Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello.
Was wondering if anyone would have any idea on how to get Tosha to eat on her own..
Short history: when I was young and lacking brain cells, I wanted a lizard. The lizard (an already adult bearded dragon) was acquired, along with 125-gallon tank, and two aquarium hoods ( a heating pad). All was well for a while. Then 've moved away to school for three years and was unable to take the lizard with me. Parents fed it exclusively lettuce and meal worms. Apparently, after a while she stopped eating the lettuce, and they ended up force-feeding her with soaked bearded-dragon food. (I don't recall the brand name)
Onward to college, I finally take her into a place that allows pets and , (having finally read up on many things that I should have, years ago), provide adequate heat and switch her over to crickets.
She still refuses to eat greens, and will only display interest in crickets only if they are dangled within a few inches of her face (also seems to have bad aim when licking at them.. loses interest after a few missed licks). She does not chase the crickets if they're placed directly on the ground/are free to run around. This's been going on for about two month. I can see her losing weight, and yet she's relatively active and bobs quite a bit at the neighboring iguana.
Any thoughts..?

bummer.... poor dragon!

I read that you got the dragon as an "Adult" and that was some time back; so what is the age of the dragon?
how long was it fed wrong?

if the dragon is say 6 years then some of this may be the age of the dragon in part.

also what are the current stats: body length, weight etc...

last vet visit?

if you do not have one get a scale.

that will help in determining if the dragon is "under weight" or just a tad slim so to speak.

"Normally" a bd will see movement and that will kick in the hunting reaction.

if the dragon has any vision problems from age then he may never be a real hunter.

will the dragon eat dry / wet dragon pellet on his own?
( with out forcing )

if the dragon will eat pellet food then you may want to focus on a gradual widening of the diet.

a few bits of fruit, colorfull safe veggies etc...

also you may want to get some silk worms.

if the dragon is "Worm" addicted then a silk worm might be a substitue he will take to.

and try to make a game of the food, watch out for getting bit but if an item seems of interest move it and get him to step over to get it. just a step or two ....
as time passes more steps....
just make sure that he finds that by going to the food he gets more food as a reward.

see how that goes.

keep us posted on the info thouh, age and weight are important.
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I'd guess, she's no older than 7..
Never had a vet visit, but 'm taking him to one as soon as I find one in this area.
She does not eat anything on her own. Period. 've tried dangling greens in gront of her/tying pieces to a string and dragging them around her.. she ignores them.
Would I need to get silk worms online? Don't think 've ever seen them in the local pet stores.
Will weigh her as soon as I get a scale.

.. Thanks for the reply. =.

ok then get the vet check done asap. rule out any problems such as parasites etc...

if that checks out you may need to let the dragon get a bit hungry. not to be cruel but the dragons natural instinct to feed may need to get a chnace to kick in.

but do check with a vet before trying any thing out.

a load of cocidia can make a dragon very depressed and not want to feed.
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