Baby Won't Eat Crickets

[MisterWhiskers]

Hey! I got my beardie about a month ago. He's eaten well enough since about two days ago. I got him a new (larger) enclosure on Saturday (Maybe early Sunday--I can't remember) and he hasn't eaten since. I used to feed him with my brother's beardie, but we stopped (I dunno how to describe it; he hit his head on my beardie and it seemed aggressive so we started feeding them separately). The day he stopped eating was the day that he got a new habitat and fed them separately. He hasn't eaten his crickets since. It was crazy, he liked crickets before! We tried giving him mealworms on Saturday and he ate two and was done.
Any suggestions?

 

[MisterWhiskers]

Oh, forgot to mention:
We don't keep crickets in his enclosure and we feed him in a separate enclosure.
Also, if this helps, when we're feeding him he kinda looks away and seems almost distracted.

 

[drzebra]

New enclosure? Give him a few days to adjust. For reptiles, eating only happens when they feel safe and secure.

 

[hallie.chambers so sorry about ur bearded dragon.]

Maybe he needs to get to his new habitat first then he will eat

 

[MisterWhiskers]

He didn't eat today. We provided some clovers and crickets and he still hasn't eaten. I have to admit, I'm getting pretty worried. When it's feeding time he looks up and at the glass and everywhere but the crickets!

 

[drzebra]

Two days of not eating isn't much to worry about. Trust me.

He's still adjusting, most likely.

 

[PatsyB]

It's probably stress. He's in a new enclosure and he's trying to get used to it but he's also being taken out of it and put into another enclosure to eat. So he's probably like "okay, I am here and now I'm here, where do I live again?" Also, he could remember that he used to eat with the other beardie and that beardie bullied him so he could be looking around wondering when the other one is going to be put in the tank too.

I used to feed mine in a separate container too but they would rarely eat, they just wanted to get out and go back in their own tank. So I started feeding them in their own tank, one cricket at a time to make sure they ate them.

 

[MisterWhiskers]

Whiskers hasn't eaten today or yesterday.I read something about soaking him in pediatric electrolytes will help hydrate him and give nutrients so we tried that. There have been no physical changes, obviously, and he still hasn't eaten. Now I'm really worried.

 

[MisterWhiskers]

Also, I read covering the tank sides would help, so I did. His temps are good, too. I don't know what to do!

 

[PatsyB]

I know people recommend Pedialite baths for dragons but I never understood how that would work, they don't absorb liquid through their skin like frogs or through their vents so the only way to get the benefits would be to drink it. At the price of Pedialite you are better off just dripping it on his nose and getting him to lick it off.

Covering the sides of his tank will help with the stress. I know you have tried meal worms but what about something else. Wax worms, phoenix worms, horn worms, dubia. Maybe he just doesn't like crickets and meal worms.

 

[drzebra]

How old is he? I have an adult with VERY irregular eating habits.

 

[MisterWhiskers]

I don't know exactly how old he is but I got him a month ago and he's around a foot in length. He's lost a lot of weight recently and weighs about 27-29 grams. He still hasn't eaten, either. There is no way I'll be able to get dubia roaches, my mom would freak out. I haven't seen any of those other worms you mentioned where I live. He ate crickets/mealworms before and we never had a problem.
Whiskers is still active and all, he just spends most of his time huddled up by the basking spot (I checked and the temps are ok, I think he's just stressed, but I don't know how to get him un-stressed).

 

[river-7]

Hi; I think he is adjusting to his tank-but if he don't improve in a month or less I would recommend a vet visit. What are the strength of your Lights??and are they tubes or spiral?? a month is not long for a dragon to settle in lol-What are his temps? river-7

 

[MisterWhiskers]

Hi; I think he is adjusting to his tank-but if he don't improve in a month or less I would recommend a vet visit. What are the strength of your Lights??and are they tubes or spiral?? a month is not long for a dragon to settle in lol-What are his temps? river-7

Hello River-7. This thead is a lititle over a month old. Whiskers is eating just fine now, thanks. Just FYI his basking temp is around 100 and the cooler side is around 73 or so. He does have a UVB/A by the basking spot. He has hides and his tank is actually 50 gallons. He has plants and stuff to play with. Whiskers is doing great!

 

[MisterWhiskers]

And just another FYI, I am on vacation now so these temps are just a guess

 

[river-7]

that could be the problem and I know these posts are old but a lot of people check in and read them; And I personally have been off for a couple of years. I am glad he is ok now-thanks for letting me know-we all care-river-7

 

[MisterWhiskers]

that could be the problem and I know these posts are old but a lot of people check in and read them; And I personally have been off for a couple of years. I am glad he is ok now-thanks for letting me know-we all care-river-7

Wait, what could be the problem? You said 'that could be the problem'. Just wondering

 

[river-7]

his temps are maybe off with you not there-river-7

 

[MisterWhiskers]

his temps are maybe off with you not there-river-7

LOL you misunderstood. My neighbor checks on Whiskers and Steve more than twice a day. The temps are fine.