Bearded dragons are omnivores, but they don't always act like it. If you’re having a hard time getting your beardie to eat greens, it can be frustrating to figure out what’s wrong. In some cases, changes in eating habits can be tied to natural behaviors. Other times, your husbandry might be a contributing factor. Here are the main reasons why your bearded dragon might stop eating greens.
Why Your Beardie Might Go Off Greens
An animal’s digestive process doesn’t exist in isolation. Your beardie’s environment, health, and routine all play a role in how they engage with food. If your pet is leaving their salads untouched, you should know:
Most beardies want bugs
As a bearded dragon matures into an adult, its dietary needs change. When young, beardies rely on protein to grow, and that protein is best found in insects. As adults, their growth slows, and nutrition shifts to focus on high fiber and vitamins that keep them healthy.
However, in the months leading up to adulthood, your bearded dragon probably got used to eating insects. When it’s time to transition, they might not know what’s going on, because they’ve developed a palate “trained” to enjoy bugs. Thus, when you’re offering greens, you’re going against habit, and a growing beardie’s nutritional needs aren’t your fault—but they’re your responsibility.
The best way to stop bearded dragons from becoming solely trained on bugs is to incorporate small amounts of plant matter from a young age. That way, as the proportions of their meals gradually change, they’re encountering flavors and textures they’re already familiar with.
Treats can change behavior
Maybe you knew ahead of time that a beardie could get stuck on bugs, so you only gave roaches or worms as a treat. That, too, can create a behavioral association that makes your dragon reluctant to eat greens. Animals learn from repeated outcomes because it benefits their survival. If you give them treats that are exclusively bugs or other high-value items, they can learn that if they hold out, eventually, you’ll give in.
That’s not to say you can’t give your beardie treats! But try to vary them.
Salads might not be interesting
Just as humans usually appreciate some appeal in their food, so do bearded dragons. Salads don’t have to be a single green chopped into a pile. Try making your offerings more engaging. Some options include:
- Trying different varieties of greens
- Preparing greens in different ways (e.g., shredding, chopping, whole)
- Mixing food types together
- Serving freshly washed greens to change the texture and smell
- Moving the greens to stimulate hunting behaviors
Beardies need the right temperature for greens
Reptiles rely on heat to help digest their food. If your enclosure parameters aren’t right, your bearded dragon’s metabolism and digestion can slow down. Make sure you provide an appropriate temperature on the basking area, which can trigger your pet’s appetite.
Seasons change, and so do appetites
Bearded dragons are one of the many varieties of lizards that undergo brumation, a type of hibernation-like sleep. During this time, their interest in food may wane because they won’t be out basking and are focused on rest. Many owners report that summer is peak brumation time for bearded dragons.
“Picky” could mean sick
Occasionally, captive bearded dragons might not have an appetite because something else is going on in their bodies. Just like you might not feel like eating if you have a stomach bug, beardies dealing with parasites, infections, or other illnesses may not want to eat greens. If you’ve tried other methods to improve the appeal of salads to no avail, or especially if your beardie is losing interest in other foods they usually like, schedule a visit with your vet.
What About Putting Bugs in a Salad?
For many owners, getting a bearded dragon to eat their veggies comes down to making those salads enticing with other ingredients. However, it can be problematic to put bugs in salads, because your beardie might just pick the bugs out and leave the rest.
That’s why some owners turn to Reptilinks. The Super Salad Bug Blend makes this process easy because one link contains 50% insects and 50% veggies. The scent of insects tempts your beardie, but they’re still getting that valuable salad they need for nutrients and fiber.
The insect and veggie varieties are varied as well: black soldier fly larvae, superworms, mealworms, organic green beans, collard greens, dandelion greens, endive, and alfalfa. Whether you choose to offer links as a treat or make them a regular part of your dragon’s diet, introducing more vegetation can help your beardie stay healthy.