How long can Beagles go without food
How Long Can a Bearded Dragon Go Without Food?
If youre like most bearded dragon owners, then chances are youve witnessed your beardie show some pretty impressive (albeit alarming) self-control in resisting their food.
Whether youve recently moved them to a new vivarium, introduced a new diet, or perhaps even just placed new accessories in their tank, bearded dragons can stop eating for a wide variety of reasons.
So, the questions stands just how long can a bearded dragon go with food?
How Long a Bearded Dragon Can Live Without Food?
The answer to this question, as you may or may not have guessed, depends for the most part on the age and health of your dragon.
Mature dragons with plenty of fat stores and weight to lose, can go up to 2 months without food, although this is NOT encouraged.
On the other hand, juveniles who are rapidly growing and stop eating, should be a cause for some concern as they need protein to grow up healthy and strong.
Dragons who are brumating, can be expected to go weeks if not months without eating, but should still be given water on a regular basis.
Why Isnt My Bearded Dragon Eating?
As briefly touched on above, there can be a wide array of reasons why your bearded dragon has stopped eat.
A new habitat, different diet, brumation,an illness, stress, and many more reasons can contribute to a loss of appetite.
Read below to understand better why your dragon may have stopped eating.
You Recently Altered Their Cage
Perhaps you moved their terrarium to a new area of the home, put them in a different terrarium, or introduced new accessories into the cage (branches, hides, etc.)?
Try removing the new items and seeing how the next couple of days to a week goes.
If their appetite seems to improve, toss whatever it is you removed.
Their Temperatures Are Off
If their cage isnt hot enough (basking temp should be between 95 and 105 for adults, 100 and 110 for babies), dragons can definitely lose their appetite.
They need heat to have proper digestion, so without it, their bodies wont feel the need to eat.
Also, make sure your dragons have a cool side of the tank to chill out (HA! See what I did there?) in, around 80-85 degrees.
Theyre Under Stress
Are they sharing a cage with another bearded dragon?
Can they see another bearded dragon?
Is there suddenly a lot of loud noises and/or shaking in the home that could disturb them?
Think long and hard about anything and everything that could potentially be stressing your dragon out and calm them down, as often times, it can be the smallest of things that leads to appetite suppression.
Theyre Not Feeling Their Diet
If youve recently introduced new foods into your dragons diet, be prepared for the standoff of the century! Not really, but kind of.
Beardies are notoriously stubborn especially when it comes to food.
In fact, a quick Google search of Why wont my bearded dragon- and youll see many of the suggested searches have to do with dragons not eating certain foods!
So, the tricky part about this dilemma is that it essentially comes down to a battle of wills.
Your dragon can go weeks (even months) without eating and eventually succumb to the fact that theyre simply going to have to accept their new diet OR you can break down and feed them what theyre holding out for.
If you cave, your dragon is going to know that they have the upper hand and be way more likely to stop eating in the future again.
This is why I recommend sticking it out and showing them whos boss.
Now, if they seem to be getting really weak and skinny then of course give them some food they will happily eat.
But if theyre just slowly losing weight and seem to be acting the same? I recommend toughing it out.
Its That Time of Year Again Brumation!
If youre creeping into Fall, it is entirely likely that your little guy or girl is simply going with the seasons and getting ready for brumation.
If your dragon is showing signs of getting read to go through this process, I highly recommend you check out my in depth article HERE to fully understand the brumation process and what you can do to make it a success!
Theyre Ill
In my experience, this is probably the least likely reason why your dragon outright stopped eating.
But if you suspect an illness is at play, by all means take them to a reputable reptile vet ASAP!
In the meantime, consider gently and lightly spoon or syringe feeding them stage 1 baby food like squash or chicken to try and make them gain weight.
Also, make sure theyre getting water with a few drips on their snout a day. Avoid bathing until you know whats wrong exactly.
How to Force Feed a Bearded Dragon
To be perfectly honest, I do not condone force feeding under very many circumstances.
Dragons do a phenomenal job of eating what they need (typically) and force feeding can lead to some health issues.
However, if your dragon is visibly weak and becoming alarmingly thin or youve been given the go-ahead from a trained reptile vet, then by all means try to force feed.
The actual method behind how to force feed is pretty simple.
Make sure you have a nice, secure grip on your dragon and that they are in a relatively comfortable position.
Next, gently open their mouth by pulling their lower jaw down.
Last, insert food. Simple as that.
Check out the video below to see force feeding in action!
In Conclusion
I hope you found this article helpful!
If your bearded dragon stops eating it is important to realize that 9/10 times its not for a reason worth getting worked up over and theyll live as long as they can.
