Why is my bearded dragon breathing with mouth open and puffing air?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Lately I have noticed my bearded dragon leaving his mouth slightly open. Sometimes, when his mouth is fully closed, he seems to "exhale" and I can see a little puff of air push out from his lips. Also I can see his beard growing and shrinking as he breathes. His home usually gets around 90 on one end and he eats about 3-4 superworms per day. He has greens though rarely touches them. Calcium sand bedding and a uvb lamp. Is this a normal habit or a cause for concern?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on May 17th, 2020
Thanks for reaching out about Smaug and including photos. Husbandry sounds good but diet is poor. Insects are not a complete diet and are highly deficient in vitamins and minerals, especially calcium. The clinical signs you mentioned are possible early signs of metabolic bone disease (difficulty inhaling) or a respiratory infection. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Try syringe feeding a vegetable puree or Gerber's vegetable baby food until a veterinary visit can be scheduled. If a respiratory infection, antibiotics will likely be needed to provide recovery. Good luck.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on November 3rd, 2017
Wheezing or popping noises while breathing may indicate respiratory infection. Lethargy and "gaping" (opening and closing mouth) are also symptoms. You can monitor Clyde and if symptoms persist or worsen, you should have him examined by your herp veterinarian.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
I have a bearded dragon who is nine months old. Lately hes become very lethargic and sleeps a lot but is still eating crickets and bok choy. However his mouth is always open and his tongue is hanging out, it almost looks like the tips burnt it's got
Thanks for reaching out about Drago. Check and correct husbandry including environmental temperature and UVB exposure. If too cold, metabolic, appetite and immune systems are suppressed. Try offering vegetables by hand or pureed through a syringe. Open mouth breathing could be a respiratory infection, enlarged internal organ or metabolic concern. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. A diagnosis early in the problem, usually has a better prognosis. Good luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I have a juvenile bearded dragon. Lately after she eats she starts having labored breathing and opening her mouth. Sounds like a URI but it only happens after she eats. Could she be eating to quickly or is her food to big?
If you suspect a URI, have her seen by your veterinarian or an experienced herp vet for confirmation and treatment. Additional symptoms include wheezing or popping sounds while breathing, lethargy, decreased or lost appetite and discharge from the nose or mouth. You are correct in that prey that is too large is also a potential cause. Feed prey that is no bigger than the space between her eyes to ensure she will not have difficulty eating. If mealworms are offered, feed only freshly mooted ones to decrease the amount of chitin ingested. This can pose a problem for juvenile beardies.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi I have a bearded dragon who is 14 and roughly 16 inches long lately he has been making a kind of cough/hiccup noise and opens his mouth very wide almost as if he is having trouble breathing. I am not shrue how to go about helping him recover. Than
He should be examined by your veterinarian or an experienced herp veterinarian. The symptoms described may indicate a respiratory infection. The vet can confirm or rule out this possibility then dispense antibiotics if necessary. In the meantime, increase ambient temperature by about 5-10 degrees F to aid in recovery. Make sure he stays hydrated and continues to eat normally.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi my bearded dragon seems to be acting weird and I was wondering if someone could help me no why. I keep seeing her with her tongue out and when you pick her up she’s like a rag doll. She is not as active as she was and she isn’t eating or drinking
Thanks for reaching out about Anastasia and including photos. By the pictures she appears very thin and pliable. Metabolic bone disease (calcium deficiency) would be a primary concern. This could be due to inappropriate diet, lack of UVB radiation, too low temperature or metabolic disorders to prevent intestinal absorption. A veterinary visit is highly recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. The open mouth breathing could be due to muscle weakness, pneumonia, as well as other problems. Good luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi I have a 5 months old bearded dragon. The past two days he hasn't been eating and feels like he is filled with air like a balloon. His beard is also black for the first time. He has been pooping regularly and looks healthy otherwise. Temps are cor
Submit a stool sample to diagnose intestinal parasites. Monitor Drogon for difficulty breathing, blowing bubbles, lethargy, or odd sounds while breathing. These are symptoms of an upper respiratory infection. Parasites or URI may cause the condition you are seeing. Bump cage temps up by about 5F for a few days. Soak him in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte twice daily for 15-20 minutes. Make sure the UVB light source is not older than 6 months and use quality vitamin and mineral supplements. If Drogon gets worse or does not begin eating soon, have him examined by an experienced herp veterinarian.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I have a bearded dragon and I haven’t been able to handle him as much as I use to due to me having surgery. When I went to pick him up today I noticed he has a slight wheezing sound. He hasn’t been eating much either
Hi, and thanks for your question. This sign could be compatible with an upper respiratory tract inflammation/infection or possibly to a chronic rhinitis (inflammatory, allergic, infective). A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics may be needed. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi our bearded dragon seems very pale and looks like trying to poo and coughing, she was fine in the morning, i took her out to walk around then when i got back she was blowing her beard as if she was coughing or trying to vomit. I took her to vet bu
Confirm proper temperature and humidity. Incorrect environmental parameters may lead to respiratory infections. Provide adequate UVB lighting or unfiltered sunlight also. UVB light is critical to vitamin D metabolism and general health. Dragons cannot vomit and coughing may indicate an upper respiratory infection. This can be serious if not treated appropriately and promptly. Legally, we are prohibited from providing doses for medications in the absence of a physical exam and VPCR (veterinarian-patient-client relationship). Your veterinarian should be able to consult with a reptile specialist via phone or online and can then dispense or administer medication if indicated. You can review dragon care at the link below. www.anapsid.org/bearded.html
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My sons translucent bearded dragon doesn’t look good. He bought here as baby and has been growing I think fine. He fed her crickets, greens and fruit and all was fine. Though could be coincidence he purchased roaches and put few in tank, she thrives,
Thanks for reaching out about June and including a photo. By the photo, the mandible is dropped and am having concerns she is having difficulty using the jaw or tongue, resulting in inability to swallow saliva. Calcium or vitamin A deficiencies, or a trauma could be the cause. A visit to the veterinarian is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Check environmental temperature and UVB exposure, as UVB bulbs need to be changed every 6 months. Good luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My 10 months old bearded dragon isnt really eating I forced feed him today , he opens hes mouth even when hes not basking im worried it might be a respiratory infection.
I am sorry Attila is not feeling well. It is hard to tell by the picture but it appears she might be a little under weight. I would recommend taking her to a vet for a better exam due to her not eating. It is possible she has an injury or infection in her mouth causing pain while eating. Upper respiratory infections, metabolic disease and fungal disease can cause anorexia. Also, they will decrease their appetite if they are about to shed. I would try to increase the amount of gut loaded or dusted crickets and vegetables. Sometimes feeding vegetables can help stimulate there appetite.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I am pet sitting a friend’s bearded dragon. He has been eating very little. I put him in the tub to swim around like my friend does. That helps him poop. His hind left leg started twitching and he swam normally for a bit and then flipped over and loo
Give him some time to settle down. If the heavy breathing persists or if you hear wheezing, popping or see discharge from his nose or mouth then have him examined by an experienced herp veterinarian. If possible, contact your friend and ask if Draco has ever exhibited this behavior in the past. He could be stressed to begin with at the absence of his owner.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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