Suddenly refuses salad

[zachburnav]

My beardie has been a great salad eater all his life. Up until now, at 9 months, he suddenly stopped eating salad completely. I've tried several things and am currently not feeding bugs until he gives into his salad. Today is day 3 with no bugs. Yesterday he nibbled on his salad a little bit, and today he ate one kale piece and a tiny bit of asparagus. Has anyone had success with bee pollen powder? I heard the smell attracts beardies. Also when should I restart with the bugs? And if he does eat some salad, do I go back to bugs or keep giving salad to make him stick with it?

 

[KarrieRee]

At 9 months old he still should be getting insects every day --- you can try bee pollen I did not have any success w/ it w/ my two dragons--- I would not hold back the insects
here is website for nutrition please no more asparagus and ignore the kale thing its a good staple feeder http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html]
have you tried adding some worms to his salad to entice him back to the bowl ? If not try some BSFL some super worms like 1-3 - butter worms and horn worms --- if you need websites please ask I will post

 

[zachburnav]

Yes, I've tried all kimds of bugs and treats in his salad. He's super accurate and always picks the bugs out without touching the salad. And if he does pick up a leaf he will just push it out of his mouth while chewing the bug.

 

[KarrieRee]

oh dear :lol: sneaky little guy --- well keep offering both --- he does need his protein hes a growing dragon

 

[zachburnav]

Do you think he's just gonna start eating the salad sooner or later? Because for the past 3 weeks all he's been doing was walking all over his salad and completely ignoring it :/

 

[KarrieRee]

Its hard to tell it sounds like hes going thru juvenile rebellion -- hormones are kicking in-- he may or may not start eating again but if he liked it so well before my guess is yes he will

 

[MissCutiePatootie]

Hey, just wanted to chime in!

Both my beardies have gone on salad strikes before multiple times. It's very common. They just really prefer their bugs sometimes! Since you say it's been 3 weeks since he's really eaten his salads, I see no problem withholding insects longer than 3 days even at his age. If he's a healthy beardie, he could go up to a week, probably even more! Especially since he is still picking at his salad like you were saying. But I wouldn't push it longer than a week since he is young. You don't have to worry though, it won't stunt his growth by any means. Healthy dragons won't starve themselves either!

As for the bee pollen, it's a great thing to add to their salads whether it lures them to it or not because bee pollen is a very good way of getting extra vitamins and minerals into your beardie! I even gutload my feeders with bee pollen and leafy greens.

I hope this helps! Here's a good simplified chart to go off of for feeding as well!

 

[zachburnav]

Thanks for this info I already fed him some bugs since I got the first few replies on this topic. I ordered the bee pollen and it's coming in a few days. If he doesn't figure his situation out hinself (and with the bee pollen) I'm gonna have to put him on bug strike again. He's a healthy reptile, pretty chonky for his 19 inches.

 

[MissCutiePatootie]

Thanks for this info I already fed him some bugs since I got the first few replies on this topic. I ordered the bee pollen and it's coming in a few days. If he doesn't figure his situation out hinself (and with the bee pollen) I'm gonna have to put him on bug strike again. He's a healthy reptile, pretty chonky for his 19 inches.

No worries, you're not going the wrong way either way you go. I'm glad to help! I hope he likes the bee pollen too!