Why bearded dragon stopped eating? Are you a bearded dragon owner or are thinking about getting one? Bearded dragons are an excellent pet to have, but like all other animals, they have their quirks.
One of the biggest problems that many new owners face is when a bearded dragon stopped eating.
Why Bearded Dragon Stopped Eating?
First it’s important to diagnose the problem and see why your beardy has stopped eating. There are a few common reasons why a bearded dragon might stop eating and some of them can be a bit tricky to detect:
Health Concerns: It’s always best to get your bearded dragon checked out by a vet if you suspect they might be sick or in poor health. Health issues can prevent them from wanting to eat which can cause further problems down the line.
Mounting Stress: Stress is also another big reason why your reptilian friend may not want to chow down on its favorite food items.
Identifying the source of your lizard’s stress is essential in helping it become more comfortable with its environment and make it more likely for them to start up their appetite again.
Food Boredom: It’s easy for us humans to get bored of our regular diet; reptiles are no exception! If your beardy has been receiving the same type of food over and over, chances are they find it unappetizing now.
Changing what you offer them every week or two can help create a more exciting dining experience!
If you own a pet bearded dragon, it is important to be aware of their eye health and dietary needs.
However, if your bearded dragon suddenly stops eating, it could be an indication of a problem that requires immediate attention. Here’s an overview of some potential causes and actions you can take if your bearded dragon stops eating.
Check the Temperature and Humidity
Bearded dragons require specific temperature ranges to digest food properly. If their environment is not adequately heated or too hot, then they may not have the energy to find and eat food.
Monitor the temperature with thermometers located high up in the basking area (around 110°F) and on the cool side (80°–85°F). Additionally, ensure that the humidity is kept at 40-50%.
Examine for Illness or Injury
Sometimes, bearded dragons stop eating due to illness or injury. A veterinarian should examine your beardie for medical signs such as discharge from the eyes or mouth, swelling around its limbs, respiratory problems such as wheezing, or mites/parasites under its scales.
Some issues may require antibiotic treatment so speaking with a vet to determine any potential illnesses is recommended.
Adjust Their Diet
Bearded dragons are omnivores which means they need a balanced diet of plant matter and insects like worms, crickets, roaches etc.
Adjustments in their diet should include variety – offer different kinds of insects along with leafy greens such as collard greens and herbs like dandelion leaves.
Unusual appetite changes can also suggest vitamin/mineral deficiencies so offer nutrient-heavy fruits such as bananas as well as larger insects like king mealworms or superworms with calcium dusting every few feedings.
Provide Adequate Enrichment & Hideouts
Physical activity helps keep a dragon’s digestive system working by stimulating food intake but it also promotes mental health – providing enrichment opportunities will make them happy!
Be sure there are plenty of places for them to bask outside their enclosure where you can observe them but give them space for privacy too.
Provide box hides for sleeping during the day and tree branches for climbing around the enclosure so they have areas away from heat sources where they feel safe and comfortable enough to hunt food at night.
Monitor Feeding Behavior & Stool Regularly
Always check their appetite when feeding – they may still be enthusiastic or refuse prey altogether after 3 days without eating anything.
This could indicate that something else is wrong besides hunger which requires another review of cook care methods mentioned above Check their stool as well to look out for signs of malnutrition – greenish stools can be a sign that greens are being digested more than proteins which suggests an inadequate insect protein supply.
You should immediately adjust this by supplementing food preferences accordingly
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