Why Is My Bearded Dragon Shaking?
If you have a pet bearded dragon, then you may be concerned if it suddenly begins to shake or tremble. Shaking is one of the most common signs that something is wrong with your beloved pet, and can occur for several different reasons.
In this article we will discuss why your bearded dragon might be shaking, how to recognize the symptoms, and what treatments are available to help them feel better. Read on to find out more about why your bearded dragon might be shaking and what you can do to help them.
What Causes Bearded Dragon Shaking?
Bearded dragons can shake for a variety of reasons, but the most common cause is stress. Stress can be caused by anything from changes in their environment to feeling threatened or scared. Other potential causes include:
- Dietary Issues: If your bearded dragon isn’t eating enough, they may become weak and begin shaking due to lack of nutrition.
- Illness: Certain illnesses, such as metabolic bone disease, can cause shaking in bearded dragons.
- Temperature Fluctuations: If the temperature in their enclosure is too hot or cold, it could cause them to start shaking.
How To Recognize Symptoms Of Shaking In Your Bearded Dragon
Shaking is a symptom that should not be ignored and requires immediate attention from an experienced veterinarian. It’s important to recognize other symptoms that might indicate something more serious than just stress. These include:
- Lethargy : Your bearded dragon may seem tired and unresponsive when compared to its usual behavior.
- Weight Loss : If you notice weight loss over time without any change in diet or exercise routine then this could be a sign of illness or injury.
Treatment Options For Shaking Bearded Dragons
Once you have determined the cause of your bearded dragon’s shaking, there are several treatments available. Depending on the underlying issue, these may include dietary modifications (such as providing more calcium-rich foods), giving antibiotics for bacterial infections, increasing humidity levels in the enclosure if necessary, or reducing stress with regular handling and interaction with humans.
Additionally, getting regular veterinary checkups will help ensure that any illnesses or injuries are caught early before they worsen.
What Does It Mean When Bearded Dragons Shake?
Shaking in a bearded dragon is typically an indication of stress or fear. It is important to understand what your pet is communicating when they shake, and take steps to reduce their stress if needed.
When a bearded dragon shakes, it can be difficult to distinguish whether the response is out of fear or joy. Shaking can indicate excitement due to something positive such as food or being handled by their owner, but it can also signal distress from changes in its environment like loud noises or unfamiliar people entering the room.
To determine which type of shaking you are seeing, observe the other behaviors that accompany it. If the tail is held high and flicking rapidly side to side with a relaxed body, then this could indicate excitement for something enjoyable. However if the tail is tucked tightly against the body and its legs are drawn close together while shaking then this usually indicates fear or anxiety.
It’s important to take note of any signs of stress your beardie may show so that you can make adjustments accordingly. If there has been a recent change in environment such as new furniture or decoration then try removing these items until they become more comfortable in their surroundings again.
Additionally providing hiding spots around their enclosure will give them places to retreat when feeling overwhelmed by external stimuli such as noises or people passing by nearby windows.
How Do You Know If Your Bearded Dragon Is Unwell?
If you own a bearded dragon, it is important to know the signs and symptoms of illness so that you can provide them with the best care possible. There are many different ways to tell if your beardie is unwell, including changes in behavior, loss of appetite, physical ailments such as respiratory issues or rashes, and even changes in coloration. Being able to recognize these early signs of illness can help ensure that your pet receives proper veterinary care quickly and has a better chance for recovery.
The most common sign of an unhealthy beardie is a change in their behavior. If they seem lethargic or less active than usual, this could be cause for concern. They may also become more reclusive than normal and spend longer periods hiding away from people or other pets.
Additionally, a decrease in appetite is often one of the first signs that something isn’t quite right with your reptile companion – however some species naturally eat less when temperatures drop during cooler months like wintertime.
Bearded dragons can also display physical ailments which might indicate ill health such as respiratory distress (wheezing or gasping), skin rashes or sores on the body, cloudy eyes, discoloration around their mouths and limbs (blackening) or abnormal shedding patterns – all of which should be checked by a veterinarian immediately if noticed .
