Worried about going on vacation

[roboboy542]

I'm hoping to get a Bearded Dragon soon but a hesitation I have, is that I go on a few vacations every year. My Aunt does come by my house every few days but she isn't exactly fond of reptiles, and definitely live insects. Could a Bearded Dragon be okay for a week if it only had a commercial food like an omnivore mix once every few days?

Any suggestions on how to make it easier for my Aunt?

 

[Savora]

Having a beardie on bearded dragon pellets for a week or two isn't going to hurt it (I'm sure your bearded dragon won't be thrilled about pellets though, lol) as long as it gets back on its regular bug-and-veggie diet afterwards. You could look up Repashy Grub Pie if you're worried a lot; Repashy is a very respected brand, and the Grub Pie mix is very healthy for your beardie as long as it's accompanied by fresh vegetables. I don't know about keeping it on the Grub Pie for extended periods of time, but for a few weeks I feel like you couldn't find a better alternative to bugs. Personally, my beardie loves the grub pie; she wasn't interested at first, but after I bopped her nose with it and she licked it off, she was immediately asking for more. I don't use the grub pie often, but it's wonderful for when I'm in between Phoenix worm shipments, and for having on hand if my beardie gets sick or I plan a vacation.

 

[JessPets]

So I would definitely not put a beardie on any sort of commercial diet, no matter how long. What I would do is a) get a timer for your lights. This way they will turn on and off at the right time everyday, and your aunt doesn't have to go there twice a day.

b) sort out a days worth of bugs in a single use container. That's what I do whenever I leave (though I rarely leave for more than a night). I use wax coated dixie cups. (I also use roaches - they can't climb out of the container). That way your aunt can just dump the cup of bugs into a ceramic/glass bowl inside your beardies container.

c) kinda like the pervious suggestion, I prepare individual salads placed in plastic baggies, so your aunt can just dump on in each day.

On thing is, someone does need to come at least once a day, but that can be like a neighbor or something.

 

[roboboy542]

Thanks for the advice. I think my aunt will like this a lot more than live bugs.

 

[ClydesGirl]

Adult beardies don't need live feeders every day, so once your beardie is fully grown, this will be less of an issue. I feed my beardie live feeders about twice a week and salads the rest of the time. If he has to go a day or two without salad, he isn't going to starve to death. Bearded dragons are dessert creatures. Do you think a beardie is getting a full meal every day in the wild? Of course not! I'm not suggesting your be cruel and go extended periods without feeding your beardie. But if you can only have someone stop in once or twice in a week to refill salad and feed an adult beardie a few live feeders, he will be fine.