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My bearded dragon isn't eating and looks sad. What should I do?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

My bearded dragon was a pig because he eats every bit of his food but, today he wasn't, we will barley eat and ate one cricket he usually eats like 6 or 7, and he looks sad. What should I do?

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

Licensed Veterinary Technician

Published on September 23rd, 2017

Check tank temperature. Low temps can affect appetite and activity in reptiles. Soak him in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte for 15-20 minutes. Gently massage his abdomen front to back during the soak to stimulate defecation. He may be constipated. Offer a meal in 24 hours and monitor for lethargy or redness, swelling or discharge from the mouth, eyes or nose. If he still refuses food or develops other symptoms, have him examined by your veterinarian or an experienced herp veterinarian to diagnose illness or injury.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

    Licensed Veterinary Technician

    Published on July 17th, 2017

    He may still be adjusting to his new home. Check the temps in his enclosure. Low temperature can affect appetite and digestion in reptiles. Aim for a gradient of about 80 F to 90 F from cool to warm side. The basking spot should be about 100 F. Soak in warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte for 20-30 minutes daily. Gently massage his abdomen to stimulate defecation in case of constipation. Offer appropriately sized prey, no bigger than the space between his eyes. As a new pet, he should be examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles to diagnose any preexisting conditions or to confirm a healthy dragon. You can also request a consultation to discuss set up and care in greater detail..

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    Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

    Licensed Veterinary Technician

    Published on December 21st, 2018

    Check the temps in the cage. Low temps can affect appetite in reptiles. Make sure you are feeding appropriately sized prey. That means no bigger than the space between Gaza's eyes. You may need to find pinhead crickets or freshly molted mealworms. Be sure to gut load all prey for 24 hours prior to offering to maximize nutritional value. You can soak Gaza in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte for 20-30 minutes every couple days to treat or prevent minor dehydration. Being a "new" pet. You should have him/her examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles to confirm good health or to diagnose and treat any pre-existing conditions. In the meantime, review dragon care at the link below. http://www.anapsid.org/bearded.html

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