Why is My Bearded Dragon Not Eating?
Bearded dragons are desert lizards that are native to the toasty climate of Australia. The domestication of bearded dragons caught on in the United States during the 1990s. They come from a desert climate, so they need a lot of light and heat to stay healthy.
A bearded dragon that isn’t eating can be a sign of a larger health problem. They, like any pets, might develop health issues as a result of an inappropriate diet or poor care and husbandry. A lack of appetite is the most prevalent symptom of an unhealthy beardie. Bearded dragons enjoy eating, as this article will discuss, when a bearded dragon’s appetite decreases, it can be concerning for many owners.
Everything is fantastic, and you enjoy spending time with your new reptilian buddy. Suddenly, you notice that your dragon isn’t eating as much as it used to. It doesn’t eat for a few days after that. You’re worried now, and you could even panic a little. the most critical things to ensure for a healthy bearded dragon are that your bearded dragon is active, eats, and drinks.
Why is My Bearded Dragon Not Eating?
A lack of appetite is the most common symptom of a beardie that is sick. It’s a lot easier than you think to figure out why your bearded dragon isn’t eating. There is a rather small list of potential causes. The trick is distinguishing between them. Some of the causes listed below, like any other, are easier to identify than others. This just means that you should start with the obvious ones! It’s also worth noting that not all of the reasons are negative. A bearded dragon may cease eating temporarily as a result of a natural process.
The most common causes for a beardie avoiding food are listed below:
1. Stress
If you’ve noticed that your bearded dragon is avoiding food, then you need to get it checked out. Stress can cause many problems, including a lack of appetite.
This may all contribute if they feel insecure in their surroundings, or if they are handled too frequently or inappropriately. It is important to ensure that there are plenty of hiding spots available. Bearded dragons must be at ease to thrive. While they are not high-maintenance lizards, a change in their environment might lead them to get stressed and lose their appetite.
Changes in their diet, lighting, temperature, and humidity are the most typical causes of this. While these can have an impact on your bearded dragon’s overall health, they can also be difficult to adjust to.
How to check for stress:
Take a look at the body. If you notice any changes in the skin, you should take the lizard to the vet. If they are stressed, then you may want to place them in a quiet area.
When to check for stress:
- If you notice that they are not eating, you should get them checked out. It can be a sign that there is a problem.
- If you notice that your bearded dragon is acting uncharacteristically, it may be a sign of stress.
2. Impaction
Impaction is when your bearded dragon’s food is stuck in its digestive tract.
The symptoms of impaction are:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
These are all very similar symptoms.
Bearded dragons can have issues with their digestive system. They can become impacted if they have a lot of food in their system. It can be hard to get rid of an impacted beaked lizard. You can try to remove it yourself, but it is important to be careful when trying to remove an impacted beaked lizard.
Impaction is very common in reptiles that stay in enclosures with the incorrect substrate (e.g. sand and gravel). The loose substrate is easily eaten by bearded dragons, which is the primary cause of impaction.
Using a substrate such as a reptile carpet, newspaper, or tiles minimizes the danger of impaction significantly, especially in hatchlings and juveniles. Impaction can be a problem for a bearded dragon. It can be a sign that they are not getting enough food. If your bearded dragon is impacted, then you need to get them checked out.
How to check for impaction:
The best way to check for impaction is to take your bearded dragon to the vet. They can give your bearded dragon an x-ray to see if there is something stuck in the system.
When to check for impaction:
You should check for impaction as soon as you notice that your bearded dragon is not eating and even becomes lethargic.
3. Injury
Your bearded dragon may have been injured in a way that is not visible. They may be injured by another animal, or by you. Injuries are a common problem in bearded dragons. If they are injured, they will not eat. They may be in pain, or they may just be too stressed to eat.
Bearded dragons can get hurt if they are handled too roughly. It is important to make sure that they are safe and that you are not hurting them.
Bearded dragons can also get hurt if they are placed in the wrong enclosure. This is especially true for smaller beaked lizards. If you are unsure of the enclosure, then it is best to ask a reptile breeder.
If your bearded dragon is injured, then you should get them checked out.
- Crushing
- Bruising
- Scratches
- Scrapes
- Bites
Bearded dragons are prone to many types of injuries. These can range from minor cuts to broken bones. While many injuries can be minor, some can be quite severe.
