Beardie only recognizes dusted crickets as food?

[Daj]

The title says it all really, my young bearded dragon (3-4 months old) only seems to recognize dusted (calcium) crickets as food. He eats normal crickets but he doesn't seem to realize they are food most of the time... any tips/help?

 

[Daj]

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[CooperDragon]

Some of them seem to have that preference. Its just a pickiness issue. Do you dust your crickets at every meal? If so, then it shouldn't be a big deal. You could also try offering a variety of bugs including black soldier fly larvae, silk worms, or roaches which he may enjoy.

 

[Daj]

Some of them seem to have that preference. Its just a pickiness issue. Do you dust your crickets at every meal? If so, then it shouldn't be a big deal. You could also try offering a variety of bugs including black soldier fly larvae, silk worms, or roaches which he may enjoy.

I try to dust once a feeding per day. My calcium powder has D3, which I read somewhere can be bad because of them overdosing on it or something? I don't know, I just don't want to harm him.

 

[Daj]

Some of them seem to have that preference. Its just a pickiness issue. Do you dust your crickets at every meal? If so, then it shouldn't be a big deal. You could also try offering a variety of bugs including black soldier fly larvae, silk worms, or roaches which he may enjoy.

whoops seems ive double posted

 

[CooperDragon]

D3 overdose is possible but it takes quite a bit from what I've read. If you're giving the bugs a nice even light dusting it shouldn't be a problem. I'd follow the instructions that come with your supplement if they're available (they aren't always written on the bottle) What kind of UVB light are you using?

 

[Daj]

D3 overdose is possible but it takes quite a bit from what I've read. If you're giving the bugs a nice even light dusting it shouldn't be a problem. I'd follow the instructions that come with your supplement if they're available (they aren't always written on the bottle) What kind of UVB light are you using?

I'm using a fluorescent uvb and there are no instructions on the package.

 

[CooperDragon]

Is it a tube? Do you know if it's T5 size or T8 (thicker)? If there aren't any instructions I'd go with the general rule to lightly dust bugs at every meal with calcium and if you wish to use multivitamin then replace the calcium with that a couple of days per week. I think a good all-in-one such as Repashy Calcium Plus may be a good idea if you can get it.

 

[Daj]

Is it a tube? Do you know if it's T5 size or T8 (thicker)? If there aren't any instructions I'd go with the general rule to lightly dust bugs at every meal with calcium and if you wish to use multivitamin then replace the calcium with that a couple of days per week. I think a good all-in-one such as Repashy Calcium Plus may be a good idea if you can get it.

It is a tube. I don't know the exact size, I kept the package in my closet somewhere (ill find it tomorrow probably). I was planning on getting some multiviatmin this weekend. I still wanna try to get him to eat it without a dusting, but I dont want to starve him.

 

[CooperDragon]

Some of the supplements (Repashy Calcium Plus comes to mind) are designed to be used at every feeding as stated on the packaging. I think that might be a good bet for you since he likes the dusted bugs. http://www.amazon.com/Repashy-Calcium-Plus-All-Sizes/dp/B00CI6K6H6

 

[Daj]

Some of the supplements (Repashy Calcium Plus comes to mind) are designed to be used at every feeding as stated on the packaging. I think that might be a good bet for you since he likes the dusted bugs. http://www.amazon.com/Repashy-Calcium-Plus-All-Sizes/dp/B00CI6K6H6

Ok so a light dusting every feeding? I might get this. Also, I might try to start gettiing him to recognize food without dusting on it. Wish me luck.

 

[CooperDragon]

Yep, just a light coat. I put bugs in an empty yogurt container (or something similar in size), put a bit of the supplement over them and shake gently. Then I let the bugs walk out of the container and leave the excess supplement. This gives them a nice light even coat.

He may start to like bugs without supplementation eventually. It sounds like just a picky mood similar to a little kid not wanting crust on their sandwich.