How To Transition Your Bearded Dragon from Mealworms to Dubia Roaches

Don’t know how to transition from mealworms to the more nutritious Dubia roaches? You are at the right place. 

Many bearded dragon owners struggle with their pet refusing to eat new food, especially when they are accustomed to mealworms. When you try to offer roaches to your pet, your pet might:

• Refuse to eat the new food.
• Sniff at it without actually eating. 

All of these behaviors can be frustrating, but don’t worry—there are ways to help your dragons adjust to the roaches.

Let’s dive into six tips to help your pet transition to roaches from worms with ease.

Quick Overview: 

Dubia Roaches	Mealworms
1. Dubia roaches are high in protein and low in fat (a perfect staple for bearded dragons).	1. These worms are rich in protein and fat. But did you know that a mealworm beetle (the adult form of mealworm) typically lives for about 3-6 months? This shorter lifespan can impact the number of mealworms you have available for feeding over time.
2. Better calcium-to-phosphorus ratio than mealworms.	2. A poor calcium-to-phosphorus ratio can lead to calcium deficiencies if fed too much.
3. Their soft exoskeleton is easier for bearded dragons to digest.	3. They have a hard exoskeleton (chitin), which can be challenging for bearded dragons to digest.
4. Dubia roaches come in various sizes, making them suitable for dragons of all ages.	4. They also come in different sizes.

Tip 1: Set Up a Feeding Schedule

Feeding your bearded dragon at the same time every day helps them get into a routine. This makes the transition to new foods smoother. 

So, if  you want your pet to shift from worms to Dubia roaches, then follow these steps.

1. Understand the age and diet of your bearded dragon. This will help determine how frequently you feed them.

Hatchlings: If your pet is a hatchling, it will require more frequent feedings due to its high energy needs.  Juveniles: If it is a juvenile, it must be fed twice a day.  Adults: If it is an adult bearded dragon, it requires food once or every other day.

2. Choose specific times of the day to feed your bearded dragon, ideally when they are most active (often in the morning or late afternoon).

Tip 2: Use a Feeding Dish or Container

Use a feeding dish or container to create a controlled environment for feeding your bearded dragon. 

It reduces the stress, encourages natural hunting behavior, and ensures easier monitoring of food intake. 

Tip: Look for a shallow, escape-proof container with ledges to prevent the roaches from escaping.

Tip 3: Experiment with Roach Gut-Loading

What is gut loading?

It refers to the process of feeding nutritious food to feeder insects (like Dubia roaches) for 24-48 hours before it is fed to reptiles. This boosts the nutritional value of the roaches. Consider feeding the roaches with nutrient foods like: 

• Leafy Greens: Spinach, kale, collard greens, mustard greens. 
• Fruits: Bananas, oranges, beets, squash, zucchini.
• Vegetables: Carrots, potatoes, broccoli.

After 24-48 hours of gutloading, you can feed your bearded dragons with roaches.

Tip 4: Introduce a Variety of Dubia Roach Sizes

Bearded dragons love variety in food. When transitioning from worms to Dubia roaches, it is essential to provide your pet with various roach sizes to ensure a smooth transition.

Here are different sizes:

Extra Small: Perfect for hatchlings. Small: Suitable for young bearded dragons to eat Dubia roaches. Small Medium: Great for growing beardies. Medium: Perfect for juveniles that need a balanced diet.  Medium Large: For adults who need larger, more substantial meals.

Tip 5: Try a Tasty Scent or Coating

If your bearded dragon hesitates to eat Dubia roaches, add a tasty scent or coating to the insects. 

• Scenting: Add a scent from your pet’s favorite food (such as a little calcium powder).
• Tasty Coatings: Lightly coating roaches with a favorite food, like calcium powder, or dusting with vitamin D3. 

Tip 6: Combine Dubia Roaches with Other Favorite Foods

To make Dubia roaches attractive, combine them with other favorite foods of bearded dragons:

1. Leafy Greens: Offer a variety of leafy greens like collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, and more.  

2. Fruits: Include fruits like apples or papaya sparingly. 

3. Vegetables: Bell peppers, carrots, and sweet potatoes. 

Conclusion 

Transitioning your bearded dragon from worms to Dubia roaches might take time and patience, but the effort is well worth it. So, consider offering a variety of Dubia roach sizes, combining them with familiar foods, and trying different techniques. 

With little persistence and the right approach, your pet will adjust to the Dubia roaches. 

So stay patient, observe your dragon’s behavior and keep making small adjustments.