It is important to monitor any changes closely so that you can catch an illness before it becomes serious and take appropriate steps to get them back on track!
How Do You Fix Calcium Deficiency In Bearded Dragons?
Calcium deficiency in bearded dragons can be a serious health issue, and it is important to take the necessary steps to correct it as soon as possible. Fortunately, there are a few simple ways that you can help your bearded dragon get back on track.
The first step is to ensure that your dragon has access to plenty of calcium-rich foods. This includes things like cooked eggshells, kale, broccoli, spinach, figs and other dark leafy greens. You should also feed your beardie live insects such as crickets or mealworms dusted with calcium powder for optimal absorption. It is important to remember that these foods should always be supplemented with vitamin D3, which helps the body absorb the calcium more effectively.
Another way to fix calcium deficiency in bearded dragons is by providing them with UVB lighting. UVB light helps synthesize vitamin D3 in the skin so that their bodies can better process dietary sources of calcium.
Without this light source, bearded dragons will not be able to utilize any diet-based efforts made towards correcting their deficiencies. Therefore, make sure you provide an adequate amount of UVB lighting within 12-14 hours per day for optimal results
What Are Signs Of Stress In A Bearded Dragon?
Bearded dragons are a popular reptile pet choice for many people, but they can become stressed if their environment isn’t suitable. Stress in bearded dragons can manifest in both physical and behavioral signs, so it is important to know what to look out for in order to ensure proper care of your pet.
Physical signs of stress in bearded dragons include changes in coloration, such as darkening or lightening of the skin.
The dragon may also exhibit decreased appetite or refusal to eat altogether. If the beard becomes black when stroked gently, this could be a sign that the dragon is feeling threatened and uncomfortable in its surroundings. Additionally, if the dragon has sunken eyes with sunken scales around them, this could be indicative of dehydration or malnutrition which often results from stress-related behaviors like refusing food due to fear or anxiety.
Behavioral signs of stress include hiding away from view, lack of activity even during active times of day, frequent yawning and open-mouth breathing (which is not normal), pacing back and forth along the enclosure walls, tail twitching/shaking while basking on rocks or other surfaces, head bobbing/weaving motions while walking around the habitat area and increased aggression towards humans or other pets within close proximity.
Moreover, if your bearded dragon appears lethargic and unresponsive most days then this may be a sign that they are struggling with severe stress levels and require immediate attention by a vet who specializes in reptiles.
How Long Do Bearded Dragons Live?
Bearded dragons are a species of lizard known for their friendly personalities and interesting appearance. They can live between 8-10 years in captivity with proper care, while they may only survive up to 5 years in the wild due to harsher conditions and predators.
In order to ensure your bearded dragon lives its full life span, it is important that you provide it with the right environment, nutrition and medical care. Proper habitat includes an adequate size terrarium or vivarium with plenty of hiding spots, naturalistic decor such as rocks and branches for climbing, a basking area for warmth, humidity control and lighting that mimics the natural day/night cycle.
Bearded dragons require fresh fruits and vegetables supplemented by calcium rich insects like crickets or mealworms. It is also important to make sure your bearded dragon has regular veterinary checkups to detect any possible illnesses early on so that treatment can be given if needed.
By keeping these simple steps in mind when caring for your bearded dragon companion, you will make sure it enjoys a long healthy life!
Conclusion
Overall, it is important to ensure that your bearded dragon’s environment is the correct temperature and humidity for their species. If you notice them shaking, take measures to check their enclosure and observe other symptoms of health problems.
It can be difficult to determine what is causing your bearded dragon to shake, so if you are concerned, contact a veterinarian familiar with reptiles for further advice or treatment. Taking good care of your pet will help keep them healthy and happy.

Alexander is the owner of AnimalQnA. He is a pet lover. He has created this blog to share some of his knowledge on different kinds of pets.