Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I heard using rabbit pellets as a good bedding for beardeds? I hate using sand and want a better substrate? Any ideas? Thanks

My concerns would be:

Rabbit pellets may absorb moisture from the air and make the enclosure too humid.

The dragons small feet would sink into the pellets.

I've never used them of seen anyone using them. So someone else may have a better opinion.

Here are some substrates used by others. (I use sand) Tile, Non-Adhesive Shelf Liner, Paper Towels, Newspaper and Reptile Carpet (I don't like this for adults - Their nails get caught in it)

Thanks for the help that's all I needed to know

rabbit pellets are not a good substrate for bearded dragons. If it gets damp, it molds really quick, if ingested it can swell up and cause impaction, it harbors bacterial, mold, and various bugs. Grain mites, moths etc which can infest the house easily. All and all, not a good choice of substrate.
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PHLdyPayne

Okay So what do you think is the BEST of the Best to use? that helps keep the smell down? (hint I clean there cage daily)
I also have a pic of my last baby I produced, he doesn't have any front legs and he wheels around with a harness I made from hotwheels and nylon! It's name is NUB's !

There is no best of the best. You'll have to make your own decision on that. There have been many strong opinions on this forum about that and they will just all contradict each other. I personally use childrens play sand that I get from Toys R Us. Silica sand and Calci-sand are not good though. Others use tile, non-adhesive shelf liner, paper towels, newspaper, and paper towels.

I don't feel sand would be a good choice for your handicapped dragon anyway. The shelf liner might be the best for him.

Thanks that's very helpful, What about when should you change the sand out completely? I also have 2 adult pairs of BD's!

I completely change it our every 60 days when they're active. (Not Brumating)

From my experience it's been the Peepee training pads. They are soft, don't have any smells when wet or anything like with sand, and nicely absorbant. I don't like reptile carpet because you have to wash it everytime it's soiled. The peepee pads are disposable and it's also great way of making sure there's little to no reinfeastation of internal parasites as you throw the whole thing out without having to touch the poop. and with the peepee pads they have plastic on the bottom so it won't soak through the other side. Never had any type of problem with it being eatten or anything.
never used nylon shelving stuff, but that might work better for Nubs, better to roll around on. Just wipe the poop off.

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1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (Rex- "normal" orange fire)
1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (Glutany- German Giant Mix)
0.1.0 Okeetee Corn (Okatee)
1.1.0 Spotted Python (Hotdog and Shoelace)