My dragon is trying to eat things she shouldn’t

[Bioactive]

My 5 month old dragon looks perfectly heathy and has already been to the vet once right before this began happening. My dragon suddenly became obsessed with trying to eat the fake leafs on the hide (this could have been mistaken for food) so I took every fake leaf out of her tank. But then during feeding she tried to eat the paper towel her food was on! We pulled it out of her mouth before she could eat any of it but we had to pull it all out because she kept going for it. She is also very obsessive during feeding and even goes for my fingers when there is nothing there. She never puffs up or has stress marks (except for in the mornings) so it’s not anger. She is a perfectly healthy weight and her light set up is good (already have been walked through with someone before on it) so I’m really not sure why she is such an aggressive eater and tries everything.

 

[KarrieRee]

My 5 month old dragon looks perfectly heathy and has already been to the vet once right before this began happening. My dragon suddenly became obsessed with trying to eat the fake leafs on the hide (this could have been mistaken for food) so I took every fake leaf out of her tank. But then during feeding she tried to eat the paper towel her food was on! We pulled it out of her mouth before she could eat any of it but we had to pull it all out because she kept going for it. She is also very obsessive during feeding and even goes for my fingers when there is nothing there. She never puffs up or has stress marks (except for in the mornings) so it’s not anger. She is a perfectly healthy weight and her light set up is good (already have been walked through with someone before on it) so I’m really not sure why she is such an aggressive eater and tries everything.

What supplements are you feeding her?

 

[Bioactive]

Fluckers calcium D3 and vitamin supplement. 2 days calcium 3 days vitamin one day both and one day nothing. I think that is correct for beardies?

 

[KarrieRee]

Fluckers calcium D3 and vitamin supplement. 2 days calcium 3 days vitamin one day both and one day nothing. I think that is correct for beardies?

usually when they are trying to eat things they shouldnt they are lacking something in the diet - I am going to have AHBD look at your post and have her advise on the supplements - what kind of UVB are you using? That is what helps the dragon absorb and synthesize the calcium they are eating?
@AHBD

 

[Bioactive]

A linear 24” UBV mounted on the inside. 10.0 and T5. I feed her a variety of foods but maybe we should look into making them more balanced?

 

[KarrieRee]

A linear 24” UBV mounted on the inside. 10.0 and T5. I feed her a variety of foods but maybe we should look into making them more balanced?

I am thinking the supplements are off like the calcium D3 - is your UVB directly over her basking area 12-15 inches ? I would like to have AHBD still look I am thinking since shes so young shes going to need the D3 increased but I could be wrong - is she eating her salads? I know when they are young they were calling for them to have D3 5 x per week dusted lightly on the insects till around age 1 the vitamins w/ beta carotene 2 x per week lightly coated then the D3 would decrease depending on the UVB and since your using a good UVB they would more than likely go to a regular calcium 2-3 time per week w/ the D3 once per week --- but I still want AHBD to chime in on this and see what she thinks

 

[Bioactive]

I am thinking the supplements are off like the calcium D3 - is your UVB directly over her basking area 12-15 inches ? I would like to have AHBD still look I am thinking since shes so young shes going to need the D3 increased but I could be wrong - is she eating her salads? I know when they are young they were calling for them to have D3 5 x per week dusted lightly on the insects till around age 1 the vitamins w/ beta carotene 2 x per week lightly coated then the D3 would decrease depending on the UVB and since your using a good UVB they would more than likely go to a regular calcium 2-3 time per week w/ the D3 once per week --- but I still want AHBD to chime in on this and see what she thinks

Ok thanks I’ll keep this on watch to see what they say .( also yes it’s above the basking spot. It’s 2/3 the length of the tank) she is eating her salads

 

[AHBD]

That's very common for a dragon with a good appetite. Make sure to give her a big salad and watch your fingers when she's ready to try for a bite. Although fake greenery can look nice , beardies often try to eat it so it's best left out of their decor. Both of my boys are 10 years old , one will try for my fingers at feeding time, the other has no interest in my fingers at all.

 

[Rubble1212]

That's very common for a dragon with a good appetite. Make sure to give her a big salad and watch your fingers when she's ready to try for a bite. Although fake greenery can look nice , beardies often try to eat it so it's best left out of their decor. Both of my boys are 10 years old , one will try for my fingers at feeding time, the other has no interest in my fingers at all.

When I move the probe from the thermometer around in the viv to check different areas my guy will launch himself at it from across the 4 ft enclosure. He is the laziest dragon on earth but when I move that thermometer around it’s Katy bar the doors lol .