As a bearded dragon owner, you’ve likely noticed these exotic pets have little self-control over their food intake. Unfortunately, they’re also at high risk for obesity. It’s essential to provide a proper diet and know the warning signs of weight gain to keep your bearded dragon healthy and fit.
An obese bearded dragon is at risk of serious health issues. While it’s normal for a bearded dragon’s body to store fat for survival, too much fat is a problem. To avoid weight gain, provide a variety of nutritious foods and exercise opportunities. Hibernating can also help them keep fit.
This article will cover all you need to know about obesity in bearded dragons. I’ll explain the various causes of weight gain and exactly how fat is considered obese for this breed of lizard. I’ll also share tips for a healthy diet and how you can help your bearded dragon lose weight when necessary.
What Causes Obesity in Bearded Dragons?
Generally speaking, the number one cause of obesity in bearded dragons is their owners. No one likes to hear that they’re responsible for their pet being fat and unhealthy, yet it’s the truth.
When you keep a bearded dragon in captivity, normal activities and behaviors are severely limited if not eliminated. In their natural environment, bearded dragons roam the desert, bask in the sun, climb trees, and dig tunnels in which they can cool off or hide out. Their diet also consists of a wide variety of foods, and they eat at irregular intervals.
Regardless of your best efforts and intentions, bearded dragons can’t flourish and grow to their full potential when they spend most of their day relaxed on your shoulder, scrolling through social media with you, and munching on mealworms.
Causes of obesity in bearded dragons include improper diet, lack of exercise, and environmental stressors. A failure to hibernate your bearded dragon also causes obesity. In addition, bearded dragons with underlying health issues or parasites can suffer excessive weight gain.
If your bearded dragon seems to be putting on some extra weight, it may be due to:
- Overfeeding/Over-consuming
- Eating too many high-calorie foods
- Eating fatty foods
- Not eating enough greens and veggies
- A generally unbalanced diet
- Limited exercise
- Living conditions causing stress
- Poor care and husbandry
- Failure to hibernate
- Genetic health problems or parasites
A Veterinary Specialist’s Observations & Findings of Obesity in Bearded Dragons
Dr. Thomas H. Boyer has been a dedicated reptile and amphibian veterinarian for over 30 years. Along with being a member of numerous veterinary associations, he co-founded the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians in 1991 and has owned the Pet Hospital of Penasquitos since 1999. He is one of the leading experts in the nation when it comes to the proper care, health, and overall well-being of your bearded dragon.
As recently shared in his presentation of Diseases of Bearded Dragons, Dr. Boyer has concluded that overfeeding and lack of hibernation in bearded dragons leads to non-stop growth in their coelomic fat pads which can enlarge to exceed half the coelomic cavity. This condition potentially leads to hepatic lipidosis, or fatty liver disease, as a result.
He also observed the feeding history of several dragons and noted that they lose interest in mealworms, crickets, and greens when offered sugary berries and fruits. They come to prefer these high-sugar foods and show a significant drop in activity, as dragons stop trying to chase their food and, eventually, only eat what you place in front of them.
Furthermore, Dr. Boyer explains that to drain excess lipid reserves and avoid weight gain in healthy dragons, owners should ensure brumation (semi-hibernation).
Health Issues of an Overweight Bearded Dragon
An obese bearded dragon is at risk for several serious health issues, some of which can lead to an early death. These include:
- Arthritis
- Diabetes
- Mouth rot (Infectious stomatitis)
- Kidney disorder
- Liver diseases (most commonly, fatty liver disease)
- Heart disease
- Heart failure
- Cancer
One of the more concerning issues in an overweight female lizard dragon is her increased risk for egg binding. She cannot pass her eggs when this occurs, which remain inside her body. This condition is both uncomfortable for your dragon and potentially life-threatening.
Is My Bearded Dragon Fat?
Your bearded dragon is fat if it has enlarged fat pads on its head, an enlarged belly, and noticeable jowls. You will also notice fat pads on the tail and behind the armpits. The ideal weight varies based on several factors, including genetics, gender, subspecies, size, age, and more.
Often, a fat belly on a bearded dragon isn’t a concern, as this is a natural survival function of the species. What matters is that the weight is carried proportionately, as healthy dragons will have body mass sufficient to support their vital organs, such as the liver, kidney, lungs, and heart.