If you notice that your bearded dragon is injured, then you should take them to the vet. They can help your bearded dragon heal properly.
How to check for injuries:
Your bearded dragon should be examined by a veterinarian. They can check for injuries, which may be visible, or not.
If they are injured, then you should take them to the vet. They will give them an x-ray and examine them to see what has happened.
4. Shedding
Bearded dragons shed their skin for several reasons. It can be a natural process that helps your bearded dragon shed their old skin. Check to discover if your bearded dragon is about to shed if he isn’t eating as much as usual. This is the most likely cause of white papery skin.
Beardies may eat less or not at all before and during shedding. Within a week of shedding, they should be eating regularly. He will resume eating once the majority of his skin has been gone. Some individuals, particularly hatchlings and juveniles, retain their appetite and continue to consume.
Undeniably, shedding is an unpleasant event for your bearded dragon. It’s very important to prevent your bearded dragon from becoming too hot, too cold, or too wet during this time.
5. Brumation
Brumation is a form of hibernation that bearded dragons undergo during the winter. This is a natural process that allows your bearded dragon to save energy and stay warm.
Bearded dragons need to be brumated to survive the winter. They need to brumate for two months. During this time, they do not eat or drink. They may sleep for the majority of the time.
Bearded dragons that are kept in a room with a heat source, such as a heating pad, will not need to brumate. Bearded dragons that are kept in a cooler room will need to brumate.
It is best to have your bearded dragon brumate in a room that is around 68 degrees. Many pet bearded dragons do not brumate because their habitats are kept at the same temperature and illumination all year. Those species with a view of a window, on the other hand, may brumate regardless of steady temperatures. Owners must always keep the enclosure out of direct sunlight.
Brumating dragons have a slower metabolism. They can go two months without eating anything, yet they will still drink. Many people will snack on occasion to keep their energy levels up. Make sure to feed a brumating dragon once a week and keep a consistent supply of water in the enclosure.
He should become active again once the lighting outside begins to brighten in the spring, and you can return to normal tank conditions and feeding routines. His hunger will immediately recover the following brumation, and he should be able to eat again in a few days. Some owners choose to turn their brumating bearded dragons into hibernating dragons.
6. UVB Lighting
Your bearded dragon’s habitat should have the appropriate lighting for his needs. Bearded dragons need to be able to see and feel their environment. If they are in a dark environment, they may become depressed.
If you keep your bearded dragon in a room with a lot of light, they will grow quickly. They will be more active, and they will need to eat more.
If you keep your bearded dragon in a room with a lot of dark, they will not grow as quickly. They will need to eat more food and drink more water.
Your bearded dragon should have the same amount of lighting throughout the day. It is important that they can see what they are eating, so you can be sure they are getting what they need.
If you notice that your bearded dragon is not eating or drinking as much as usual, then it may be because they are too cold. They need to have a constant temperature. If you notice that they are getting too hot, then you need to find a way to cool them down.
Bearded dragons require a UVB bulb, which should be replaced every 7 months as the UVB emission declines. Metabolic bone disease is a significant medical condition that can cause deformities in their limbs, spines, and skulls.
In most cases, the absence of UVB lighting does not result in them refusing to eat or losing their appetite. The symptoms and stress of metabolic bone disease, on the other hand, can make it difficult for your bearded dragon to feed.
7. Enclosure
It is important to keep your bearded dragon’s enclosure clean. They can carry parasites, and they can be carriers. These are rather prevalent and usually result in anorexia, weight loss, and softer feces than normal.
These can make your dragon feel ill and make him or her unable to feed. If your bearded dragon has itchy, scaly skin, this could be a sign of a parasite.
Parasites are usually fairly small. Keep your bearded dragon’s enclosure clean by regularly cleaning your tank. It is a good idea to do this in the morning before you go to work. You will be less likely to forget about your dragon when you do it then.
Make sure that you remove the cover and the gravel from your tank at least once a week. If you don’t, the gravel can become compacted and the cover can become covered in algae.
A well-kept aquarium is not just a good way to look after your dragon, but it can also be a good way to look after yourself. Only if they are not treated can they become a problem. if your dragon is unwell should you consult a vet.
