Handle Bearded Dragon with Good Hygiene

A proper hygienic handling practice is needed for all bearded dragon owners because the pet may carry some bacteria that may pass to people such as Salmonella. It would be nasty if get affected.

Even bearded dragon present less risk compared to other reptile or amphibian in transmitting the disease to human, a proper care need to be taken, especially if you have children, pregnant women, nursing mother, or elderly with less immune system that always play with bearded dragons.

Bearded dragon carries microorganisms that may transfer to our skin, then eye or mouth and can be infected. Salmonella can be transmitted by any reptile and amphibian to human, but less risky by bearded dragons compared to other reptiles. Anyway, precautions need to be taken as Salmonella may cause food poisoning.

The affected may experience severe stomachache, cramping, flu, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and fever. It can be nasty and need 7 to 10 for recovery without medication.

Most of the time, the infection will not be too serious. However, if you have toddler at home, make sure you disinfect any area in the house used for bearded dragons. Keep the dragons’ reptile supplies out of reach of your young kids. If get affected, it might be serious as their have weaker immune system.

It is extremely to wash your hand immediately after feeding or handling your bearded dragons or its cage fixture, reptile accessories, crickets, and stuffs that is related to the pet’s husbandry. If you touch anything before washing your hand, make to disinfect the things. Disinfection is important if any house part such as sink that is to clean the dragon’s supplies. Strong bleach-water solution can be used for disinfection. Spray it and wait a little while and wipe it up. By doing so, it will greatly reduce the risk of infection.

The second thing is keeping your bearded dragon’s cage clean all the time. When cleaning the wastage in the cage, try to use scooper or wear the glove. You may need to disinfect the dragon’s cage from time to time, and there are products in the pet stores that are good in this. If you are using mild bleach water solution to clean the reptile cage, make sure that no more bleach fumes are left inside the cage before putting the bearded dragon back in.

The third is never allowing your bearded dragon to move freely around your home. Try to limit where they can go. Avoid them going to kitchen, dining table, or where you serve your food. Be sure that you don’t drink or eat while handling them.

These are the good practice to handle your bearded dragon using proper hygiene and reduce the risks of zoonosis (transferring of bacteria from animal to human). If you have friends or families that own bearded dragon, it is a responsibility to pass along this information and help them to be aware of the risk of contracting any disease. It is nothing to be afraid of, and bearded dragons can still be a great pet if you practice good hygiene when handling them.