Wont poop

[robert9790]

I recently got my bearded dragon a brand new enclosure and for the last few days he wont poop unless i bath him. He will happily take all the dubias i give him though. Any thoughts as to why this can be happening?

 

[CooperDragon]

He may not want to poop in his enclosure. I'd take it as a good thing as it's much easier to clean the bathtub than the tank. If you bathe him at the same time every day and get him used to pooping at the same time, he'll learn the routine and eventually you'll be able to bring him out of the tank at around that time and put him in an easy to clean place (vinyl flooring for example) and just wait for him to go. They respond well to routine and having a routine like that makes tank maintenance much easier and keeps it more sanitary.

 

[robert9790]

Wow thats amazing, i was freaking out thinking he was sick or something. he does indeed get a bath everyday at the same time or nearly the same time. at 12pm he gets a nice bath and he poops then i feed him. Didnt realize he is in routine. I appreciate the info, puts me at ease.

 

[kingofnobbys]

I can confirm that approach works and that some beardies detest pooing in their enclosure.

My 2 will hang on and wait until they are out for a feed or a run about (and pretty soon up goes the bottom). They will rarely do it on their enclosure and get very upset when they've soiled their house (when they've not been able to hang on anymore) and make it very clear they :
- want out
- want it gone.

The bluetongues and water skink are less fastidious , but do tend to save it up until they are out for a run about or a cuddle. They do prefer to go in the same spot though.

I think it's instinct that in the wild they don't want to poo too close to their regular hides or territory - in order to avoid predators finding them.

Consequently I keep a sheet of absorbant paper kitchen towel handy JIC of "toilet accidents".

I have tried the bathing thing and Puff is very good at doing a dump in the bath water (with a tummy rub to help things along), Rex is very stubborn and refuses to go in the bath , but will go later (usually on the kitchen floor).

They are very quirky eh.