Nutrition during brumation?

[cellosmom]

Hi all,

I have a rescue beardie going into brumation. She's had a recent fecal done and isn't losing weight, so I think she is good healthwise.

I am planning to leave her lights on as normal in case she wants to bask and to bathe her once a week for hydration (and weigh her).

However, I am confused about how to keep her properly fed. She eats a lot normally, especially feeders, but now she will have only 1-2 crickets or worms before losing interest. She isn't eating greens at all.

How do I make sure she is getting her vitamins? My usual strategy is gut-loading & dusting feeders. Should I just wake her up every few days and get her to eat a few worms/crickets? I would dust the greens but she really isn't touching them. Are there any other methods for getting them calcium & vitamins during brumation?

 

[CooperDragon]

They slow their systems down during brumation so they don't require as much and can use their fat stores if needed. It's a natural cycle for them so I wouldn't worry too much about nutrition. Offer food but don't be discouraged if she's not interested. Some of them just slow down while others will go out cold for a while. Take her out for a bath every few days to give her a chance for a drink and to check her weight as you said but other than that, I'd just let her be. There is more information here https://www.beardeddragon.org/articles/brumation/