Bearded Dragon Diet Should i start feeding Veggies?

Question
QUESTION: Hi iv'e had a bearded dragon for about a year now and he is approx. 16 months old and is about 17 inches long.Ever since i got him Ive been feeding him crickets,Locusts.Mealworms and Waxworms. Ive tried Feeding him veggies before but he usually doesnt even touch them and iv'e tried fasting him but i dont like fasting him for too long. I do however gutload the insects with vegetables and insect grub and the odd fishflakes. so does that count as veggie intake?

So am just wondering is it Ok if he eats insects throughout his entire life as long as his insects are gutloaded with veggies is that OK? or do they need to eat vegetables too to keep healthly? please answer soon thanks

keith

ANSWER: Hi Keith,

It is common that young Bearded Dragons will not have interest in plant and vegetable matter. Usually as they get older they show more interest. It does help that the insects eat vegetables.

But it is OK for him to ignore vegetables for now. Just be sure to offer fresh veggies everyday to be sure he has access to them if he needs them.

What vegetables are you trying to get him to eat?

Also be careful when feeding waxworms they are very high in natural fats and are addicting to reptiles. It can make a very healthy lizard very unhealthy fast.

Good luck
Yexalen

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi i hope when he gets older he would start eating veggies later.

i feed him green beans,romaine lettuce,mustard greens,frisee,grated carrots,escarole,radish and sometimes abit of apple and i dust them with either calicum and vitamins or bearded dragon veggie dust.

I feel its abit of a waste sometimes becaue i make the veggies and he doesnt even touch them. I did put waxworms and mealworms in the veggies it does catch his attention but hes very accurate and eats only the worms!

I feed him four times a week insects which are crickets and locusts and i only feed him waxworms or mealworms about twice a week. i offer veggies about twice a week just in case hes hungry

Answer
Well it sounds just like normal young Bearded Dragon behavior. I am sure the variety will help him try and eat some but you can cut down the mix, with just some nice mustard greens, escarole, and carrots. A simple dish, with the dusting of course.

Good luck
Yexalen