Substrate question!

[BeardedGunny]

Hey I've been here once...my Bearded Dragon had an impaction and with the help of the members on this site he got all better. ^_^
But now as I've read crushed walnut is bad and may cause an impaction...so it's time for a change.

What kind of substrate should I use? I read about play sand but I've seen so many recommendations against sand, and I want it to be a substrate similar to sand, not newspaper or fake grass. So what would everyone recommend? If possible mention multiple things in case I can't find a specific one. Thank you!

 

[reptilianboy831]

I would use slate tile, or non adhesive shelf liner. Play sand that is sifted/cleaned etc, is generally reccomended for adult beardies

 

[BeardedGunny]

Yeah but isn't that just like a flat floor like substrate? I want something similar to what I have now...but not bad for Gunny. ^_^

 

[reptilianboy831]

How old is gunny. You could just temporarily use the tile/shelf liner
and then when hes full grown use the sifted playsand.

 

[BeardedGunny]

This is probably going to sound bad but I have no idea. Gunny is my 3rd lizard and I bought my first in may, died 1 month later from impaction, waited a bit then bought another, died in 2 measly days because it was sick from petsmart, waited even longer and bought Gunny, thinking he was gonna die(I was pretty glum at the time) I really hadn't kept track of it at all. I know he's under a year but getting close... I'll probably to the flat surface thing till later then...Thank you for your help! ^_^

P.S. Searching for the receipt so I can find out Gunny's birthday...Gunny is staying alive! =D

 

[reptilianboy831]

Yea, my first one died at about 3 years old of septicimia. I still dont know how he got it..
But this site has helped me out A LOT. And the second one i got was given to me by a friend. but his MBD was wayyyyyyyyy to far advanced to help him. Poor guy.

 

[SamTheSlam]

I use rolled oats therefore in case he intakes any of it, it can easily be digested.

 

[diamc]

I honestly don't think that using rolled oats is a good idea, especially for a baby. When you cook oats, they swell up which means that could happen in your beardies belly. A solid substrate is MUCH safer.

 

[SamTheSlam]

ok thank you

ill switch him off those then,

but what am i going to do with a 50 pund bag of oats (lol)!!

 

[zebraflavencs]

Well, bake Cookies of course ! If you need a recipe....
We'll send you a list of the members here, so you can ship us all some
Just kidding !
Know any horses around you ? Perhaps donating to a horse rescue......
Just some ideas !
Janie.