obesity in leopard geckos

[Dragonfly_Dust]

Mine is definitely obese! Just look at him...all 119 grams of him!

I've been trying to get exercise as well as improving his feeding regiment but alas he only lost a gram so far. My vet said I shouldn't worry about it however I think she says that because a lot of leos that she encounters are skeletons.

 

[reps4life]

Mine is definitely obese! Just look at him...all 119 grams of him!

I've been trying to get exercise as well as improving his feeding regiment but alas he only lost a gram so far. My vet said I shouldn't worry about it however I think she says that because a lot of leos that she encounters are skeletons.

Yes he is a bit too chuncky. Feed him less.

 

[OnlineGeckos]

lol definitely chunky, what do you feed him?

 

[lillith]

Wow, what a superchunk! He's got nice markings...I would cut his food back for sure.
Did the vet give you any advice on how much is safe to cut back?
What has he been eating, and how often?

 

[gecko4245]

Mine is definitely obese! Just look at him...all 119 grams of him!

I've been trying to get exercise as well as improving his feeding regiment but alas he only lost a gram so far. My vet said I shouldn't worry about it however I think she says that because a lot of leos that she encounters are skeletons.

He reminds me of the pillsbury doughboy yeah, cut back. He is bigger than my sister's was.

 

[Dragonfly_Dust]

I feed him crickets and superworms. He now only gets four food items every two days. (Tho I will admit for the first three weeks I had him, I gave him six food items per feeding before I noticed his weight gain!) I think it's more an exercise issue, he doesn't move that much. He's currently in an 18x18x18 exo terra but I'm saving money for a bigger tank which will hopefully equals more active gecko.

I'm also wondering if I should encourage brumation for him for this winter???

 

[OnlineGeckos]

You can give him more space but if you have a gecko that isn't very active, he won't all of a sudden want to move more. More space is always better, but just saying if you want to control his weight, control how much he eats and what he eats.

You feed him crickets and superworms, so there's one item you should cross out, the superworms. Superworms are higher in fat content than most feeders. So try going with strictly crickets or give dubia roaches a try as they are also low in fat content.

Good luck

 

[Dragonfly_Dust]

You can give him more space but if you have a gecko that isn't very active, he won't all of a sudden want to move more. More space is always better, but just saying if you want to control his weight, control how much he eats and what he eats.

You feed him crickets and superworms, so there's one item you should cross out, the superworms. Superworms are higher in fat content than most feeders. So try going with strictly crickets or give dubia roaches a try as they are also low in fat content.

Good luck

Problem is Vastervik won't eat any other feeders since other feeders aren't active or big enough for his taste. And my family outright forbid me from bringing roaches of any kind into the home.

Do you guys think a strictly cricket diet for my gecko is such a good idea?

 

[reps4life]

Problem is Vastervik won't eat any other feeders since other feeders aren't active or big enough for his taste. And my family outright forbid me from bringing roaches of any kind into the home.

Do you guys think a strictly cricket diet for my gecko is such a good idea?

I definately agree. Take the superworms out of his diet. I do not like the idea of only offering one insect. Can you buy silkworms or baby hornworms?

 

[Dragonfly_Dust]

I definately agree. Take the superworms out of his diet. I do not like the idea of only offering one insect. Can you buy silkworms or baby hornworms?

I tried silkworms. Vastervik is like a T-Rex...only reacts to motion. (mealworm speed doesn't count) He's THAT stubborn!

Maybe I should force brumation on him...

 

[reps4life]

I tried silkworms. Vastervik is like a T-Rex...only reacts to motion. (mealworm speed doesn't count) He's THAT stubborn!

Maybe I should force brumation on him...

When a reptile does not have a strong reaction to feeding and seems picky it means they are not actually hungry. They are opportunistic eaters. So the best thing would be to cut back on days. So if you feed 3 times a week, make it 2 times a week instead. That will give him time to use the extra fat. I would never recommend brumation.

 

[Dragonfly_Dust]

When a reptile does not have a strong reaction to feeding and seems picky it means they are not actually hungry. They are opportunistic eaters. So the best thing would be to cut back on days. So if you feed 3 times a week, make it 2 times a week instead. That will give him time to use the extra fat. I would never recommend brumation.

The twice a week feeding sounds like a good idea. I'll do that. I however use still use superworms tho I'll make the feeding 80% crickets and 20% superworms at least I find a better alternative.

 

[lillith]

Forcing brumation will not make him lose weight.

I would go for a mix of crix and dubias, 3 or so every other day...and stretch out one feeding a week to every other other day.

 

[M_surinamensis]

When a reptile does not have a strong reaction to feeding and seems picky it means they are not actually hungry.

That statement is not always accurate. In fact it's rarely accurate. Too many variables involved to explain it with a single easy answer like that.

 

[Dragonfly_Dust]

Forcing brumation will not make him lose weight.

I would go for a mix of crix and dubias, 3 or so every other day...and stretch out one feeding a week to every other other day.

Once again, my family won't allow roaches in the house and there is no pet store in my area that carries them so I can't buy them in small amounts so the family doesn't notice.

I'll stick to three to four food items every two days for right now and see what happens.

On another note, I always cut off the cricket's backlegs so it is easier for Vastervik to catch it. Should I stop doing that so he has to make an effort when feeding??

 

[reps4life]

That statement is not always accurate. In fact it's rarely accurate. Too many variables involved to explain it with a single easy answer like that.

I know your right, There is a lot of details that have to be considered. Personally I believe it's husbandry related for the most part. It becomes exhausting when you try so hard to help a person writing a page long of information and they turn around and make excuses for whatever reason and ignore what you have suggested. If you read my previous responses in the health section, you will realize I try to get into full detail and give ideas of all the possibilities within that particular situation. Unfortunately, it only seems helpful in a small portion of people.

 

[Dragonfly_Dust]

I know your right, There is a lot of details that have to be considered. Personally I believe it's husbandry related for the most part. It becomes exhausting when you try so hard to help a person writing a page long of information and they turn around and make excuses for whatever reason and ignore what you have suggested. If you read my previous responses in the health section, you will realize I try to get into full detail and give ideas of all the possibilities within that particular situation. Unfortunately, it only seems helpful in a small portion of people.

HEY! I am listening! I am trying to put you people's advise into possible practice!

Not everything is that simple. I'm trying to convince my family about the roaches right now. Don't assume I dismissed it all together.

PS What is the minimum tub size needed for 50 large dubia roach nymphs (1-1 1/2 inches)? If the tub size is small enough, I might be able to hide them on my book shelf.

 

[BrightReptiles]

Hiding roaches is not always a good idea

Shoot, they're even illegal in some places

Talk to them about it and let them know you are trying to be responsible and take care of your pet.

 

[Dragonfly_Dust]

Hiding roaches is not always a good idea

Shoot, they're even illegal in some places

Talk to them about it and let them know you are trying to be responsible and take care of your pet.

I hid the superworms for this long (which I most likely will get rid of if the dubias work out) and my mother (the one who REALLY doesn't want the roaches) refuse to go in my room where I keep my reptile.

I think I can pull it off...

Seriously tho what is the minimum tub size for 50 dubia roaches??

 

[reps4life]

I hid the superworms for this long (which I most likely will get rid of if the dubias work out) and my mother (the one who REALLY doesn't want the roaches) refuse to go in my room where I keep my reptile.

I think I can pull it off...

Seriously tho what is the minimum tub size for 50 dubia roaches??

Definately explain to your parents that lack of variety can be detrimental to their health. I mentioned hornworms and silkworms and you did not seem interested in considering them

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