Dexter_Dragon
Bearded Dragon Veteran
- Messages
- 783
Learned something new today from my vet. I called to make Dex a wellness check appointment and discussed Dexter's feed. I mentioned that I was concerned that he wasn't eating the mass quantities of crickets that I read he should be. After she asked a bunch of questions about UVB, temperatures, and his over all look and health, she said that everything sounded right. She couldn't be positive without checking him, but she did point out that he's still young and every beardie eats differently. Plus, she said if my crickets are well hydrated and gut loaded that he may not need mass quantities. She said giving them the veges in addition to regular feed was great as he'd get some intake from eating them. She said he's probably getting what he needs and knows when he's had enough. As long as he's pooing regularly and normally and looks healthy and round, that I should let him eat what he wants and not be too concerned. She said she'd know better after his visit.
She also told me that I didn't have to go to such extremes on variety with Dex's salads right now. She said the best salads for babies/young juvenile beardies are dark leafy greens (bok choy, collard greens, and such) as their digestive systems are still developing and may not do well with peppers, carrots, etc. She said subdults and adults need more of the variety of the approved veges and fruits to balance them out more than babies and young juveniles do. She said to gradually introduce the veges that may be harder to digest as he gets a little older. I mentioned to her that I was still giving him the baby food veges so he got his calcium and vitamin intakes and she said it was fine and to mainly give him ones that consisted of the darker greens such as peas, beans, etc. She said small amounts of carrot and squash wouldn't hurt him if he was eating it and doing fine, but to make sure he mostly got the greens as he'd digest them better. Thought I'd share.
She also told me that I didn't have to go to such extremes on variety with Dex's salads right now. She said the best salads for babies/young juvenile beardies are dark leafy greens (bok choy, collard greens, and such) as their digestive systems are still developing and may not do well with peppers, carrots, etc. She said subdults and adults need more of the variety of the approved veges and fruits to balance them out more than babies and young juveniles do. She said to gradually introduce the veges that may be harder to digest as he gets a little older. I mentioned to her that I was still giving him the baby food veges so he got his calcium and vitamin intakes and she said it was fine and to mainly give him ones that consisted of the darker greens such as peas, beans, etc. She said small amounts of carrot and squash wouldn't hurt him if he was eating it and doing fine, but to make sure he mostly got the greens as he'd digest them better. Thought I'd share.
