Recommendations for Picky Eater?

[drekiaa]

Hi everyone!

So for the past couple of months, my beardie has just been refusing to eat. I have been syringe feeding him, he's been to the vet multiple times, fixed his lighting, tried different insects etc no luck.

Today, my husband comes home with horned worms which we've avoided because they are $10 for 4 at our local pet store but he gobbled them up. Now I'm thinking he's just become incredibly picky.

Does anyone have any suggestions on where to buy horned worms that aren't this expensive, and any suggestions for veggies for Picky eaters? He won't eat kale, collars greens, dandelion greens... Or perhaps how do I make them more enticing?

Thank you!

 

[Claudiusx]

How old is your dragon?

If you could post pictures of your setup and your dragon that would help.
Along with posting his weight.

-Brandon

 

[Mollie the dragon]

i get mine from dubiaroaches.com and ive heard bee pollen works and i got some for my beardie and it didnt work so it might just be preference with the bee pollen idk

 

[drekiaa]

How old is your dragon?

If you could post pictures of your setup and your dragon that would help.
Along with posting his weight.

-Brandon

Hello!

He's about 14 months, and weights 365 grams today. (I know this is underweight, he has been to the vet a couple of times but just won't eat. Until today)

 

[Claudiusx]

Depending on his length, 365g might be the right weight for him. Looks like he has a good build up of fat at the base of his tail. Doesn't appear skinny or malnourished from that picture.

How is he with eating his salads? He should be primarily eating salad at this point with bugs only a few times a week. Will he eat salads, just not the greens you've been offering, or not at all?

-Brandon

 

[drekiaa]

Depending on his length, 365g might be the right weight for him. Looks like he has a good build up of fat at the base of his tail. Doesn't appear skinny or malnourished from that picture.

How is he with eating his salads? He should be primarily eating salad at this point with bugs only a few times a week. Will he eat salads, just not the greens you've been offering, or not at all?

-Brandon

He won't eat greens, yellow squash, or fruit at all. He basically runs over top of bowl, flails it around and that's all he will do with it.

Are there other food options you may recommend? I probably haven't tried all of them.

 

[Claudiusx]

It's most likely not going to be an issue of taste or preference for him. Beardies can get lazy, and smart, and will often not eat on their own if they are hand fed too often; they also will hold out on eating if they know they will eventually get the food item that they want.

I'd monitor his weight once a week and start showing him some tough love. No bugs at all until he eats his salad. Might take a few days, might take a couple weeks. A healthy dragon will not allow itself to starve. He knows the salad is food, he also knows he doesn't have to eat it because you will eventually give him what he wants... You've got to change that.

A small weight loss during this time is to be expected depending on how long he stays stubborn. But in the long run, the health benefits of eating properly far outweigh any potential temporary issues from a small weight loss.

-Brandon