Is My Bearded Dragon Pregnant/Gravid or Just Getting Fat?
A bearded dragon is pregnant and not just getting fat when a bloated belly is accompanied by restless behavior and vast changes in appetite. You may also notice a gravid dragon digging and scratching at her enclosure. Females can develop egg clutches without mating as early as six months old.
What Should My Bearded Dragon Weight?
A bearded dragon should weight between 0.9 to 1.2 lbs (400 to 550 g) in healthy adult specimens. Other healthy weights for bearded dragons based on age are around 0.01 to 0.09 lbs (5 to 40 g) for hatchlings, 0.1 to 0.6 lbs (50 to 250 g) for juveniles, and 0.6 to 0.9 lbs (275 to 400 g) for sub-adults.
Still, there’s no fixed healthy weight for a bearded dragon, as you should factor in several considerations. For instance, males tend to be bigger than females throughout their growth stages and weight in at the higher end of these average ranges.
Rather than aim to hit a set number, experienced pet owners and breeders routinely track a dragon’s weight to ensure it is appropriately maintained.
Bearded dragons grow quickly in both length and weight during the first eight weeks of life, gaining as much as 0.09 lbs (40g) during this hatchling stage. Juvenile dragons may gain an average of 0.09 to 0.1 lbs (40-50g) per month into their sub-adult stage and gain another 0.2 to 0.22 lbs (90-100g) by the time they’re full-sized adults.
9 Signs Your Bearded Dragon Is Overweight
It’s not always easy to tell if your bearded dragon is overweight, considering it’s common for a healthy dragon to display one or two of these signs. However, if you notice multiple at once, it’s a sign of obesity. Here are some signs to look for that may indicate your bearded dragon has put on some extra grams:
1. Your Bearded Dragon’s Tail Is Thick and Fat
One of the easiest ways to determine if your bearded dragon is too fat is to check its tail. Healthy dragons will have a firm tail that feels solid and dense. Since it’s needed to help the dragon balance, the tail should be compact and have very little flexibility. The scales should also be fixed in place with limited mobility.
If the tail of your bearded dragon looks very thick and feels squishy to the touch, it means a layer of fat is surrounding it, which is a clear indication of a weight problem.
2. Your Bearded Dragon Has Enlarged Cranial Pads
The fat pads on the head of a healthy bearded dragon should form a fleshy bulge with a soft, squishy feel. They should create a gradual curve in the shape of the dragon’s head and, essentially, go by unnoticed. Notably, if you touch these pads and only feel bone, this is a sign of dehydration.
On the other hand, oversized cranial fat pads exaggerate the head curve resembling pimples and are a sign of an obese beardie. Typically, this is attributed to overfeeding or overconsuming foods and treats with high-fat content.
3. Your Bearded Dragon Forearm Fat Pads Are Enlarged
In the wild, the fat pads under a bearded dragon’s forearms store excess fat during a food shortage. Captive bearded dragons tend to have small forearm fat pads when they’re healthy. Yet, these pads will bulge considerably when a bearded dragon is overweight.
4. You’ve Got a Lazy Lizard
When a bearded dragon is lazy, it’s usually a sign they’ve put on too much weight. Excess fat makes it difficult for the dragon to move about, specifically putting a heavy strain on the legs. Obese bearded dragons might even struggle to eat easily. If you notice your beardie acting lethargic and moving slowly around its enclosure, it may be time for a diet change.
5. Your Bearded Dragon Has Excess Skin Folds in Abdomen, Limbs, or Neck
A healthy bearded dragon usually has thin skin creases on its abdomen, neck, and limbs. Typically, these are of no concern and hardly noticeable. Moreover, it’s natural for many lizards to have some excess skin and even display skin folds when preparing to shed.
However, excess skin is also an early sign that your bearded dragon is getting too fat. If skin folds become inordinately pronounced and plump up in the areas between its legs, under its chin, and around the belly, weight gain is likely to blame.
6. You Can’t Feel Your Bearded Dragon’s Spine and Rib Cage
Usually, you should be able to feel the rib cage and spine of a bearded dragon when you run your finger across these areas of the body. Feeling the bones beneath the skin shows that the bearded dragon is healthy. If you can’t feel these bones, a layer of fat covers them, indicating your dragon is overweight.
