Keeping any pet healthy is a challenge, and the same is true for bearded dragons. They are not as widely kept as other lizards or snakes, but they are rising in popularity as more people discover how fascinating these reptiles are.
If you have a bearded dragon as a pet, you may be wondering why does my bearded dragon look bloated?
It’s common to feel concerned if your bearded dragon looks like it has gained some excess weight.
But rest assured; there are many reasons why this might happen.
That said, it’s still important that you take steps to reduce the risk of problems in the future and monitor your pet closely until you’re confident that everything is well.
In this article, we will explain why does your bearded dragon look bloated and what you can do to keep it happy and healthy.
What Does a Healthy Bearded Dragon Look Like?
A healthy bearded dragon has bright, clear eyes, smooth, clear skin and a good appetite.
In addition to these outward signs of health, be sure to keep an eye out for any changes in behavior.
If your pet starts to lose interest in food or stops interacting with you, it could be a sign that something’s wrong.
In general, bearded dragons are healthy when they are alert and active. A healthy bearded dragon will also show interest in both food and interaction.
There are some problems that can affect bearded dragons that can result in changes in behavior, such as slow or lethargic activity, loss of appetite, cloudy eyes or overall sluggishness.
Any changes in behavior should be monitored closely by an experienced reptile keeper until it is determined that the change is normal.
If you have any concerns about the way your bearded dragon looks or acts, it’s important to take them to a vet as soon as possible.
Why is My Bearded Dragon puffed up like a Balloon?
If you’re concerned that your bearded dragon looks a bit too fat, you should try to find out why.
Most likely, your bearded dragon is just overly full. This is called “storing fat” and is a common behavior among reptiles.
Bearded dragons rely on external heat sources to digest their food. They need to warm up their bellies in order to break down their food and extract the necessary nutrients.
If your bearded dragon still looks bloated even after it’s digested its meal, it could be a sign of health problems.
If your bearded dragon doesn’t have enough light, they may look bloated even after they’ve digested their food.
Bearded dragons use light to help them digest their food. If they don’t get enough light, they may not be able to break down all of their food. When this happens, the food sits in their stomach and gets bloated.
Cause #1: Food Proportions
If your bearded dragon is bloated, it may be because you’re feeding them too much. Bearded dragons should eat in moderation, just like humans.
Excess food goes straight to your pet’s stomach, and it may become bloated. If you feed your bearded dragon too much, it’s likely that they will store it.
This means that their stomach will become bloated. To avoid this, you should make sure that you feed your bearded dragon the correct amount of food for their size.
Cause #2: Incorrect Light Levels
If your bearded dragon’s stomach bloats after they’ve digested their meal, the problem may be with the lighting in their tank.
If your bearded dragon doesn’t have enough light, they won’t be able to properly digest their food. This means that their food may sit in their stomach longer than it should.
When food stays in the stomach for too long, it bloats the stomach and makes the abdomen swell.
If you don’t have enough light, you may need to buy a stronger bulb for your bearded dragon’s tank.
You can also use artificial lighting instead of natural sunlight, although natural light is generally better for your bearded dragon.
Cause #3: New Environment or Irregular Feeding Times
If your bearded dragon’s stomach bloats after they’ve digested their meal, the problem may be that you’ve moved them to a new home.
When you move, your bearded dragon may get stressed out. This stress can cause their stomach to bloat.
When you’re moving, it’s important to keep a close eye on your bearded dragon’s behavior. If they look pudgy or bloated, it may be because they’re stressed.
If you move your bearded dragon to a new home, try to keep their feeding times and temperatures consistent. This will help them to feel more comfortable during their transition.
Cause #4: Constipation Or Blockage From Eating Too Much Fiber
If your bearded dragon’s stomach bloats after they’ve digested their meal, the problem may be that they ate too much fiber.
Indeed, when your bearded dragon eats too much fiber, it can cause a blockage. This blockage can cause their stomach to bloat.
Furthermore, if your bearded dragon eats too much fiber, its poop may look “cauliflower-y” and “stringy.” It may also be very difficult to pass.
In fact, when your bearded dragon’s poop looks stringy and difficult to pass, it’s a sign that they’ve eaten too much fiber.
Finally, when your bearded dragon is constipated, it may be because it’s eaten too much fiber.
You can help to relieve your pet’s constipation by feeding them less fiber.
Conclusion
A bloated abdomen can mean a range of different things and can have a number of different causes.
By keeping an eye on your bearded dragon’s diet, you can avoid bloating.
If you keep a close eye on your bearded dragon, you should be able to spot any signs of bloating.
You can then adjust their diet accordingly to avoid further complication. When in doubt, consult with a vet.
My name is Brad and I am the main editor of BeardieZilla.com.
The only goal of this site is quite simply to be able to help you. To help you by the means of my experiment, of the relation which I maintain with my bearded dragon as well as some of my knowledge about beardies.
I hope that you will find answers to some of your most pressing questions here.
Thank you for stopping by and enjoy the blog!
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