I bought a new hide...

[bromide]

...and my leo won't use it! He only uses one hide, which was on the cool side. Now I switched it to the hot side to see if it's the hide or the side. Turns out it's the hide. Is there anything I can do so he can use the new hide I bought for him? It's just a waste of money if he will never use it...

 

[Dog Shrink]

Remove the old hide for a few days and disinfect it to remove his scent from it, so he has no choice but to use the new hide. Remember they're creatures of habit, and he'll only adjust to new if you're likely to give im a little nudge. After you've seen him successfully use the new hide for a few days I think you could incorporate the old one back into his habitat.

 

[Jordan]

How do you know he's not using it? ... They are nocturnal, they come out when your asleep, he could be in that hide all night.
If it is on his cool side he will use it when he needs to cool down, and vice versa if its on the hot side. Just because you dont see him use it doesnt mean he isnt.

 

[bromide]

How do you know he's not using it? ... They are nocturnal, they come out when your asleep, he could be in that hide all night.
If it is on his cool side he will use it when he needs to cool down, and vice versa if its on the hot side. Just because you dont see him use it doesnt mean he isnt.

no, i check it all the time, even at night. as i said before, he doesn't choose which hide is cooler or not, he chooses the hide he is used to. he never goes in, and when i took out the hide he's use to, he still didn't go in the new hide, he just went under decals.

 

[Jordan]

maybe theres something wtong with the hide, like it smells weird inside or it has rough edges, or its too revealing and not hidey enough, its a long shot but maybe. lol

 

[Jgreen909]

They are very wary of new objects in there area. Just put it in and leave everything alone. Give him time to get used to it being part of his world.

 

[bromide]

man, i don't know if i should take out the hide he's use to, or leave the hide along with all the other ones, lol.

 

[Dog Shrink]

Honestly what's the worst that can happen if you take out the hide he's use to? A little stress for a couple of days? I think he'll live. Also make sure you clean and disinfect the new hide just in case it is bringing unpleasant scents with it.

 

[Jgreen909]

You can leave the old hide in there if it's going to stay in. If your just adding to it just add it and just wait he will warm up to it and use it eventually.

 

[bromide]

well, i tried taking the old hide out, but he just doesnt want to use his new one. there is a decal that he can go under, but it's on the cool side and he wanted to be on the hot side, so he was trying to reach for the decal while trying to stay on the hot side. so i just put the old one back in. ill try cleaning it too.