Take Care of a Leopard Gecko That Won't Eat

Leopard geckos can make great pets and many people enjoying keeping them. However, there may come a time when your gecko stops eating or refuses food. There are a few things you should do in order to find the cause behind this and make the needed changes.

Steps

Fixing Problems With Your Gecko's Cage

1. Check the temperature of the gecko's enclosure. The environment you have provided for your gecko can influence your gecko's appetite. If the temperature is too hot or too cold, your gecko may not eat. Try to correct the temperature in the gecko's enclosure.
   • Geckos are cold blooded and cannot regulate their own body temperature. You will have to provide both cool and hot areas in the enclosure to keep your gecko healthy and eating properly.
   • The hottest spot in your gecko's enclosure should be between 90 and 93 degrees Fahrenheit.
   • Your gecko needs to cool off as well. Provide an area in the enclosure that is around 74 degrees Fahrenheit.
   • During the winter months and cooler temperatures, it is normal for your gecko to have a reduced appetite.
2. Eliminate stress from your gecko's environment. If your gecko is feeling too stressed out, it may not eat. Many factors can cause your gecko stress, try to make your gecko's enclosure and life as stress free as you can.
   • Transferring your gecko to a new environment may have caused it stress. If your gecko has stopped eating after a move, it should regain its appetite after becoming accustomed to its new home.
   • Other geckos in the enclosure may be bullying the one who is not eating. Bullied geckos may have scratches on it or will be herded around the enclosure by the bully. Separation is the only way to prevent this.
3. Check for signs that your gecko is eating. It can be difficult to actually catch your gecko while it is eating, which may give the impression that it is not eating. There are two main methods to make sure that your gecko is eating, without actually seeing it eat.
   • Weigh your gecko. In an average adult gecko, fluctuations of around a gram or two in weight are normal. If it starts continuously loosing weight however, this is good evidence that it is not eating enough.
   • When cleaning the cage, look for signs of defecation. If your gecko is regularly having bowel movements, this is a good indication that your gecko is eating.
4. Feed your gecko some of its favorite foods. Geckos can be picky eaters and they definitely have foods that are better suited to their diets than others. Try feeding your gecko some of the following foods to stimulate its appetite:
   • Safe insects include crickets, mealworms, waxworms, silkworms and dubia roaches.
   • Make sure the insects you offer aren't too large as this can cause injury to your gecko. If the insect is larger than the space between the gecko's eyes, it's too large.
   • Use live insects as food. The motion can attract the attention of your gecko.
   • Try feeding your gecko later in the day as this can mimic their hunting routine in the wild.

Addressing Your Gecko's Health

1. Look for signs of illness. Your gecko may have stopped eating if it has fallen ill or is suffering from an injury. If you suspect your gecko to be ill, you should take it to your veterinarian for an examination. Carefully examine your gecko for any of the following signs:
   • A skin infection may be identified by any area that is red, swollen, or emitting pus.
   • A respiratory issue can be identified by plugged nostrils, laboured breathing, or any unusual noises during respiration.
   • Metabolic Bone Disease may cause your gecko to have weakness in its legs and jaw or the inability to stand. It may also cause swelling in the abdomen as it can become impacted from the inability to have a bowl movement.
   • Your gecko's eyes may also become cloudy if it is ill or have an infection.
2. Expect younger geckos to have a smaller appetite. Life-cycles can have an impact on how much, or how little, your gecko wants to eat. If you know how old your gecko is, you can gain some understanding as to what is the normal amount of food your gecko should be eating.
   • Freshly hatched geckos may not eat for up to a week.
   • Young geckos may eat once or twice a day.
   • Older geckos appetite may slow down considerably. Lessened appetites are normal in these older geckos and are not necessarily indicative of a medical issue. It may only need to eat once every two days.
   • Females, however, are are prone to reproductive problems which can interfere with appetite. If you have a female give her an area in which she can lay eggs so that she doesn't feel inhibited. If the problem persists, then always get her checked by a veterinarian experienced with the species.
3. Hand feed your gecko. You may be able to feed your gecko by hand, if it is comfortable with you picking it up. There are a few methods of food preparation that may work better than others. Some experimentation may be required to find which method your gecko likes the best.
   • Fruit nectars can be applied to a Q-tip. The Q-tip is then placed near the gecko's mouth. If your gecko finds it appealing, it should begin licking and feeding from the nectar on the Q-tip.
   • You may simply hold your gecko in one hand and a prey item in the other. Introduce the prey item to the gecko, holding it up to its mouth. Your gecko may take interest and start eating.
   • If your gecko doesn't take live prey items from your hand, you may need to crush the prey before presenting it. Once crushed, the prey is gently rubbed on the gecko's lips to encourage it to eat.
   • Do not force feed your gecko.
4. Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. Diagnosing any medical issue on your own can be difficult. If you notice that your gecko is not eating, you should take it for a visit to your veterinarian for a proper examination. Your veterinarian will be able to accurately diagnose and will work with you to help restore your geckos appetite and health.
   • You may need to bring a fresh stool sample.
   • Keep any gecko that you suspect to be ill separate from other geckos you may have. This will keep any potential diseases from spreading to healthy geckos.

Tips

• When handling your gecko, always be gentle.
• Always maintain a proper environment for your gecko. This will help not only with its appetite, but with its overall health as well.
• Do not put on them any substrate. Coconut fibre is not safe at all, they will ingest it.

Warnings

• Never force feed your gecko.
• If you feel your gecko is sick, take it to your veterinarian.

Related Articles

• Incubate Tokay Gecko Eggs
• Care for a Leopard Gecko
• Build a Habitat for Leopard Geckos
• Take Care of a Pastel Leopard Gecko
• Feed a Leopard Gecko from Your Hand

Sources and Citations

See also

• Have Fun With Your Leopard Gecko
• Care for a Crested Gecko
• Build a Habitat for Leopard Geckos
• Care for a House Gecko
• Care for a Leopard Gecko
• Catch a Gecko
• Take Care of Your New Leopard Gecko
• Breed Leopard Geckos
• Care for a Tokay Gecko
• Hold a Leopard Gecko