Help w/getting beardie to open mouth

[lilith13]

Okay, I'm getting a little concerned about Clapton. He has gone on a salad strike! Not even apples, which he loves got him to eat. The frequency of his pooping has noticeably decreased. Though he did eat the waxworms offered, he used to be good about eating his salad. So, I thought I'd give baby food a try w/ a dropper. When I had Quagmire the vet showed me how to force-feed him (we're not at that stage cause he's not emaciated) but I don't really remember how I got him to open up. Clapton will probably be more stubborn too. He still looks healthy but I want him to be getting his nutrients. I've also tried getting him to drink water by using a straw, he did not go for it and never opened up! Does anyone have tips on how to open his mouth?

 

[AHBD]

Hey there, is it possible that he's slowing down for the season ? Whatever the case is he won't need to be assist-fed. Remember that beardies can brumate for 3 months with no food and they do this year after year but it's normal for them and they don't lack nutrients from it .
Anyway, if you say he likes his salad [ until now ] that's really great ! It may be that he's just picking waxworms now because those are fatty and tasty like dessert. Can you post a few pics of Clapton to show his size ? Your best move to get him back to eating salads is to stop the insects . Beardies won't starve themselves so when he gets hungry enough he'll eat some unless he's going in to brumation. And for the salad, concentrate on greens rather than apples, use kale, collards, mustard, turnip, arugula, dandelion.

 

[xp29]

With younger dragons they will go off salad if bugs are readily available. Offer the salad first and bugs later. Unless they are sick or have some underlying issues they won't starve themselves.

 

[lilith13]

With younger dragons they will go off salad if bugs are readily available. Offer the salad first and bugs later. Unless they are sick or have some underlying issues they won't starve themselves.

Well, that's what I generally do. He gets salad in the morning & bugs later when I'm there. It concerns me on the days that I'm gone all day his food looks untouched. I am trying the collard greens again though he doesn't seem to be a fan. I just got a mix to try next.

 

[lilith13]

Hey there, is it possible that he's slowing down for the season ? Whatever the case is he won't need to be assist-fed. Remember that beardies can brumate for 3 months with no food and they do this year after year but it's normal for them and they don't lack nutrients from it .
Anyway, if you say he likes his salad [ until now ] that's really great ! It may be that he's just picking waxworms now because those are fatty and tasty like dessert. Can you post a few pics of Clapton to show his size ? Your best move to get him back to eating salads is to stop the insects . Beardies won't starve themselves so when he gets hungry enough he'll eat some unless he's going in to brumation. And for the salad, concentrate on greens rather than apples, use kale, collards, mustard, turnip, arugula, dandelion.

I'm really hoping he doesn't do the brumation thing. My other dragon never did. I just know it will freak me out if he tries to sleep for 3 months!

 

[AHBD]

If he does want to brumate it doesn't mean that's how long he will sleep [ 3 months ] but that's how long mine do. There's nothing to worry about because it's natural. They can sleep off + on for a while or conk out for 1,2.3 months. You have to understand that it's normal for them to do this and they wake up when they need to.

 

[lilith13]

This is the most recent picture.
He doesn't seem unhealthy, but they can hide it when they don't feel good.
Just wanna be sure he gets vitamins & nutrients he needs.

 

[AHBD]

He's a big hefty guy. Don't worry about nutrients if he's not eaing quite as much, it's normal.