🦎 Bearded Dragon Grooming Guide: What 

 Need to Do (And What You Don’t)

Bearded dragons don’t need spa days, but they do need regular observation and a setup that supports their natural behaviors. Grooming isn’t about pampering—it’s about making sure your dragon can thrive in a captive environment by mimicking what they’d naturally do in the wild. 

If given a proper setup bearded dragons are masters of self-care, so it's important that we give them the proper habitat!

✂️ Do I Need to Clip My Bearded Dragon’s Nails?

No! You should not need to clip your bearded dragon's nails.

In the wild, bearded dragons naturally wear down their nails by walking over rocky terrain, digging, and climbing rough surfaces. In captivity, if they don’t have access to abrasive materials, nails can overgrow and start curling or snagging.
This can be one of the major downsides to beardie's being kept on smooth surfaces with hammocks and plastic– they do not get the opportunity to naturally wear their nails down.

Instances your beardie might need a trim:

• Nails are curling under and affecting how they walk

How to Safely Cut Bearded Dragon Nails

If your beardie's nails are curling under and affecting the way they walk, they certainly need to be addressed. Using sharp nail clippers designed for birds or cats is recommended. Make sure you avoid clipping the quick, and have some QwikStop powder on hand in case of clipping too short. 

If you are concerned about the length of your bearded dragon's nails, we'd recommend taking them to a reptile savvy veterinarian to have a knowledgable pair of hands to safely clip their nails. 

Instances your beardie might need a file:

• They’re snagging on fabric or hammocks

• Their nails are cutting up your skin

The safest way to deal with overly sharp nails is to use a file to dull just the tip of the nail. This process is more stressful than offering abrasive surfaces for your dragon, so we recommend putting in a rough tile or other textured surface to reduce the likelihood of needing to do this often.  

If your dragon's nails are getting caught to fabric beds or hammocks, it is best to remove them and offer other options for climbing like logs and stones that will help naturally wear their nails down. 

🛁 Do I Need to Soak My Bearded Dragon?

Nope! Bearded dragons rarely benefit from soaking.

Despite years of popular advice, routine soaking is unnecessary and can actually disrupt a bearded dragon’s natural skin barrier and stress them out.

Bearded dragons are dry shedders.

In nature, they don’t soak—they rub themselves on bark, rocks, and rough terrain to help shed come off. If your enclosure is set up with proper humidity (30–40%) and rough textures, they’ll usually handle it themselves.

When you might need to soak:

• There’s constricted or stuck shed

• A vet recommends it for impaction (constipation)

• You’re cleaning them after a messy accident

Even then, soaking isn’t the best first step.

🧴 How Do I Help My Bearded Dragon With Stuck Shed?

If soaking isn't the answer... What is it? Coconut oil!

If you notice stuck shed on toes, tail tips, or spikes, skip the bath. Gently apply a tiny amount of coconut oil to the area and leave it. Let it soften over time, and the shed will naturally come off when the skin is ready.

🚫 Never peel or pick at shed skin.

Pulling shed too early can cause damage or infection.

If your dragon is frequently having issues with stuck shed, it is important to observe your husbandry to make sure your conditions are proper to allow your dragon to shed properly.  

⚠️ Should I Remove Clogged Pores From My Bearded Dragon?

Only if needed—and never by squeezing.

Bearded dragons (especially prominent in males) have femoral pores on the underside of their thighs. These pores secrete a waxy substance used for scent marking. In captivity, they can clog if your dragon doesn’t climb around on abrasive surfaces enough. 

If you see buildup:

• Soften the area with coconut oil or a warm compress

• Gently brush with a soft toothbrush—never force or squeeze anything out

• Prevent buildup with more climbing enrichment like cork logs or textured stones

If the pores are red, swollen, or look infected, it’s time for a vet visit.

 🦷 Do Bearded Dragons Need Dental Care?

Yes—but not with a toothbrush.

Mouth issues like stomatitis (mouth rot) can occur, especially if your dragon’s diet is too soft or sugary, like feeding excess fruit. You don’t need to scrub their teeth—but you do need to support their oral health through proper diet and observation.

Best practices:

• Feed coarse greens like collard or mustard instead of mushy ones

• Avoid excessive use of fruit or fruit-based treats

• Watch for red gums, swelling, or foul smell

Your vet can check teeth as needed during a wellness exam.

 🧼 Do They Need Skin Moisturizers or Special Products?

Nope. Bearded dragon's skin is meant to be dry to protect them from their natural habitat.

They don’t need any kind of lotions, sprays, or special shed aids if they’re hydrated and kept in the right environment. In fact, using too many products can throw off their natural shedding cycle or cause skin issues.

Focus on:

• Proper basking temps (105–115°F)

• Correct UVB lighting

• Hydration through moisture-rich greens

• A humidity range around 30–40%

The exception to this rule is Silkback / Silky Bearded Dragons aka Silkies. Silkback bearded dragons are the product of breeding two leatherback bearded dragons together to get a bearded dragon without scales. Silkbacks are widely considered  unethical due to having issues with shedding properly, injuries to the skin, and sensitivity to the temperatures and UVB exposure required for proper health.

Good Grooming Starts with Good Husbandry

Most of what people call “grooming” for bearded dragons—soaking, trimming, cleaning—is actually done naturally within the environment when it’s set up right. That means rough textures, room to roam, proper diet, and naturalistic enrichment that lets your dragon fulfill their self-care routine all on their own!

🛠️ Upgrade Their Self-Care Routine (Without Ever Touching the Nail Clippers)

Zen Habitats has designed several products to support natural wear-and-tear behaviors. Help your dragon stay clean, comfortable, and healthy—with less intervention from you, and more natural behaviors from them with our Zen Den!