Gail]

6 months is kind of young for eggs but its still possible. You might give her deep damp sand so she can make a cave to lay, just in case. How is her behavior lately? Is she still eating like normal? Sometime you can feel eggs if you gently manipulate her tummy.

 

[FreakedOutMama]

6 months is kind of young for eggs but its still possible. You might give her deep damp sand so she can make a cave to lay, just in case. How is her behavior lately? Is she still eating like normal? Sometime you can feel eggs if you gently manipulate her tummy.

She has never been near a male bearded dragon... by eggs I assume you mean unfertilized? I out damp sand in there, however she digs straight and it collapses.
Eating is normal, feces and urates are normal, sleeping habits are normal.