Ack! Okay, super worried and need lots of help.
First off, I purchased my bearded dragon from Petsmart and he was totally fine the first few days. Knew he was stressed out because of the relocation, knew he would need a few days to settle so I didn't really hold him.
It's been about a week and 4 days and he's now very lazy and loves to bask. Had an issue with a thermometer and hygrometer where the gauge was broken and had to replace it. Got digital ones instead and they told me my tank was too cool. Got different bulbs so long story short, this is the set up that I have:
- A "sand-mat" (not loose substrate, definitely did my research on that) -https://www.reptiles.swelluk.com/img/shop/original/sandmat1.jpg
- A 20 gallon tank (he's only 6.5" from nose to tail so I'm going to upgrade later on, figured out too late that he's REALLY little)
- I have the temperature in the tank on one side up to 102F, with probably 7" in between the bulb and his basking spot
- I have the ReptiSun UVB 5.0 because the 10.0 was too big, it's shining in the middle of the cage.
- I have a water dish I leave in there mainly to keep humidity up. I've so far given him 2 'baths' and I regularly spray his cage (like twice a day)
The humidity can get pretty dry, 10% sometimes. I try and spray whenever it's this low to raise it but I figured they're desert animals so he must be fine.
This is my issue: he's not eating. I called Petsmart to ask why (after doing my own research) and they said they only feed 5 crickets to their bearded dragons. I read they're supposed to eat like 50 a day!
Mine is only eating 3 crickets. And sometimes he refuses to eat at all. I managed to get him to eat some greens (collard greens, raspberries, and spaghetti squash) and, before reading they were bad for them, he used to eat 3 mealworms. Everything is with calcium supplement.
When I held him a few days ago, he began to vigorously (and I mean CRAZILY) shake his head. Like, so fast it was almost a blur. I could feel his chest vibrating too, and he's only done this when I pick him up. I held him maybe 10 minutes ago and he did the same thing. Doesn't do it in between.
can someone help me, I asked Petsmart if they would do a free vet check on him but I'm feeling like they would just swap out my bearded dragon
Thank you!
First off, I purchased my bearded dragon from Petsmart and he was totally fine the first few days. Knew he was stressed out because of the relocation, knew he would need a few days to settle so I didn't really hold him.
It's been about a week and 4 days and he's now very lazy and loves to bask. Had an issue with a thermometer and hygrometer where the gauge was broken and had to replace it. Got digital ones instead and they told me my tank was too cool. Got different bulbs so long story short, this is the set up that I have:
- A "sand-mat" (not loose substrate, definitely did my research on that) -https://www.reptiles.swelluk.com/img/shop/original/sandmat1.jpg
- A 20 gallon tank (he's only 6.5" from nose to tail so I'm going to upgrade later on, figured out too late that he's REALLY little)
- I have the temperature in the tank on one side up to 102F, with probably 7" in between the bulb and his basking spot
- I have the ReptiSun UVB 5.0 because the 10.0 was too big, it's shining in the middle of the cage.
- I have a water dish I leave in there mainly to keep humidity up. I've so far given him 2 'baths' and I regularly spray his cage (like twice a day)
The humidity can get pretty dry, 10% sometimes. I try and spray whenever it's this low to raise it but I figured they're desert animals so he must be fine.
This is my issue: he's not eating. I called Petsmart to ask why (after doing my own research) and they said they only feed 5 crickets to their bearded dragons. I read they're supposed to eat like 50 a day!
Mine is only eating 3 crickets. And sometimes he refuses to eat at all. I managed to get him to eat some greens (collard greens, raspberries, and spaghetti squash) and, before reading they were bad for them, he used to eat 3 mealworms. Everything is with calcium supplement.
When I held him a few days ago, he began to vigorously (and I mean CRAZILY) shake his head. Like, so fast it was almost a blur. I could feel his chest vibrating too, and he's only done this when I pick him up. I held him maybe 10 minutes ago and he did the same thing. Doesn't do it in between.
can someone help me, I asked Petsmart if they would do a free vet check on him but I'm feeling like they would just swap out my bearded dragon
Thank you!