Our bearded dragon poops on us every time we try to hold it

[Tecky]

It won't poop in its aquarium, but once we pick it up and hold it, it instantly tries to poop on us. And it's rather disgusting. We won't even hold it now because whenever we try to hold it, it craps on us. What's the deal? We're contemplating getting rid of it for this reason alone. We don't even want to keep it or hold it, and it won't stop.

Temps are fine, it's healthy, eats vegetables and crickets and mealworms, it's plenty hydrated, we soak it in the sink every other day...but it just doesn't want to poop in its aquarium. Only on us.

Doesn't seem like there really would be a solution to this other than to never hold it again if we don't want it to poop on us.

 

[beardie parents]

I read a suggestion that I'll repeat here. When you get him out, put him in a warm (not hot) bath until he poops, then you can hold him. How old is he? Yes, being pooped upon isn't fun. The sheets on our bed get pooped on 2 or 3 times every week. I think ours don't want to poop in their viv's either because the only way they do poop in their home is if we are away on a long shopping trip and they don't get out of their home. They don't look pleased to be in with that poop for that long when we get back.

I've read that a lot of beardies will hold the poop for a day or so until they get out and poop then. Try to train him to poop in the bath, it may take a while but it's worth the effort as beardies are wonderful pets and so much fun.

 

[gulfbrzdawn]

I've read that a lot of beardies will hold the poop for a day or so until they get out and poop then. Try to train him to poop in the bath, it may take a while but it's worth the effort as beardies are wonderful pets and so much fun.

This is very true. Most do not like to poop in their viv. My girl would hold it for a week before she would soil her home(of course we take her out daily,so there's no chance of that happening). Yes, it is frustrating when they poop on you. I promise you they do grow out of that. For now though I would suggest the baths as soon as you get him out(like beardie parents said).

Please don't get discouraged and get rid of your beardie. It just takes time and patience just like it does with any other pet. It will get better, you'll see.

Good Luck,

Dawn

 

[Tecky]

The only thing is is that this is the only beardie I've had that's done this. The ones we've had before never pooped on us, so it's weird.

 

[sunkist]

I know it's hard and I'm dealing with it myself but try twice a day baths. I have to fit my morning bath back into my schedule some how cause my guy is going in the afternoon at home cause he misses his morning bath.

Anyway point being, try it... it may be that he needs the daily morning bath to get it all out after a long night sleep.

 

[Elora]

Every bearded dragon is different! One may like to poop in the tank and some may not! I think that if you give him a nice soak he will poop in the bath and then you are safe for the rest of the day!