He won't eat powdered mealworms

[PyroPanda]

I have dusted mealworms with just Rep-Cal Herptivite alone and I've dusted with just Rep-Cal Calcium w/ D3 by itself and I've dusted with both of those mixed together and my gecko, Locke, is not having it. I do have the Rep-Cal Calcium without D3 in his dish at all times and I've seen him eat that.
I feed Locke everyday and the plan was to dust his mealworms once a week.He does want the mealworms at first but it usually takes him a few strikes to get it in his mouth and if he doesn't succeed, he will give it a lick and ignore it.
So what do you do when your leos won't take their supplements?

 

[Dog Shrink]

I feed him a bug that is higher in calcium and nutrients Silk worms, phoenix worms... something a little better quality and unfortunately usually not easy to find aside of on line ordering in most cases. You could also gut load your current feeders with food items high in calcium and minerals that he would be getting from the suppliments. You may need to do a little research on the food items you feed your feeders but it would be well worth it if your leo is not happy about eating dusted bugs. I would read the suppliment list on the bottles you're using then google something like "Veggies high in vit D3" or whatever minderal you want to find out about. Since he takes his calcium fine from a dish I don't think you need to resort to a liquid calcium to suppliment him so it sounds more like a multi vit/D3 problem which should be fixable thru proper gutloading the feeders.

 

[PyroPanda]

Ok thanks I just started gutloading my mealworms with Cody's Pro Gutload so we're off to a great start. Right now I use carrots whenever I take the mealworms out of the fridge for gutloading but I will look into other veggie's nutrition.
I think the silk and phoenix worms would definitely be worth a try too. Thanks again!

 

[lillith]

You could always put a pinch in the bottom of their worm dish, too.
That way they get used to the flavor, they'll accidentally get some when they strike at the worms. Sometimes you get fussy eaters who don't like the change you've brought them, you just have to keep reintroducing it to them...like toddlers and vegetables.

Experimenting with different feeders is a good idea, too. But I'd be careful not to switch stuff up too quickly or too often, or you might throw off their feeding response in general. Nothing to be panicky about, but something to keep in mind. =)

 

[acpart]

When I have a gecko that's not really eating, I dip my finger in water, dip it in the supplement and dab it around the mouth so they lick it off.

Aliza

 

[grboxa]

When I have a gecko that's not really eating, I dip my finger in water, dip it in the supplement and dab it around the mouth so they lick it off.

Aliza

great idea thank you