Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was wondering...what do bearded dragon owners do when they are planning on having kids? The CDC recommends getting rid of reptiles as they pose a lethal risk to fetuses and children under 5, EVEN IF proper hygeine practices are followed.

It makes me a little angry that the reptile industry doesn't tell you that..given the fact that bearded dragons live for 10 years. THat means that even if you were to get a beardy in your 20's, what are you supposed to do if you plan on having a family? I do not want to give my beardie away after having cared for him for so long...just wondering what you have all experienced.

Given all the people with reptiles I can't imagine I am the first to be in this situation.

The risk they speak of is Salmonella. Which is rare in desert reptiles. I thinks it's fine if you just follow regular hand washing practices.

I have a 3 year old son and also breed bearded dragons. We have over 12 breeders, and 40 babies right now. My son likes to help me with everything from giving the dragons baths to catching escaped crickets and worms. He knows that he is not to put anything in his mouth after holding them and also that he has to wash his hands everytime, along with not being allowed to take any food or drinks into our reptile room nor is he allowed to go in there by himself. I have had reptiles since I was very young, and have never had any ill effects from them either while I was pregnant or any other time, and at no time what so ever has any of them made my son sick. We of course as parents do everything that we can to keep our children safe, and part of that is teaching them cleanliness and teaching them as much as we can about their surroundings.

Jessica

Yellow Room Reptiles

My son was was only a week old when I bought my first dragon and the dragon itself was only like a 6-7" hatchling and I never ever had any problems. I even have some pics lying around when he was 7 mos old with the dragon lying on his shoulders...The main thing to worry about would be salmonella but if proper hygiene is practiced I'm sure there wouldn't be a big risk. Just as long as you clean up poo ASAP and keep everything from the beardie seperate from things you use for yourself I wouldn't worry about it too much...I heard so many bad things about beardies before I got one that it almost turned me away but I'm so glad I didn't listen to all that nonsense. Commercials like the car one they have on t.v. where the beardie opens a gaping mouth and looks all mean doesn't help either...I've never seen a beardie do that...I say get a dragon....you can juggle both like I did!
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kill 'em with kindness

WIth proper hygiene and keeping reptile cages clean, especially with desert species like bearded dragons, there is little to no risk getting salmonella or other cross species diseases. I think the CDC don't know their facts or are just prejudiced against reptiles.

There is more risk of contracting salmonella from cats and dogs in my opinion than reptiles.

Don't let kids kiss or otherwise put their faces near or on reptiles, wash their hands after handling reptiles, or handling dishes touched by reptiles etc. And there is little to no risks involved. Salmonella is common to just about every living creature out there and can be contracted from any unclean surface, even a counter that has raw chicken in a package sitting on it. Heck, you can even get it from the shell of chicken eggs.

There are many different strains of salmonella as well, not just those found in reptiles.

For pregnant women, I think the ammonia from cat litter boxes is more a risk than owning a bearded dragon.
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PHLdyPayne

nothing to worry about. my fiance is 5 months pregnant has been handling and caring for our dragons every since. she talked to her OB about it when we first found out and its fine. she just told her to wash hands before and after handling, use the antibacterial hand sanitizer, and wear a dust mask if cleaning cages especially if sand is used as a substrate. but the toxic bacteria in cat boxes is not found in dragon poop.
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Beach Beardies

2.2. bearded dragons
1.1. Sugar Gliders
0.2. Felines *queen athena and missy*

What the cdc speaks of is for a 100% risk free but most people who keep reptiles are responsible like everyone else said as long as you wash youre hands and do the same with youre children it would be fine.

Do not drive or ride in a motor vehicle or you could be involved in an accident.

We take bigger risks than salmonella poisoning, everyday. A little common sense goes a long way.

Everyone here has given the proper advice; personal hygiene and proper cage cleaning is all it takes.

Both of my kids have been raised alongside of various animals/reptiles. Sometimes even being kept & fed in the same cage. (Just kidding)

Have a good one!
HH
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