Choosing the correct substrate/bedding for your Chinese water dragon’s enclosure is very important. In this post, you will find a list of the best substrates for a Chinese water dragon to use in their enclosure as well as worst substrates that you should avoid.
Chinese water dragons require high humidity levels and loose substrate helps keep them high and allows digging. Please note, that all loose substrates pose a risk of impaction. This is when a Chinese water dragon swallows some substrate and it causes an obstruction.
Always present the food in a food dish to avoid substrate ingestion. You can even place a small piece of newspaper/paper towel/tile under the food dish to prevent ingestion too. The best thing to do is to feed outside the tank if the bottom is covered with loose substrate only.
However, some loose substrates are much worse than others, and can cause both impaction and injury/scratches to intestines.
Best substrates for a Chinese water dragon
Number 1: Topsoil
Using plain topsoil without any additives is a good option for Chinese water dragons. Topsoil will hold humidity and create a soft layer for your Chinese water dragon to land on if it decides to jump from a high branch (make sure to add lower branches too).
If you decide to use plain topsoil, make sure to choose soil without any fertilizers or additives. Make sure there is no perlite or vermiculite added, either. Bake it in the oven for 30 minutes at 350 F (around 180 C) to kill any microorganisms and to sterilize fully before adding to the tank.
If your topsoil holds too much moisture or starts molding quickly, you can add some playsand in it (20-30%). Use simple topsoil without any additives, or you can even get a ready soil mix for reptiles like this.
Change the substrate fully once a month and collect poop as soon as you see it (if your dragon didn’t poop in water).
Number 2: Large orchid bark chips
In general, orchid bark is not the best substrate due to ingestion risk. However, you can use orchid bark made of large chips to prevent ingestion. This way, it won’t be interested in ingesting them. Always choose large chips – the chip size should depend on the size of your Chinese water dragon.
While bark chips are fine with moisture, they can pass water underneath causing bacterial growth and smell. If this happens, you can place paper towels under the substrate to help with this, or some cypress mulch.
Change the substrate fully once a month and collect poop as soon as you see it (if it didn’t poop in water).
Number 3: Coconut coir mixed with soil and topped with large bark chips
Coconut coir like this is a good substrate, but it can get dusty or get stuck to your Chinese water dragon and its accessories when wet. Pure coconut fiber can cause eye irritation, so it’s best to mix it with some soil and top it with large bark chips if possible.
Coco coir, also called Eco earth or coconut fiber, often comes compressed in blocks. You will have to add water to coco fiber to make it expand. You will need around 3-5 inches of substrate. Make sure it slightly moist, but not damp.
Change the substrate fully once a month and collect poop as soon as you see it (if it didn’t poop in water).
Number 4: Cypress mulch with topsoil
Another option for the substrate would be cypress mulch like this mixed with topsoil. Cypress mulch, along with topsoil, will help hold humidity and will be naturalistic. You can mix 50% cypress mulch and 50% topsoil.
Number 5: Reptile carpet, non-adhesive shelf liner or butcher paper for younger Chinese water dragons
Reptile carpet is not the best substrate for Chinese water dragons, as it doesn’t allow digging or keeping humidity high in the tank.
However, you must be safe with young Chinese water dragons, to avoid any accidental ingestion. So, using a reptile carpet like this until your Chinese water dragons reaches around 8 inches (20 cm) long, or around 8-10 months old is a safer option.
Instead of a reptile carpet, you can also use non-adhesive shelf liners or butcher papers. Make sure to always have 2-3 spare carpets or liners so that you can replace them when cleaning.
Because the fibers can get stuck in your dragon’s nails, make sure there is no hanging threads. You should cut off or bind any fibers around the edges.
It’s a good idea to sterilize all types of loose bedding by baking at 350F for 30 minutes to kill any mites etc.
Bad substrate/bedding options for Chinese water dragons
1: Paper towels
While paper towels are often recommended for many other lizards, it’s not suitable for Chinese water dragons. That’s because the bottom of their tank has to have a water tub/pond to swim and soak. Paper towels with quickly get too wet and rip, causing a lot of mess.
Also, paper towels will not help raise and keep humidity high enough in the tank. Overall, paper towels are not suitable for Chinese water dragon enclosures.
2: Reptile carpet for adults
Reptile carpet is not the best substrate for adult Chinese water dragons. That’s because it won’t help create optimal humidity levels in the tank and can get wet very fast, requiring frequent changing to prevent bacterial growth on the carpet.
While you should use non-loose substrate like reptile carpet for babies to prevent ingestion, swap to something more suitable once it reaches around 8 inches (20 cm) long.
3: Sand
Pure sand is definitely not suitable for Chinese water dragons. First of all, Chinese water dragons are not desert inhabitants. Sand will not keep moisture, will start clumping and sticking from dripping water. Your Chinese water dragon might also ingest it, which can be life threatening. Avoid sand.
4: Moss
Moss is not the best substrate for Chinese water dragons. That is because your Chinese water dragon is very likely to ingest the moss. While you can add some moss to topsoil mix, don’t use too much.
5: Coniferous tree shavings or chips
If getting chips or shavings, please do not get any made of coniferous trees. That’s because they are toxic for your Chinese water dragon. Coniferous trees include cedar, pine and more. Cedar is one of the most toxic of all.
6: Gravel
You must not use gravel for your Chinese water dragon’s tank. Gravel will not create an optimal humidity in the cage, and will not allow proper digging either. Your Chinese water dragon will also have issues walking on it.
What is more, your Chinese water dragon can swallow gravel, which is very dangerous. While you can use gravel on the bottom of the swimming tub for a better grip and to avoid scratching, don’t use for bedding in the main cage.
7: Alfalfa pellets
While alfalfa is supposed to be absorbent and allow digging, it’s not the best substrate for your Chinese water dragon. Alfalfa pellets will quickly mold in higher humidity enclosures and create an unpleasant smell.
It will also start clumping when water gets on it (and it will happen when your dragon comes out of its swimming tub).
What is more, it is dusty and can cause respiratory issues in your Chinese water dragons. While it could be an acceptable substrate for reptiles with lower humidity needs, it’s not suitable for a Chinese water dragon.
Thanks for reading this post on best substrates for a Chinese water dragon. To learn about humidity problems and solutions for Chinese water dragons, see this post.