7. Your Bearded Dragon Has a Bloated Belly
The belly of a healthy bearded dragon should be somewhat flat with slight bulges on its sides. It should also clear the ground when the dragon walks. The abdominal fat should be lean and feel mildly squishy, and you shouldn’t see loose fat bellies hanging anywhere.
Conversely, a fat bearded dragon will have large clumps of fat hanging on its belly that are noticeably felt and make the stomach appear distended. An obese dragon may also drag saggy pockets of fat across the floor when moving.
However, note that a bloated belly in a female bearded dragon isn’t always a sign of obesity. If you suddenly found yourself with an overly pudgy dragon, she might be gravid (developing or carrying eggs).
8. Your Bearded Dragon Has Fat, Oversized Jowls
The jowls hang just below a bearded dragon’s beard, underneath the chin, and are made of loose skin and tissue material. The jowls on a healthy beardie should be free of extra fat, moderately flat, and curve slightly downward. Although, they swell up if the dragon has an infection, injury, or other irritation in the throat area.
An overweight bearded dragon, by comparison, might look as though it has a double chin, as the jowls are markedly oversized and hanging. Pockets of fat are stored behind the beard and compress into a big bulge. This build-up of fat puts pressure on the area, resulting in visibly loose skin under the chin or limpness in the lower lip.
9. Your Bearded Dragon Has Difficulties in Jumping and Climbing
Bearded dragons are terrestrial and semi-arboreal animals. You will see them climbing trees, jumping branches, and otherwise active throughout their daily activities in the wild. Healthy beardies should have no trouble scaling objects or moving about their enclosures.
Most obese dragons will struggle and look sluggish when climbing walls, branches, or rocks due to the strain caused by carrying extra fat around.
How To Help Your Bearded Dragon Lose Weight? 4 Ways!
If your bearded dragon has gotten too fat to be healthy, there are some ways to shed that extra weight. According to our expert, Dr. Thomas H. Boyer, it’s important to note that the goal should be gradual weight loss, as losing too much fat too quickly can also be detrimental to your dragon’s health.
Create an Environment That Allows for Sufficient Exercise
One of the best and easiest ways for a bearded dragon to get exercise is by running free in its enclosure. If your beardie is cooped up in a small space and unable to roam a fair measure, get a larger terrarium, or, if you have an outdoor enclosure, expand the space.
Ideally, there should be enough space to chase after live insects –which is an excellent way for obese dragons to increase exercise, says Dr. Boyer.
Your dragon should also have an object or two to climb. Fill the space with various items found in its natural habitats, such as rocks, branches, logs, and plants.
Provide a Varied, Low-Fat Diet
Too much fat content in your bearded dragon’s diet can lead to obesity. When they consume fatty foods too often, the fat infiltrates the liver tissues, preventing the organ from functioning and breaking down toxins as it should. Identify any high-fat foods or treats in your beardie’s diet and cut them back or out completely.
Reduce or Eliminate Fruits and Increase Green Vegetables
In the case of overfeeding causing obesity, Dr. Boyer believes the best treatment requires eliminating all fruit from the dragon’s diet. You should replace these foodstuffs with gut-loaded insects and leafy, dark-colored greens and flowers provided every other day to every third day. Fasting should then occur on alternate days.
Not consuming veggies and greens is also a common cause of obesity. A significant portion of a beardie’s diet should be plant matter to ensure proper health.
Encourage Your Beardie to Brumate
In nature, bearded dragons brumate in the winter months when temperatures drop, and food is scarce. When a dragon brumates, it is forced to draw on its fat reserves, which can help your beardie shed its excess weight.
You can force brumation by placing your beardie in a dark and cool area for about two months without food and only water to send them into brumation.
Final Thoughts
The most common offenses causing obesity in bearded dragons pertain to feeding. Other than pre-existing health issues or having parasites –which you may not even be aware of– it’s within your control to avoid an overweight dragon.
If your beardie is showing multiple signs of obesity, I recommend starting with a trip to the vet for a check-up and parasite test. You and the veterinarian can then discuss the appropriate measures for your beloved beardie.
