Weird Eating

[Bailey]

My bearded dragon Zeus has never been used to eating insects or greens until I got him, he only ate that pet store made pellet food because that is what his previous owner chose i guess.

He doesn't eat his salad, just the blueberries out of it. In fear of him starving, I just feed him insects daily (5-7 superworms) and he eats his blueberries too.

I'm scared he is dehydrated from not eating the proper way because he makes like a clicking or popping noise when he eats and then his beard gets all puffy for a second. He's not angry, he's the sweetest little guy... I don't know what happened.

He's done this before except water came out of his ears and mouth, someone told me he aspirated? I don't know... I don't syringe feed him water or anything, just bathe him twice a week and the water is only ever up to his little ankles.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[Sadie]

My bearded dragon Zeus has never been used to eating insects or greens until I got him, he only ate that pet store made pellet food because that is what his previous owner chose i guess.

He doesn't eat his salad, just the blueberries out of it. In fear of him starving, I just feed him insects daily (5-7 superworms) and he eats his blueberries too.

I'm scared he is dehydrated from not eating the proper way because he makes like a clicking or popping noise when he eats and then his beard gets all puffy for a second. He's not angry, he's the sweetest little guy... I don't know what happened.

He's done this before except water came out of his ears and mouth, someone told me he aspirated? I don't know... I don't syringe feed him water or anything, just bathe him twice a week and the water is only ever up to his little ankles.

Any help is appreciated.

Super worms is not a healthy diet you need to get him on a staple feeder like crickets dubia roaches silk worms or BSFL -- I recommend all of the them -- it will give a variety --- start w/ some BSFL on top of salads that will lure him to the bowl --you will need a bowl like this that insects/ worms cant get out of https://www.amazon.com/MACGOAL-Rept...uGQB&pd_rd_wg=tLkwE&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mr_hp_d http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html ignore the kale its a good staple feeder -- you can get all these insects on line --- blueberries are too sweet and should be fed only once in awhile --- please dont feed so regularly as too much sugar can cause diabetes -- the clicking and popping noise is not from dehydration but can be a RI -- what is the humidity in the tank ? Is there any mucous coming from the nose or mouth ? Is he breathing heavy? If hes dehydrated his urate will be dry and chalky looking - if its moist and firm and formed hes not dehydrated the dark poop will look the same as well -- I would also get him some other worms like horn worms they are a great hydrating worm - butter worms and please no more super worms -- there is not much nutrition in them -- please get him on a better diet -- if you need websites please ask I will post a bunch of them for you

 

[HoomanSlave]

Superworms are very high in fat and phosphorus. It's possible he's addicted to eating them and that's why he won't eat anything else. Try slowly transitioning him from superworms to another staple. He's at risk for obesity and similar health issues since he gets them daily.

If he's willing to eat his blueberries mashed, you can try squishing them and mixing the squished berries into his salad. All the veggies will taste like blueberry and he'll be more interested in eating them.

As Sadie suggested, hornworms are a great way to get him hydrated and even very picky dragons will gobble them up. If he makes the popping noises regularly an RI is possible.