Shedding is a natural part of a beardie’s life. As they grow, their skin must be shed and replaced with a larger “coat” every so often. But this process can be an uncomfortable time for them. As their human companion, you want to make the process smooth and painless.
You wake up one morning to find your bearded dragon buddy looking dull and dreary. Their colors seem muted, moving a bit slower than usual. What gives? Chances are, they’re getting ready to shed their skin soon.
Shedding is part of your beardie’s normal behavior, but their comfort during this time depends on you! With some helpful shed aids and gentle assistance, you can help scaly friend shed their skin safely and return to their vibrant.
In this article, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to give your bearded dragon some shed assistance without stressing them out.
Setting Up a Shed-Friendly Habitat
A bearded dragon’s habitat setup significantly affects how smoothly their process goes. Making some modifications when you notice shedding signs emerging can help your scaly buddy out!
Get the Temp Just Right
Proper temperatures in the tank are crucial for easy shedding. Here’s what Beardie needs:
- Basking spot reaching 95-110°F – this helps loosen the skin
- Cool side around 80-90°F – prevents overheating
- Nighttime temp of 75-80°F – helps rehydrate the skin
Monitor temperatures with a few good thermometers placed in different tank areas. Adjust heat lamps as needed to maintain ideal shedding conditions.
Increase the Humidity
Boosting humidity slightly during a shed helps keep your beardie’s skin from drying out and getting stuck shed. Aim for 30-40% humidity in the tank. You can increase it by:
- Adding a humid hide box with damp moss
- Misting the tank 2-3 times a day
- Using a humidity box or fogger
- Placing a shallow water dish in the tank
Too much humidity can cause other issues, so track levels with a hygrometer and adjust as needed.
Hydration
Well-hydrated skin sheds more easily than dry, flaky skin. Make sure your beardie is getting enough fluids by:
- Misting them directly 2-3 times a day
- Providing fresh drinking water always
- Giving baths 2-3 times weekly
- Feeding hydrating fruits and veggies like lettuce, melon, berries
Their skin will soak up all that good hydration and put it to use, loosening up the outer layers of dead skin.
Have Shed Aids Ready
Invest in a good shedding aid like Zoo Med Repti Shedding Aid. Spray it on your beardie whenever you notice skin looking dull. The natural oils and aloe will help soften the old skin for easy removal.
You can also spray a humid hide with shedding aid to let them soak it in.
Add Rubbing Accessories
Give your beardie some objects to rub against inside their home. Flat rocks, logs, and reptile hammocks are perfect for this.
As they slither, the friction gently loosens the dead skin, and they can begin shedding. Be sure hard edges are smooth to prevent injury.
Getting your bearded dragon’s habitat set up to meet their needs during shedding is key! Adjust the temperature, humidity, and accessories to give them a comfortable shedding environment.
READ MORE: Do Bearded Dragons Eat Their Shed Skin?
Baths and Grooming for Shed Assistance
Bathing and grooming properly is key to making it a soothing experience.
Give Them a Good Soak
A warm bath is magic for loosening up dead skin and getting your beardie ready to shed. Here are tips for bath time:
- Use a plastic tub or sink filled shallowly with lukewarm water.
- Have beardie soak for 10-15 minutes 1-2 times weekly
- Add a capful of shedding aid to the water for extra power
- Use a soft bristle brush while bathing to help slough skin
- Rinse them off at the end and gently blot dry
The hydration and moisture from baths allow the old skin to soften up and separate from the new layers beneath it.
Gently Exfoliate with a Soft Brush
While your beardie is soaking, grab a super soft bristle toothbrush and ever-so-gently brush their skin. Focus on areas with visible shed skin, like the feet, knees, elbows, and sides of the tail.
- Avoid brushing the face, ears, eyes, cloaca
- Let the brush glide lightly over the surface
- Don’t press hard or scrub abrasively
- Stop if they seem uncomfortable
This mild exfoliation helps brush away dead skin cells without damaging the sensitive new skin underneath.
Moisturize with Natural Oils
After bath time, while the skin is still damp, rubbing a drop of natural moisturizer can bring soothing relief. Aloe vera gel and coconut oil work well.
Avoid mineral oil, which can clog pores. Only apply a tiny amount and keep them away from heat lamps so it doesn’t burn.
Watch for Pale Tail Tips
Pay special attention to the tail when shedding – it often lags. If the tail tip appears pale or constricted, use a moisturizer on it regularly.
- A pale color signals poor circulation.
- Dark bands are constriction rings.
- Treat ASAP to avoid tail-tip death.
See a vet promptly if the tail tip turns black/brown, as amputation may be required.
Dry Them Off Properly
Drying your beardie after their bath and moisturizer application is important.
- Gently blot wet skin with a soft towel
- Avoid vigorous rubbing
- Make sure all skin is dry
- Keep away from heat lamps until completely dry to avoid burns
Getting moisture trapped under the skin can lead to health issues. A thorough yet delicate drying sets them up for success.
You can give your shedding buddy some sweet relief with the right bathing routine and grooming techniques! Just be sure to handle their sensitive skin gently.
Letting Shed Happen Naturally
While it’s tempting to speed things up, letting the shedding process happen naturally for your bearded dragon is important. With patience and close monitoring, their skin will renew itself on its own time.
Don’t Pull the Skin Off
It can be super tempting just to pull off those sheets of dangling dead skin yourself. Fight the urge! Forcing shed skin off prematurely can:
- Cause cuts, scrapes, and open wounds
- Damage the new skin beneath it
- lead to infection
- Cause significant pain and stress
The shed has to detach as the new layers grow in. If pieces hang loose but not fully detached, just leave them be and let nature run its course.
Have Patience
Full sheds take 1-2 weeks from start to finish as skin slowly loosens and separates. Don’t rush it!
Be patient and let the process fully complete, even if it takes a while. Your efforts will pay off in healthy new skin.
Monitor for Issues
Keep an eye out for What Does Stuck Shed Look Like on a Bearded Dragon:
- Shed skin remaining 2 weeks after starts
- Visible patches of retained shed on feet, tail, etc.
- Increased lethargy or agitation
- Loss of appetite
- Rubbing against objects excessively
Trouble signs could indicate a bigger problem, like dehydration or illness. In that case, a vet visit may be in order.
Address Retained Shed
If old skin is sticking around and retained, take steps to help:
- Increase humidity levels
- Bathe and mist more frequently
- Gently ease off pieces after moistening
- Use shedding sprays and moisturizers
- See a vet if it persists and causes distress
Letting shedding run its natural course ensures your beardie remains comfortable and healthy. Trust the process! With attentive care from you, their fresh new skin will be ready for the world in no time.
Conclusion
Shedding skin is simply part of a bearded dragon’s natural cycle, like changing seasons. As their caretaker, you can make the process smoother and minimize discomfort.
The keys are providing a shed-friendly habitat, giving soothing baths and grooming, and having patience as nature takes its course. With the right temperature, humidity, soaks, and gentle exfoliation, that dull, faded skin will give way to lively new scales and vivid colors. Resist the temptation to pull off skin yourself, no matter how loose it may seem.
With your attentive, caring assistance, your bearded dragon can complete their shedding cycle feeling refreshed and renewed! Shedding keeps them growing, so take steps to make it a smooth process.
