Bearded Dragon Hiccups: 3 Reasons+ 4 Solutions

Many bearded dragon enthusiasts and pet keepers argue a lot all over the internet whether bearded dragons have hiccups or not. Many people have reported bearded dragon hiccups. Let me tell you, bearded dragons don’t get hiccups but do show such Behavior similar to hiccups due to their involuntary hiccup spasm. This kind of behavior is uncommon to notice, but it doesn’t mean that bearded dragon doesn’t have hiccups

Do bearded dragons get hiccups?

No, unlike humans, bearded dragons don’t pose movable diaphragm muscles to hiccups. However, some behaviour may resemble hiccups. Hiccup is one of the uncontrollable spasms that are not severe in case of any medical condition. In most cases, dehydration tends to be the primary cause of such hiccups in humans. Other than that, bearded dragons’ hiccups will eventually go away on their own. Let’s learn why do bearded dragons get hiccups?

Why Does My Bearded Dragon Have Hiccups?

No bearded dragon without movable diaphragm muscles can hiccup but can resemble such Behavior similar to hiccups. There is nothing to worry about in terms of medical conditions; most of the time, it usually goes away on its own. 

However, we will learn about the tips that can help you avoid such a situation or such Behavior in your bearded dragon. We will also talk about what you should do when your bearded dragon hiccups. Many reptiles owners have reported such occurrences where their reptiles are prompting is repetitive Behavior similar to hiccups. 

The most concerning thing about hiccups for the reptile owner is companion animals. Bearded dragon data kept captive without posing any movable diaphragm muscle can show no hiccups. However, some behavior like mating calls or a threat display could look like a hiccup.

3 Behavior Similar To Hiccups

Head Bobbing

Sometimes, it becomes pretty difficult to differentiate the hiccups and the head bobbling Behavior. To identify whether it’s a hiccup or just a head jerking behavior, they will appear lowering their head and shaking it upward. Many reptiles, including bearded dragons, have shown such Behavior of head bobbling similar to hiccups. 

This kind of action or Behavior could be subtle or even violent. If you don’t know, then let me tell you, this Behavior tends to be their widespread courtship behavior even when no female bearded dragon is present inside the captive.

Open Mouth

Bearded dragons are often caught doing open-mouth display behavior. The bearded dragon usually has an underside flap of the skin, helping them inflate the air, making them appear bigger and scarier to predators. It also resembles the hiccups. 

Most of the time, it looks like the bearded dragon has a large dark beard when raised to predators or other trips. The open mouth display is a common way of defensive Behavior. Most bearded dragon doesn’t like to be handled by humans. They usually open their mouth, showing their beard, inflating rapidly. If they do this in succession, then this Behavior could look similar to hiccuping.

Painting When Basking

Bearded dragons are cold-blooded reptiles. They need to do basking in a hot place to keep their body temperature high. When basking, bearded dragon tends to open wide their mouth helping in fine-tuning their body temperature. Occasionally, it can also start panting. If the panting is quick, then you may mistake it with hiccups. A bearded dragon may puff quickly, resembling the hiccups behavior also.

5 Causes of Hiccups Like Behavior

In many cases, we have noticed that hiccups like Behavior in bearded dragons are generally caused by air swallowing, bell distension, or feeding. It usually goes away independently without doing anything much. It has no lasting effects. 

Most of the bearded dragon starts to show or exhibit such kind of hiccups like Behavior when they were fed. This challenging topic has been unanswered for an exceptionally very long time and has been of interest. Now, I am going to tell you five common causes of bearded dragon hiccups like Behavior.

1. Swallowing Food Without Chewing It Properly – it is essential to chew the food properly before eating it. However, accidents happen. Just like us, bearded dragons may also accidentally swallow foods without correctly choosing them. It can cause them hiccups like Behavior.
   
2. Getting Choked While Eating Or Drinking– we often get choked by drinking water or eating rapidly. A similar kind of situation could also exhibit when your bearded dragon is eating or drinking as well. Hiccups like Behavior when getting choked while eating or drinking is every day and should not be worried about.
   
3. Eating Too Fast– serve the food to your bearded dragon gradually; otherwise, feeding or eating too fast can cause them to Behavior.
   
4. It was swallowing Air While Drinking Or Eating. Your bearded dragon can swallow some air while drinking or eating. It can also possibly make your bearded dragon exhibit behaviours like hiccups. It will go away on its own. There is nothing much to worry about in terms of medical conditions. It is common in bearded dragon babies when fed a poor diet. That is why planning your baby bearded dragon diet is vital.
   
5. Aspirating food – most of the time, it does not require any medical treatment or help, but if your bearded dragon shows any behaviour of choking or facing difficulty in breathing, then get them to the veteran area ASAP.
   
   

3 Straight Forward Things To Do While Bearded Dragon Hiccups

Don’t freak out. The first thing that you need to do is to stay calm and not freak out. In this kind of situation, people make mistakes very often. Most people mostly assume it as a respiratory infection or a problem. If you don’t know, then let me clear you bearded dragons are less susceptible compared to other reptiles in terms of respiratory diseases.

