Help!!! Not Eating Veggies

[scalawag]

I've had a F Blood X Fire Tiger for about 2 months now (7 mos old). I fed him what the breeder was feeding him Dragon Slaw (zuccini, yellow squash and carrots). Didn't look like he touched it. I've tried collard and mustard greens. Curley Parsley. Fresh and the frozen varieties. Chopped them small and left leaves a little larger. I've seen him eat a leaf once but if he eats any more I don't notice. I've tried morning and afternoon feeding. He eats crickets and loves wax and silk worms. BTW, I've also tried those small beardy "pellets" and he doesn't go for them. She's 9 " snout to tip of tail, 3.5 " snout to vent. Humidity 40, Temps range from 75- 104/110 in basking spot. Uses hides. Substrate is reptisand. BM's appear normal. UVB lights and 100 dayglo bulb. Should I use some of that misting supplements? Can he live as a Carnivore? Thanks for all advice.

[C.m.pyrrhus]

First off, I would recommend tossing the 'pellets' into the garbage. Secondly, try lowering his intake of inverts a bit. This may help him to eat more greens due to the smaller meals. I would also recommend feeding some nice greens in the mix at all times. Preferably Collard greens, Dandelions, Mustard greens, Turnip greens...just change it around. Some beardeds have a hard time feeding greens either because of being offered bigger amounts of inverts on a regular basis and/or personal interest in either or. Always keep some greens available during the day and offer smaller amounts of inverts when his 'normal' feeding time rolls around. This may 'trick' him into eatting those greens a bit more often. Constantly switching foods and methods will not help either, so stick with something even if it does not seem to work on day one. Give it time and patience. He will get around eventually.

[drewlowe]

Originally posted by C.m.pyrrhus
First off, I would recommend tossing the 'pellets' into the garbage.

Would you give me reasons for that. I have use Rep-cal pellets since day one of me owning my beardies and for their babies. I also know several breeders that swear by them. And i have some of the hugest healthiest beardies that i have personally seen. I've seen quite a bit of beardies. I also feed my guys more than just pellets. They get thier salads and insects along with rep-cal pellets.

Here's a trick that has worked for the babies when first giving pellets (i've also heard of it working for adults) you can try it out for yours. Instead of softing the pellets with water try a bit of juice, like apple juice. The smell may intice him to eat. I wouldn't recomend orange juice though.

[ChristinaM]

On the pellet issues:

RepCal pellets are a good pellet. NOT for 100% diet tho. But great for a garnish/treat/etc.

BUT...they can be dehydrating, so it is generally recommended to soak them in water or apple juice before feeding them.

Definately agree with the other poster, cut back her bugs. She's at the age where the number of bugs should be decreasing and she should be eating more salad. By a yr old they should be eating a majority of salad and little bugs. In their habitat they eat way more vegetation than protein matter.

[drewlowe]

Originally posted by Bichiraddict
On the pellet issues:

RepCal pellets are a good pellet. NOT for 100% diet tho. But great for a garnish/treat/etc.

BUT...they can be dehydrating, so it is generally recommended to soak them in water or apple juice before feeding them.

I know they are not the ONLY food that beardies should get. If you feed pellets to your beardies they should also get their salads and insects. I said that in my first post, basicly. I would never feed ONLY pellets!!!

I belive if you buy the smaller contaniers of pellets it says that they should soak in water a bit( i only buy big bags now and i know it don't say it on them.. I also said that instead of moisting with water, use apple juice, in my previous post.

So if your using moisten pellets along with salads and insects. What is wrong with them? Have you personally tried them??? What are your reasonings for not using them. Dogs have dog food, why can't beardies have pellets?

[ChristinaM]

Originally posted by drewlowe
I know they are not the ONLY food that beardies should get. If you feed pellets to your beardies they should also get their salads and insects. I said that in my first post, basicly. I would never feed ONLY pellets!!!

I belive if you buy the smaller contaniers of pellets it says that they should soak in water a bit( i only buy big bags now and i know it don't say it on them.. I also said that instead of moisting with water, use apple juice, in my previous post.

So if your using moisten pellets along with salads and insects. What is wrong with them? Have you personally tried them??? What are your reasonings for not using them. Dogs have dog food, why can't beardies have pellets?


I'm not sure if this question was directed to me....but, will answer anyways :)

I never said I don't use pellets. In fact, I use RepCal as a supplement/garnish/etc. Especially during winter when good veggies are sometimes hard to find.

IMO, as long as you soak the pellets, and give them in addition to their meals(salad and buggies) they are fine. The RepCal brand being one of the best, if not the best, out there.

again this is JMO.

[scalawag]

Thanks for the advice, I'm going to cut back a little on the inverts and try soaking the pelletts in apple juice.