Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

Why is my bearded dragon skinny, not eating, and has wrinkly skin?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Reptile | Bearded Dragon | Male | 2 lbs

Help my bearded dragon is looking too slim and not eating much. His skin is lose and wrinkly. I got him as a rescue he seems to have been malnourished and neglected. All he wants to do is be in a blanket burrito and be on me. He is so sweet, help me save my sweet boy.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

Licensed Veterinary Technician

Published on February 18th, 2019

First, have him physically examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles to diagnose and treat any underlying medical causes. Submit a stool sample to diagnose intestinal parasites.
Confirm proper environmental parameters, especially temperature. Low temps can affect appetite and digestion in reptiles. You can review dragon care at the link below.

http://www.anapsid.org/bearded.html

Offer a variety of prey including, crickets, dubia roaches, mealworms and phoenix worms. Butterworms can be used as treats to get some weight on him. Gut load all prey for 24 hours prior to offering to maximize nutritional value. This can be done by feeding a high protein baby cereal, tropical fish and fresh fruits and greens.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Joy Fuhrman, DVM, MBA, CPA
Veterinarian
Published on April 17th, 2017
Inappetence and weight loss in a bearded dragon are very concerning signs. I am not sure what you are feeding your beardie or what his environment is like, but incorrect husbandry can sometimes contribute to illness in bearded dragons. It is very important that you take Liz to a veterinarian as soon as possible. You can find a veterinarian who specializes in reptiles on www.arav.org. If there is not a reptile veterinarian in your area, you can call the local veterinarians to ask if they will see reptiles. Good luck! I hope Liz is feeling better soon.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Why is my bearded dragon bloated, not eating, and has a black beard?

Submit a stool sample to diagnose intestinal parasites. Monitor Drogon for difficulty breathing, blowing bubbles, lethargy, or odd sounds while breathing. These are symptoms of an upper respiratory infection. Parasites or URI may cause the condition you are seeing. Bump cage temps up by about 5F for a few days. Soak him in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte twice daily for 15-20 minutes. Make sure the UVB light source is not older than 6 months and use quality vitamin and mineral supplements. If Drogon gets worse or does not begin eating soon, have him examined by an experienced herp veterinarian.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Why is my new baby bearded dragon lethargic and not eating?

Thanks for reaching out about your bearded dragon and including photos. This animal appears very lethargic and thin. Without a doubt, a veterinary visit is needed as soon as possible. Offer water and food (Gerber's baby food) through a syringe. Check and correct husbandry including temperature, UVB, humidity. Intestinal parasites or infection, metabolic disorders (liver, kidney, low calcium) are all possible. This appears serious, so an emergency visit this evening is recommended. Good luck.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why is my water dragon lethargic, not eating, and has loose stools?

Submit a stool sample to your veterinarian or an experienced herp vet to diagnose intestinal parasites or bacterial overgrowth. Confirm proper environmental parameters. Low temperatures can affect activity, appetite and digestion in reptiles. Soak him in a warm 50 /50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte for 20 minutes. This can warm him up and may treat or prevent minor dehydration. Offer appropriately sized crickets and mealworms as well as fresh, chopped greens and fruits. Follow the link below for more information regarding care. http://www.anapsid.org/waterdragons.html

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

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

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.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My 7-year-old bearded dragon is thin, not eating, and inactive. Help!

Thanks for reaching out about Spikey and including a photo. A veterinary visit is recommended, for diagnostics and treatment recommendations, as something might be done to improve quality of life. Check and correct heat support and other husbandry parameters. Offer food and water via a syringe. A vegetable based baby good would work well. Good luck.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

Why won't my lizard eat and is losing weight? What can I do?

Have her examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles to diagnose illness or injury. Submit a stool sample to diagnose intestinal parasites or bacterial overgrowth. Confirm proper environmental parameters. Low temps can affect appetite and digestion in reptiles. Be sure to feed appropriately sized prey, nothing bigger than the space between her eyes.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Is it normal for my bearded dragon to lose weight after shedding?

You can increase the amount of food being fed temporarily to get weight back on. Monitor for lethargy, loss of appetite, loose droppings or no droppings. These are all symptoms that should be addressed by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles. It is near impossible to determine the cause for the weight loss without an exam and diagnostics. It is not uncommon for beardies to stop eating and drinking before, during or for a short period after a shed. This could account for minor weight loss.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share