daughterofMyou
Member
I got Bandit in August 2017. He was sold too-young, around 8 weeks, and kept too close to a UV bulb so had keratitis (snow blindness). While semi-blind he stopped eating altogether, but I nursed him back into eating crickets and phoenix worms. He refused to eat greens and vegetables, however, always spitting them out or shaking/slapping them away.
Recently his bug-appetite declined and he began straining to poop. After several vet trips, he's on a recovery liquid diet (Emerald Intensive Care Herbivore) and has regained a taste for phoenix worms. The vet told me that I have to get him interested in greens and vegetables, because a carnivore diet can lead to problems with liver and heart later on. She didn't give me advice on how to do this, though.
I have scoured the internet for tips and tricks. Slotting greens into his mouth while he's gaping, putting his worms in a bowl of greens (he just picks the bugs out), mixing sweet-smelling fruits into the salad - nothing works. Bandit is the most stubborn dragon I know, to the point where he stress-poops whenever I attempt to wedge food into his mouth. I've tried watercress, rocket, spring/collard greens, apple, apricot, pear, grapes, blueberries, strawberries, green/string beans, buckskin squash, and butternut squash. There's probably more that I'm forgetting.
If anyone has good advice on getting him to eat greens and vegetables, please, I would love to hear it. I'm so frustrated and desperate at this point. How do I make him understand that greens aren't poison?!
Recently his bug-appetite declined and he began straining to poop. After several vet trips, he's on a recovery liquid diet (Emerald Intensive Care Herbivore) and has regained a taste for phoenix worms. The vet told me that I have to get him interested in greens and vegetables, because a carnivore diet can lead to problems with liver and heart later on. She didn't give me advice on how to do this, though.
I have scoured the internet for tips and tricks. Slotting greens into his mouth while he's gaping, putting his worms in a bowl of greens (he just picks the bugs out), mixing sweet-smelling fruits into the salad - nothing works. Bandit is the most stubborn dragon I know, to the point where he stress-poops whenever I attempt to wedge food into his mouth. I've tried watercress, rocket, spring/collard greens, apple, apricot, pear, grapes, blueberries, strawberries, green/string beans, buckskin squash, and butternut squash. There's probably more that I'm forgetting.
If anyone has good advice on getting him to eat greens and vegetables, please, I would love to hear it. I'm so frustrated and desperate at this point. How do I make him understand that greens aren't poison?!