wont eat

[bmmst1]

I got my new beardie last Thursday. He will not eat anything. he's scared of the small crickets i offered him, he wants nothing to do with the greens. And he just watches the reptiworms crawl in circles in his dish. I don't want him ending up starving to death. He does poop everyday and i dont understand how. He will drink his water when i bath him but he wont eat. Somebody please help me on how to get him to eat. thanks!

 

[fc3schick87]

question, what type of UVB are you using. brand, size, wattage. the wrong uvb can cause issues with your dragon

stress can cause a reptile to not want to eat. you have only had him a week, i've had reptiles go much longer before they became comfortable enough in their own enclosure to finally eat.

remove crickets before the lights turn off. usually crickets just disturb reptiles who are trying to sleep. they crawl all over them and even try to bite the reptile.

make sure your heat is high. your bearded dragon needs a hot basking zone. and warm enclosure. if the enclosure is to cool, he will not want to eat. they need proper temps to be able to digest food.

if its stress related try covering the enclosure so he can not see out. do you have dogs? maybe he's getting scared of what he can see outside the enclosure.

 

[bmmst1]

question, what type of UVB are you using. brand, size, wattage. the wrong uvb can cause issues with your dragon

stress can cause a reptile to not want to eat. you have only had him a week, i've had reptiles go much longer before they became comfortable enough in their own enclosure to finally eat.

remove crickets before the lights turn off. usually crickets just disturb reptiles who are trying to sleep. they crawl all over them and even try to bite the reptile.

make sure your heat is high. your bearded dragon needs a hot basking zone. and warm enclosure. if the enclosure is to cool, he will not want to eat. they need proper temps to be able to digest food.

if its stress related try covering the enclosure so he can not see out. do you have dogs? maybe he's getting scared of what he can see outside the enclosure.

I was using a coil uvb but i switched to a reptisun 10.0 strip light. I usually only let the crickets in with her for 30 mins if that then take them out, i dont want them biting. the temp is anywhere between 95-105 And i dont have any dogs its just me and my fiance. But the viv is on the floor do you think seeing our feet/legs scares her?

 

[Grogshla]

lower your uv light so it is 7-10 inches from the dragon.
get your basking temp up to 110

 

[alkemisten3]

I have a lot of advices for you, I think I will just make a sticky thread soon about "My dragon wont eat - checklist" ...
It is very normal with relocation stress, mine had it, and all dragons will actually have it more or less. They are sensitive creatures and thrive with familiar stuff - even rearranging decorations completely can stress them immensely.

Please let 2 weeks pass before you start to suspect anything else.
I would recommend not to pet her at all basically in the beginning, but you can try to hand feed her. Then, day by day - try to pick her up from the front easily and slowly and hold her whole weight (both front and back legs) and she will not run away hopefully. If she struggles, and holds on to branches - logically do not rip her away from it - just be patient and be sure that eventually they will think it is fine being picked up. You have anyway gotten one of the absolutely most tame lizards existing.

Regarding your feet passing by, this could be a small problem. I would actually try to cover the front of the viv with a blanket or similar, and if possible put it up from the floor as vibrations probably are quite big "Down there".

Make sure temps are around 105 for basking and 75 something in cool area of the tank. Provide a lot of visible light if possible, and make sure UVB is close enough as this can greatly affect the appetite.

You should bathe her everyday to keep her hydrated.
But - if she is eating something, runs around a lot (especially basking) as well as pooping regularly you should have nothing at all to worry about!


Secondly, please answer these remaining questions as they are very helpful, so we can give you advices - if you would like advices (as not everyone wants them :shock: )

How old is your dragon?
How long is your dragon?
What size enclosure do you have your dragon in?
What type substrate do you have on the bottom of your tank?
How old is your UVB bulb?
How close can your dragon get to the UVB? (Inches) Should be 6-8 in basking spot
Do you use a separate basking bulb? What kind and what is the wattage?
What are the basking temps?
What is the cool side temp?
Do you take the temps with a stick on thermometer, a digital thermometer with a wire and a probe end or a temp gun?
Where exactly are you taking your basking temps?
Do you use a heat rock or heat pad?
What do you feed your dragon? Please be specific.
How often do you feed and what time do you feed (morning, afternoon, night)?
Do you gutload (feed) your crickets, worms, etc?
Do you use vitamin or calcium supplements? What brand(s)? How many days a week do you use each of them?
Do you bath your dragon? How often?
Do you mist your dragon or offer water other than in the bath?
Have you gotten a vet check and fecal done?

 

[bmmst1]

I don't know what was wrong with her but she died today. I'm not sure if she was sick or she died from not eating.