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Help! My baby bearded dragon won't eat. What should I do now?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

My baby bearded dragon won't eat.. what do I do?

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4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

Licensed Veterinary Technician

Published on January 8th, 2018

Confirm proper temperatures. Low temps can affect activity, appetite and digestion in reptiles. Soak Jax in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte. This will provide heat and may treat or prevent mild dehydration. Be sure prey is appropriately sized, no bigger than the space between the eyes. Look for pinhead crickets or freshly hatched/molted dubia roaches. Gutload them for 24 hours prior to offering to maximize nutritional value. Fluker's Repti-Boost can be used as a supplement. If Jax does not begin eating, have him examined by your veterinarian or an experienced herp vet 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 September 8th, 2017

    It is not uncommon for beardies to have a decreased appetite or no appetite for a few days after purchase. The change in environment can be stressful. Give it a week or so to settle in. Do not handle during this time. Feed daily. Offer a variety of appropriately sized prey (no bigger than the space between the eyes) such as mealworms, crickets or dubia roaches. Gut load all prey for 24 hours prior to feeding to maximize nutritional value. Juveniles need more frequent dusting of calcium and multivitamin supplements. Ideally, all new pets should be examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles within 72 hours of arriving home to confirm good health or to diagnose and treat any pre existing conditions. Follow the link below for more information regarding care of bearded dragons. http://www.anapsid.org/bearded.html

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    Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

    Licensed Veterinary Technician

    Published on January 15th, 2017

    Confirm proper ambient and basking temps for your new beardie. Low temps can affect appetite and activity. Offer appropriately sized food and prey. Fresh foods should be finely diced, live prey should be no bigger than the space between his eyes. Setting up a proper environment closely mimicking his natural environment is also key. If he doesn't feel comfortable or secure, he will likely not eat. He may also be ill. Have him examined by an experienced herp veterinarian to diagnose illness or injury. Submit a stool sample to diagnose intestinal parasites. Follow the link for more information: http://www.anapsid.org/bearded.html Do not hesitate to request a consultation if you have further questions.

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    Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

    Licensed Veterinary Technician

    Published on September 13th, 2017

    It is not uncommon for them to go off food after a change in environment. Continue to offer appropriately sized prey (no bigger than the space between the eyes) as well as a commercial beardie diet. Submit a stool sample to your veterinarian to diagnose intestinal parasites and consider an exam with your veterinarian or an experienced herp veterinarian to confirm good health or to diagnose illness or injury.

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