How to keep 'em HYDRATED

[GlueStick]

Well, as you all know, spring is here! With sweltering heat and humidity... in NJ anyway.

In addition to the increased bathing and romaine lettuces, how do I keep a bearded dragon hydrated?
This is my only concern because... I live on the third floor and he currently has no lighting because temperatures in my room alone have been reaching well over 90F. Basically... my room is his new tank. I dare not to keep him in that confinement! Even with the lights off...

I have a window unit on at night though otherwise unallowed to keep on when I am not home, which is from 7AM to 9PM. It is currently 3PM.. he is soaking now.

I would like to know the 'red flags' to dehydration?

 

[Embee]

Oh, this sounds like a very challenging situation, GlueStick.

We recently moved our beardie out of our attic room because I could see this coming down the line... even the few warm days we've had (74 maybe) have sent the temp way up in that top room and it was wreaking havoc with viv temps. I feel for ya! How are you dealing with UVB, natural sunlight then?

As far as what to do, the frequent bathing is great as beardie's take most of the H2O in at the vent. Also, the misting on body and head so he can lick the drops off his nose and of course, he'll get water through veggies and live feeders. I think you're doing well there.

As to what to look for, some physical signs of dehydration are wrinkling/loose skin, sunken eyes. Beyond that, lethargy, lack of appetite (of course low UVB would do this also).

Hope this helps, and "stay cool" if you can!

The best,
Em

 

[andkenz2290]

even though your room is so hot, he still needs the uva and uvb, so make sure you either are taking him outside to get his rays or figure out a way to still use a uvb! as for keeping him hydrated, my beardie doesn't drink much so i put phoenix worms in water before i feed him, that plumps them up with water so he is essentially "drinking". i haven't given mine a bath yet because he's only two months and my breeder said to wait, has anyone heard of that also? my breeder said to wait several months....

 

[Embee]

i haven't given mine a bath yet because he's only two months and my breeder said to wait, has anyone heard of that also? my breeder said to wait several months....

I have never heard of this...??? Bathing is essential to beardie hydration as they take most of their water in at the vent. In particular, because babies have much less body mass (i.e., they lose water much faster), and are are kept under hotter basking temps than adults, it's important to keep them hydrated in this way. 2-4 times per week, 15-20 minute soak in baby warm water, up to shoulders, in a container large enough to house beardie but not too large. Sometimes it helps to put something on the bottom that they can grip to feel stable (like a towel). And like all babies in the bath, do keep an eye on him.

Perhaps your breeder was referring to putting babies in the actual bathtub to bathe? Concerns about too large of area or deepness of water? :?:

The best,
Em

 

[GlueStick]

I still leave on the the UV lighting. Luckily for me it has cooled down.. for now. Wed through Sun should e a couple of nice days.

But other than that, yes he is still exposed to UV. As you may know... beardies llooooooove the window. I keep the window open during hotter days and (wooo.... lucky me) I have the sun come right into my first window. He'll sit there for hours, about 2 to 3, saying that he doesn't see the pigeons or any other bird that happens to fly by or perch on the phone wires. If he does well then, he quickly darts beneath the bed and hides, haha.

 

[Embee]

I still leave on the the UV lighting. Luckily for me it has cooled down.. for now. Wed through Sun should e a couple of nice days.

But other than that, yes he is still exposed to UV. As you may know... beardies llooooooove the window. I keep the window open during hotter days and (wooo.... lucky me) I have the sun come right into my first window. He'll sit there for hours, about 2 to 3, saying that he doesn't see the pigeons or any other bird that happens to fly by or perch on the phone wires. If he does well then, he quickly darts beneath the bed and hides, haha.

Oh, I love your avatar... it looks like a VERY familiar scene. Our beardie adores the window, and yes, heads for cover when the birds fly over.

Glad it's cooled down some for you!

The best,
Em

 

[jscott]

one of the easiest way to be sure your dragon is getting water is to offer it to them with a water dropper. i do this with all of my dragons and they seem to love it. if i stop dripping it on their mouth they start smacking their lips loudly asking for more :lol: .

heres a short vid showing how the process looks:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TI_bjPQZNz4

some of them seem to drink nonstop but be sure to watch their chest and give them breaks to breathe. i say a few drops then a few seconds to catch a breather and swallow is good. they usually turn away or shake their head if they are no longer thirsty.

baths are important too, but one of my dragons buddy, always tries to drink his bath water. afterwards, his poops are super liquidy. since hes soaking in it, it probably has some bacteria so i try to give him water from a dropper prior to bathing or even during. this usually keeps him from drinking his bath water.

its pretty funny, they say most beardies dont like standing water but if i put Buddy in a bath he sticks his head under water and starts drinking almost nonstop; the first time i thought he was drowning himself! it really scared me at first untill i pulled him up and then he dunked his head to get another drink... i guess that when you say someone "drinks like a fish" right :lol: ?