Are Bearded Dragons Good Pets?
Bearded dragons make a wonderful pet for first time reptile owners who are willing to put in the time and energy into researching their strict diet and habitat needs. By most definitions, YES! Bearded dragons are very docile and easy-going lizards that actually do quite well under human care and handling .
One of the best lizards, bearded dragons provide first time reptile owners with a relatively hardy pet that is well adapted to people and full of personality after warming up to their human!
Below, you’ll find 5 bearded dragon pet pros to consider before adopting your new pet!
Pro #1: They’re Affordable
Perhaps one of the BIGGEST draws of bearded dragons is their overall affordability, especially when compared to larger pets such as dogs and cats.In comparison to other pets, bearded dragons can actually be quite cost-effective when it comes to veterinary care. While checkups, medications, and surgeries for cats and dogs can cost hundreds if not thousands of Rands, bearded dragons typically will run up a smaller bill should you need to take them in.
On top of this, their diet also tends to be relatively cheap depending on the types of feeders offered.
However, getting started with a bearded dragon can be quite an investment upfront, depending on how sophisticated and sizable you choose to make their enclosure. And naturally, there are certain components to their enclosure you are NOT going to want to skimp on, as these will directly impact your pet’s health. For instance, investing in a quality heat and lighting setup, will add years to your beardie’s life and ensure you don’t end up spending more money in the long run at the vet.
With that being said, once you have an enclosure that is large enough for your adult bearded dragon, you WON’T need to buy much else besides food and the occasional replacement bulb for their heat lamp or UVB.
Pro #2: They Live a Long Time
If kept extremely healthy and happy, your bearded dragon may be lucky enough to live to be 15 years old! This is, however, pretty uncommon. Typically, well cared for bearded dragons can live anywhere from 8 to 12 years.But, don’t let that stop you from providing excellent care as some bearded dragon owners have reported their lizards living to be as old as 18 and even 20 years of age!
Pro #3: They’re Friendly
You may just be surprised how attached you become to your bearded dragon over time… and vice versa for that matter! Beardies are notorious for bonding with their owners and even love a good snuggle. Sure, they’re probably most attracted to our body heat, but if you ask me? There’s something to be said for blind trust laying on your chest as well.If you’ve never owned a reptile before, you may find yourself wondering… “Are bearded dragons friendly?” Which in all fairness, is a REALLY normal, common, and even responsible question to consider before adopting.
Think of it this way, how many times have you been exposed to cats and dogs (whether in person, online, or in film) that are cuddly, warm, affectionate, and friendly towards people? Probably a lot. But could the same be said for reptiles?
It isn’t all that rare for people to wonder about bearded dragon’s temperament or assume they can be antisocial or mean spirited, especially when you consider the fact that reptiles are notoriously referred to as “cold blooded”.
However, it is important to note that because bearded dragons are docile and non-aggressive creatures, biting is NOT in their nature. As long as you’ve treated them kindly and make sure to handle them in gentle, non-threatening environments, they likely won’t feel a need to be aggressive. Look at it this way, if you don’t give your bearded dragon a reason to bite you, they won’t.
Expert Tip: Naturally, there are some instances where your bearded dragon may bite you despite your best intentions. This is most common with babies and beardies who have been re-homed. However, rest assured that both will almost always calm down with a little patience and time.
And when it comes to bearded dragon temperament? Well, you’d be hard pressed to find a more docile reptile. In fact, it isn’t uncommon to hear stories about bearded dragons who display signs of love towards their owners.
And although it remains difficult to prove if it’s possible for reptiles to be actually be affectionate… Many bearded dragon owners will adamantly tell you their bearded dragon has indeed bonded with them and shown signs similar to affection.
Never is bearded dragon affection MORE evident than when they curl up and actually cuddle (yes, you read that right!) their owners. And although the added warmth is most likely a benefit of the cuddling, it’s pretty hard to argue that a bearded dragon cuddling it’s owner ISN’T bonded to them in at least some capacity.
Pro #4: They’re Easy to Take Care of
When caring for your pet bearded dragon, you’ll need to spend minimal time daily on feeding and cleaning their enclosure, as waste should be removed on sight. However, this isn’t to say your bearded couldn’t psychologically benefit from some interaction as well. Many owners love to give their beardies a cuddle or take them outside for some sunshine.Although they will thrive on a schedule, bearded dragons are relatively independent creatures who are easy to care for in regard to feeing and husbandry.
However, as aforementioned they can be a small investment upfront when it comes to setting up their initial habitat. But these upfront costs amount to very little money over time. But, once their care is set up and you’ve mastered their lighting and temperature setup, chances are… you’ll likely find caring for them easier than most other pets!
You will have to clean their tank regularly, and it is advised you remove waste upon first noticing it. However, you can always choose an easy-to-clean substrate that makes removing waste a fast, painless process.
Additionally, if the idea of feeding mice or rats makes you squeamish, you’ll appreciate the fact that bearded dragons can thrive on mere crickets.
Pro #5: They’re Great With Kids & Other Pets
Expert caregivers agree… bearded dragons make GREAT pets for kids! Friendly, patient, and typically non-aggressive, beardies are the perfect reptile for curious kiddos looking to care for an animal other than your typical cat or dog. This is due to their docile and gentle nature that makes them easy to handle and interact with.Bearded dragons are also a great pet for kids because they are easy to care for, yet still require routine feeding, maintenance, and attention, which will help teach children the responsibility of having to care for something else.
One thing your child needs to understand about bearded dragons though, is they can become quite accustomed to a schedule!
For instance, if you have bonding time every night with your beardie before they go to sleep, and then suddenly skip it one night, this can be very upsetting for the social little guy or girl! It is important to try and maintain a regular schedule as this is what beardie’s thrive on emotionally.
Expert Tip: However, it shouldn’t go without saying that younger children may be better off observing than handling as bearded dragons can be seriously hurt if dropped. Proceed with caution if your household has children under 5 years old.
And when it comes to pets? Bearded dragons have actually been known to be very tolerant of other animals, just like they are with humans. You will see some pretty cute pictures if you google “bearded dragon and cat” or “bearded dragon and dog”. Of course, it is never advised that you put your bearded dragon with your cat or dog unless they feel comfortable. And even in this instance, it is STILL recommended you 100% monitor the situation. But at the end of the day, only YOU will be able to discern whether or not your cat or dog can be trusted around your bearded dragon.
However, even if you believe your cat or dog poses no threat, it is still really important that you supervise any and all interactions.
Bearded Dragons As Pets
If you’ve never had a reptile before, bearded dragons are notoriously a great pet to start with. Why? Well, besides their wonderful temperaments, they’re just really easy to care for and relatively inexpensive once you’ve bought and set up their habitat.If you want a low maintenance pet that is pretty cost-effective and easy-going, then these little guys are a great choice for you!
