This Chubby Dragon Needs Exercise!

[Margalot]

When I took my beardie, Tofu, for her annual vet visit the vet comment that she was kinda chubby and suggested I change her diet. I made the changes, but now, months later, Tofu is still chubby! She's super lazy and left to herself she can spend days in the same spot. Even if I set her loose in the house she just plods around for a five minutes till she finds a comfy spot and lays down. On bath days I have started making her swim a little, and she gets winded quickly.

Do you have any suggestions on how to get a lazy dragon to be more active? Maybe she's bored?? I even considered getting her a new roommate in hopes that another dragon would annoy her enough to move around, but I know that's not a good idea! Any help is appreciated.

Her enclosure has a Mega Ray bulb for basking and a fluorescent ReptiSun 10.0 running the length of her terrarium. The temperature range is 98°F - 80°F (She always hangs out in a spot that's about 91°F).

 

[Margalot]

Here's a few pics of Tofu.

 

[quyllur]

Remember that any animal that is habitually inactive will take time to work up to a decent fitness level.

Can you take her out multiple times per day? If she walks around for 5 minutes than stops, put her away and then take her out a while later and let her do that again. My little dude loves swimming in my bathtub as well, and yah, she'll get winded quickly at first, but she needs to build up fitness, so let her swim until she's tired and over time she will gradually take longer to get tired.

If you can take her outside (if the weather is appropriate and you have a place that is safe/a leash) she may like that better as there is a lot of visual interest.

 

[Margalot]

Thanks for your input. I started doing as you suggested and am taking her out several times a day. I will be patient with her and hope for the best! Thanks again.

 

[RockysMom]

Just curious...how much does she weigh?

 

[Margalot]

Tofu is 1 lb. 3 oz (or 545 g.) and is about 16.75" long.

 

[BruceLarryOzzie]

Oh my gosh! She is just darn adorable! She makes me smile.