Bearded dragons are fascinating reptiles that can make great pets, but they need proper care and nutrition to stay healthy. If you have a skinny bearded dragon, you may be wondering what you can do to help them gain weight.
In this article, we’ll provide helpful tips on how to fatten up a skinny bearded dragon so it can live a long and happy life. Learn about the importance of diet, proper lighting and temperature requirements for your pet’s health, as well as other ways to ensure your reptile stays healthy and strong.
Diet
Bearded dragons need a balanced diet that is rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals. A good diet for a healthy bearded dragon should include:
- High-quality insect prey such as crickets, mealworms, wax worms, super worms, and roaches.
- Dark leafy greens such as kale, collard greens, turnip greens and mustard greens.
- Fruits like blueberries and papaya.
- Vegetables like squash, carrots and sweet potatoes.
Feeding Frequency
A skinny bearded dragon should be fed more frequently than an adult bearded dragon. Young dragons can eat up to five times per day whereas adults should only feed two or three times per day. It’s important to provide enough food for the amount of time it takes your pet to eat all their food in one sitting. This will help prevent overeating which could lead to obesity.
Lighting & Temperature Requirements
Proper lighting and temperature are essential for keeping your bearded dragon healthy. UVB lighting is necessary for them to produce vitamin D3 which helps with digestion and absorption of calcium from the foods they eat. The ideal basking spot temperature should be between 95-105 degrees Fahrenheit (35-40 Celsius). At night the temperatures can drop down 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit (15-21 Celsius).
Supplements
A good quality multivitamin supplement is recommended for all reptiles including bearded dragons. Supplements are also helpful when dealing with picky eating habits or finicky appetites since they contain added nutrients not found naturally in most insects or vegetables. When giving supplements make sure to follow label directions carefully so you don’t overdo it on any particular nutrient.
Enrichment Activities
Providing enrichment activities such as climbing structures or hiding places will help stimulate your reptile’s natural behaviors while encouraging activity levels that can lead to weight gain. Adding live plants into their enclosure can also provide additional sources of nutrition depending on what types you choose.
How Do You Treat A Malnourished Bearded Dragon?
Malnourished bearded dragons should be treated with caution and patience. It is important to provide them with a healthy diet, plenty of warm sunlight and an enriched environment in order to help them regain their health.
The first step in treating a malnourished bearded dragon is to ensure they are eating and drinking properly. Provide them with high-quality food sources such as crickets, mealworms, wax worms, fruits and vegetables that have been dusted with calcium or multivitamin supplements.
Be sure to monitor how much your beardie eats each day so you can adjust the portions accordingly. Additionally, offer fresh water daily for hydration. If your bearded dragon refuses to eat any food offered, contact a veterinarian immediately for further instructions on what foods may be safe for consumption.
In addition to providing adequate nutrition, it’s also essential that your bearded dragon has access to proper UVB lighting and temperatures within its enclosure. This will help promote healthy bone growth and metabolism which can assist in restoring the health of your pet over time.
Furthermore, offering enrichment activities such as climbing branches or hiding spots can stimulate their natural behavior which can aid in boosting their physical recovery.
It’s important to remember that treating a malnourished bearded dragon requires patience; depending on the severity of malnutrition it might take weeks or even months before they return back to full health again but with proper care they should make a complete recovery eventually!
Why Is My Bearded Dragon Super Skinny?
If your bearded dragon is super skinny, it could be due to a variety of reasons. It’s important to figure out what the cause is so you can begin taking steps to improve your pet’s health and wellbeing.
The most common reason for an underweight bearded dragon is that they are not receiving enough food or nutrition. Bearded dragons need a balanced diet with plenty of insects, vegetables, and fruits in order to thrive. If they don’t get enough nutrition from their food, they will lose weight quickly. Additionally, if they haven’t been fed properly or on schedule, this can also lead to malnutrition and weight loss.
Another potential cause of weight loss in bearded dragons is illness or disease. Parasites are a common issue in reptiles which can result in poor appetite and weight loss if not treated promptly. Other illnesses such as metabolic bone disease can also lead to rapid weight loss due to calcium deficiencies or other issues within the body. Finally, stress can also cause them to become thin as it affects their eating habits and ability to absorb nutrients from their food properly.
