Bearded dragon not pooping? How to help impaction and what to feed?

Hi! Since Gronk has not defecated in 24 hours, I think it’s fine to keep trying with warm water soaking 1 - 2 times a day for 10-15 minutes. Make sure you supervise him during the soaks and if he still wants to eat, I would decrease what you offer him until he does defecate. If he usually defecates daily, but still hasn’t defecated after 3-5 days with normal appetite, has any vomiting, change in attitude, activity or appetite, then I do think an examination by a veterinarian is the best thing for him. They can also give an enema or take a radiograph (X-ray) to see if there is a problem inside. Sometimes, some mild dehydration slows down the process and they just need a little boost of fluid to help move things along. So keep going with soaking for now. I hope that does the trick! Good luck, Gronk!

She could be impacted, especially if she is on a sand bedding, you can try giving her laxatives such as parafin oil and cat hairball paste 3 times a day, i do recommend taking her to the vet to get it confirmed before you do that, an xray will confirm it if she has sand impaction.

Thanks for reaching out about Spike. He probably needs to see a veterinarian, since the warm water soak and other treatments haven't seemed to work. Any change of ingested foreign bodies (sand, bark, paper, other)? Hold back on the olive oil, as if aspirated with cause death. Good luck.

Hi and thanks for using PetCoach! Sorry to hear that Nero is having a potential problem. It may be time to re evaluate your husbandry program to ensure that you are doing everything right from housing, conditions, diet, etc. Here's two great links for their care and husbandry http://www.anapsid.org/bearded.html http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Lizard-Species/Bearded-Dragon/ A few common reasons for constipation include chronic dehydration and poor gut motility due to low calcium levels. These links should help you get back on track. 10 min water soaks once daily may also help including adding calcium to his diet. I hope these help you resolve the problem. I wish you good luck.

Yes, you can mix a few drops of olive or vegetable oil into some unsweetened applesauce or prune baby food. Dab a bit on Clyde's nose to get him eating it. Afterwards, soak him 2-3 times * day in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte. Gentle massage his abdomen, front to back, during the soak to stimulate defecation. Make sure his enclosure is adequately heated since low temps can affect digestion in reptiles. See your veterinarian or an experienced herp vet if Clyde becomes lethargic, stops eating entirely or if there is no defecation within 24-48 hours of the oil/food mix.

Mealworms can be a problem for some beardies, especially juveniles, due the chitinous body. If you can, switch her over to appropriately sized crickets or dubia roaches. Gut load all prey for 24 hours prior to offering and dust with multivitamin and calcium powders to maximize nutritional value. Maintain adequate temperatures as well. Low temps can affect activity, appetite and digestion in reptiles. A temp gradient ranging from about 76 F (cool side) to 86 F (warm side) with a basking spot of 90 F to 100 F is recommended. To stimulate defecation, soak Lizzie in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte. Gently massage her abdomen from front to back during the soak. The soak will also hydrate her and aid in shedding.

The stress associated with new surroundings can certainly affect appetite. Low temperatures can also affect activity, appetite and digestion in reptiles. Give Lightning a few days to acclimate. Confirm adequate temps, both basking and ambient, in his enclosure. You can also survey the area around the cage for any negative stimuli, reducing or eliminating them if possible. Continue to offer fresh greens, fruits and appropriately sized prey. Warm soaks in a 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte may treat or prevent mild dehydration. The soaks will also warm him up and, if you massage his abdomen during the soaks, they can stimulate defecation.