Gecko not eating...

[Rhian]

Hello! We've had our geckos for a few months now.. Desmond has always loved his food, hes always eaten between 10-12 mealies/hoppers every other day, and the occasional waxworm which he loves... but recently he seems to have completely gone off his food. I thought it may be because he looks like he is ready to shed, hes gone that dusty colour, but its been about a week now since hes eaten properly, hes only had 2 worms tonight. Is this normal or should I be worried? (I am worried already!) hes still got a huge fat tail, and hes always been a bit on the podgy side so he doesnt look like hes lost weight. Plus he still seems to be his naughty self, I'm just worried about him not eating. Nothing tempts him and he seems even more put off by anything dusted with calcium/mineral powder.

Another question... I have a tub full of mealies, what is the best thing to gutload them with? Is there anything I should avoid? At the moment they get any veggie scraps, potatoes, apples etc...

Thanks!

 

[bubblez825]

Desmond: My geckos don't eat before they shed. I think they want to be a little skinnier so they can actually get OUT of the skin . Also, they gotta have room to fit their skin in their tummies .

Mealies: With mine, the substatrate I have them in makes them grow REALLY fast, although I don't have pupae yet. I use Pro Gecko's gutload (go to his site, he has prices and stuff on there) mixed with Quakers oatmeal(the stuff from the store). For water, I keep red apple slices in there and they seem to really like the apple. I don't know if its because of the natural sugars in the fruit or what? Anyways, thats what I would try if I were you. It works GREAT!

 

[Sidork]

she is rite its just probably because of his shedding. I hear to soak them a littkle in water and they should be fine.

 

[Rhian]

thanks for all the advice desmond ate 12 mealies last night so hes back to his usual self i have a question about my other gecko now though too!

since my last post, nessy hasn't eaten a thing, i don't think there is anything wrong with him, apart from the fact he has become obsessed with getting out of his tank. he doesn't even look at food at the moment, as soon as the door is open he runs straight to the door and climbs up onto my shoulder. when the doors not open he sits by it scratching to come out. i've tried hand feeding him, feeding him with tweezers, dropping mealies into his tank, he just doesnt want to eat! is this normal?!! i am assuming he will eat once he is hungry. I am pleased he has become so friendly, but I do want him to eat as he is a rescue and he's always been a bit on the skinny side!