Can bearded dragons drink tap water? This is one of the crucial questions you might ask yourself as beardie owner. In this post, let’s talk about whether tap water is healthy for bearded dragons.
Like food, water is also very important for bearded dragons. But you need to be careful because unsafe water could potentially cause health issues in beardies.
So, can bearded dragons drink tap water at all?
Yes, bearded dragons can drink tap water as long as it is clean and safe from chemicals. However, a filtered water is better to make sure the water is free from harmful minerals and chemicals. A water conditioner can also be helpful to protect your bearded dragon from potential health risks.
It is true that bearded dragons drink any available water in wild. Water from faucets can be different. It may contain chemicals that may not be safe for beardies.
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Is Tap Water Not Safe for Bearded Dragons?
Well, the answer to this is it depends on the source of the water. But in my experience, tap water nowadays contains chemicals such as fluoride and chlorine. These chemicals are not harmful for humans though. But the effect may not be the same in bearded dragons.
That said, it is difficult to trust tap water as water source for bearded dragons. If you are not sure whether it is safe for your reptiles to drink tap water, it is better to go with a bottled filtered water instead.
However, there are situations wherein fileted water is not available. In this case, the option is tap water. But what you can do to keep your bearded dragon safe from potential toxic chemicals?
The best way to keep your beardie safe is to use a water conditioner (click here to view my recommended water conditioner for beardies on Amazon). This water conditioner does a pretty good job in detoxifying the water and making it safe for beardies.
- Removes chlorines and chloramines instantly
- Removes heavy metals
- Stimulates natural slime coat
- Great for reptile water bowls, chameleon drip water systems, amphibian enclosures, and aquatic turtle tanks
- Provides essential ions and electrolytes which help to hydrate newly acquired animals
The much better option is to use bottled filtered water and add water conditioner to it instead of tap water. This is to make the water for bearded dragons even safer.
The downside of this is that it will be an extra cost to you. But trust me, this is a lot cheaper than bringing your beardie to a vet. This is the reason why I always choose the safer route even it costs me money. I want to make sure that my reptile pet has the safest food and water.
Do Bearded Dragons Need Fresh Water?
Yes, bearded dragons absolutely need fresh water. In the wild, they used to get water from plants and insects. In captivity, these water sources are less likely available. So they need water to keep them hydrated.
Like food, you need to make sure that your bearded dragon gets safe water. And keeping it safe means that you must only offer clean water. Aside from insuring that the water is free from risky chemicals, it is also recommended to change the water regularly.
You can do it anytime you like. But I found mornings as the perfect time to change the water. However, there are instances that changing the beardies’ drinking water several times a day is necessary.
If you have an active bearded dragon that likes to roam in the tank, chances are the water bowl could get dirty. If this is the case, you need to change the water to keep it clean and safe for your reptile.
Can Bearded Dragons Drink Water from Bowls
Is important to remember that bearded dragons drink from a running water source in the wild. This is the main reason why most beardie owners noticed that their bearded dragons are not drinking water from the bowl.
This problem is common. But you can train your bearded dragon to drink water from the bowl. The first thing you need to do is to find a perfect bowl for your bearded dragon.
The bowl should have low sides that allow the dragons to get into and out of the water bowl. You can check my recommended bowl on Amazon.
- Easy to clean
- Steps prevent crickets and terrarium animals from drowning
- Non-porous and smooth surface will not absorb harmful bacteria
- Made from food-grade resin
- Very stable, not easily tipped over by larger reptiles
- Mimics the rock in natural terrain while providing a generous pool of water
The next thing you can do is to add some flavor and aroma to the water (assuming that you already filled the bowl with water). The best choices for this are fruit juices such as pear and apple juice. You can add other fruits too depending on what your reptile loves.
But whatever fruit juice you add, always remember to not add preservatives or sugar to the water. Just keep it 100% natural. Keep in mind that sugar is not healthy for bearded dragons.
Aside from keeping the water clean, the bowl must also be well-maintained. This is obvious but sometimes it is taken for granted. So don’t forget to clean the bowl regularly to prevent bacterial buildup.
What works well with my bearded dragons though is water dispenser (click here to view my recommended water dispenser for beardies on Amazon). This water dispenser is super durable and easy to clean. The wide anti-tip base is perfect for bearded dragons.
- The width of the base helps keep the reservoir stable and upright to avoid tipping and spilling
- The reservoir holds 22-ounces of water and continuously dispenses it as your pet drinks
- Designed with an insect guard to keep insects and small lizards from entering the water bottle
- Provides your pet with a continuous supply of water, allowing you to change it less often
- Perfect for iguanas, bearded dragons, small snakes, lizards and salamanders
What Are Signs of Dehydration in Bearded Dragons?
Bearded dragons need to stay hydrated. So as an owner, you need to make sure that your beardies have enough water. Dehydration can have a significant negative effect on their health.
The challenge sometimes is that bearded dragons, like other pets do not speak so you might remain unaware of their needs. That said, you need to watch out for signs of dehydration to keep them healthy.
There are several indicators of dehydration in beardies. The common ones are lack of appetite, sunken eyes, and lethargy. If you are not sure whether these signs are indeed caused by dehydration, I suggest that you bring your beardie to a vet.
And one more thing, do it quickly. I lost a bearded dragon before because I acted on the problem late. I learned the painful lesson. So always make sure that you are on the safer route.
Related Article: Bearded Dragon Sunken Eyes: Causes and Treatments
Final Thoughts on Can Bearded Dragons Drink Tap Water
Bearded dragons can drink tap water as long as it is clean and free from chemicals. Tap water sometimes can have chloride and other potentially risky chemicals that may not be healthy for bearded dragons.
That said, I recommend that you choose filtered bottled water instead. You can also add water conditioner to make sure that your dragon gets the best water.
Bearded dragons don’t usually drink water from a bowl. If that is the case, you can use water dispenser instead.
I hope this helps. Thank you for your time spent reading this post.
Related Questions
What other things can I do to hydrate my bearded dragon?
Bearded dragons can be hydrated by feeding them live insects, vegetables, and fruits. They used to eat these types of foods in the wild. Aside from drinking from the running water, they get a considerable amount of water from fruits and greens.
Are wild insects safe for bearded dragons?
As a rule of thumb, do not feed your dragons with insects caught in the wild. This is because those insects may have harmful chemicals that could potentially cause health problems in beardies. The safest way is to buy insects from pet stores.
Can I bathe my bearded dragon in tap water?
Yes, you can bathe a bearded dragon in a tap water. Just make sure it is dechlorinated. He/she will enjoy it. Let your beardie soak in the water for 15-20 minutes. It will help your beardie a lot.
