If bearded dragons don’t eat, they can become subject to a number of health problems, including dehydration, malnutrition, and even organ failure. A lack of properly-balanced nutrition also affects their digestion, growth, and development.
Furthermore, they can become lethargic, weak, and potentially unable to move. In extreme cases, the bearded dragon may starve to death if they don’t eat.
If a bearded dragon stops eating, it’s important to identify the underlying cause of the issue and address it immediately. Commonly, the problem could be related to an improper diet, an infection, or a medical problem.
More specifically, it could be caused by issues such as stress, improper lighting, improper temperature, anorexia, illness, injury, parasites, inadequate hydration, and more. If a bearded dragon doesn’t eat, a veterinarian should be consulted to conduct a physical exam, diagnose the underlying cause, and start providing a course of treatment.
The treatment plan could include dietary changes, medications, physical therapy, or a combination of all these.
How long can bearded dragons go without eating?
Bearded dragons typically require well-balanced meals of insects and vegetables every day, but in some cases may be able to go up to one week without food. It is important to understand that this is very much species-specific and individualistic, so there can be variation in the length of time without food for each dragon.
The average bearded dragon should not go more than a week without a meal, however. A young bearded dragon should be fed every day and older dragons should be fed every other day. You should also make sure that your bearded dragon has ample food available, as they can regulate themselves if they need extra nutrition.
It is possible for your bearded dragon to go into a state of semi-hibernation/brumation during periods of cool temperatures (like winter) when food may be more scarce. During this time, you won’t need to give them food since their metabolic rate will be slowed and their digestive requirements will be much lower.
It’s important to remember that bearded dragons are unique creatures and will experience different levels of hunger and food needs. You should always keep a close eye on your dragon to ensure they are getting the nutrition they need to remain healthy.
What are the signs of brumation?
Brumation, or hibernation in reptiles, is a natural process in which a reptile enters a state of dormancy for months at a time. Brumation typically occurs during cooler months but can occur any time of the year.
Signs of brumation include lack of appetite, decreased activity, lack of response to environmental stimuli, loss of coloration, and a decrease in body temperature. A reptile in brumation mode will also tend to spend most of its time hidden and tucked away in a dark corner of its habitat.
Brumation can last anywhere from days to months, and during this time the reptile’s metabolic rate and appetite are drastically reduced and the reptile won’t eat unless actively encouraged to do so.
Why is my bearded dragon sleeping so much and not eating?
It is normal for Bearded Dragons to sleep a lot, as they normally exhibit periods of activity interrupted by periods of rest, often sleeping 12-14 hours during the day. It is important to maintain a daytime/night time cycle with light and dark periods that are within a 10-12 hour range.
If the light cycle is prolonged, it can lead to excessive daytime sleeping.
It is also possible that your bearded dragon is not eating if their environment is either too hot or too cold, or if they are suffering from any sort of illness. Bearded Dragons require temperatures between 75-95 degrees Fahrenheit, and when the environment drops below 70 degrees, they may become inactive, increasing sleep and reducing appetite.
If they sense they are sick, they will also reduce their activity and their hunger.
If your dragon is sleeping too much and refusing meals, it is important to have it examined by a veterinarian. The vet can check for illnesses, parasites, improper diet or environment, and recommend treatment as required.
Ensuring your dragon is healthy, and that the temperature and light cycle is regulated correctly, may help reduce excessive sleeping.
What month do Beardies start brumation?
Beardiebrumation usually begins in the autumn months, usually September or October, when day length, temperature and humidity all start to drop. As the temperatures drop, your beardie will naturally slow down its activity levels and start to become less active.
They will become less interested in everything, including food, and may not eat as often or as much as usual over this period. This is completely natural and to be expected.
You may also notice physical signs that your beardie is brumating. They may hide more, even during daylight hours, not responding to environmental stimuli such as sound and movement and may appear to sleep more.
They may also lose whatever little fat reserves they have and overall look thinner.
It is important to monitor the temperature during this period to make sure your beardie doesn’t become too cold and it is important to keep in mind that during brumation, feeding should be kept to a minimum and monitored.
Due to the reduced activity, it’s important to make sure your beardie doesn’t become obese.
What does a sick bearded dragon look like?
A sick bearded dragon typically shows visible signs of distress, including, but not limited to, a lack of appetite, lethargy, a generally run-down appearance, and abnormal behaviors. Additionally, a sick bearded dragon may have visible signs of illness such as cloudy eyes, dried mucus around their nostrils, runny nose, hardened scales, mouthrot, and flaking skin.
Other signs may include rattling breaths, wheezing, nasal discharge, and gurgling sounds when the bearded dragon is breathing. It is important to pay attention to these symptoms in order to diagnose and treat your bearded dragon if they become ill.
