A very common problem with baby bearded dragons is that they refuse to eat consistently, or sometimes even at all. This could be for a variety of reasons, but it usually comes down to the fact that they are sensitive to change. If your baby bearded dragon isn’t eating, then there are a few things you can try to make them more comfortable.
Create a schedule for your baby bearded dragon
Setting a schedule and sticking to it is the best way to prevent any problems with your baby bearded dragons not eating. Try feeding them 2 or 3 times per day at the same time. Make sure you’re feeding them the appropriate food, and make sure it’s adequately sized.
When you first get your bearded dragon baby, it’s best to leave them alone in their terrarium for 2 weeks. This is so that they can get used to their new surroundings. During this time, the only interaction you should have with it is during feeding time. Even then, it’s best not to touch them, and deliver the food with tongs or in a bowl.
Check terrarium temperatures
Temperature and humidity are very important to monitor for bearded dragons, but babies especially. It’s best to use a primary heat source for their basking spot. Let that sit around 100 – 110 degrees Fahrenheit (37 – 43 C). Of course, make sure you’re providing them with a cool side that isn’t directly heated, too.
Not sure how to set up a terrarium? Check out our comprehensive guide on everything you need to know about how to set up a bearded dragon terrarium.
For a baby bearded dragon, UVB is very important, too. UVB promotes healthy growth, which is vital for the diet of a bearded dragon. Running both of these lights during the day and turning them off at night is necessary to best mimic the natural day and night cycle.
House baby bearded dragons alone
Baby bearded dragons should always be housed separately. As they grow into juveniles, they become highly competitive. They will stress each other out or even harm one another for food.
As bearded dragons get older, it is much more common to house a pair together, but it’s still not advised for beginners and should be done with extreme caution.
Baby bearded dragon not eating or moving?
If you’ve tried everything listed above and your baby bearded dragon is not eating or moving very much, it’s best to visit a vet. It could possibly be sick, and only medical intervention will help at this point.
It is very possible that the baby bearded dragon could have a parasite preventing them from eating or moving. Again, your vet will be able to determine exactly what’s wrong, but you can also check the poop at home to look for anything abnormal. Bearded dragon not pooping? Then you definitely need to see a vet.
How to feed a bearded dragon that’s not eating
It’s important to note that if your bearded dragon is brumating, it doesn’t want or need to eat. The best thing to do in this case is to keep it hydrated with baths twice per week and spray some water droplets on the tip of its nose to drink.
That being said, sometimes bearded dragons are just picky eaters. There are a variety of things that a bearded dragon can eat, and sometimes it just takes time to find out what they like and don’t like.
In some cases, bearded dragons can go up to 2 months without eating anything. This is a typical reaction when you start introducing different fruits and veggies. The key is to be consistent and try to offer multiple choices.
One of the best ways to get your bearded dragon started on veggies is to place them in a bowl with moving bugs underneath. This will draw their attention and get them to strike at the bowl full of veggies. Ideally, they’ll end up grabbing a mouth full of greens and figure out that they like them.
If they refuse food so long that they become skinny and start looking sick, a vet visit is required. It’s better that they see a professional at that point.
A summary to your baby bearded dragon not eating
Food strikes are common in the reptile world, so don’t panic. Odds are that there is just something slightly off, and it can be addressed easily. Pay attention to the terrarium, their behavior, and make sure that you’re providing them with the heat and UVB that they need.
If your dragon goes a few days without any food, it’s not the end of the world. However, if you can’t manage to get them to eat anything for a few weeks, the best and only advice that can be given is to schedule a vet appointment.