Not eating

[DaraCotton]

Help Rajah is only six weeks old and he can't have eaten more than about 10 crickets in the past 3 days. Before that he was eating well and I'm concerned because I know he needs a lot of protein at this age. He is pooing fine, is perfectly hot enough, seems perky and happy, had a bath yesterday and seemed fine, falls asleep on me every evening and is perfectly happy to be held. He just WONT EAT!

[ladyknite]

sounds like relocation stress.  it's pretty typical.

cover all sides of his enclosure so he can't see out.  I use just newspaper or printer paper.  try not to put your hands inside except to feed and clean and soak him and don't keep peeping in.  offer crix to him as usual, 3 times a day, removing all uneaten ones in 15 minutes. after one week begin removing paper 1 piece at a time starting with the rear of the cage.  he should be eating better by then.  if you notice at that time that hes not eating better, a fecal is in order.

[DaraCotton]

Thanks - I'll try that. I did just try to feed him now again and he sometimes licks the cricket as if he is about to eat it but changes his mind at the last moment  :'(

[dragonkato]

Have tried him with any different bugs? Its rare for a dragon to turn its nose up at hoppers

[zebrajanie]

I'd have to agree with Ladyknite.. It's relocation stress.. Just follow her suggestions... I'd bet you'll see an increase in that appetite soon.

Hope this helps.

[DaraCotton]

Success! Rajah ate 14 crickets yesterday and 7 for breakfast today. It still isn't loads but I'm very happy. He insists on catching them himself though and won't take them from me anymore, but I'm not complaining, provided he eats!

[zebrajanie]

Excellent news !

[Mach10X]

Glad to hear he's eating well again.  I was going to suggest trying some silkworms or black soldier fly grubs (aka phoenix worms or reptiworms).  I've never seen a dragon not go crazy for soldier grubs.