Also be sure to keep your dragon’s habitat clean and up to the specified temperature requirements for their species. Regular check-ups with an exotic vet, as well as proper diet and hydration, are all important for maintaining the overall health of your pet bearded dragon.
Is it okay to feed a bearded dragon once a week?
It is generally not recommended that a bearded dragon only be fed once a week. Ideally, they should be fed a balanced diet every day to ensure they are getting the correct nutrients. A bearded dragon’s diet should consist of both live feeder insects, as well as fruits and vegetables.
Feeding a bearded dragon once a week may cause them to become severely malnourished, resulting in health complications such as digestive issues, metabolic bone disease, stunted growth, and shortened lifespan.
It is also important to feed young dragons more frequently, several times a day, as their nutrition needs are very much in flux during their rapid growth. When feeding a beardie, it is important to not overfeed, as that can also be detrimental to their health.
Bearded dragons generally enjoy grazing throughout the day, and this allows them to stay active and avoid boredom. Having an appropriately balanced diet and consistent feeding schedule will ensure you have a happy and healthy beardie.
How many times a week do you have to clean a bearded dragons cage?
Ideally, it is best to clean out your bearded dragon’s enclosure at least twice a week. This is especially important if you keep multiple dragons in the same enclosure, as frequent cleaning helps to reduce the potential for illnesses and parasites.
During the cleaning, any soiled substrate should be replaced and any debris such as feces and leftover food should be removed. For bowls, tanks, and other habitats, it is important to scrub and rinse them with warm water and unscented soap.
Once everything has been cleaned, you should provide fresh substrate, water, and food as necessary. Additionally, you should check the enclosure to make sure the temperature and lighting are at the proper levels.
Keeping up with these weekly cleaning routines can help maintain a healthy environment for your bearded dragon.
What is the feeding schedule for a bearded dragon?
The feeding schedule for a bearded dragon will vary depending on the age of the dragon, but generally they should be provided with a meal of crickets, mealworms, and/or earthworms each day. It is important to remember that the diet should be supplemented with calcium, vitamins, and minerals and the diet should be varied.
Baby dragons, under 6 months, should be fed daily and juveniles, ages 6 – 12 months, should be fed 3-4 times a week. Adult bearded dragons should be fed 2-3 times a week and older dragons may only require one meal each week.
The amount of food given to the dragon should be based on its size and how hungry it appears.
Gut loaded feeder insects (crickets, mealworms, etc. ) should be offered two to three times a week, along with a variety of mixed vegetables. For adults, one to two tablespoons of a mixed diet should be offered daily and for babies, hatchlings, and juveniles, one to two teaspoons should be offered.
For variety, some commercially available greens, such as collard greens and mustard greens, can be offered several times per week. Fresh vegetables and fruits can also be offered, but make sure they are very finely chopped and softened, as they should be easy to digest.
The diet should also be supplemented with calcium and vitamins.
It is also important to provide your dragon with plenty of fresh water. A shallow dish of clean, room-temperature water should be available at all times and should be changed often to prevent bacteria growth.
No matter what the age of your dragon is, make sure that it has appropriate habitat conditions and the opportunity to bask in a basking light and stay warm. This should be offered for up to 8 hours per day to ensure a healthy dragon.
What are the times to feed a bearded dragon?
The best time to feed a bearded dragon is first thing in the morning and last thing in the evening. Providing food in the morning allows your dragon to fuel up for the day and gives them plenty of energy to be active and explore their environment.
Feeding them in the evening helps to ensure they receive nutrients throughout the day.
It is important to not overfeed your dragon, they should be able to eat as much as they want in 15 minutes. This helps to keep them from becoming overweight and also stops them from being picky eaters.
Offer a variety of foods, such as insects and other crawly critters, fresh fruit and vegetables, and, depending on their age, appropriate commercial or homemade reptile foods.
Bearded dragons are generally omnivores, and they need 75% insects and the remaining 25% of their diet composed of fresh fruit and vegetables. Generally, young dragons should be fed once a day, while adults should be fed every other day.
It is also important to ensure there is a constant supply of fresh, clean, chlorine-free water available to your dragon each day.
Can a bearded dragon miss a meal?
Yes, a bearded dragon can miss a meal. While they are omnivorous animals and primarily subsist on a diet of insects and small plants, they have a slow digestive system and so do not need to eat every day.
If your bearded dragon skips a meal, it is not something to be too alarmed about. If a bearded dragon does not eat, it is usually because they are feeling unwell, such as having a temperature, or simply stressed.
If a bearded dragon has missed more than a couple of meals, it is important to monitor them closely and potentially even take them to a vet to get checked out. If a bearded dragon does skip a meal but is still exhibiting normal behavior, such as socializing, properly basking, and exercising, then it is likely okay.
Still, feeding them their normal diet as soon as possible is a good idea.
