Why Is My Bearded Dragon Not Eating? Here Are 9 Possible Reasons | Dragon’s Diet

My Bearded Dragon Is Not Eating

For the third time this week, you pick up the roaches and put them back in their bin. Or you repeatedly take a full, wilting salad out of your bearded dragon’s cage. You’re unsure of why your typically voracious pet has stopped eating recently.

You’re undoubtedly worried sick and asking yourself furiously, “Why won’t my bearded dragon eat?” whether it’s a bug enthusiast who has suddenly lost the excitement of the hunt, a youngster on a salad strike, or a baby who simply won’t eat anything at all.

Please know that you are not alone if this is happening! Bearded dragons frequently experience problems with their appetite and refusal to eat, which can be brought on by a variety of significant and less serious issues.

CAUSE #2: Your bearded dragon is growing.

My Bearded Dragon Is Not Eating

FIX: Ensure that the tank is the appropriate size.

Similar to kids, some dragons won’t eat when they are growing because they don’t feel like it. If they are becoming too large for their tank, they might also be feeling worried. Should your dragon be:

A 40 gallon tank ought to be the ideal size for objects that are under 16 inches long.

More than 16 inches long: a 50 gallon tank is required.

Is your tank already the appropriate size? Perhaps the tank has too much decoration. The tank should not seem congested and your dragon should be able to maneuver about it easily.

Pro Tip: If your dragon is experiencing a development spurt, it’s crucial to continue providing a quality protein source, like Dubia roaches. Your dragon will have access to the bugs that way when he needs to eat again.

CAUSE #3: Your bearded dragon is shedding.

BE PATIENT, GIVE WARM BATHS, AND ABSOLUTELY NEVER PULLS SKIN OFF.

The majority of dragons don’t want to eat much until the procedure is over because shedding is so uncomfortable for them. Please keep this in mind if your dragon is going through a particularly trying time: never peel off any skin. Warm baths help her feel more at ease and promote faster skin shedding naturally. While your dragon is shedding, daily misting of the tank can also be beneficial.

CAUSE #4: Your juvenile bearded dragon is transitioning from more insects to more greens.

SOLUTION: Exercise patience and keep bribing them with fruit or greens flavored with insects.

Adult dragons consume largely greens, whereas baby dragons mostly eat insects. So there’s that transitional stage where your young dragon prefers to eat primarily insects while you’re trying to get him to eat more greens. This can be challenging. Here, persistence and patience are your best bets.

This is most likely the reason why a young dragon isn’t eating their greens but is still devouring insects. The best course of action is to remain persistent and maintain supplying both greens and insects. Your dragon may begin to eat more greens if you hide insects in a salad or top it with berries.

Pro tip: Just like people, bearded dragons have preferred foods. To find out which greens your dragon prefers, offer her a selection.

CAUSE #5: You have two dragons in the same tank.

FIX: As soon as you can, get a new tank.

For bearded dragons, cohabitation is really not a good idea. The less dominating dragon will eventually starve to death because they are inherently territorial.

CAUSE #6: Your dragon is suffering from malnutrition.

SOLUTION: Review your dragon’s diet and make any required dietary changes for the best possible nutrient absorption.

Lethargy and decreased appetite are frequently related. An unhealthy diet or a vitamin shortage can both cause a dragon to lose their appetite.

Verify that you are providing a balanced diet for your dragon and assess any potential changes. To prevent metabolic bone disease, always add a decent calcium supplement while dusting.