8. Wrong Diet
Bearded dragons can be fed a variety of different diets. Some of these diets are designed to be healthy, and others are designed to be a treat.
It is important to remember that some diets are not suitable for all bearded dragons. Some diets are not suitable for bearded dragons that are kept in an aquarium.
If you feed your dragon a diet that is not suitable for them, then they will not be able to eat or drink properly. They will not be able to keep their water clean, and they will not be able to grow as fast as they should.
You must feed your bearded dragon the correct diet. They will not be able to eat and drink properly if you feed them a diet that is not suitable for them.
Bearded dragons should be fed a diet that is high in protein, They can also be fed a diet of vegetables, fruit, and bread. Food variety is also an excellent approach to ensure that they are getting a healthy balance of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients.
In general, most bearded dragons do not require vitamin supplements. However, it is important to check with your vet if you are feeding your dragon a diet that is low in calcium.
9. Illness
Bearded dragons are very sensitive to illness. If your dragon is ill, they may refuse to eat and drink. They may also refuse to move around.
Check the water. Bearded dragons are known to drink very little water. If your bearded dragon has a problem with drinking water, it may be a sign of illness. If your dragon has a problem with drinking water, it is a sign that you should take them to the vet.
Check the air. Bearded dragons are also known to breathe very little air. If your bearded dragon is breathing very little air, it may be a sign of illness. If your dragon is breathing very little air, it is a sign that you should take them to the vet.
Check the scales. Bearded dragons are known to have very soft scales. If your bearded dragon has very soft scales, it may be a sign of illness.
Your vet will also need to examine your bearded dragon. They will examine the dragon to determine the cause of the illness. your vet may also be able to tell you if the dragon is suffering from any other problems. They may also be able to give you advice about how to care for your bearded dragon if it is ill.
10. Tank setup
Bearded dragons can be very sensitive to the size of their tank. If you do not give them enough space, they may be unable to move around.
It is important to make sure that you have the correct tank set up. If you have the wrong tank set-up, then you may end up with an unhealthy bearded dragon.
Your tank should be large enough to fit your dragon comfortably. It should also be large enough to allow them to exercise and move around.
If you have the wrong tank set-up, then your dragon may not be able to move around properly. This can make it difficult for them to exercise. If they are not able to exercise, they may be less likely to grow as fast as they should.
It is also important to make sure that your tank is set up correctly. If you have the wrong tank set-up, then you may end up with an unhealthy dragon.
It is important to have the correct filter in your tank. If you do not have the correct filter, then you may end up with an unhealthy dragon.
Dragons that are continuously exposed to cold temperatures may have difficulty digesting food. They may also develop a weaker immune system as a result of their illness.
Bearded dragons require a basking temperature of 90 to 103°F. Temperatures at night should not go below 70°F, but this can be somewhat reduced during brumation. Temperatures should be checked multiple times per day with a thermometer to ensure they remain within the proper range. But do not place your bearded dragon in the sun for long periods as this may cause overheating.
Conclusion
Bearded dragons are popular pets. If you are interested in owning a bearded dragon, then you should do your research and learn as much as you can about them. It is important to understand how to care for them.
Once you understand the care and maintenance of bearded dragons, you will be able to take care of them and they will be able to thrive.
Dragons that are continuously exposed to cold temperatures may have difficulty digesting food. They may also develop a weaker immune system as a result of their illness.
Bearded dragons require a basking temperature of 90 to 103°F. Temperatures at night should not go below 70°F, but this can be somewhat reduced during brumation. Temperatures should be checked multiple times per day with a thermometer to ensure they remain within the proper range.
Thanks for reading!
FAQs
What are the best-bearded dragon foods?
The best foods for bearded dragons are natural foods. These include vegetables, fruit, and insects.
Bearded dragons need a wide variety of foods. They should also be fed a balanced diet. This means that they should be fed a variety of foods, including protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.
How do I care for a bearded dragon?
By comparison, a bearded dragon needs a lot of care and attention. Bearded dragons need to be cared for regularly. They should be fed a balanced diet that includes vegetables, fruit, and insects. bearded dragons should also be given plenty of space to move around and exercise.
They should also be given enough water to drink. If they do not have enough water, they may not be able to exercise properly. If you do not provide enough water, then they may be more likely to become dehydrated.