Respiratory infections in bearded dragons are generally caused by the increasing numbers of bacteria in their lungs. It is usually caused by high humidity levels and needs urgent medical treatment. Unnaturally hard breathing could occur due to high humidity levels in beardie enclosure, and you will need to administer it and treat it as soon as possible by visiting the nearest veterinary office. 

You might have heard the clicking sound due to the mucus present in the lungs and the nose. Other than that, your bearded dragon can show open mouth breathing to clear the mucus from their lungs. To know if your getting dragon has been suffering from a respiratory infection in its track, you need to notice its mouth and nose. 

If the liquid is coming from the mouth or the nose, the infection lies in the respiratory tract. Excess of saliva could also be considered as another symptom of bearded dragon respiratory infection. If he has been suffering from respiratory disease, they will start sleeping with their head up. 

They will also try switching the head while sleeping. If they are trying hard to breathe or having a hard time doing so, get them help. Like any other reptile, your bearded dragon also needs proper care with proper housing to maintain a quality of life. However, even when kept in the best care, some bearded dragons may get sick due to their gene.

Wait & Monitor their Behavior Closely. The second thing that you need to do is to wait and monitor your bearded dragon hiccups like Behavior very closely. It is because some Behavior May resemble hiccups but can be nothing other than just a false alarm. 

Sometimes, such behavior may indicate a severe issue. If you notice your bearded dragon having difficulties breathing or being too anxious, get them to the nearest veterinarian. Other than that, choking is the other Behavior that needs medical treatment. Apart from these couple of Behaviours, below are the behaviors that may resemble hiccups like Behavior but are not as severe as choking or breathing difficulties.

1. Head bobs
2. Beardie Keeps Hiding
3. Basking
4. Mouth gasping
5. Waving
6. Tail pointing upwards
7. Beard puffing up
8. Changing colour
   

These behaviors are common to notice and don’t need any medical treatment.

Was it a one-time occurrence? For most bearded dragons, hiccup-like Behavior is a one-time occurrence, and they will not get bothered or irritated by it. However, being a responsible dragon owner is quite normal to feel worried about your body, which shows how genuinely you care about him.

The first question you should ask or find is whether the hiccups occurred just after drinking or eating. If this is the case, then the hiccups like Behavior have been generally caused by fast eating or drinking or swallowing without proper chewing the food. So, there is no need to worry about it. 

However, I would suggest you keep your eye open and monitor your dragon behaviour closely to ensure. Make sure it is not happening to them frequently. Once the hiccup light Behavior goes away, your dragon should be eating, drinking water, being active, and acting normally. Most of the time, hiccups tend to be a one-time event, and after that, everything turns down to be okay with your pet. If this is the case, then it can only mean that your dragon is safe and healthy.

As a human, we can’t always understand the body language and the Behavior of bearded dragon. I have already told you the behaviors that appeared dragon could show and doesn’t need medical treatment. Now, it’s time to say to you the Behavior or the body language that is undesirable or abnormal.

9 Abnormal Bearded Dragon Behaviors Unlike Hiccups

1. Lethargy
2. Soaking too much
3. Breathing difficulties
4. Lack Of Movement
5. Looking Upward without Any apparent reason
6. Moving the front legs only
7. Wobbly walking
8. Jerking or Twitching movement
9. Choking
   

Dehydration In Bearded Dragon

Hydrated. Dehydration can cause a bearded dragon to illness and other a stand-alone health issue. Generally, bearded dragon drinks water from a bowl. Most of the time, bearded dragons hydrate themself from the fluid they get from their food and bath.

1. Lethargy
2. Skin not retracting (only holding shapes) when pinched
3. Wrinkled Skin
4. Saliva Tackiness
5. Lack of appetite
   
   

FAQ

Can I give water to my bearded dragon having hiccups?

No. You don’t need to give them any food or liquid when your bearded dragon is having hiccups. Generally, this kind of Behavior resembles hiccups but tends to be expected. Wait until the hiccup is gone and monitor your beard behaviour.

Does bearded Dragon hiccups mean underlying health issues?

A bearded dragon shows different kinds of gestures and behaviors that meri that love hiccups. Some behaviors may seem abnormal and can have health issues. However, hiccups like Behavior in bearded dragons are generally associated with their typical traits.

My Thought

What I have seen in many bearded Dragons behavior is hiccups are not severe. Most of their Behavior resembles hiccups but, it usually goes away after a few minutes. You must notify your dragon movement and their Behavior to understand if they have in suffering from any underline health issue or not. 

Hiccups like Behavior are usual if you shared your bearded dragon food or water just minutes ago. I hope that I managed to give you all the information needed to know about bearded dragon hiccups and their other Behavior. 

If you have any questions, then comment below. Share this course to help other fellows with their dragons. I hope I will get to see you on another article as well featured on our site. Until then, take care, and goodbye. Follow us on social media