Do bearded dragons and dogs get along?

If you have a dog and are thinking of adding a bearded dragon to your family (or vice versa), the first thing you’ll want to know is whether these specific people will get along.

While there are some guidelines for dogs keeping lizards as pets in general, it always comes down to your specific circumstances and how well your current pet will do with a canine or reptile.

Planning ahead is the best way to ensure that your bearded man gets along with your dog.

That being said, if you already have both of them, it’s definitely not too late to establish a positive relationship.

While it’s an untraditional relationship, your bearded dragon can definitely befriend your dog.

I’ve thought about bringing home a bearded dragon and introducing them to my female Rottweiler as well, so I’ve done quite a bit of research on it.

Since my dog ​​is very friendly and can be relatively gentle with smaller animals, I personally don’t worry too much on that front.

The main reason I’ve put it off is to do some more research on diet, management, breeding, etc.

In the process, I’ve seen and read quite a bit about bearded dragons with dogs or other pets.

Do bearded dragons and dogs get along?

Yes, bearded dragons and dogs can get along if their temperaments are a match and they have been socialized early on, plus the dog has been trained to behave around a smaller reptile.

That being said, you should always supervise your bearded dragon and your dog when they have direct access to each other.

Also, introducing them properly is key, so don’t ruin your relationship by throwing them at each other in a hurry.

You can start by showing your dog around the enclosure while keeping your distance so the bearded man doesn’t get scared.

You can gradually introduce your dog to the bearded dragon in your hand (assuming the bearded one is relatively tame and enjoys being handled by humans).

Don’t let your dog get too close, but don’t let the barber roam free either, as running could cause your dog unnecessary excitement.

Some brave bearded dragons might even chase your dog, especially if you have a smaller dog.

Don’t start their relationship with mischief, as one of them could interpret the game as an attack and maybe even fight back.

Seeing your dog biting the lizard’s tail or your bearded dragon dog giving your dog a run for its money is all fun and games… until it isn’t anymore.

So keep in mind that you should introduce both of your pets calmly and gradually and your bearded dragon and dog will most likely get along.

Are bearded dragons afraid of dogs?

Bearded dragons can definitely be afraid of large dogs, but if they are desensitized early on and introduced in a calm manner, bearded dragons are among the best reptiles to introduce to other pets.

It is important to note that each pet has a different starting point.

If the bearded dragon is well behaved, healthy, and socialized early on with other pets, the chances of it being scared of your dog are very low if you introduce it slowly.

However, if you rescued a bearded dragon who potentially had negative experiences with other pets in the past, your bearded dragon might be afraid of dogs.

I mean, it’s common sense to be afraid of another animal over a hundred times your size, especially if that animal is encroaching on your space.

Most pet lizards are somewhat desensitized to humans (although not all really well), but dogs can be a different story.

While it cannot be ruled out that the bearded dragon is afraid of dogs, it is one of the best reptiles for that purpose, along with Geckos.

Tegus or iguanas are said to be even less sociable and may not tolerate the presence of a dog.

Why is my dog ​​complaining about my bearded dragon?

Your dog may tease your bearded dragon because he wants to interact with the pet lizard.

Chances are your dog has never been exposed to any lizards and the buildup of emotion may lead to whining.

Don’t let your presentation be ruined by your dog’s excitement, but make sure your dog has as many positive experiences around your reptile.

bearded dragon chasing my dog

It is not a good idea to let your bearded dragon chase your dog if they have just been introduced.

While this may sound like fun, it can make your dog want to avoid the bearded man or even defend himself.

It often happens to smaller dogs, but it can also happen to rescue dogs or even large skittish dogs that haven’t been exposed to smaller pets before.

What doesn’t help is the fact that some bearded dragons are too brave and think, for some reason, that chasing canines around the house is an excellent idea.

If your dog displays playful behavior (ie bowing, relaxed posture, etc) and the play isn’t too rough then that could be great, but always keep an eye on him.

Will dogs eat bearded dragons?

Dogs need to be desensitized and trained on how to behave around bearded dragons so they don’t accidentally put the small pet in their mouths and maybe even ingest them.

Generally speaking, dogs will not eat bearded dragons, but it can definitely happen.

They’re not among a dog’s (or wolf’s) natural prey, but your dog might try to play with the reptile and if your dog is really mouthy, that could lead to a problem.

It is best to never leave your bearded dragon and dog unsupervised to avoid accidents, especially with larger dogs.

While you can definitely give a bearded dragon some time outside the enclosure with your dog, they are still better off inside the enclosure due to the temperature and rays (ie UV light, basking spots, etc.) .).

Can dogs get salmonella from bearded dragons?

Yes, dogs can get salmonella from bearded dragons, which can then be silent carriers and infect humans in the home.

Dogs always have these bacteria in the GI tract, but they usually do not exhibit any symptoms.

However, dogs can still be infected by your bearded dragon and then pass salmonella to it.

Bearded dragons have been linked to a couple of salmonella infections according to the CDC, but you can take precautions to reduce your risk.

The main way these bacteria spread is through the bearded dragon’s droppings, but once they come in contact with it, their entire area and even saliva can spread the bacteria.

• Don’t come into contact with your bearded man’s feces (and don’t let your dog smell or eat it)
• Clean your enclosure regularly and disinfect items.
• Wash your hands after interacting with your bearded dragon
• Keep the bearded man away from the kitchen, food or your face if you want to be safe

Naturally, these rules will extend to your dog to some extent.

Dogs also often spread bacteria through their feces (think potty accident at home), which is probably the least likely way to infect you.

However, they can also come into contact with salmonella from your lizard and then kiss you, touch your face, and voila, you can theoretically have a salmonella infection.

Your dog most likely won’t infect your bearded dragon with salmonella, but it can happen if your dog had salmonella first and had a potty accident, or if he licks contaminated areas and then continues to lick your bearded dragon’s area.

How do dogs get salmonella? Contaminated feces on the outside (either your own or from a friendly stranger), interaction with other dogs that have it, or simply through their food.

Yes, a raw diet where all surfaces are not properly cleaned and sanitized can easily spread bacteria, but dry kibble can also become contaminated, so always be vigilant and clean everything.

My dog ​​ate bearded dragon poop

If your dog ate your bearded dragon’s poop, your main concern will probably be salmonella or the fact that your dog may vomit, especially if it’s an excessive amount of feces.

However, if you regularly clean your barber’s enclosure, small droppings should not pose a problem to your dog’s health.

Dogs have much stronger digestive tracts and immune systems compared to humans, but you should of course try to avoid letting your pets come into contact with feces of any kind.

I hope all of this helps in successfully introducing a bearded dragon to your dog.

Let’s do our best to make sure both pets have a wonderful relationship with each other!

Disclaimer: This blog post is not a substitute for veterinary care and is not intended to be. I am not a veterinarian or a pet nutritionist. If your dog shows any signs of illness, call your vet.