Why Is My Bearded Dragon Not Eating? Common Causes and Solutions
- Amanda
- Mar 20
- 4 min read
From Temperature Issues to Stress, Here’s How to Solve Feeding Problems.
Please note that we do not provide medical advice for your bearded dragon or any other animal. If you notice any signs of serious concerns, such as lethargy or abnormal behavior, we strongly recommend seeking advice from a qualified reptile veterinary doctor. The cost for a consultation is typically only around $130 CAD for an initial exam. Your pet's health and well-being are important, so please consult a medical professional if you have any concerns.
Check Basking Temperature
Temperature Issues
How to Check Temperature
Digital gauge with probe
Digital gauge without probe
Digital temperature gun
Dehydration & Humidity
Seasonal Changes (Brumation)
Stress or Change in Environment
What Food is Offered?
Other Considerations
Visible Lights on at Night
Night Time Temperature
Signs Your Bearded Dragon Should go to the Veterinary Professionals for a Diagnosis
Check Basking Temperature
This is our NUMBER ONE found issue with Beardie keepers!
Temperature Issues
Bearded Dragon's basking should be kept around 101 to 105f (38-41°C). If your terrarium is large enough (4 feet or longer), you can go up to 110f (43°c).
If a reptile is too hot:
Lead to dehydration
Heat stroke
Chronic kidney disease
If a reptile is too cold they cannot:
Digest food properly
Fight infections
Absorb and utilize UVB light
Absorb/utilize/metabolize and excrete medications properly
Nearing winter and they should start to brumate. This is not ideal when it is out of season or the dragon is too young.
Reptiles in captivity should be provided with a range of temperatures, so they can select an appropriate temperature for them at that given moment.
How to Check Temperature
Always use a digital temperature device. Analog or aquarium stick on styles are not very inaccurate and may fail without you noticing.
Digital gauge with probe - Set the end of the probe to the highest spot the dragon can get to.
Digital gauge without probe - Set the unit to the highest spot the dragon can get to. On the glass or off to the side does not tell us basking temp.
Digital temperature gun - This is great for surface temperature, but when considering the heat absorption capabilities of different materials - think of how hot concrete is to the touch on a hot day, compared to grass or wood. The temperature guns are not reading what the dragon feels on the back of its body.
What Food is Offered?
Dragons must eat insects and proper leafy greens (sorry, not just that bag of spinach/kale/romane). Not offering them live insects goes against their natural diet. If you refuse to buy live insects or live in an area difficult to ship to, buy a food replacement diet containing insect protein.
Click here for meal replacement options
Repti-Bites Omniviore Formula Repti-Bites Omnivore Entree Repashy Pumpkin Pie Omnivore Gel Repashy Beardie Buffet Repashy Grub Pie Reptile Insectivore Repashy Bluey Buffet Insect-Based Omnivore Zoo Med Adult Dragon Food - Our least favourite but decent if you require a pellet. Soak in water for better hydration
Dehydration
If your Bearded Dragon is dehydrated, it could refuse food. Some Bearded Dragons like to drink droplets off leaves or from their skin, so consider offering a shallow water dish or gently dripping water. They often only recognize moving water, so pouring water may entice them to drink.
Humidity
The recommended humidity range for your bearded dragon is 45-50%, as well as a humid
retreat of some sort, be it a moisture-retaining hide, moistened substrate (overfilled waterdish), a burrow etc.
Low humidity also has implications for the health of the reptile’s kidneys. Chronic dehydration from inadequate humidity is thought to contribute to kidney disease and potentially even kidney failure.
Seasonal Changes (Brumation)
Bearded Dragons can go through a form of hibernation known as brumation, typically in the winter months. Be sure to check over the other reasons before assuming brumation as you may overlook symptoms.
Other Considerations
Visible Lights on at Night
You can see it, reptiles can too! Set a sunrise/sunset schedule such as 12 hours on / 12 hours off. Red lights should not be used as reptiles do in fact see red light, and therefore the concern is that the light can be disturbing to them.
Night Time Temperature
At night, temperatures can drop to around 65-70°F (18-21°C) safely. Turn any heat sources off. If your space is cooler than this, use a Deep Heat Projector or Ceramic Heat Emitter. These produce no visible light.
Don’t just set up the enclosure and assume that it will always be perfect – this
is something you have to keep an eye on and adjust as needed. Season to season, week to week. The temperature can change according to the weather outside, the enclosure is in a sunbeam for part of the day, in a drafty area or an area near heat vents or air conditioning, etc.
Signs your bearded dragon should go to the Veterinary Professionals for a diagnosis
Refusing food
Sunken head/weight loss
Eyes held closed or partly closed
Fecal or urates stuck to their vent
Walking wobbly or unwilling to
Just looks "off"
Don't wait to see the professionals. Reptiles hide illnesses for a long time to prevent being prey in the wild.
How long has your Bearded Dragon been refusing food, and have you noticed any other symptoms? That can help narrow down the issue.
Our preferred partner:
Address: 5255 Ellerslie Rd SW, Edmonton, AB T6X 1X2
Phone: (587) 735-6677
DR. DAREN MANDRUSIAK, DVM
DR. SUSANNA OGLE, DVM