Chances are, there are small changes occurring that have just suppressed their appetite.
Think about the time of year, the status of their habitat, your home, and their diet before freaking out.
Read These Articles Yet?
How Often to Feed a Bearded Dragon at ANY Age
How to Make a Bearded Dragon Gain Weight and Fatten Them Up
How to Get a Bearded Dragon to Eat
How long can you survive without food?
It is likely that a person can survive between 12 months without food. However, it is difficult to determine the exact duration, and it is not advisable to attempt starvation diets.
As many different factors influence the length of time that the body can last without food, this period will vary among individuals.
Scientists have not studied human starvation using traditional experiments due to ethical concerns. Data usually come from observational studies on hunger strikes and periods of famine.
In this article, learn more about the factors that affect how long a person can survive without food and water.
A typical, well-nourished male weighing 70 kilograms (154 pounds) technically has enough calories stored to survive for between
However, people who have voluntarily stopped eating to participate in hunger strikes have died after
The body needs the nutrients in food to survive. It uses protein, carbohydrates, and fats, as well as vitamins and minerals, to renew cells and fuel vital bodily processes.
Without food, the body starts to use its own tissue as fuel, but it can only do this for so long.
Scientists are not sure exactly how long the average person can go without food. They have not studied starvation in traditional experiments because it would be unethical to ask a person not to eat for a prolonged period in order to examine the outcome.
The best indication that researchers have of how long people can survive comes from those who have been on hunger strike.
Many factors can affect how long a person can go without food. A persons age, sex, body size, fitness, general health, and activity level all play a role.
The amount of liquid that the person drinks will also be significant. Experts believe that sipping water from early on in the period without food may prolong survival.
Food is the bodys fuel for its vital processes, all of which starvation affects.
Cardiovascular system
To compensate for the lack of food, the body breaks down its own tissue to use as fuel. This process may involve muscle tissue, including that of the heart.
The pulse and blood pressure drop because the heart does not have the fuel that it needs to pump blood around the body as effectively as normal. This inefficient pumping can lead to heart failure.
Gastrointestinal system
Food restriction interferes with how the stomach digests food and empties itself. It can lead to:
- bloating
- stomach pain
- vomiting
- nausea
- fluctuations in blood sugar levels
- bacterial infections
Long-term inadequate nutrition can also cause constipation because it weakens the muscles in the intestines. The weakened muscles may not have the strength to push digested food through the gut.
Another risk of starvation is pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas, which causes pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Central nervous system
Starvation can affect the brain, which consumes up to one-fifth of a persons energy. Depriving the brain of energy can result in difficulty concentrating and sleep issues.
Endocrine system
The endocrine system needs fat and cholesterol to make hormones, such as estrogen, testosterone, and thyroid hormones. Without them:
- menstruation can become irregular or stop altogether
- bones can weaken
- metabolic rate can drop
- core temperature can drop, leading to hypothermia
Symptoms may include dry skin, brittle hair, and hair loss. During periods of starvation, the body tries to keep warm by growing a downy layer of hair called lanugo.
As with food, it is hard to say exactly how long people can survive without water. While a fit adult might last a few days, a child whom a parent or caregiver has left in a hot car could dehydrate and die within hours.
The precise length of time for which a person could survive varies due to differences in individual body composition.
The body needs a continual supply of water to repair and maintain cells and carry out essential processes.
According to the
- a dry mouth and tongue
- restlessness and irritability
- sunken eyes
- feeling thirsty
- urinating less
Severe dehydration can lead to:
- lethargy
- unconsciousness
- a weak or absent pulse
- a very dry mouth and tongue
- low blood pressure
- passing very little or no urine at all
Severe dehydration is life threatening. Learn more about how long humans can go without water in this article.
Starvation is not a good way to lose weight for many reasons, not least because it is very dangerous.
A persons metabolic rate actually goes down when they are in starvation mode, meaning that they burn fewer calories. Poor nutrition due to starvation can lead to a multitude of health concerns.
It is very difficult to stick to a restrictive diet, and, as a result, these diets do not tend to be very effective.
A person can talk to a doctor about more sustainable ways to lose weight, if this is what they wish to do. An effective diet plan usually involves eating a nutritious diet and exercising regularly.
Learn about safe and effective ways to lose weight in this article.
The body needs the nutrients in food to survive. Without them, it will start to break down its own tissue to use as food. Starvation affects all of the bodys systems and processes.
It is difficult to determine how long someone can go without food, but experts believe that it is between 1 and 2 months.
Doctors strongly advise against starvation diets. Not only are they dangerous, but they are not sustainable. The best way to lose weight is by eating a healthful, balanced diet and exercising regularly.
