Is he addicted?

[Mrs. Tiggywinkle]

I have heard that beardies can get addicted to certain foods and now I think Gladstone is addicted to fruit. He has not eaten greens for weeks now but holds out for blueberries, raspberries, grapes, cantaloupe- all the yummy sweet stuff. He used to go crazy for nasturtiums, dandelions etc but now he just refuses. He even will not eat those little "Beardie Bites" he used to love. He snacks on a few crickets but often leaves as many as he eats.
So my question is, I could make him go cold turkey - don't let him have any fruit at all- but how long is too long? Should I just give in after a couple of weeks and let him eat dessert all the rest of his life? he is 3 1/2 (same age as a couple of beardies I just saw on another post who refuse their greens) and very healthy and strong.
One thing more - I think his cage is too big and maybe he is not getting enough heat. Maybe that is affecting his general appetite and makes him want the sweet stuff??? Does that make sense?

 

[ShannyBeard]

I have heard that beardies can get addicted to certain foods and now I think Gladstone is addicted to fruit. He has not eaten greens for weeks now but holds out for blueberries, raspberries, grapes, cantaloupe- all the yummy sweet stuff. He used to go crazy for nasturtiums, dandelions etc but now he just refuses. He even will not eat those little "Beardie Bites" he used to love. He snacks on a few crickets but often leaves as many as he eats.
So my question is, I could make him go cold turkey - don't let him have any fruit at all- but how long is too long? Should I just give in after a couple of weeks and let him eat dessert all the rest of his life? he is 3 1/2 (same age as a couple of beardies I just saw on another post who refuse their greens) and very healthy and strong.
One thing more - I think his cage is too big and maybe he is not getting enough heat. Maybe that is affecting his general appetite and makes him want the sweet stuff??? Does that make sense?

Fruit can cause your dragon to have too much yeast and isn't advised to be fed very often. I never feed my bearded dragons fruit. I would advise stopping fruit 'cold turkey' and going back to greens and feeders.

 

[miloandrufusdragons]

I'd say going cold turkey and giving him only greens and bugs for a few weeks. Worked with my dragons thathey are little pigs.

 

[Mrs. Tiggywinkle]

Oh no . . . yeast??!! How will I know if he is infected?
Well, thanks for the replies. Back to the greens and bugs. He is in for a shock tomorrow

 

[ShannyBeard]

Oh no . . . yeast??!! How will I know if he is infected?
Well, thanks for the replies. Back to the greens and bugs. He is in for a shock tomorrow

We can't always give them what they want. If we could, my blue tongue skink would get a bowl of mashed potatoes for dinner. :lol: :lol: :lol: