Exploring your house

[Librarylady]

I keep seeing so many people who let their beardies explore the house. I'm so afraid to do this! What if she gets under something or in a hole somewhere and I can't get to her? What if she gets something nasty i've missed and gets sick? I have other animals and a child so my house is not clean. It's not filthy but it's always messy. I've let her explore in the bathroom but that's it. Do you just trust that they will come back if they get someplace you can't reach them? Do you block off things you can't reach? She's really glass surfing so I'd like to let her out. She's in a 40 gallon breeder but it seems so small now that she's 14 inches long :/ I'm just a worry wort and afraid she'll get hurt if I let her out. She's also technically the library's pet so if she gets sick or hurt at my house I'll be in trouble. The kids at the library may hunt me down and lynch me.

 

[brittani299]

Hello I let my beardies out all the time. I just open the doors up and they come and go as they please. They arent stupid though. They know where the cage is and go back in if they get cold. I dont let them out at the same time just so that is clear. I was afraid of the same thing but they havent gotten lost or stuck. For the most part they just stay in their cages and dont wander out anyways.

 

[lexus465]

I have two cats and a dog so there is always fur everywhere, plus the risk of them getting extra curious. When I let Toa out he just runs around with me following him. The couch is high enough for him to get under there, usually grab him when he heads that direction. He did get under once but came out a few seconds later. Sometimes I just put his lead/ harness on and follow behind that way I can just walk around with him.

 

[Librarylady]

I let her explore yesterday while I had the day off, swept up all the fur I could and put her out in the hallway/dining room. She didn't know what to do. She ran up and down the hallway, then went into the dining room and climbed up on my leg and sat there in the sun for a while. I eventually just got her and put her in the bath then put her back in her tank where she proceeded to start glass surfing again the rest of the day. I really think it's her tank that's too small. It's hard to believe she's gotten so big, I don't remember her being this big when she went into brumation! I don't think she grew that much but she may have over the past couple weeks. I'll have to measure her again. I've got something in the works to try to get the library to get her a new tank, the patrons are going to freak when I bring her back and she's so big in her tiny tank. It's not that tiny, 40g breeder but it seems like it. I thought she might be trying to lay eggs so put a sand box in there. She mostly ignores it.

 

[Siren]

I wouldn't let them explore the whole house. Least for me. I have 4 dogs and 1 cat. I worry about the dragon eating something off the floor that could be dangerous. Mainly, because I have a Persian and a GSD/Chow mix...fur. Sometimes there are little fur tumbleweeds and if I don't find it, my dragon might. But I will allow highly supervised exploration. As in, I sit on the floor and follow them around, pull them away from going under couches and ensure they are not eating anything bad. Also allow exploring of my bed or couch, again, with me with both eyes on them. In case of a fall.

 

[BeardieBrah]

I was told that it is bad for your dragons to be on carpet because their toes can get caught in the fibers and they can be cut off. Is this bs? Do you guys have carpet?

 

[Librarylady]

I don't have carpet so no idea. Seems like bs to me unless you have super shag carpet. I really have no idea though. One of the best substrates they can be on is reptile carpet...

 

[BeardieBrah]

Thanks for the quick reply, I'll have to let my beardie roam around. I'm just worried because he is really fast lol

 

[Librarylady]

I'd just pay close attention and if he seems to be having any problem pick him up.

 

[zandi202]

I made a secluded part of my living area into a play pen for my beardies. They like it because it gives them places to climb and to snuggle into (I use a blanket as one of the walls so when they're tired, they curl up there). This way you have a safe area that you can keep up at all times. It's also easier to keep one area just for them so it is less likely to get dirtied and a smaller area is easier to keep an eye on and make sure everything is safe for them.

 

[Tonja]

I am thinking about getting a used mesh playpen for both of mine..that way I can fix it up with some bird toys, bells, some plushies. Can put lights over it so they don't get cold. Can also put it outside so part is under the shade tree and some of it in the sunshine..can let them just have fun in it and my dogs cant step on them or get to them. and will have plenty of floor space in the play pen to run around and just be out of their tanks.

 

[Librarylady]

Love that idea!

 

[BeardieBrah]

I made a secluded part of my living area into a play pen for my beardies. They like it because it gives them places to climb and to snuggle into (I use a blanket as one of the walls so when they're tired, they curl up there). This way you have a safe area that you can keep up at all times. It's also easier to keep one area just for them so it is less likely to get dirtied and a smaller area is easier to keep an eye on and make sure everything is safe for them.

Great idea, I am going to do this. I'd feel much more comfortable about her not being able to get into dangerous places...like under the fridge

 

[pyrovamp]

I was told that it is bad for your dragons to be on carpet because their toes can get caught in the fibers and they can be cut off. Is this bs? Do you guys have carpet?

i have straight carpet in my room with my boy i have four cats and a dog. i have to leave my boys cage open or he will bruise himself when he figures his way out. so he goes as he pleases. i have all the spots i dont want him blocked to where he cant get to them and i shut the door to my room. also he has no problem with the carpet its not like a shag carpet but your typical carpet and he has not gotten stuck in it once and has all his toes. i also dont worry about him when i leave cause all my cats are scared of him and have lived with him for three years now and know hes their friend. lol so just watching them close and making sure the little guy doesnt go anywhere you dont want and your floors picked up it should be fine. also if your not near the home make a spot to where he/she can get heat so a small basking area or a window with sunlight coming threw my guy has his tank and a spot by a balcony window to get some rays lol

 

[simplydunn]

I have a playpen for Goliath. It's great! I use it in the living room, the bedroom, or wherever I am doing house work, and it's great for outside on nice days. The sides are mesh and she loves climbing them. Plus I put fun climbing things inside. I let her out on the couch with us in the evenings, but if she needs some excercise at other times the pen is perfect! I use a double dome with a heat light and UVB bulb so I don't have to worry if she wants to play for a while. (I know, compact isn't great but I have the Reptisun strip bulb in his tank.)