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Part of the fun of having a pet is handling it and enjoying its company. Handling your water dragon can be fun for both you and your pet, if done properly. As always, be gentle whenever handling your dragon, in addition to these other steps: Handle your dragon at a young age to ensure that it's accepting of being handled as an adult. Work slowly when trying to handle your water dragon at first. It will need to get used to your presence before trusting you. Don't force any interaction with your water dragon. Doing so will only cause your water dragon to distrust you. Try hand feeding your dragon first, inside the cage. Once it accepts food from your hand, you can try to remove it from its container. Never pick up a water dragon by its tail. Your water dragon will need a diet that suits its nutritional needs and matches what it would eat in the wild. The diet will consist mainly of insects, of various types, and some vegetables and fruit. This diet will help keep it healthy, strong, and happy. The main elements of the diet include crickets and mealworms. However, these tend to be low in calcium in captivity and need to be dusted with calcium powder immediately prior to feeding to the water dragon, to ensure that the dragon gets enough calcium in the diet for healthy bones. Waxworms are also an option, however, they are high in fat and should be offered sparsely. Dark green vegetables, such as kale, collard, mustard, and dandelion leaves can be a great addition to your dragon's diet. Some fruits can be included as well. Try feeding your water dragon bananas, cantaloupe, or strawberries. Large adult water dragons can eat earthworms, pinkie mice, or small feeder fish. Young dragons should be fed daily. Adult water dragons should be fed once every three days. Your water dragon won't require much grooming, however, there are some things you can do to keep your water dragon clean and happy. The two main areas of grooming that you will focus on involve the nails and bathing of your dragon. Keep an eye on your water dragons nails. If you notice the nails getting long, they can be trimmed. Keeping them short will make handling the dragon more comfortable. Find someone who can show you how to trim your dragons nails in person, as it is difficult for a beginner to do without seriously harming the water dragon. Allow your water dragon to soak in water regularly. This can help prevent constipation as well as keep it clean. As with all pets, scheduling a regular exam with your veterinarian is a critical part of maintaining that pet's health. Find a local veterinarian that works with reptiles and ask them about setting up appointments to examine your Chinese water dragon. Young dragons, under the age of four, should be checked at least once annually. Older water dragons, over four years, should be examined twice yearly.
Learn how to handle your water dragon. Provide a proper diet. Groom your water dragon. Schedule regular exams with a veterinarian.