Not eating as much-what is normal?

[KarenInCA]

I believe Rin is 11-12 months old. I also believe he is done growing, at least I think so.

First, how long does it take for dragons to stop growing, normally?

Second, when they stop growing, obviously they eat less. And I have followed the forum enough to know that as they get older, they eat less protein.

That said, Rin has REALLY slowed down on his eating habits. He used to get so excited to see dubia that he would RUN off of his perch and try to get out of his viv. Now, it's almost as if he is blind. He just has very little interest in eating dubia, and lost interest in crickets a couple months ago.

I have to feed him dubia by hand, one at a time off of my finger or he simply is NOT interested. He also eats about 8-12 dubia at the most, and sometimes he eats about 5.

Should I skip every other day when feeding him proteins now that he's older? Is he old enough to not be very hungry? Or is it something else that could be going on with him? He is pooping normally (normal poop for him is once every other day), and he doesn't appear to be losing weight....although I don't have a scale for him.

Any tips on how to handle this? What age is it normal for them to stop being as interested in insects?

 

[CooperDragon]

I'd definitely pick up a kitchen scale to monitor weight. Based on my experience, he may slow down but won't stop growing until 2 or 2 and a half. They are always interested in feeders to an extent too. He may just be going through a mood or be sick of dubia. Have you tried offering some worms or crickets for a bit instead? I'd keep with the daily feeding but stick to the 10min or until he stops showing interest rule. That may just mean he wants less and is done sooner and that's fine. Keep a nice salad available every day and see if he takes to that.

 

[KarenInCA]

He seems to have lost interest in salad. But then that comes and goes.
I can't tell if he passed the pebble. He acts fine, and poops fine. But since he ate that pebble, I have been feeding him dubia one at a time from my finger because he just seems uninterested. I can't tell if the loss of interest is from being older or because he has that dam pebble still lodged in his gut somewhere.
The vet I took him to for a well check up seems a bit inept, and he has received reviews from others who feel the same way.
I think I need to find a vet out of my area to know anything else about that pebble he swallowed a week ago. He's pooped about 4 or more times since swallowing it, and aside for one time that my husband cleaned it up, I have not seen any signs of it coming out yet. Makes me wonder if the lack of interest in food is associated with the pebble being lodged somewhere.

 

[CooperDragon]

I'll bet the pebble passed if he's still pooping regularly. Given the crazy stuff these guys have passed the past few weeks on here that sounds like a cakewalk. My guess (uneducated, slightly experienced) is that it's hormonal and he'll just pull through it. If you can get to a good vet that never hurts of course. The vet here uses dental x-rays on dragons so it's pretty cheap to get a picture taken if needed. Do you have a veterinary teaching hospital near(ish)by?

 

[KarenInCA]

Ya know...just when I say he isn't eating he proves me wrong.
He was super interested in the dubia today. And then some super worms. He pooped outside again, and of course he TRIED to be a naughty boy, by heading several times to the rocks between the grass and the patio. I turned him back around at least 5 times before I just told him he was being too naughty. As soon as he hits those rocks, he turns his head sideways and gets all excited and sticks his tongue out at anything. I have checked thoroughly, and there seems to be no more pebbles in there, and nothing small enough for him to stick into his mouth due to the weight of the small rocks/large pebbles. That one was the only one, but he still tries to get them into his mouth with his tongue. It's actually cute, if he hadn't have actually done it before.
I just wish I could dump some dubia in there and let him have at it. He started getting excited about the rocks when he found that there were rolly polly's walking around in there, and he ate some, and has looked for more ever since.
I also think he has passed the pebble by now. Although, I have checked every poop but one, and can't find anything hard in it.
What's the longest it would take to pass something like that??