Help with hydration and getting a new beardie to eat more

[YoruIkari]

Hello, I was wondering if anyone has some suggestions on how to get my new beardie (I got him about two weeks ago) to eat more. I know he's still new and settling in, but I feel like the little fellow isn't eating enough. I've been trying to feed him three times a day (I work from home so that works out well for feeding). In the morning, I've been trying to get him to eat his greens and usually some type of squash with the occasional tiny piece of fruit, but I really haven't gotten him to eat many of the veggies I've offered. In the afternoon, it's usually small crickets (dusted with calcium powder), but usually, he'll only eat one or two. In the evening, I'll also offer the same with about the same results. I think the most I've gotten the little fellow to eat all at once is maybe three or four crickets, which doesn't seem anywhere near enough from what I've read. I know the little guy is still settling in, but shouldn't his appetite be a little better by now? And with him not eating much of anything and them getting a good deal of water this way, is there anything I can do to help keep him hydrated that would be okay for only having him two weeks? Thanks!

 

[Sadie]

Hello, I was wondering if anyone has some suggestions on how to get my new beardie (I got him about two weeks ago) to eat more. I know he's still new and settling in, but I feel like the little fellow isn't eating enough. I've been trying to feed him three times a day (I work from home so that works out well for feeding). In the morning, I've been trying to get him to eat his greens and usually some type of squash with the occasional tiny piece of fruit, but I really haven't gotten him to eat many of the veggies I've offered. In the afternoon, it's usually small crickets (dusted with calcium powder), but usually, he'll only eat one or two. In the evening, I'll also offer the same with about the same results. I think the most I've gotten the little fellow to eat all at once is maybe three or four crickets, which doesn't seem anywhere near enough from what I've read. I know the little guy is still settling in, but shouldn't his appetite be a little better by now? And with him not eating much of anything and them getting a good deal of water this way, is there anything I can do to help keep him hydrated that would be okay for only having him two weeks? Thanks!

It can take a while and its good hes eating something- hes going thru relocation stress so lets go over the surface basking temps they should be 105-110 taken w/ a digital probe thermometer -- stick ons are inaccurate only giving ambient temps which is fine-- next UVB NO coils please - they are inadequate and will cause long term health issues -- eating salads rinsed before serving will help w/ hydration -- drop water on his nose let him lick -- he will keep licking till he has had enough or move away -- watch his poops the urate should be white formed and moist --- dry and crusty hes dehydrated - poop will be dark moist and firm -- having the temps on par is going to help him readjust to his tank and surroundings

 

[YoruIkari]

It can take a while and its good hes eating something- hes going thru relocation stress so lets go over the surface basking temps they should be 105-110 taken w/ a digital probe thermometer -- stick ons are inaccurate only giving ambient temps which is fine-- next UVB NO coils please - they are inadequate and will cause long term health issues -- eating salads rinsed before serving will help w/ hydration -- drop water on his nose let him lick -- he will keep licking till he has had enough or move away -- watch his poops the urate should be white formed and moist --- dry and crusty hes dehydrated - poop will be dark moist and firm -- having the temps on par is going to help him readjust to his tank and surroundings

Thank you for the response! I have a zoo med digital thermometer probe and according to that his basking spot is a little high (113 degrees) so I'm currently lowering that. As far as UVB I have a long T8 bulb (it's long enough to cover about half of his tank) that rests on top of his tank and is about 10 inches away from his basking spot. I've been rinsing his salads and I'll be sure to give the water drops a try. His poo seems to be just right according to that but his urate does seem a little more on the dry side , but has been formed.

 

[Sadie]

Thank you for the response! I have a zoo med digital thermometer probe and according to that his basking spot is a little high (113 degrees) so I'm currently lowering that. As far as UVB I have a long T8 bulb (it's long enough to cover about half of his tank) that rests on top of his tank and is about 10 inches away from his basking spot. I've been rinsing his salads and I'll be sure to give the water drops a try. His poo seems to be just right according to that but his urate does seem a little more on the dry side , but has been formed.

