I searched the internet for information on leopard gecko feeding issues and possible solutions.
Leopard geckos may not eat due to stress, temperature, illness, shedding, or breeding. Common symptoms and solutions for each reason include:
- Stress can make your leopard gecko stop eating. Leopard geckos are most stressed by tank companions. If your pet refuses to eat its new tank mate, it may reject it. Solution: Separate incompatible or aggressive leopard geckos to reduce stress levels caused by loud noises and bright lights. Give your leopard gecko a quiet, dark space and avoid overhandling it.
- Temperature affects leopard gecko appetite and digestion. A low terrarium temperature will slow your leopard gecko's metabolism and prevent it from eating. Too much heat dehydrates leopard geckos and makes them lose appetite.For optimal temperature control, use a thermometer and thermostat to monitor and regulate the heat source. Your leopard gecko needs a temperature gradient with warm and cool sides to choose its spot. Leopard geckos prefer 75-85°F cool and 88-95°F warm.
- Illness can also stop your leopard gecko from eating. Leopard geckos often get metabolic bone disease, parasites, infections, impaction, and mouth rot. These illnesses can cause weight loss, lethargy, swelling, discharge, and abnormal feces. Solution: Clean and sanitize your leopard gecko's habitat and feed it a balanced diet and supplements to prevent and treat illness. Check your leopard gecko regularly for signs of illness and take it to a reptile vet immediately if anything seems wrong.
- Leopard geckos naturally shed every few weeks. Leopard geckos may lose appetite and hide more during shedding. After shedding its skin, your leopard gecko will eat again. However, your leopard gecko may have trouble shedding around the eyes, mouth, and toes. Irritation, infection, and appetite loss can result. Solution: Give your leopard gecko a humid hide to moisten and shed its skin. The terrarium should be misted regularly to increase humidity. A damp cotton swab or tweezers can gently help your leopard gecko shed, but don't hurt it.
- Breeding is another reason your leopard gecko may not eat. Female leopard geckos may stop eating when ovulating or pregnant. Her hormones are changing as she prepares to lay eggs. She may also become more territorial or aggressive. Male leopard geckos may stop eating when breeding. His focus is on finding and mating with a female, and he may become restless or dominant. Solution: First, determine your leopard gecko's sex to address breeding behavior. Check the vent area, where males have two bulges and a V-shaped row of pores and females have none. Check for ovulation signs like pink abdominal spots or gravidity signs like visible eggs. If you want to breed leopard geckos, give them a nesting box where the female can lay and bury her eggs. You should also monitor the woman's health and weight and give her extra calcium and food. If you don't want to breed your leopard geckos, separate the males and females and avoid breeding triggers like long daylight hours and high temperatures.
If none of these reasons apply to your leopard gecko or if its condition worsens, take it to a reptile vet immediately for a diagnosis and treatment.
Report