Only crickets???

[Gentlemommy]

We just got a bearded dragon...he's about six inches long, so I'm guessing his age is 2-4 months. He refuses any and all fruit and vegetables. He will only eat his crickets. We got meal worms, but now I'm seeing those aren't a good choice, which is just as well since he refused to eat them anyway. If I buy a vitamin supplement, will he be ok with just crickets??? And if not, how on earth do I make him eat the other stuff???

 

[CooperDragon]

The little guys (up to 12-18mo old) are supporting huge growth spurts, so they really need their protein (crickets). It's not uncommon for them to ignore their salads. I'd keep offering salad so it's available and to help make it known as a food source, but keep offering crickets if that's what he wants. Dust them with calcium for most meals (follow the calcium package instructions) and multivitamins once or twice a week (again, follow the package instructions) and it should be fine. Maybe try some Phoenix Worms or silk worms to add variety as a treat, but crickets are OK as a staple.

 

[Gentlemommy]

Thank you! I actually got him/her to eat a few bites of zucchini...we had him out during school time and I put a tiny piece at the end of my pointer and wiggled it in front of him and he went to town. I think he just enjoys the hunt, so we will try daily to give him fruits and vegetables that way. As for the protien, I'm fine letting him eat as many crickets as he desires, so long as it's good nutrition for him.

 

[CooperDragon]

I cut zucchini into small worm shapes and that goes over well. It's a very good vegetable for them.

 

[aepstein]

My little guy does that too. He's about the same age and just ha no interest in the stuff.

I still offer greens and veggies everyday, I just cut the portion sizes so I'm throwing less out when he doesn't eat it. He's more concerned with anything that moves.

 

[kmc4392]

My little guy does that too. He's about the same age and just ha no interest in the stuff.

I still offer greens and veggies everyday, I just cut the portion sizes so I'm throwing less out when he doesn't eat it. He's more concerned with anything that moves.

basically my problem too. My girl won't even pay any mind to the veggies unless I make them move. And even lately she hasn't even tried to eat them, just tilted her head to one side then went back to doing whatever she was doing before.

 

[aepstein]

My little guy does that too. He's about the same age and just ha no interest in the stuff.

I still offer greens and veggies everyday, I just cut the portion sizes so I'm throwing less out when he doesn't eat it. He's more concerned with anything that moves.

basically my problem too. My girl won't even pay any mind to the veggies unless I make them move. And even lately she hasn't even tried to eat them, just tilted her head to one side then went back to doing whatever she was doing before.

yea. ive just cut how much salad I give her. I use the salads to feed the crickets too. I usually buy enough crickets for 3 (maybe 4) days, depending on how he eats. I've been gutloading them so he still gets the nutrients...but I recently looked into phoenix worms; I might try putting them in salad to get him to try it.