Sand or sand matting?

[Reggie1]

Hey Everyone,

Apologies for another post… what are everyone’s thoughts and recommendations on having just sand in the enclosure or some type of matting? Like sand Matting from exo?

I am thinking of trying a matting for my enclosure but I don’t want to do it if it’s going to make Reggie uncomfortable or not feel as natural as possible.

Thanks everyone!

 

[KarrieRee]

Hey Everyone,

Apologies for another post… what are everyone’s thoughts and recommendations on having just sand in the enclosure or some type of matting? Like sand Matting from exo?

I am thinking of trying a matting for my enclosure but I don’t want to do it if it’s going to make Reggie uncomfortable or not feel as natural as possible.

Thanks everyone!

If Reggie is a baby then NO -- babies taste / lick everything- sand matts are hard to keep clean / and sanitize - you can check out the biodudes website for stuff that is natural for the tank- loose stuff like sand harbors bacteria and can cause skin issues etc -- other than that most on here use some sort of textured NON adhesive shelf liner or tile - I use a matt from Zens and textured tile to keep the nails down -

 

[xp29]

Sand mats = sandpaper, really course sandpaper. I don't recommend them for any age beardie. They can injure you beardie.

 

[Reggie1]

If Reggie is a baby then NO -- babies taste / lick everything- sand matts are hard to keep clean / and sanitize - you can check out the biodudes website for stuff that is natural for the tank- loose stuff like sand harbors bacteria and can cause skin issues etc -- other than that most on here use some sort of textured NON adhesive shelf liner or tile - I use a matt from Zens and textured tile to keep the nails down -

Hey Karrie, again thank you for your advice, you have helped me so much on here, I was wondering if you can send through some links that you would recommend

 

[KarrieRee]

Hey Karrie, again thank you for your advice, you have helped me so much on here, I was wondering if you can send through some links that you would recommend

Look for some textured NON adhesive shelf liner at Walmart or your local home Depot etc- or you can look on Amazon - you don't want something w/ groves that's gonna hold the poop that you haft to dig out something flat- or go to www.zenhabitats.com they have a mat that will fit a 4x2x2 tank - you can also find that same mat at PetSmart

 

[Nikki.D]

Hey Everyone,

Apologies for another post… what are everyone’s thoughts and recommendations on having just sand in the enclosure or some type of matting? Like sand Matting from exo?

I am thinking of trying a matting for my enclosure but I don’t want to do it if it’s going to make Reggie uncomfortable or not feel as natural as possible.

Thanks everyone!

Out of the two options I would recommend the sand mat as the real sand isn’t digestible for bearded dragons and Beardies that eat sand in search of calcium can get an impaction. It is very dusty/messy so gets in their water, food, and eyes.Also slica sand has sharp-edged grains that can harm your dragon's gastrointestinal tract even without impaction. However I think their would be better substrate options.

Hey Everyone,

Apologies for another post… what are everyone’s thoughts and recommendations on having just sand in the enclosure or some type of matting? Like sand Matting from exo?

I am thinking of trying a matting for my enclosure but I don’t want to do it if it’s going to make Reggie uncomfortable or not feel as natural as possible.

Thanks everyone!

Out of the two I would recommend the sand mat because real sand causes impactions and is not good for your bearded dragon when it eats it. Also real sand is very dusty and messy so it can get easily in their eyes, water bowl and food bowl. However I would believe there is better substrates than both of these. If you want your bearded dragon to have a loose substrate I would recommend excavator clay. If you would like to see other good substrates here is a trusted website, Best Substrate for Bearded Dragons: The 5 Best (and Safest)

Hey Everyone,

Apologies for another post… what are everyone’s thoughts and recommendations on having just sand in the enclosure or some type of matting? Like sand Matting from exo?

I am thinking of trying a matting for my enclosure but I don’t want to do it if it’s going to make Reggie uncomfortable or not feel as natural as possible.

Thanks everyone!

Hey Everyone,

Apologies for another post… what are everyone’s thoughts and recommendations on having just sand in the enclosure or some type of matting? Like sand Matting from exo?

I am thinking of trying a matting for my enclosure but I don’t want to do it if it’s going to make Reggie uncomfortable or not feel as natural as possible.

Thanks everyone!

Out of the two I would recommend a sand mat however sand mats do have downsides. Real sand causes impaction, it is very dusty and messy so it gets into bearded dragons eyes, water bowl and food bowl. Also slica sand has sharp edges which also causes impaction. If you want to Reggie a lose substrate I would recommend excavator clay. Here is a trusted reptile resource website that will give you good substrate options Best Substrate for Bearded Dragons: The 5 Best (and Safest)

 

[xp29]

Please look at this beardies foot, and look at the sand mat in the habitat. Those mats can injure them, also the rocks come off and can be ingested.

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