The T 8 needs to be unobstructed and 6-8 inches directly above the basking decor - they are not strong enough to go thru screens- and the bulb needs to be changed in about 5 months-- I recommend getting a T 5 they are a stronger bulb and can sit on screens depending on the screen - those determine placement and distance

 

[YoruIkari]

The T 8 needs to be unobstructed and 6-8 inches directly above the basking decor - they are not strong enough to go thru screens- and the bulb needs to be changed in about 5 months-- I recommend getting a T 5 they are a stronger bulb and can sit on screens depending on the screen - those determine placement and distance

Thank you! I'm going to see if I can figure out how to hang the T 8 inside his tank for the time being and I'll order the T 5. If I can figure out how to hang it inside how far away would the T 5 need to be from the basking spot on the inside of the tank?

 

[Sadie]

Thank you! I'm going to see if I can figure out how to hang the T 8 inside his tank for the time being and I'll order the T 5. If I can figure out how to hang it inside how far away would the T 5 need to be from the basking spot on the inside of the tank?

12-15 inches-- what is the screen on the tank fine mesh like a screen door- or a wide holed type-- you can hang w/ 3 m fasteners or plastic zip ties- long ones or picture wire hangers- I recommend those

 

[YoruIkari]

12-15 inches-- what is the screen on the tank fine mesh like a screen door- or a wide holed type-- you can hang w/ 3 m fasteners or plastic zip ties- long ones or picture wire hangers- I recommend those

It's a bit more of a wide hole, definitely wide enough to use the wire hangers. Thanks!

 

[Sadie]

It's a bit more of a wide hole, definitely wide enough to use the wire hangers. Thanks!

If it's a wide hole the T 5 can sit on top distance 8-10 inches above his basking decor

 

[YoruIkari]

If it's a wide hole the T 5 can sit on top distance 8-10 inches above his basking decor

Would this be wide enough? I put paper under half so that the holes could be seen better.

 

[Sadie]

Would this be wide enough? I put paper under half so that the holes could be seen better.View attachment 36177View attachment 36177

Yes that is a wide hole screen

 

[YoruIkari]

Just a little update: I got the 24" T 5 Reptisun UVB lamp in a bit ago and rearranged my heat lamps a little (and had to add one as well as up in my neck of the woods it's gotten quite cold) and Karoo has started eating more . So he's now up to eating on average 10 - 15 crickets and surprisingly enough some veggies in the morning (he seems to really enjoy his butternut squash) every day . Still would like to see him eating more crickets, but I think as he settles in more he'll get more of an appetite.

 

[Sadie]

Just a little update: I got the 24" T 5 Reptisun UVB lamp in a bit ago and rearranged my heat lamps a little (and had to add one as well as up in my neck of the woods it's gotten quite cold) and Karoo has started eating more . So he's now up to eating on average 10 - 15 crickets and surprisingly enough some veggies in the morning (he seems to really enjoy his butternut squash) every day . Still would like to see him eating more crickets, but I think as he settles in more he'll get more of an appetite.

How old is the dragon and are you feeding him once a day or two - three? Depending on the age babies should be fed at least 2-3 times per day - that age is up to one year old- the UVB is going to make him eat more along w/ correct temps in the tank is the UVB in the tank or top of screen? -- its good hes increased the insect intake and eating salads as well-- are the crickets appropriate size of his size - you dont want the insect too big for him it can cause impaction - size of the insect should be no bigger than the space between the eyes -

 

[YoruIkari]

How old is the dragon and are you feeding him once a day or two - three? Depending on the age babies should be fed at least 2-3 times per day - that age is up to one year old- the UVB is going to make him eat more along w/ correct temps in the tank is the UVB in the tank or top of screen? -- its good hes increased the insect intake and eating salads as well-- are the crickets appropriate size of his size - you dont want the insect too big for him it can cause impaction - size of the insect should be no bigger than the space between the eyes -

I believe he's a little over three months old (I don't know his exact age), and I've been feeding him three times a day (sometimes more if you count treats). I ended up putting the UVB light on top of my screen (it's about 9" away from his basking spot, which was at 107 the last time I checked, a little earlier today). I've only been buying the small size (under a 1/4 inch), definitely no bigger than the space between his eyes.

 

[Sadie]

I believe he's a little over three months old (I don't know his exact age), and I've been feeding him three times a day (sometimes more if you count treats). I ended up putting the UVB light on top of my screen (it's about 9" away from his basking spot, which was at 107 the last time I checked, a little earlier today). I've only been buying the small size (under a 1/4 inch), definitely no bigger than the space between his eyes.

