Beardie not wanting to eat or drink!

[Blue_the_beardie]

Hello! Ive had a bearded dragon for about 3 years, but just recently she wont eat her veggies, or drink on her own. Ive tried EVERYTHING, but nothing works! Ive tried hiding treats in the salads(she just pickes them out). Ive tried putting nothing but greens in her cage, but she just ignores them. She will only eat worms and blueberries. Im stuck between feeding her treats to make sure she eats, or putting veggies in her cage and feeling like im starving her.

And for water: How do I get her to drink out of the bath or a dish. I can drop water on her nose and she will lick it up. Ive heard of putting something flavorful (like a all natural juice) in a dish, but she wont even lower her head to taste it. She puts no effort to drink it on her own. I just started misting her, but I dont know if that hydrates them or not. She will only drink from a spray bottle on her nose. What should I do? Thanks!

 

[KarrieRee]

Hello! Ive had a bearded dragon for about 3 years, but just recently she wont eat her veggies, or drink on her own. Ive tried EVERYTHING, but nothing works! Ive tried hiding treats in the salads(she just pickes them out). Ive tried putting nothing but greens in her cage, but she just ignores them. She will only eat worms and blueberries. Im stuck between feeding her treats to make sure she eats, or putting veggies in her cage and feeling like im starving her.

And for water: How do I get her to drink out of the bath or a dish. I can drop water on her nose and she will lick it up. Ive heard of putting something flavorful (like a all natural juice) in a dish, but she wont even lower her head to taste it. She puts no effort to drink it on her own. I just started misting her, but I dont know if that hydrates them or not. She will only drink from a spray bottle on her nose. What should I do? Thanks!

Thats good shes getting the hydration from the misting bottle -- keep doing that if that is the only way she will drink --- please stop w/ the blueberries - they are too sweet and should be fed occasionally-- what worms are you feeding and does she have a staple insect? Like crickets or dubia roaches ? BSFL? Silk worms?

 

[Blue_the_beardie]

Crickets are her staple insect(she will eat those aswell). I feed her superworms(only every once and a while)

 

[KarrieRee]

Crickets are her staple insect(she will eat those aswell). I feed her superworms(only every once and a while)

Is she eating those now? They can have the treat worms 2-3 times per week - if shes holding out for those only cut them back - your UVB is a coil or a tube? Where in the tank is it? top of screen or inside the tank and how old is the bulb? Usually a sudden halt of eating can / is the lighting issue- lets go over that to see if this could be a reason - basking temps are what? and how are you getting them?

 

[Blue_the_beardie]

Is she eating those now? They can have the treat worms 2-3 times per week - if shes holding out for those only cut them back - your UVB is a coil or a tube? Where in the tank is it? top of screen or inside the tank and how old is the bulb? Usually a sudden halt of eating can / is the lighting issue- lets go over that to see if this could be a reason - basking temps are what? and how are you getting

Is she eating those now? They can have the treat worms 2-3 times per week - if shes holding out for those only cut them back - your UVB is a coil or a tube? Where in the tank is it? top of screen or inside the tank and how old is the bulb? Usually a sudden halt of eating can / is the lighting issue- lets go over that to see if this could be a reason - basking temps are what? and how are you getting them?

Yep, she will eat those(but not the veggies). Its a tube. I got the reptisun, T5, 10.00. Its on the top of the cage, with a reflector. The bulb is 2 months old (changing it every 6 months). Im not there right now, but I think the basking temp is in the 90-100(something like that) and the cold temps are in the 80. Im using a thermometer with a needle. It came with the tank I got.

 

[KarrieRee]

Yep, she will eat those(but not the veggies). Its a tube. I got the reptisun, T5, 10.00. Its on the top of the cage, with a reflector. The bulb is 2 months old (changing it every 6 months). Im not there right now, but I think the basking temp is in the 90-100(something like that) and the cold temps are in the 80. Im using a thermometer with a needle. It came with the tank I got.

Is the thermometer a stick on? You want a zoo med digital probe thermometer- found at PetSmart or Petco - please get 2-- your screen is a fine mesh like a screen door or a wide hole type? This makes a difference in the uvb rays- screens block 30% of them--

 

[Blue_the_beardie]

Is the thermometer a stick on? You want a zoo med digital probe thermometer- found at PetSmart or Petco - please get 2-- your screen is a fine mesh like a screen door or a wide hole type? This makes a difference in the uvb rays- screens block 30% of them--

Yes, its a stick on. Thanks, ill go buy one. Its like a metal mesh. I have the stuff to mount it on the inside if that would improve it.

 

[KarrieRee]

Yes, its a stick on. Thanks, ill go buy one. Its like a metal mesh. I have the stuff to mount it on the inside if that would improve it.

Yes please do- it needs to be 12-15 inches directly above the basking decor -- please watch the behavior after you get it moved -

 

[Blue_the_beardie]

Ok. Thank your for your help!

 

[KarrieRee]

Ok. Thank your for your help!

No problem if you need more please post

 

[Blue_the_beardie]

Hello! When putting the light inside the cage, should I put a refector in? Dont want it to harm her...

 

[KarrieRee]

Hello! When putting the light inside the cage, should I put a refector in? Dont want it to harm her...

Do you have a hood / fixture ? That should have a reflector in it --

 

[Blue_the_beardie]

Do you have a hood / fixture ? That should have a reflector in it --

I have a fixture.

 

[KarrieRee]

I have a fixture.

ok so that fixture should have a reflector in it

 

[Blue_the_beardie]

Yep! Should I keep it in? I dont want it to be too harmfull for her eyes.