dragon substrate

Question
Hi Pam!

I have a two year old bearded dragon. I have tried just about every type of substrate that there is. I used sand, calci sand, bark, wood chips, and most recently, white proso millet. The problem with sand is Bubbles likes to throw his salad all over his tank before he eats it. It gets covered with sand and then he eats it which is dangerous. With bark he acidentally picks up large peices and tries to eat them. He shred news paper and eats it as well. Have you tried the white proso millet or heard anything about it? I think it is a fairly new product as I have never come across it until yesterday. It says digestiable but how can I trust that. HA HA. What would you recomend as the safest substrate for a dragon? I have heard so many differnt things that I dont know who to trust anymore. Also, any recomendations on getting a dragon to drink form a waterdish? I have never in two years seen him drink anything. I mist him at least once a day or more if its really hot so that must be doing something as he is still alive and seemingly healthy. Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions!

Answer
Unfortunately, when wet, peed or pooped on, millet will mold, causing respiratory infections.  I use a combination of marine indoor/outdoor carpet remnant on half the tank, and Duck brand non-adhesive shelf liner on the other.  Both are machine washable and reusable, spot cleaning with a baby wipe between weekly washings.  And you could add a pan of washed sifted childrens' playsand for your dragon's digging pleasure.
My dragons are attracted to the waterbowl when I either mist the water or splash it, it's the movement that will attract them.