Appatite loss?

[scarletpan]

My little beardie...well not so little any more, is acting really strange lately.
I used to feed him crickets every other day about 20-30 depending on how fast he ate them, and gave him freeze dried mealworms every day in between. At the same time I'd give him a good portion of Roman greens, apples, bananas, and about anything that he wasn't too picky about eating.
Well about a month ago I gave him some Superworms for the first time ever, and he LOVED them. So much so that the days I would give him crickets...he wouldn't eat! Instead I'd have to give him worms, to which he would eat 10-15. Now it's gotten to where he wont eat more than 5 crickets and only eats Superworms and Waxworms.
I know a lot of people who only feed them supers, and I figured as long as he was at least eating regularly it was ok.

BUT, two days ago he started getting to where he doesn't even want worms anymore. He's been only eating 4 worms a day IF he eats at all. He does still eat his veggies pretty good, but for some reason only likes them when they are dry...not fresh. (found this out one afternoon when I forgot to pull the veggies out)

So my question, if anyone can help, is why is my beardies appatite getting so strange. Is it because he is getting older, or is this a searious health issue I should worry about. I would hate for it to be a parasite because I cant quite afford to take him to a vet, but if that is my only solution, I can always find a way.

Please if anyone can help me out it would be great!

 

[duke11]

Hi there,
How old exactly is your beardie? I'd also suggest going to this site for veggies: http://www.beautifuldragons.503xtreme.com/Nutrition.html. The veggies you are currently feeding are great occasional treats, but dark leafy greens on the chart are best for everyday feeding. Is he shedding? Some beardies lose their appetite when they shed. Is his poop especially smelly and is he acting lethargic?

 

[scarletpan]

He is just turning one year. He has a little spot where he may shed on his belly. I make sure to give him a bath ever or every other day. He poops every few days, and its not as smelly as it used to be when he was little. he doesn't seem to be lethargic but then again its only been like this for a few days. He is still eating, just not as much as he used to.

 

[Screamin99]

How long is he/she? what size tank, whats the temps hot and cold? Humidity? What bulbs and how old? Recently moved anything around inside the tank? what and how long ago.

 

[scarletpan]

he is about 20-21 inches head to tail. His tank is a 40 gal breeder. his basking spot gets between 100-110 and his cool area gets to about 80. today he ate a little more wax worms and one super worm, so i don't know if that means he's ok. And he is sheading so that could be it, but he's never eaten less when he sheads.

 

[duke11]

Your tank seems fine. I think it could be maybe an especially irritating shed. As long as he's still eating, he should be ok. Keep an eye on him and if his appetite gets worse, he starts getting lethargic, or his poop is runny and smelly, take him to a vet. Keep us updated!

 

[rammsteinfreaky]

my beardie is 3-4 years old he's shedding at the moment so he's not eating much, but my beardie is now prefering to eat salad and greens instead of crickets i mentioned this to the vets she said it may be an age thing, she wasn't concerned about it.

 

[duke11]

Adult beardies tend to eat more veggies than insects. As babies, they should eat mostly insects. As adults (18 months), they should be getting about 60% plant matter and 40% insects in their diet. I would offer your dragon fresh salads every day along with crickets or other insects every other day, about 3-4 times a week, to keep his diet balanced.

 

[scarletpan]

Yeah, I've noticed the last couple days it seems he's way more interested in his veggies and not even remotely interested in his insects. I guess I shouldn't worry too much unless he stops eating all together. If he starts eating even less I'll take him to the vet. But out of curiosity does anyone know of any other insect that would be a good replacement to crickets and worms? since it seems he doesn't want anything to do with crickets at all.

 

[duke11]

Well apart from crickets and worms, there's cockroaches but it's really a pain to deal with them (I hate bugs). My favorite feeders are silkworms, butterworms, and hornworms. All can be ordered here: http://www.mulberryfarms.com/. They also sell crickets, roaches, phoenix worms, and some other feeders too. You'll find something you like. Good luck!