When I saw a live worms wiggling in my bearded dragons’ poo, I wigged out myself. Eek!
My bearded dragon pooping whole worms really grossed me out. Why is this happening and how can I stop this from happening again?
I found out a lot and I going to share it with you now in this article.
Bearded Dragon Pooping Whole Worms
Your bearded dragon may not be chewing well. Here’s the best tip I discovered which works perfectly. Next time, puncture holes in the worms before you feed them to your beardie.
This way the digestive juices of your reptile pet permeate through the worms and help to break it down. I use a pin to poke a few holes.
Sorry if that sounds gross to you, but there are no more whole worms being pooped out. Problem solved.
My Bearded Dragon Pooped Live Worms
These were not parasitic worms at all. My bearded dragon was so excited to eat his small worms that he forgot to chew!
Usually the same types of worms are the cause and it makes me think twice about buying more of them.
They are:
- ReptiWorms®
- Phoenix Worms®
- Calciworms®
Sometimes these worms pass through the gut intact and totally alive! Have you ever seen live feeder worms coming out of your bearded dragon?
I think I’m going to switch to roaches or dubias instead for a while. Sorry to my beardie who absolutely loves these worms, but if he isn’t chewing, I need to try something else.
Why Bearded Dragons Poop Worms
There are two types of worms coming out of your bearded dragon. Please be sure which one is its. There are:
- Parasitic worms
- Undigested worms
1. Parasitic worms
Pinworms are the most common parasitic worms that infect the intestines of bearded dragon pets. Sometimes you will notice messy, smelly and watery poop or other times you will not notice anything at all.
A vet may determine if there is a parasite internally with a fecal sample.
2. Undigested worms
Undigested worms can come out whole or even alive when your bearded dragon doesn’t chew them well.
Poke holes in these worms to allow for them to decompose faster in their digestive tract before they come out whole again.
Can Worms Hurt Bearded Dragons?
Yes. A worm can internally hurt a bearded dragon who consumes too many or eats them too fast. They love eating worms but this is not part of their daily diet and should be given as a treat.
Baby bearded dragons should eat smaller worms and save the superworms for adults because they are the more common type that leads to gut impaction.
Constipation could turn into serious illness or possible death.
Can a Bearded Dragon Eat Too Many Mealworms?
Yes. Mealworms are tricky. Some reptile shop workers recommended them because they know bearded dragons go crazy for mealworms.
When you have a beardie who doesn’t eat much, mealworms will spark their appetite. The problem is mealworms can block the gut of a bearded dragon.
What to Do When a Bearded Dragon Eats Too Many Worms
You are most likely dealing with a constipation issue with a bearded dragon eating too many mealworms.
Here are some tips to hopefully help your reptile pet:
- Try giving him a warm bath with the water level at around shoulder height for 15 minutes
- Try gently rubbing his stomach from the front down toward the vent.
- Try giving him a few drops of vegetable oil before washing him; this can lubricate internal organs and aid in the passage of impacted worms
You will need to take him to the vet if nothing emerges within a day or two.
How Many Worms Can I Feed A Bearded Dragon?
When offering worms as treats such as waxworms, mealworms or calci-worms, it is recommended they eat only:
- 3–5 worms three times a week.
A bearded dragon can only eat so many worms each day. An average juvenile bearded dragon might consume 20 to 50 insects daily. Adults will eat more greens than insects
How Many Superworms to Feed a Bearded Dragon?
Adult bearded dragons:
- Two or three superworms once or twice a week is plenty.
Juvenile bearded dragons:
- A young dragon may be able to consume more superworms in a single feeding than an adult.
I offer 3 a week, but I either cut them in half or poked holes in them to make them easier to digest.
Are Phoenix Worms Good For Bearded Dragons?
Yes, but be wary. Phoenix worms are an excellent method to supplement your reptile’s diet with calcium. Female bearded dragons and juveniles can benefit from Phoenix Worms.
Pros:
- are more wiggly than other feeders
- have soft bodies
- a thrilling capture for your reptile pet
- no need to dust or gut load
Cons:
- can be pooped out whole and possibly alive
- pass through the gut without providing nutrients when undigested
- must be given sparingly for its fatty content and possible impaction risks
Are Calci Worms and Phoenix Worms the Same?
Yes. All three brand names for the same species of Black Soldier Fly Larvae (“BSFL”) also known as Hermetia Illucens, are:
- ReptiWorms®
- Phoenix Worms®
- Calciworms®
They are great for feeding to a broad range of birds and reptiles and often contain up to 50 times as much calcium as other insects or worms.
How Did My Bearded Dragon Get Pinworms?
It is thought that insects may devour pinworm eggs, which might then be passed on to the reptile when it eats the insect.
The excrement of reptiles may contain insect and pinworm eggs. Antihelminthic (deworming) medications are used to treat pinworms.
Conclusion
Worms are high in fat, but also contain plenty of calcium. It’s tough to decide what to do about undigested worms coming out of my bearded dragon and the risk of gut impaction.
I could poke holes in the worms to allow for digestive juices to flow through or switch over to cockroaches and crickets for now. They are also meaty and full of flavor which excites my beardie a lot.
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