Help with Feeding Overweight Gecko?

[mintasdffree]

My leopard gecko is currently on a diet of just mealworms. I normally hand feed her every other day with 3 (sometimes more if she looks hungry). She always concerned me because she always seemed to be overweight. I have had her for around 5 years now. Some time ago I remember reading on this forum that an overweight gecko is not healthy and is considered an abuse to the gecko. I was worried so I tried to limit her feeding to 2 mealworms per day over a total 3 days during a week. After doing this for a couple of weeks, when I'm around her cage, she seemed hungry and was literally next to the cage wall staring. I felt bad because I didn't want to starve her. D:

So, my question is: Do you have any tips for feeding overweight geckos?
I know crickets have less fat than mealworms but they tend to scare/annoy my other female gecko that shares the cage since they would move around all over the ground, so are there any other options besides crickets?

 

[gothra]

I wouldn't use mealworms if you are putting your girl on diet. Perhaps give her several crickets to chase every few days? That'll increase th activity level too.

 

[roger]

My leopard gecko is currently on a diet of just mealworms. I normally hand feed her every other day with 3 (sometimes more if she looks hungry). She always concerned me because she always seemed to be overweight. I have had her for around 5 years now. Some time ago I remember reading on this forum that an overweight gecko is not healthy and is considered an abuse to the gecko. I was worried so I tried to limit her feeding to 2 mealworms per day over a total 3 days during a week. After doing this for a couple of weeks, when I'm around her cage, she seemed hungry and was literally next to the cage wall staring. I felt bad because I didn't want to starve her. D:

So, my question is: Do you have any tips for feeding overweight geckos?
I know crickets have less fat than mealworms but they tend to scare/annoy my other female gecko that shares the cage since they would move around all over the ground, so are there any other options besides crickets?

your over weight and my over weight might be 2 different things.How old is she and whats her weight.What is her normal food intake Dont get too hung up about being obese.Maybe shes not

 

[ZooKeeperKarin]

You can feed crickets in a separate enclosure. I have an extra 20 gallon aquarium that I will put a load of crickets in, drop in the gecko and let him/her go to town. Talk about a feeding frenzy! lol That way you wouldn't disturb your other gecko with the crickets. Even a plastic tub would work.

 

[Dog Shrink]

Can you post a pic of her so that we can see if she is really overweight?

 

[mintasdffree]

Here is my gecko (sorry for the large images!)
She is at least 6 years old. I also had the chance to weigh her yesterday, and she is 88 grams.

 

[Ga_herps]

she is a bit overweight for sure. You can cut her food rationing down a bit by offering just a few prey items every 4 days. If after a month of this you do not see a difference I would even cut it further. With a tail like that missing a meal or two would not probably even put a dent in her size. Keep us posted on that monster.

 

[gothra]

Wow, she is one very well-fed girl!! Besides cutting down her food, you really should make her exercise more. Do you have branches, fake rock, etc in her tank for her to climb on? Again, I wouldn't use mealworms or superworms if you want her to lose weight. Give her 2-3 crickets to hunt every 3-4 days. Its very difficult for a leo to lose weight, so good luck!

p.s. she is very beautiful!