The Complete Guide to Skinning Bearded Dragons (2023)

The process of shedding a bearded dragon is something all owners need to understand. Over the years, we've heard from countless people who said they weren't sure what to expect if the Beardie fell.

And that's a problem.

As an owner, it's your job to support these reptiles as they go through this natural process. While they can handle most of it themselves, there are some things you can do to make this easier (and more comfortable) for them.

This guide will prepare you for when your bearded dragon starts to lose hair. When the time comes, you can spring into action!

How often do bearded dragons shed their fur?

The answer to this question really depends on your age. You see, younger bearded dragons shed much more often than older ones.

The reason for this is growth. When these reptiles are young, they grow very fast. Because of this, they actually grow out of your skin! Unlike humans, where our skin basically grows with us as we age, bearded dragons have skin that has a very different texture.

You can use general age ranges to estimate how often a bearded dragon sheds. Some obviously lose more than others, but these numbers are pretty standard averages.

0 to 24 weeks

Bearded dragons shed hair quite frequently at this age. That's when they grow the most, so your skin can't keep up!

There will be a complete molting cycle about once a week. Molting in young bearded dragons looks a little different than molting in older dragons. It does not occur all at once throughout the body and is found in random places throughout the body.

24 to 48 weeks

At this age, your bearded dragon will shed less often. Their growth rate will start to slow down a bit, and as a result, they won't lose as much.

You can expect hair loss to occur from twice a month at the beginning of this age group to every other month towards the end.

One year

At this point, the excretion rate significantly decreases. Your bearded dragons only dress a few times a year on average.

A year and a half (and beyond)

By the time your bearded dragon reaches the age of one and a half years, he won't shed much fur. At that point they are fully developed and will produce more "skin refreshers" than anything else.

You can expect your bearded dragon to shed only 2-3 times a year when it reaches this age.

Will your behavior change?

While there shouldn't be any drastic changes in behavior, there are some subtle changes to look out for. This can sometimes indicate that your bearded dragon may soon be losing fur (especially if he is at an age where this is more common).

Their activity level may drop a bit and they maystart eating less. Your Beardie can also become more resistant to handling, even if it is used to it. This is because touching or picking them up really makes them uncomfortable.

Expert tip:If your bearded dragon starts to fall over and makes it clear that he doesn't want to be caught, leave him alone. All you do is cause them unnecessary stress (and you might even stress yourself out).bitten).

How to help them in the moving process

Most of the time, the bearded dragon molting process is mostly done by your pet. It is not something that you will guide them every step of the way.

After all, it's something this species has been doing on its own for years!

But in some situations, there may be ways to help them through the process. Whether it's to make them more comfortable or help them move a little easier, it's your job as the owner to be there for them when they need you.

Below are some of the best ways to help your bearded dragon climb.

Set up your living space correctly

One of the best ways to keep your bearded dragon from losing hair is to take care of it.a large enclosureand habitat design. Giving her the ideal environment to lie down in is not only the most effective method of support, it also means you can keep your hands free during the process (which is ideal).

First, make sure they have lots of natural decorations. These are not only very important for the general enrichment and quality of life of your bearded dragons, but also for helping them to shed.

These items can help you naturally get rid of any skin that's stuck but ready to come out. It's much better to provide these items and let things happen naturally!

Expert tip:It's also important to make sure your bearded dragon is fed.enough calciumand hasadequate UVB lightingas well as. These are not only important for your overall health, but they also help you lose weight!

Do not peel the skin

Before we dive into some of the other more proactive techniques to help your bearded dragon climb, it's important to address these.

Whatever you do, DO NOT remove the skin!

If it looks like it's going to fall off and stick, resist the urge. He'll leave when he's finished.

This is a mistake many inexperienced owners make when their bearded dragons start to lose hair. They obviously do this with good intentions, but end up making things worse.

You can injure your beard and cause cuts or infections if you try to remove the skin yourself. It will also cause your lizard a lot of pain!

Mist them and their habitat

This may seem contradictory at first sight. However, spraying your beard a little more than usual can contribute to your beard falling out.

While it may seem like dry skin flakes more easily, the extra moisture helps the skin flake a little easier. It will also keep them comfortable and hydrated throughout the process.

Don't overdo it, but giving them a quick spray 2-4 times a day, depending on how they're progressing with the molting process, is the sweet spot. Anything else will likely cause this.the humidity of the housego higher than you'd like.

give them a bath

Consider this a more aggressive support method than additional fog. It's usually best to do this when there's skin that really needs help peeling off (you'll get better judging this over time) and other methods don't work.

Make sure the water is warm, but not too hot. Don't be too handsy with your Beardie during this process. Instead,let them enjoy the water alone.

Over time, the water will help loosen the skin and make it easier to peel. Try to limit shower time to no more than 30 minutes.

Try a Spill Bath Formula

Shedding formulas are products that some beard owners love and others find useless. In our opinion, things are generally fine without them.

We prefer to think of this as a "why not" option if your bearded dragon has hair issues and your previous efforts aren't helping. There really aren't any downsides to using it (other than the cost), so there's nothing wrong with trying it!

All you have to do is place it in the bath water and give your bearded dragon a normal bath. The ingredients found in the blend are designed to help make your skin even more receptive to flaking and sagging!

What To Do When Your Beardie Won't Shed

This is extremely unusual, but it's worth stopping by. When we say "don't spill anything" we mean exactly that.

We're not talking about sensitive skin that just needs a little more time. We're talking about an inability for your bearded dragon to get rid of itself properly.

Assuming you've tried all of the other methods listed above and you have an ideal habitat for them, we recommend simply taking them to the vet. Possible causes are many, with poor health or insufficient nutrients topping the list.

Your vet will help you diagnose the problem so you can fix it. Shedding is an important process that bearded dragons must go through, so it's your job to take it seriously.

Diploma

When your bearded dragon sheds its skin, it's your job to understand what's going on and what to do (although the answer is usually nothing).

Knowing how often they shed, what their behavior is, and how you can help them is part of being a responsible pet owner. And honestly, that's part of the fun!

Helping these lizards navigate an enclosure is very rewarding. Molting is just another part of the process.

If you have any other questions about the bearded dragon molting process or how we can help you, please don't hesitate to contact us. We're more than happy to get involved and help you figure out what's going on!