If you think your bearded dragon may be underweight because of any of these causes, it’s important that you visit an experienced herp vet for diagnosis and treatment right away!
Why Is My Bearded Dragon Skinny And Not Eating?
There can be a number of reasons why your bearded dragon may be skinny and not eating. It is important to identify the cause so that you can make changes to their environment or diet in order to get them back on track.
The most common reason for skinniness and lack of appetite is improper nutrition. Bearded dragons require a balanced diet with plenty of proteins, vitamins, and minerals. If they are not getting enough nutrients from their food sources, they will start to lose weight and stop eating altogether.
To ensure that your bearded dragon is receiving the proper nutrition, provide them with a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, insects, and supplements as recommended by an experienced reptile veterinarian.
Another possible cause for skinniness and lack of appetite could be stress or illness. Stress can occur if your bearded dragon’s enclosure is too small or overcrowded with other animals or if there are too many changes happening in its environment at once such as moving it to a new location or introducing new decorations into its enclosure.
Illness could also be causing the symptoms; some signs that your bearded dragon may be unwell include lethargy, runny eyes/nose/mouth, irregular breathing patterns, unusual behaviors such as digging continuously in one spot or sleeping more than usual during the day time hours. If you suspect that your beardie may have any type of health issue it would be best to take them to the vet right away for diagnosis and treatment options before it’s too late!
Why Is My Bearded Dragons Body Flat?
Bearded dragons have a characteristic body shape that is often described as flat. This is because their body type is adapted for optimal exposure to the sun and heat, and helps them to regulate their temperature more easily.
When exposed to heat, bearded dragons will flatten out their bodies against warm surfaces such as rocks or branches in order to absorb as much of the warmth as possible. This behavior is referred to as basking and it helps the dragon maintain its core temperatures.
The flat body also provides better stability when climbing up vertical objects like tree trunks. In addition, having a flat profile reduces drag when swimming in water, allowing the dragon to move with greater ease.
The beard on a bearded dragon also serves an important purpose related to regulating its body temperature; it can be used for communication between other dragons and helps them recognize each other’s individual scents. Additionally, by puffing out its beard when threatened, the reptile can appear larger than usual which may help ward off potential predators.
How Can I Get My Bearded Dragon To Gain Weight?
Gaining weight in a bearded dragon can be a challenge, but with the right diet and nutrition plan, it is possible. To get your bearded dragon to gain weight, you will need to provide them with high-calorie foods that are easy for them to digest.
The best way to ensure your bearded dragon gets enough calories is by providing them with live insects such as crickets, mealworms, and wax worms. These should be dusted with calcium powder once or twice a week to promote healthy bone growth. You can also offer vegetables and fruits like bell peppers and strawberries as treats. Be sure not to feed too many of these sugary snacks though; they should only make up about 10% of their overall diet.
In addition to offering a nutritious diet, you should also monitor your pet’s activity levels and keep an eye on any major changes in their eating patterns or behaviors. If your beardie isn’t eating much or has lost interest in food altogether then it may be time for a trip to the vet for further examination.
Additionally, make sure that the temperature of its habitat is warm enough; if it’s too cold it can cause stress that could lead to decreased appetite and therefore slower weight gain. With proper care and attention you should have no trouble helping your beardie reach its ideal weight!
Conclusion
By following a few key steps, you can help ensure your skinny bearded dragon gains weight and stays healthy. A balanced diet that includes vegetables, fruits, insects, and other proteins is essential for promoting growth in your pet reptile. Additionally, regular exercise helps to stimulate appetite and encourages physical activity in these lizards.
Finally, it is important to provide ample basking areas with the proper light spectrum to encourage digestion of food items. With the right care, nutrition, and environment adjustments your skinny bearded dragon will soon be on its way to becoming healthier and fatter!

Alexander is the owner of AnimalQnA. He is a pet lover. He has created this blog to share some of his knowledge on different kinds of pets.