Baby Beardie not eating and barely coming out of cave

[hgrimes]

Hey! Almost a week ago, my 6 month old bearded dragon stopped eating crickets. She would generally eat about 20 crickets a day, but she shows zero interest in them now. Then she started hiding most of the day. She only comes out in the morning for a short period of time where she glass surfs. I have moved her to her basking spot a few times, and she'll stay there for maybe an hour or two, then go back into the cave.

I saw people saying that sometimes bearded dragons just get tired of crickets, so I began feeding her mealworms. She'll eat maybe 5, then stop eating. She seems very afraid of me now, which also just started. She used to be comfortable with me and eat out of my hand, but now she just pancakes. Some days she eats most of her salad, and some days she doesn't touch it. I'm worried she is getting malnourished since she isn't really eating protein. What should I do??

Enclosure is 40 gallon, basking spot is 105, cold side is 85. I just bought a new UVB light in hopes to help her feel better. The new light is Arcadia Reptile D3+T5 Lamp.

 

[KarrieRee]

Hey! Almost a week ago, my 6 month old bearded dragon stopped eating crickets. She would generally eat about 20 crickets a day, but she shows zero interest in them now. Then she started hiding most of the day. She only comes out in the morning for a short period of time where she glass surfs. I have moved her to her basking spot a few times, and she'll stay there for maybe an hour or two, then go back into the cave.

I saw people saying that sometimes bearded dragons just get tired of crickets, so I began feeding her mealworms. She'll eat maybe 5, then stop eating. She seems very afraid of me now, which also just started. She used to be comfortable with me and eat out of my hand, but now she just pancakes. Some days she eats most of her salad, and some days she doesn't touch it. I'm worried she is getting malnourished since she isn't really eating protein. What should I do??

Enclosure is 40 gallon, basking spot is 105, cold side is 85. I just bought a new UVB light in hopes to help her feel better. The new light is Arcadia Reptile D3+T5 Lamp.

Where is the Arcadia UVB? Top of screen or inside the tank ? Your basking spot might be too warm - try lowering the temp to 95-100 taken w/ a digital probe thermometer you want surface basking temps-- shes 6 months old she should be eating alot more than 20 crickets a day -- she might not like crickets I would get some dubia roaches for her www.dubiaroaches.com go by the chart on the website for size - NO bigger than the space between they eyes --- I would also order her some horn worms -- those grow really fast so get medium size for now -- and dont order a lot of them they will out grow her -- I am not fond of their super worms so I will give you another site for them they are all large and come in a tube so you will need to get a plastic container w/ holes in the lid and get meal worm food to put them in along w/ carrots for hydration -- the dubias you can keep in a 10 gallon aquarium feed dubia food along w/ dubia dew for hydration - its easier to order in quantity especially w / her being so young - she should be getting insects 2 times per day along w/ her salads every day --are you dusting the insects? calcium D3 and vitamins w/ beta carotene?

 

[hgrimes]

Where is the Arcadia UVB? Top of screen or inside the tank ? Your basking spot might be too warm - try lowering the temp to 95-100 taken w/ a digital probe thermometer you want surface basking temps-- shes 6 months old she should be eating alot more than 20 crickets a day -- she might not like crickets I would get some dubia roaches for her www.dubiaroaches.com go by the chart on the website for size - NO bigger than the space between they eyes --- I would also order her some horn worms -- those grow really fast so get medium size for now -- and dont order a lot of them they will out grow her -- I am not fond of their super worms so I will give you another site for them they are all large and come in a tube so you will need to get a plastic container w/ holes in the lid and get meal worm food to put them in along w/ carrots for hydration -- the dubias you can keep in a 10 gallon aquarium feed dubia food along w/ dubia dew for hydration - its easier to order in quantity especially w / her being so young - she should be getting insects 2 times per day along w/ her salads every day --are you dusting the insects? calcium D3 and vitamins w/ beta carotene?

Thank you for your response! The UVB in on the top of the screen. If I need to mount it inside, what would be the best way to do that. I wish I could get dubia roaches, but they are illegal in Florida, where we live. I've gotten her hornworms before, and she did like those. I can order some more hornworms. I dust her salad with calcium D3 and vitamins. She loves the calcium and usually eats it all, but since she hasn't been touching her salad much, she hasn't had a ton this week.

Since I can't get roaches, what feeder would you suggest? Also, since she's not even showing interest in food, what should I do?

 

[KarrieRee]

Thank you for your response! The UVB in on the top of the screen. If I need to mount it inside, what would be the best way to do that. I wish I could get dubia roaches, but they are illegal in Florida, where we live. I've gotten her hornworms before, and she did like those. I can order some more hornworms. I dust her salad with calcium D3 and vitamins. She loves the calcium and usually eats it all, but since she hasn't been touching her salad much, she hasn't had a ton this week.

Since I can't get roaches, what feeder would you suggest? Also, since she's not even showing interest in food, what should I do?

Please get the UVB in the tank -- directly above the basking decor piece 12-15 inches --- fishing line --- 3M Velcro fasteners-- long plastic zip ties -- picture wire hanger are good things to hang w/ ---- please start dusting the insects Discoid Roaches for Sale - Free Shipping
5 x per week one time per feeding if shes eating more than once-- lightly coated --- vitamins w/ beta carotene 2 x per week once per feeding lightly coated --
Get the UVB in the tank then watch the behavior-- let me know how it goes please

 

[hgrimes]

Please get the UVB in the tank -- directly above the basking decor piece 12-15 inches --- fishing line --- 3M Velcro fasteners-- long plastic zip ties -- picture wire hanger are good things to hang w/ ---- please start dusting the insects Discoid Roaches for Sale - Free Shipping
5 x per week one time per feeding if shes eating more than once-- lightly coated --- vitamins w/ beta carotene 2 x per week once per feeding lightly coated --
Get the UVB in the tank then watch the behavior-- let me know how it goes please

I got her discoid roaches, but she doesn’t seem interested at all. She also hasn’t eaten any of her salad in a few days. I have the UVB light inside of the enclosure now with zip ties.

