Are Bearded Dragons Good Pets For Kids? [Full Guide]

Are you thinking of getting a pet for your child? Are Bearded Dragons Good Pets For Kids? Look no further than the Bearded Dragon. Are Bearded Dragons good pets for a 10 year old? How about a six year old? The fact is that Beardies are a great pet for just about anyone, young or old.

In this article, we’ll discuss why Bearded Dragons are good pets for kids and in general. Also, we’ll share the pros and cons of owning this lizard. 

Do Bearded Dragons Make Good Pets?

Are Bearded Dragons good pets? The short answer is yes, they are. There’s a lot to love about Bearded Dragons. For instance, they have docile behavior and can develop awesome personalities. In addition, they love to be around their owners, so you can bond with them, forming a true relationship.

Whether you’ve owned a pet before or not, Bearded Dragons are a great option if you’re looking for something friendly and low-key. However, as with every pet, there are some ups and downs to owning a Bearded Dragon. Here are the facts about Bearded Dragons as pets. 

Bearded Dragons As Pets Pros And Cons

Every pet has its special care and needs. Bearded Dragons are no different. In general, Beardies make excellent pets for adults or kids. However, they come with pros and cons.

Pros Of Keeping A Bearded Dragon As Pets

Bearded Dragons are fun to have around, so let’s discuss the many positives of owning a Bearded Dragon as a pet.

Behavior

Bearded Dragons may not look it, but they’re friendly creatures. Also, Beardies thrive on human interaction. They enjoy spending time with their owners.

Overall, they’re mild-mannered but have personalities on them. You can cuddle with them, play with them, and even take them on walks.

In addition, Bearded Dragons are gentle and quiet. So, they’re a great option to have around kids.

Bearded Dragons also communicate through body language. So, once you get to know your Beardie, you can learn what they’re trying to say to you. You can also learn their likes and dislikes.

Once you learn that, then you can easily get into a routine with your Bearded Dragon, such as feeding time, playtime, cuddle time, and more.

For instance, this is a great way to help your kids get into a routine and have some responsibility caring for a pet. 

Easy To Maintain

In the beginning, when you first bring home your Beardie, there might be some trial and error that comes to set up their terrarium. However, when you get it right, Beardies are low-maintenance to care for.

In fact, kids will enjoy feeding time with their Bearded Dragon and certainly will love to deck out their lizard’s habitat with fun climbing structures and basking spots.

In addition, Bearded Dragons are quiet and clean. They’re hypoallergenic animals, so if you have anyone who suffers from allergies in your family, the Beardie can fit right in.

Also, they require a tank that’s at least 40 gallons in size. However, it doesn’t take up too much space. Your Bearded Dragon will enjoy some time to be in their tank but also wander around the room for some exercise and playtime. 

Appearance

Are Bearded Dragons exotic pets? Yes, they are. Beardies are beautiful lizards that can come in a few different colors. For instance, Beardies can be red, white, yellow, or purple. In addition, they can change to other colors.

They look intimidating with their scaly beard, but that’s a flattering feature of them. Overall, Bearded Dragons are gentle, unique creatures.

Also, they’re lightweight. So, when cuddling, a child can easily hold onto their Beardie properly.

Lifespan

One of the best things about owning a Bearded Dragon is that you’ll have your scaly friend for quite a few years.

They have an average lifespan of 10-12 years. However, with excellent care, they can live up to 15 years.

Cons Of Having A Bearded Dragon As A Pet

Of course, owning a pet isn’t always glitz and glamor. So, let’s take a look at some of the cons of owning a Bearded Dragon. 

Health Issues

Unfortunately, Bearded Dragons can have health problems occur that may decrease their overall life expectancy. 

For instance, Bearded Dragons require a high-calcium diet. This is because their bones are brittle. They’re known to break easily and get fractures. Also, if they have a lack of calcium, they could get metabolic bone disease.

It’s also not uncommon for Bearded Dragons to come down with respiratory infections.

Bearded Dragon Pet Price

Earlier, we mentioned that Bearded Dragons are easy to maintain. However, they can be expensive to maintain.

The average price of a Beardie is between $20 and $50. However, the setup cost can be anywhere between $250 and $300.

After that, you need to factor in regular purchases of food, lightbulbs, toys, and more.

Keep in mind that there might be some trial and error regarding the type of bulbs you buy. For instance, it can be difficult to get the temperature just right. Also, bulbs can burn out earlier than you expect them to.

Luckily, when it comes to feeding, Bearded Dragons aren’t picky. However, they need a varied diet.

Temperature And Dieting

Speaking of lighting and food, Bearded Dragons require specific lighting in their terrarium.

For instance, they need heat, UVB, and UVA rays. Also, a certain spot in their tank should be the basking area hotter than the rest of the tank. You can expect to buy at least three or four different light bulbs.

Dieting is also tricky. Bearded Dragons need high calcium and are omnivores. Therefore, they need a wholesome, balanced diet of vegetation and live food.

This diet is especially important if you have a Baby Bearded Dragon or a juvenile. As they grow older, their dietary needs change. For example, babies need more live food than vegetation while adults need the opposite.

However, since Beardies are easy-going, they’re a great beginner pet for young children. For example, it’s easy to teach them how to be gentle with animals, bathe them, feed them, and play with them.

Getting Started With Bearded Dragons

Find out everything you need to know to care for your new bearded dragon by reading the following guides:

• What baby bearded dragons eat
• What bearded dragons do for fun (including activities you can do with them)
• How to raise a bearded dragon
• Best heat lamp for bearded dragons
• Best UVB light for bearded dragons
• How bearded dragons mate

Conclusion

So, do Bearded Dragons make great pets? Absolutely. They make an excellent pet for anyone, young or old. Also, they’re great to have as a beginner pet owner.

Bearded Dragons are quiet, friendly, and thrive on human interaction. In addition, they’re clean animals and don’t take up too much space.

You certainly won’t regret adding a Bearded Dragon to your family.

Learn more about Bearded Dragons here or read about fun activities you can do with your Beardie here. Also learn about Bearded Dragon brumation here.