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How can I get my pet to enjoy all the food from my subscription?
Okay, let’s dig into some proven strategies that can help your bearded dragon get excited about a wider array of insects.
1. Gradual Introduction
Start by mixing the new insects with their current favorites. If your beardie is used to mealworms, for example, try including a couple of crickets or Dubia roaches along with them. The familiar scent and sight of the mealworms might make your dragon more willing to try something new.
2. Hand Feeding
It’s not just about what you offer, but how you offer it. Hand feeding can be a bonding experience and allows you to directly introduce the new insect to your dragon. Hold the new insect with feeding tongs and move it around to grab your dragon’s attention. A moving target often piques their interest more than stationary food.
3. The Hunger Game
Your dragon is less likely to be choosy if it’s hungry. Cut back slightly on their regular feeding for a day and then introduce the new insect. Hunger can be a powerful motivator to try new things.
4. Scenting
Sometimes beardies are put off by the unfamiliar smell of a new insect. You can trick them by scenting the new insects with the juice or flesh of a fruit they enjoy.
5. Insect ‘Cocktails’
Once your dragon is a bit more adventurous, try offering a variety of insects in a single meal. Mix crickets, mealworms, and roaches together to create an insect “cocktail” that provides a balanced diet and keeps mealtimes interesting.
8. The Presentation
Liven up the food bowl by adding your beardie’s favorite vegetables in with the insects. By offering your beardie more variety at once, they’ll get used to trying different things.
9. Persistence is Key
Finally, if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Tastes change, and what your dragon refuses today, they may happily gobble up tomorrow.