Juvenile Beardie Not Eating

[cknowles24]

I am new to the forum and to the beardie world. My dad bought my son a beardie for his birthday and I have read a lot of information on how to take care of them, and from what I read and how my dragon is acting are two different things.

First, PetsMart failed to tell my dad that Spike (dragon) needed to have crickets, so that was mistake number one, he did not have any for about 6 days and then on the 6th day I went and bought some when he was not eating the mealworms. He ate about 10 crickets that night and then the next day I tried to feed him more and he would not eat, and this morning I put six more in his cage and so far he has yet to eat them all. I am not sure what to do at this point.

I have talked to many people who own dragons and said that he should be eating a lot more and that I should take him back to the store to exchange him as they have a 14 day return policy. I am not sure what to do, can someone point me in the right direction.

 

[ImRex]

Is he eating any salad or veggies? I assume he ate something in those 6 days right? Is he walking around or just laying there? If he is laying there you may want to consult a vet or just exchange him and hope petsmart can save him. Try hand feeding him a cricket. Smush the cricket just enough to immobilize it and then hold it in front of him.

 

[ImRex]

Also how big are the crickets? He should only have crickets no bigger that the space between his eyes. Also what are the basking temps like? I hope he fot him a basking light and a uvb light too. Those are very important.

 

[cknowles24]

He did eat some meal worms and he had some fruit. I am trying some greens and he doesn't seem to have a huge interest in them. I am putting fresh greens in twice a day and I am spraying them down with water so they don't dry out. Also the crickets are the smallest I can get them for his size. He was at one point not doing much moving in the viv but it seems he is going some improvement on movement. When I take him out now he basically tries to get away. He seems to be eating a little more, he is having like 8 crickets in the moening dusted and 8 in the evening not dusted. His housing is all at the right temps and I bought a beardie 20 gallon starter kit it came with everything as far as lighting. I did extensive research on that part.

My question now is is he eating enough?

 

[ImRex]

Depending on his size 16-20 is fine like 25 max. Its good he is eating some fruit too. He wont have much interest in greens but if he gets hungry enough he will have some. http://blackninjakitty.com/herps/care/troystuttlegreeniglist.htm that is a great guide to veggies you want to feed him. Basking area should be 85 to 110 degrees, cool side mid 70s to mid 80s. Is he on sand or reptile carpet? Use reptile carpet. Its normal for him to be scared of being handled. Just be gentle. Also make sure to get reptivite for him as well. They need abot 11 hours of sleep and total darkness. Join bearded dragons worldwide on facebook. Lots of knowledgable people on there. I learn a lot on there

 

[ImRex]

Oh and ps no citrus fruits like oranges etc

 

[cknowles24]

Thank you for all your help. Spike is doing a lot better now. The greens I hope will spike his interest soon. But he has a big appetite.

 

[icelore]

Yes, baby dragons eat a TON. But baby dragons in a new place might not. They all have different amount of time to get adjusted before that appetite kicks in! As long as he looks alert and healthy, as long as you are offering him bugs twice daily, then you are doing the right thing.

I'm happy his appetite has picked up for you!