🐉 Vet’s 2025 Guide to Bearded Dragon Care: Lighting, Diet & Health Essentials for a Thriving Lizard ☀️🥬

By Dr. Duncan Houston, BVSc

Bearded dragons are among the most popular reptile pets in Australia—and for good reason. These charismatic lizards are hardy, interactive, and make great companions for keepers of all experience levels. In this 2025 guide, we’ll explore housing, nutrition, lighting, behavior, and health to help your dragon thrive. 🐉🌞

📖 About Bearded Dragons

The most commonly kept species is the Central Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps), native to arid and semi-arid Australia. These lizards can live 8–12 years with proper care, reaching lengths of 40–60 cm. They are diurnal (active during the day) and love basking in the sun. ☀️

🏠 Housing & Enclosure Setup

• Minimum Enclosure: 120 x 60 x 60 cm for adults; juveniles can start smaller but quickly need more space.
• Substrate: Use tile, newspaper, or reptile carpet. Avoid loose sand to prevent impaction.
• Decor: Include rocks, branches for climbing, and multiple hides (cool and warm zones).
• Cleaning: Spot clean daily; deep clean monthly with reptile-safe disinfectant.

☀️ Heating & UVB Lighting

Proper heat and UVB exposure are critical to your dragon’s health:

• Basking Spot: 38–42°C
• Cool End: 24–27°C
• Night Temp: 18–22°C
• UVB Lighting: Use a 10.0 T5 UVB tube, replaced every 6–12 months. It must cover at least two-thirds of the enclosure.
• Daylight Cycle: 10–14 hours of light depending on the season.

🥬 Nutrition & Feeding Schedule

Bearded dragons are omnivores, with dietary needs changing as they age:

Juveniles (under 12 months):

• Insects: 70% of the diet—crickets, roaches, mealworms (dusted with calcium daily)
• Veggies: 30%—offer finely chopped greens daily
• Feeding: 2–3 times per day

Adults (12+ months):

• Veggies: 70–80%—focus on leafy greens like collards, kale, bok choy
• Insects: 20–30%—feed 2–3 times a week
• Fruits: Treats only—small amounts of berries or melon

Supplementation:

• Calcium: 4–5x/week (more for juveniles)
• Multivitamin: 1–2x/week

🧠 Behavior & Enrichment

• Personality: Most are docile and enjoy being handled regularly.
• Territorial Displays: Head bobbing, arm waving, and beard puffing are normal behaviors.
• Enrichment Ideas: Rearrange decor weekly, offer digging areas, introduce food puzzles, or supervised outdoor time.

🩺 Common Health Concerns

• Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD): From lack of calcium or UVB—causes limb deformities, lethargy.
• Impaction: Caused by loose substrate or large food items—leads to constipation or bloating.
• Parasites: Run fecal tests annually or when appetite drops.
• Respiratory Infection: Symptoms include gaping, wheezing, and bubbling at the nose/mouth.

🚨 Signs to See a Vet

• Lethargy or unresponsiveness
• Refusal to eat for over 5 days (especially in adults)
• Swollen joints, bent limbs, or soft jaw
• Weight loss or sunken eyes

🧽 Hygiene & Maintenance

• Daily: Spot clean poop, refresh water
• Weekly: Clean food dishes and basking spot decor
• Monthly: Deep clean with disinfectant, replace UVB if needed

📱 Resources & Support

• 📞 For expert help, visit Ask A Vet or use the Ask A Vet app
• ☀️ Shop lighting, supplements, and thermometers at Woopf
• 🥬 Find calcium powder and gut-loading insect food at Purrz

With the right setup, diet, and daily care, your bearded dragon will live a long, healthy, and engaging life. Their personalities are as vibrant as their beards—and they’re truly one of Australia’s best reptilian companions. 🐉💚