Washing Hands After Holding

[srpurdnar]

Hello,
I know that lots of people who own bearded dragons give them attention via holding. I have read on various sites that one should always wash their hands after holding any pet, bearded dragons included.

I am wondering how many of you wash your hands after handling your dragon? Is this mandatory? Is washing your hands in the interest of the owner or in the interest of the bearded dragon? It kind of seems like a pain to do but if it is best for the bearded dragon I am sure that I can remember to wash my hands.

Thanks for your comments,
Future beardie owner

 

[BadCon]

I always wash my hands...even though I know that my lizards are far cleaner then most, its just a good habit to have. Hand washing is something people should do regardless, as its the easiest possible thing you can do to avoid illness. Our world is far dirtier then we think....
When I got my first beardy, I trained myself to wash my hands each and every time I handled it. Now its literally second nature...like putting on a seatbelt in a car, I do it without thinking. With clean healthy animals in a clean tiled viv, do I technically need to wash my hands every time? Probably not. Then again, is it possible to use the bathroom without dirtying your hands? Yes...but you should still wash them, as it only takes 1 time to cause issues for you and others. Good habits will prevent such disasters.

BTW, reptiles and birds carry salmonella in the digestive tract just like humans and other mammels carry E-coli. Contact with any dirty creature can result in an infection...including humans. This is especially true in individuals with compromised immune systems, which is why its usually little kids and older people in the new headlines during an E-coli outbreak. Honestly, I'm more concerned about washing my hands after shaking someones hand, then I am after handling my dragons. At least I know where my dragons have been lol

Along those same lines, preventing infections doesn't end with hand washing. Its important to keep a clean enclosure...doing so will probably eliminate virtually all of the risk associated with reptiles. Avoid particle substrates, and spot clean soiled areas asap. Use a good disinfectant, and say bye bye to salmonella forever.

 

[fez09]

Very well said! I agree with every statement made! It's habit for me, I was my hands after my dogs have been on my lap getting lovin's too though...Second nature!

 

[Rutabaga]

To add to the OP's question....I see alot of pics of people with their beardies cuddling up by their neck (touching skin). Should you then wash your neck as well after putting your beardie away?

Thanks!

 

[Atrax]

I wash my hands (with that disinfection gel, it's a wonderful thing to have if you have reptiles) before I go and hold my dragon. B/c I wouldn't want him to get any of those yuckie bugs :wink:
I wash my hands after handling only if he has pooped on me or if I'm going to eat after holding him.
My baby is bathed regularly and is lil' squeaky clean pooper. :mrgreen:

It's interesting how they don't smell even a little bit. :love5: Such a wonderful pet he is :love5:

 

[ChinelleKitten]

I have to note that on the other side of the spectrum, I don't wash my hands before or after handling my beardies. However, if i've been cleaning or working on the car etc. where i might have chemicals on my hands I definitly do wash up before touching the beardies, for their sake. But like the above posters say beardies do have potential to pass on samonella and people with low immune systems should take extra care. But hey, I even kiss my dragons on their lips and i've never gotten sick If you keep the tank clean and give ur dragon regular baths you'll be fine.