Owning a bearded dragon means discovering something new every day, from its dietary needs, the presence of a third eye, to their running speed, and swimming ability. As exotic animals, beardies have lifestyles that differ significantly from typical domestic pets, making it essential to understand these traits.
Bearded dragons can swim by instinctively paddling their legs and swinging their tails underwater. However, this can quickly become tiring and dangerous as they cannot swim for too long or hold their breath submerged.
If you’re curious to know more about how and why bearded dragons swim, this article will provide you with the answers and precautions to help you ensure your pet’s safety.
Should My Bearded Dragon Swim?
Bearded dragons should only swim in safe, supervised conditions, such as a shallow body of clean water. Individual preferences play a significant role; some bearded dragons dislike swimming and may become stressed if forced. In my experience caring for dragons, only two out of several seemed to enjoy swimming or bath time. The others mostly end up pooping in the water before attempting to escape.
Note that swimming for bearded dragons is primarily a survival mechanism rather than an activity they inherently enjoy. This is quite similar to cats; while they can swim, they typically do so only in situations of necessity, such as when they are in danger.

The Dangers of Swimming for Bearded Dragons
While swimming can be a fun activity for your pet, it can quickly turn dangerous due to the following reasons:
Drowning
Bearded dragons can only swim briefly before they tire. Remember that swimming is energy-consuming for beardies, as they require consistent paddling to stay afloat. Without proper supervision, your pet may become fatigued and drown.
At the very moment a bearded dragon gets asphyxiated, there are only a few actions you can take to save its life:
- Gently hold the asphyxiated dragon by the base of its tail and hang it upside down
- While hanging, slightly swing the dragon back and forth for 10 seconds
If the dragon is still unresponsive, quickly take it to the vet for immediate treatment. Sadly, if it’s gotten to this point, there’s only a slight chance of its survival.
Waterlogging
Bearded dragons can get over-saturated with water if they remain submerged for too long as they have permeable skin. Waterlogging can lead to several health problems for your pet like respiratory issues, immobility, digestive issues, and prolonged lethargy.
Your Beardie Can Suffer From Stress
Bearded dragons dislike feeling unsafe. A situation such as swimming that is not familiar to them can lead to excessive stress, and thus, further health problems. The following are signs of stress in bearded dragons:
- Blackening of the beard
- Swelling of the head and neck area
- Hissing
- Hiding
- Pacing around
- Stress marks: dark streaky marks around the belly area
- Unusual aggression
Stomach Problems
Since beardies have permeable skin that absorbs water, excessive swimming can cause waterlogging, which may lead to diarrhea. This can affect nutrient absorption and result in additional health issues like lethargy.
The Risk of Infection
Allowing your pet to swim in ponds exposes it to harmful bacteria and fungi that may be dwelling in the water. These microorganisms are constantly seeking a host where they can multiply, and a bearded dragon swimming around sounds just about right for such a quest.
The Only Reasons Why A Bearded Dragon Needs to Swim
There are some cases where your dragon needs to be submerged in water. Technically, this is called soaking but can pass for swimming in some situations.
Dehydration
When a bearded dragon is severely dehydrated, it may be a hassle getting it to drink water. In this case, soaking it in shallow water is an effective method of rehydrating the beardie. Alternatively, lightly misting with clean water just on top of your pet’s head can help with hydration.
Constipation
Bearded dragons can get impacted for various reasons, and one way to get them to poop is by soaking. This process relaxes the abdominal muscles and rehydrates the gut allowing your beardie to excrete easily and gain instant relief from constipation.
How to Soak Your Constipated or Dehydrated Beardie
If your dragon is impacted or dehydrated, you may need the soaking method to grant it immediate relief. However, this shouldn’t be your only option. Consult your vet for a professional assessment.
Get A Clean Container
You can use a plastic container for this procedure, but a sink or bathtub is also suitable. Just make sure the surfaces are clean. A quick wipe with a vinegar and water solution before you start will do.
Fill With Clean Water
Fill the container with clean water to a shallow level suitable for your bearded dragon’s size — just up to its elbows to help reduce stress. While your bearded dragon may choose to move around or swim, do not force it to do so.
Put Your Pet in The Water
Gently place your beardie in the shallow water. If your pet is skittish, you can place a small object beside it for support as long as its lower body is submerged. After 10 to 15 minutes, remove your dragon from the water and monitor its behavior. If there’s no improvement– still constipated or dehydrated – visit the vet immediately for examination.
Are Electrolyte Soaks Any Good For My Bearded Dragon?
Electrolytes are beneficial for severely dehydrated or recovering bearded dragons. They contain magnesium, sodium, potassium, and calcium which help with rejuvenation and accelerate recovery.
Although it’s a simple process, ensure you consult your vet beforehand to prevent stressing your pet. While it can help with recovery, electrolyte soaking can become counterproductive when done incorrectly or unnecessarily. Here’s how to go about it:
1. Get a Container
You’ll need a clean, wide container for your pet. Another good option is the sink; this way, you can easily monitor your pet or hold it in place for stability while reducing the mess.
2. Choose A Reputable Brand
If you have consulted with your vet, they’ll most likely recommend a safe electrolyte powder for your pet. However, ReptiSafe reptile electrolyte (view on Amazon) can help purify and distill tap water as well as provide the necessary minerals for your pet, making it a choice.
3. Mix Your Solution
Usually, the electrolyte soaks come with instructions to follow. Regardless, the general rule is to dilute 1 teaspoon of solute into a cup of water. Depending on your pet’s size, you may need up to cups of water and two teaspoons of solute.
4. Gently Place Your Beardie in the Solution
Now, you can put your bearded dragon inside the solution to allow it to soak for no more than 15 minutes. Do not leave your pet unsupervised – if it displays signs of extreme stress, immediately remove it from the solution.