sand for beardie?

[DeesBalls]

So I have some children play sand for a sand box, could I use that for my bearded dragon? Or should I the calsi-sand from a pet store?

[red ink]

If your going to do a sand enclosure then definitely play sand. That horrible pet store calci sand binds when ingested and can cause impaction in their guy leading to.... well the big outback in the sky.

[Valvaren]

Yes play sand only, sand itself is not the best but play is the 'best of the worst'. Glad you aren't doing the whole enclosure though.

[lady_bug87]

I have a combination of play sand and ceramic tiles I keep the tiles where he poops (easier to clean and disinfect and he always poops in the same spot) and eats and the sand along the sides and he usually digs and pushes the sand where he wants it

[DeesBalls]

I'm thinking of doing some like linoleum flooring, and some sand where his barking rock is.......



What is the BEST substrate for a beardie??

[Valvaren]

People debate this a lot. Tile, shelf liner, linoleum and repticarpet are the only COMPLETELY safe substrates, I have my dragon on tile, trims her nails,she can't eat it, and its extremely easier to clean and you don't have to replace it.

Sand, can and does cause a lot of issues, i've dealt and have helped many people who have had sand because it was pretty or because its 'natural' and have had them either lose a beardie or have serious health issues, they end up switching.

The biggest thing with sand is impaction but it is also linked to many eye problems due to the dust, it holds a lot of bacteria especially if your beardie poops in it and you have to replace it often, most people actually empty it once a week, some people do 2. It is pretty much a giant litter box with the sand absorbing the liquid from the feces and its near impossible to get it all out unless you dump the whole thing.

I had a sand pit for my dragon in her enclosure for when she went gravid, she never used it, knew it was there and would walk over it but never dug or anything, after having it in for a while she started acting funny, not eating and being very blah. On a whim I ended up taking it out to use as something else and since she has perked up, not sure why as she was never in it but I do think the sand had something to do with it.

Basically it is up to you, and what you want for your dragon, what is best for your dragon is something that is obviously safe and its something I always wonder why people choose things with risks when there are things that don't have any but I don't think i'll ever know the answer.


If you want more information on dragons themselves and to talk to people who've dealt with sand go to beardeddragon.org, there are some people who are over the top with stuff but you can easily pick them out and talk to the people that really matter, the mods they've helped and save many dragons over the years and I trust them with Thil's life.

[DeesBalls]

Thanks so much!!!!!!!