No interest in eating at all

[Dwig1]

I have a bearded dragon that is about 13 months old and has never been a big eater. In the past couple of months I don't think he's eaten much at all. He is only about 10 to 11 inches long which I know is not normal. I thankfully found this site and as of last week he has a new 40 gallon breeder and a Reptisun 10 tube, all his temperatures are good and he gets regular baths. He was eating maybe 2 - 3 mealworms a week and some greens, but now he eats nothing on his own. I have been giving him baby food every night with calcium and he eats it with no problem. I have some phoenix worms and butter worms coming today since I found that many of you do not suggest mealworms, but since he's not interested in eating I'm not sure if he'll go for these. He is otherwise healthy and alert, and a fecal sample came back negative for parasites.

My question is: My beardie seems to have no interest in eating. I've tried crickets again and he doesn't lunge for them, although he does watch them. I've mixed all kinds of greens with fruit, veggies, etc. He just seems uninterested in eating, almost like he doesn't know how to eat. Any suggestions? This is my son's pet but I have kind of taken him over as my baby. I'm driving my husband crazy trying to figure this out, he finally told me I really just need to post something on the board.

Any suggestions??

 

[ajkry2]

I just read a post that said that her dragon was dehydrated, so didn't eat as much as she should. Are you bathing your beardie frequently? Does s/he have enough UVB? Just my thoughts

 

[Dwig1]

I had been misting him every day and adding a weekly bath, but I have been bathing him more often since reading posts on this site. He's had the Reptisun 10 for about a week, but before that I was using a compact bulb (not a reptiglo). I'm wondering if it takes longer than a week for them to adjust to the new light? I think I was hoping that when I turned on the new light he would magically start eating. Maybe I'm just impatient??

 

[valcash]

If indeed the vet has given him a clean bill of health it could be relocation stress. If he does not start eating on his own like he was eating before, finding another vet might be in order, at least these are my thoughts if he was my little guy.
Good luck. Glad you have him in a bigger tank with proper lighting! :mrgreen:

 

[Dwig1]

Thanks for the advise. I feel a little better, my phoenix worms came yesterday and I was able to hand feed him 18 mediums. He was irritated with me at first for trying to get him to open his mouth, but it got easier with each worm. I'm hoping he'll eventually go after them on his own, but I still need to get him to eat greens. I figure once he eats worms on his own I'll mix them with the greens. I hope I don't have to hand feed him for the rest of his life, but I'll do it if I have to!

 

[zebraflavencs]

You can dribble some 100% juice like from cherries, or canalopes... that sort of thing . Once they get a wiff of the sweet smell, don't be surprised if you find the salad gone ... or at least those pieces that had the juice on em
Janie.

 

[Wavedancer]

Mine has a weakness for raspberries. If you dice a couple up and mix them in with his salad there will not be one piece of salad left so I'll bet Janie's juice tip really works. I'm going to try it myself. She's got some really good tricks up her sleeve

 

[zebraflavencs]

*shows one arm with looooong sleeves, than the other....* Yes I have a few things that work for most dragons... Then again, with 4 in the house... One would HAVE to have some tricks up these sleeves
Janie.

 

[Dwig1]

Thanks so much for the great advice. The scary thing is that I'm thinking that if I can get this down, I may get myself another bearded dragon. Seriously, I'm a 41 year old mom of 2 boys who never paid any attention to reptiles. I thought I was more of a dog person, guess not! My friends are getting worried.........

 

[zebraflavencs]

Hey no worries... and if your friends have a had time with reptiles, let them hold your baby
I was in your shoes NOT even a year past... Single mom, two boys... fourty something or more Sound familiar ? I started with one basically dropped into my lap, did all the researching and foot work to improve his lot, but at 8 years of age with horrid husbandry, he gave a sigh, and died in my oldest son's arms right after xmus 08. Then a lot more research.... started a roach FARM and one of the breeders here was kind enough to allow me to "adopt" two baby boys hatched on the day or the day after we lost Tanker... Several more weeks go by, waiting for the two infants to grow up enough to be shipped coast to coast ( Jeff Crider is the breeder, and He lives on the west coast... I live on the East coast) and here is a rescue needing a forever home... okaaaaay I thought... what is one more ? Soooo busy getting lights, a 3rd viv arranged... More roaches... Also in the meantime my leo gecko count was growing as well..
So the nutshell of all this is... I went from 2 leos in January 09 to 8 leos, 4 dragons, (all but one is mine.) So... yesssssss this dragon additiction is... addicting go ahead and get another... We'll be your bestest friends and Family
No help at all am I
Janie.

 

[Dwig1]

I think there are a lot of us moms on this site. Buy a beardie for our kids, end up taking over. My friends already think I'm crazy, I can't imagine what they would say if I started a roach farm!!

I always just tell them "If lizard love is wrong, I don't want to be right!".

 

[zebraflavencs]

With the exception of Tanker... these are all MINE ! MINE I tell you ! lol
Janie.

 

[Dwig1]

Too funny! I swear I would have thought you were all freaks until I got my own! Who knew???!!!

 

[zebraflavencs]

I'll take that as the ultimate complement
Thanks !
Janie. dragon freak extraordinaire!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[berdie]

u can tell if it's dehydrated by gently pinching his skin if it goes back in 5 seconds or less he is hydrated if it takes longer than he should get more water soak him for 30 min every day is good