milo0
Hatchling Member
So you know how many of us tend to deal with very stubborn beardies when it comes to feeding them? Specifically vegetables? Time and time again, I've been told "eventually he'll cave in, no animal will starve themselves when there's food around"....
Except, my bearded dragon ACTUALLY did. -_-
If you take a look at my history, the vast majority of concerns I have were about Milo's eating habits. I just thought I was dealing with a bratty, spoiled beardie, but this year, Milo proved me wronger than ever. He had been in brumation for a little over 3 months, basically not eating anything during this time aside from a couple worms every few weeks. But basically, he was just getting water and that was it. During this time, he lost a bunch of weight which unfortunately caused some minor health problems to arise a few months later. However, here he was, basically starving, so I thought for sure he will eat what I give him. When I started waking him from brumation, he started getting back to somewhat normal. I had bought some worms just as a little treat and showed them to him, and oh man did his eyes light up. He wanted those worms bad. But no, before he could have a worm, he had to eat a few bites of greens and some roaches (since he has been refusing everything else for 2 years now). First day goes by, doesn't eat a bite of anything I give him. Yet whenever I show him a glimpse of a worm, he just brightens up instantly.
So here's the thing. I had a starving bearded dragon on my hands, who hadn't eaten anything really in 3 months. I was almost POSITIVE he would give in eventually right? Wrong. After 3 months of him not eating, I tried for an additional 3 weeks trying everything in my power to get him to eat any veggie, fruit, or roaches. Not once did he give in. I tried handfeeding, spoonfeeding, putting him in the tub of roaches... and nada. This guy would literally rather starve to death than to eat a dang salad.
After the 4th week of him still refusing to eat, I had to give in because he had lost so much weight. He instantly chowed down on like, 10 silkworms in a heart beat. I was honestly at a lost for words... do I really have THAT stubborn of a beardie that he would let himself starve to death? I really couldn't believe it.
Long story short, he can become a bit sick through this ordeal, plus just from brumating for too long. The vet was shocked to see how incredibly hard headed he was. She didn't believe me when I told her that he will physically spit out anything that isn't a worm, or would rather starve himself to death. This was my final battle with him, because I just can't risk another health scare like that. He basically just eats worms and gets no other nutrients aside from the pellets he'll sometimes eat. I feel like a failure of an owner for not nipping this in the bud earlier... but honestly, how is one supposed to fix an animal that is like this? He's been like this from the start, and I tried everything to combat it. I mean 4 weeks of me supplying food everyday for him and he continued turning his nose up to it. That isn't normal, by any means lol.
I just had to rant about that since it really continues to shock me. The only option I have to ensure he gets veggies is to force feed him through a syringe, and I just don't think I could put him through that stress everyday. I worry what health problems may arise by the lack of veggies/fruits, but I can't change it. I never thought I'd be outsmarted by a lizard, but I have been. He now lives his life on hornworms, silkworms, and butterworms and is happy as can be. His mother's wallet though isn't very happy about this set up. :lol: I truly can't believe that I have actually witnessed an animal stubborn enough that he'd rather starve than to give in. Absolutely crazy.
Except, my bearded dragon ACTUALLY did. -_-
If you take a look at my history, the vast majority of concerns I have were about Milo's eating habits. I just thought I was dealing with a bratty, spoiled beardie, but this year, Milo proved me wronger than ever. He had been in brumation for a little over 3 months, basically not eating anything during this time aside from a couple worms every few weeks. But basically, he was just getting water and that was it. During this time, he lost a bunch of weight which unfortunately caused some minor health problems to arise a few months later. However, here he was, basically starving, so I thought for sure he will eat what I give him. When I started waking him from brumation, he started getting back to somewhat normal. I had bought some worms just as a little treat and showed them to him, and oh man did his eyes light up. He wanted those worms bad. But no, before he could have a worm, he had to eat a few bites of greens and some roaches (since he has been refusing everything else for 2 years now). First day goes by, doesn't eat a bite of anything I give him. Yet whenever I show him a glimpse of a worm, he just brightens up instantly.
So here's the thing. I had a starving bearded dragon on my hands, who hadn't eaten anything really in 3 months. I was almost POSITIVE he would give in eventually right? Wrong. After 3 months of him not eating, I tried for an additional 3 weeks trying everything in my power to get him to eat any veggie, fruit, or roaches. Not once did he give in. I tried handfeeding, spoonfeeding, putting him in the tub of roaches... and nada. This guy would literally rather starve to death than to eat a dang salad.
After the 4th week of him still refusing to eat, I had to give in because he had lost so much weight. He instantly chowed down on like, 10 silkworms in a heart beat. I was honestly at a lost for words... do I really have THAT stubborn of a beardie that he would let himself starve to death? I really couldn't believe it.
Long story short, he can become a bit sick through this ordeal, plus just from brumating for too long. The vet was shocked to see how incredibly hard headed he was. She didn't believe me when I told her that he will physically spit out anything that isn't a worm, or would rather starve himself to death. This was my final battle with him, because I just can't risk another health scare like that. He basically just eats worms and gets no other nutrients aside from the pellets he'll sometimes eat. I feel like a failure of an owner for not nipping this in the bud earlier... but honestly, how is one supposed to fix an animal that is like this? He's been like this from the start, and I tried everything to combat it. I mean 4 weeks of me supplying food everyday for him and he continued turning his nose up to it. That isn't normal, by any means lol.
I just had to rant about that since it really continues to shock me. The only option I have to ensure he gets veggies is to force feed him through a syringe, and I just don't think I could put him through that stress everyday. I worry what health problems may arise by the lack of veggies/fruits, but I can't change it. I never thought I'd be outsmarted by a lizard, but I have been. He now lives his life on hornworms, silkworms, and butterworms and is happy as can be. His mother's wallet though isn't very happy about this set up. :lol: I truly can't believe that I have actually witnessed an animal stubborn enough that he'd rather starve than to give in. Absolutely crazy.
