Bearded dragon exercise

[TheBeard9789]

Hey guys figured I'd just ask my male beardie will pick 1-2 bites of his salad but 99% of the time its insects crickets worms roaches if I have them he is currently as of right now hes 753G hes always been a big boy but my fear is obesity and he will have medical issues I will say that my enclosure is huge so I been hand feeding him crickets and worms I was thinking to pull everything from his enclosure give him insects but let him chase them as a form of exercise though hes always been that "let me stand here and wait for them" type of eater he does have exercise when I give him baths every other day but thats it maybe I give him some healthier insects or reduce the portion but thats just my train of thought

Any help is appreciated I welcome any opinions

 

[KarrieRee]

Yes I would cut down on the insects more exercise and more salads -- he is really big for 753 grams --

 

[TheBeard9789]

Yes I would cut down on the insects more exercise and more salads -- he is really big for 753 grams --

ya odd thing was the vet didnt seem concerned his last visit (700g) for instance he went this past winter without eating lost over 30g in weight then 2 weeks after the vet visit he came out of his brumation and his appetite sky rocketed

 

[KarrieRee]

My vet would be having a fit --- she wanted Hiccup to lose 43 grams he was 443 last visit -- and now Blaze is over 500 shes really gonna have a fit when she sees him -- I have cut back on his super worms and feeding dubias 2 times per week - hes getting mostly salads - Hiccup seems to be doing good havent weighed him as of lately tho

 

[TheBeard9789]

My vet would be having a fit --- she wanted Hiccup to lose 43 grams he was 443 last visit -- and now Blaze is over 500 shes really gonna have a fit when she sees him -- I have cut back on his super worms and feeding dubias 2 times per week - hes getting mostly salads - Hiccup seems to be doing good havent weighed him as of lately tho

My vet likes the "if you only give him salads he will eat it if hes hungry enough" method I broke after 2 and a half weeks and gave him crickets which is fairly cheap and readily available to me not thinking they are heavy in fat but no more crickets for my guy and his portions and feeding will need to change

 

[Claudiusx]

My vet likes the "if you only give him salads he will eat it if hes hungry enough" method I broke after 2 and a half weeks and gave him crickets which is fairly cheap and readily available to me not thinking they are heavy in fat but no more crickets for my guy and his portions and feeding will need to change

That is my prescription for stubborn dragons too. I'd try it again and stick to it.

-Brandon

 

[TheBeard9789]

My vet likes the "if you only give him salads he will eat it if hes hungry enough" method I broke after 2 and a half weeks and gave him crickets which is fairly cheap and readily available to me not thinking they are heavy in fat but no more crickets for my guy and his portions and feeding will need to change

That is my prescription for stubborn dragons too. I'd try it again and stick to it.-Brandon

Sadly I hate seeing my animals go without sustenance got that little voice in my head telling me they will starve to death when in reality they will be just fine

 

[Claudiusx]

they will starve to death

No normal healthy animal will let itself starve to death. He knows he has food available, he will eat it before he gets to that point, trust me.

If a few weeks of him being stubborn and not wanting to eat (note it's his choice, not yours) adds years to his life due to a change in health for the better, than I see that as a necessary "hardship" that he can endure until he decides he's actually hungry enough to eat the disgusting horrible salad.. :mrgreen:

But I totally get where you're coming from. I was there at one point too but I've seen it work for my dragons in the past and it's advice I've given to dozens upon dozens here and seen it work.

-Brandon

 

[TheBeard9789]

they will starve to death

No normal healthy animal will let itself starve to death. He knows he has food available, he will eat it before he gets to that point, trust me.

If a few weeks of him being stubborn and not wanting to eat (note it's his choice, not yours) adds years to his life due to a change in health for the better, than I see that as a necessary "hardship" that he can endure until he decides he's actually hungry enough to eat the disgusting horrible salad.. :mrgreen:

But I totally get where you're coming from. I was there at one point too but I've seen it work for my dragons in the past and it's advice I've given to dozens upon dozens here and seen it work.

-Brandon

Well with him being 750g+ thats a wake up call for me AND him hes just a stubborn dragon stuck in his ways like his owner ?