How long should I wait before taking her to the vet? She only active maybe an hour a day now.

 

[KarrieRee]

I got her discoid roaches, but she doesn’t seem interested at all. She also hasn’t eaten any of her salad in a few days. I have the UVB light inside of the enclosure now with zip ties.

How long should I wait before taking her to the vet? She only active maybe an hour a day now.

Did you get the surface basking temps dropped to the 95-100? Please post a pic of the tank and her

 

[hgrimes]

The temp is 95-100 on the basking spot ramp, just not at the very top. Here is a picture of her enclosure before the light was put in and a picture of her.

 

[KarrieRee]

The temp is 95-100 on the basking spot ramp, just not at the very top. Here is a picture of her enclosure before the light was put in and a picture of her. View attachment 77816 View attachment 77817 she looks good we want her to stay that way -- is she eating at all ? how long have you had her? I dont see any stress marks -- give her a few days and see if her behavior changes -- relocation stress will cause lack of appetite -- as long as those surface basking temps are good and your UVB is properly placed she should come around --- you are getting the surface basking temps w/ a digital probe thermometer I see the stick ons

 

[hgrimes]

She was eating a couple worms a day and maybe a bite or two of salad, but today she hasn’t eaten anything. I’ve had her since October, so almost 4 months. We moved her to my in laws for the first week of January since we were on vacation then moved her back to our place, and she showed signs of distress for a week, but was back to normal functioning and eating after the second week of January. Then a week ago stopped eating, and here we are.

Yes, I have a digital thermometer to get surface temps and the two thermometers in the enclosure. I’m so worried about her because it seems like she’s gotten anxious and scared over the past week on top of not eating. I guess if this continues into Tuesday, I’ll take her into the vet.

 

[KarrieRee]

She was eating a couple worms a day and maybe a bite or two of salad, but today she hasn’t eaten anything. I’ve had her since October, so almost 4 months. We moved her to my in laws for the first week of January since we were on vacation then moved her back to our place, and she showed signs of distress for a week, but was back to normal functioning and eating after the second week of January. Then a week ago stopped eating, and here we are.

Yes, I have a digital thermometer to get surface temps and the two thermometers in the enclosure. I’m so worried about her because it seems like she’s gotten anxious and scared over the past week on top of not eating. I guess if this continues into Tuesday, I’ll take her into the vet.

That's going to stress her out more- where do you have her? Is there other animals around like cats dogs is she by a window where she can see birds? Or is the pic you posted where she's at now? Back and forth moving has her going thru relocation stress- what kind of worms? She needs a staple feeder- like bsfl discoid roaches or crickets or silk worms-- let's see if some others can chime in here
@AHBD

 

[hgrimes]

That's going to stress her out more- where do you have her? Is there other animals around like cats dogs is she by a window where she can see birds? Or is the pic you posted where she's at now? Back and forth moving has her going thru relocation stress- what kind of worms? She needs a staple feeder- like bsfl discoid roaches or crickets or silk worms-- let's see if some others can chime in here
@AHBD

She’s in my office where I spend most of my days. I have a cat and dog that come in there from time to time but haven’t really taken notice of her. She was eating mealworms off and on after she refused crickets. I’ll let you know if she eats discoid roaches tomorrow

 

[hgrimes]

So it’s been a week since I got the roaches, and she has only eaten 2 or 3. She has started eating mealworms though and occasionally eats salad. She is still hiding a lot, but she’ll come out and run around a little and she’ll bask if I put her there.

Is it okay if she is only eating mealworms right now? I know they’re not a great staple.

 

[KarrieRee]

So it’s been a week since I got the roaches, and she has only eaten 2 or 3. She has started eating mealworms though and occasionally eats salad. She is still hiding a lot, but she’ll come out and run around a little and she’ll bask if I put her there.

Is it okay if she is only eating mealworms right now? I know they’re not a great staple.

Please no meal worms- the exoskeleton is too harsh on their stomachs -- get her some bsfl www.symton.com - they are a great salad lure and good staple for babies- feed them on her salads first thing in the morning- she's eating that's good - her appetite should pick up as she gets more used to her tank and surroundings

 

[hgrimes]

Update: she’s eaten a few roaches in the past week and practically no salad. She hasn’t pooped in almost two weeks. I’m giving her frequent baths and gave her a few drops of olive oil today to help. She still hides all day, every day, going on 3/4 weeks. I’m thinking I need to take her to the vet tomorrow.

 

[KarrieRee]

Update: she’s eaten a few roaches in the past week and practically no salad. She hasn’t pooped in almost two weeks. I’m giving her frequent baths and gave her a few drops of olive oil today to help. She still hides all day, every day, going on 3/4 weeks. I’m thinking I need to take her to the vet tomorrow.

Have you moved the UVB inside the tank -- the screen is blocking 30% of the rays and they will not eat w/ out proper UVB --- as far as the hiding goes what are the temps in the tank -- is she hiding on the cool side of the tank ? How are you getting surface basking temps? All I am seeing is the stickons- they are inaccurate