Ok so roughly how many crickets is he eating per day? You can add more variety insects like silk worms and dubia roaches and BSFL - the BSFL can be added on top of his salads first thing in the morning- if you can I would switch him over to the roaches -they are a better staple feeder and he will eat less of them as they are more filling - www.dubiaroaches.com look for black soldier fly larvae on this site -- I would order large - they make a great compliment to the roaches and will cut down on the consumption of the roaches - he will start eating more as he gets adjusted to his tank and surroundings

 

[YoruIkari]

Ok so roughly how many crickets is he eating per day? You can add more variety insects like silk worms and dubia roaches and BSFL - the BSFL can be added on top of his salads first thing in the morning- if you can I would switch him over to the roaches -they are a better staple feeder and he will eat less of them as they are more filling - www.dubiaroaches.com look for black soldier fly larvae on this site -- I would order large - they make a great compliment to the roaches and will cut down on the consumption of the roaches - he will start eating more as he gets adjusted to his tank and surroundings

Around 10-15 sometimes a little more. I have been looking into silkworms because I have heard a lot of good things about them so I'll have to order some of those. As far as the dubias go he apparently doesn't like them . I bought him some (I'm not sure of the exact size however they were smaller than the space between his eyes) a few days back and got him to eat one and then refused them every time I offered him some after. I will definitely check that website out along with the BSFL. Thank you!

 

[Sadie]

Around 10-15 sometimes a little more. I have been looking into silkworms because I have heard a lot of good things about them so I'll have to order some of those. As far as the dubias go he apparently doesn't like them . I bought him some (I'm not sure of the exact size however they were smaller than the space between his eyes) a few days back and got him to eat one and then refused them every time I offered him some after. I will definitely check that website out along with the BSFL. Thank you!

Ok so that's ok some dragons don't like roaches-

 

[Princess Emily]

Hello, I was wondering if anyone has some suggestions on how to get my new beardie (I got him about two weeks ago) to eat more. I know he's still new and settling in, but I feel like the little fellow isn't eating enough. I've been trying to feed him three times a day (I work from home so that works out well for feeding). In the morning, I've been trying to get him to eat his greens and usually some type of squash with the occasional tiny piece of fruit, but I really haven't gotten him to eat many of the veggies I've offered. In the afternoon, it's usually small crickets (dusted with calcium powder), but usually, he'll only eat one or two. In the evening, I'll also offer the same with about the same results. I think the most I've gotten the little fellow to eat all at once is maybe three or four crickets, which doesn't seem anywhere near enough from what I've read. I know the little guy is still settling in, but shouldn't his appetite be a little better by now? And with him not eating much of anything and them getting a good deal of water this way, is there anything I can do to help keep him hydrated that would be okay for only having him two weeks? Thanks!

How stressful!
Our bearded dragon is super picky! Her constant and main food is the gel food and live meal worms.
Initially she would eat 10-20 crickets only if we took the back legs off or squished the head with tweezers. Amd we had to put it next to her.
I put her gel food out in the morning amd leave it. She eats if she's hungry and doesn't if she's not.
She gets live meal worms in the morn (we pick her up, hold her until she wakes up in her bedding, and when she picks her head up she's telling us time to ear. I pour 5-8 meal worms on her blanket bedding while she sits on my lap.
For water I dip my finger in and rub it on the end of her mouth. She stops drinking when she has had enough. Some days she doesn't want water and doesn't drink. If she does want water I repeat my finger dip.)
I hope that helps!

 

[YoruIkari]

How stressful!
Our bearded dragon is super picky! Her constant and main food is the gel food and live meal worms.
Initially she would eat 10-20 crickets only if we took the back legs off or squished the head with tweezers. Amd we had to put it next to her.
I put her gel food out in the morning amd leave it. She eats if she's hungry and doesn't if she's not.
She gets live meal worms in the morn (we pick her up, hold her until she wakes up in her bedding, and when she picks her head up she's telling us time to ear. I pour 5-8 meal worms on her blanket bedding while she sits on my lap.
For water I dip my finger in and rub it on the end of her mouth. She stops drinking when she has had enough. Some days she doesn't want water and doesn't drink. If she does want water I repeat my finger dip.)
I hope that helps!

Hello! Yeah, It's been a rough start, but the good thing is we're now up to 20 to 30 crickets and veggies . On top of that I'm getting more bugs to try sometime this week (having to have them shipped in as there isn't a great deal of variety at the pet stores in my area). Thank you very much for the suggestions!
Btw, your beardie is very cute !