Questions about Feeding and Age?

[Quelaag]

Since I can't find any information on this anywhere, I figured I'd ask here. So recently I've noticed that Haru has been slowing down on how many crickets she eats and seems to be focusing on eating more greens. I know their diet changes as they get older and they tend to eat more greens/veggies with age, but is it normal for a 6 to 7 month old to begin preferring their greens over feeders? She's still eating a decent amount of crickets, but she also seems to not be wanting to eat as often. She usually gets fed crickets twice a day and greens in the afternoon that will last her throughout the day. Now it seems like she's content with just eating crickets once a day and sometimes it takes her a while to take interest in them. Sometimes she'll eat them twice a day, but I'm worried she's not getting enough and I'm worried it will stunt her growth or something. Is this normal? She eats at least 12 to 30 a day depending on how many greens she's eaten. Also we're monitoring her weight and she's not losing any. In fact, she's 15 inches (or almost) and is 200 grams!

I had her in for a check up at the vet 2 weeks ago and she checked out with a clean bill of health, so I don't think there's anything wrong with her. Is this just an age thing or something?

Also, sorry if this is in the wrong forum.

 

[CooperDragon]

Weight is the best indicator in this case. Make sure she doesn't start losing weight, and at 200g, she should continue to put on weight at a decent clip. It sounds like she is still eating plenty. If she wants more greens, provide as much as she wants. Everyone is a bit different so just take cues from her and run with it. This may also just be a phase or plateau, so be prepared for her to go on a protein spree at any moment.

 

[Quelaag]

Weight is the best indicator in this case. Make sure she doesn't start losing weight, and at 200g, she should continue to put on weight at a decent clip. It sounds like she is still eating plenty. If she wants more greens, provide as much as she wants. Everyone is a bit different so just take cues from her and run with it. This may also just be a phase or plateau, so be prepared for her to go on a protein spree at any moment.

Yeah, she hasn't lost any. When she went to the vet she was 190 Grams, so she's still gaining. Though this weird habit started about a week or so ago. Also this makes me feel better, I hope she goes back to eating normally soon. My biggest worry is just I don't want to stunt her growth or ruin her health or anything since I know they need protein. I'm also wondering if I should put her vitamins and calcium on her greens instead of her feeders while she's being weird.

Edit: She's also started doing this weird thing where she doesn't want to eat until after I've handled her for a while. So this may be a weird stubbornness issue I think. Which sucks because I sometimes have to rush for work in the mornings and don't have time to handle her so she ends up not eating when I go to feed her before work. I think that's also put her feeding schedule out of wack because it causes her to eat later than normal.

Which I love handling her and try to do so at least twice a day. In fact, I can finally trust her on my lap/shoulder while I play video games now so the handlings have started getting longer now that she's bigger and less likely to hurt herself. I just can't always handle her before every feeding. ;n; She's getting spoiled. Any ideas on how to reverse this? Or is it not even possible for Beardies to do stuff like that and I'm just being silly and it's an odd coincidence that her appetite picks up after getting handled?

 

[CooperDragon]

It's likely stubbornness and routine. You can probably change the routine to fit your schedule but it may take some time. You can dust the salad too if she still eats it. If you feed staple greens with a good calcium/phosphorous ratio and a decent amount of protein such as collards, that should provide decent nutrition for now.

 

[Quelaag]

So the issues with her feeding continue. It's almost like she binge eats crickets in the morning now and won't eat in the evening. :C She's focusing more on crickets now, sure, but she's only eating them once a day most of the time. I don't know what's up with her. I still need to try other feeders on her, I just haven't had time to get anything other than crickets lately. I just hope she's not getting sick? I mean she's still eating over 10 crickets a day and some greens. She's also still gaining weight. I just don't know what's up with her. D: I'm tempted to post about this in the health forum, but I'm not sure.

My only theory is she hasn't shed in a while and I think she may be dull all over right now (hard to tell in certain lightings) so maybe she's preparing for a rough shed?