Pinkies?

[irishone70]

Ideas? Thoughts? The lady at my pet store keeps telling us that a pinkie once a week or so is really good for them. But I haven't noticed that anyone in here ever seems to talk about this. So what are your thoughts?

Kelli

 

[EShell]

Most experienced folks don't feed pinkies. It was thought at one time that they really were a beneficial dietary boost, but these days, better diets are available. Pinkies are high in fat content and high in solids that can lead to impaction if fed to a sub-adult BD. There is segment of owners that believe it good for them, and another group that vehemently opposes live pinkies as feeders for anything, especially BDs.

 

[triumphtt]

Puff's last owner fed him frozen pinkies (were thawed) once in awhile. I bought a 6 pack a month ago gave him two seemed to take em fine. Tried to give him one more two weeks after that didn't seem to want it. Haven't tried again yet. Last owners said he loved em but I think it's because they just threw in crix and left em in there (with plenty of places to hide). So I don't blame him for loving something that doesn't run and hide.

 

[jharris08]

only time I ever feed pinkies is to a gravid female...and at that only 1 every 2 or 3 weeks while she is laying eggs..other than that I would not recommend it for the health of the dragon

 

[CLucas976]

I was going to ask this question too..

I was at the pet store the other day, and I love the guys that work that shift, they're not *****s generally..and they seem to know their stuff.(I have a variety of pets) They asked me why I don't feed pinkies. My first reason is that my boys are too small, seccond was that you should not, third was impaction, and finally the idea of not feeding anything bigger than the space between their eyes. I also said that the biggest feeder you should use is Dubias..

I was wondering honestly what the health implications were, not because I plan on trying it, but Ive gotten the idea here that its not something to be fed, and I take your word for things because you've all so drastically improved the life of Balinor, and made is that my new guy Charlie, is doing absolutely amazing (he's grown and is thriving) simply by educating me. I'd like to feel like I know a little more about it just to be able to hold a better discussion.

I pretty much told the guy, as my final statement that most of the experienced beardie owners I've heard from (meaning all of you) stray away from it for reasons mentioned above and that theres no need to feed pinkies, aparently his sister is about to start feeding hoppers to hers and he's huge.

are there actual health implications?

 

[Jess]

Bearded dragons arent meant to digest mammal protiens, so pinkies are really hard on their livers, and can lead to fatty liver disease. So if thats what you mean by health imlications, then yes. :wink:

 

[triumphtt]

Looks like I won't be giving him anymore pinkies the last one sold for me. Didn't think about it with the liver and such. I thought it was more of a some may have problems passing them others might not. Calk another one up for science!