Everyone has their “If I had a nickel every time….” scenario. Well, mine is customers asking why their crested gecko is not eating and what they need to do as they do so their pet does not die.
I enjoy discussing geckos with other hobbyists and especially with new owners. Crested geckos are so exciting, fun animal. Anytime I can help someone better maintain their pet gives me quite a bit of pleasure.
However, we get a lot of Emails and questions at reptile shows from new and from long term owners that their crested gecko is not eating!
No Time to Panic
First, baby crested geckos are fine with missing a meal or two. An adult crested gecko can miss several (up to a couple of weeks)! The most important consideration at this time is to make sure you are misting their enclosure. Keeping them hydrated is priority one!
Eating or Not Eating
So, how can you know for sure that your crested is eating? This is much easier than one would think. We suggest keeping new geckos over paper towel or a bare bottom enclosure. As well, smaller enclosures during this time (first 2-3 weeks) is better than larger enclosures. Here is a quick reference: Babies in small (8 qt.) kritter keepers or small exo-terra breeder boxes, Medium (3-7 months) in about 20 quart containers, and adults in 10 gallons works best (for a temporary maintenance situation).
Why keep them in smaller enclosures? Because you can monitor is there are pooping or not…. “If they are pooping, they are eating!”
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New Crested – Stressed
Easily, the most frequent question I get with the business is certainly- “I purchased a gecko from you this weekend. It’s been 2 days and it is still not eating.
If your gecko eats in the first couple of days, consider yourself fortunate. Think about all the gecko is going through- be it shipping, from reptile shows, or other venue- the animals is relocating to a completely new home- new temps, new decor, new owners.
Give the gecko some time to settle down, adjust, and get comfortable with their new digs.
If your gecko has not eaten after 4 or 5 days, contact the seller to work out options.
A Meal is a Meal
Often, I hear that an adult crested gecko has not eaten for a couple of feedings. The very first thing I like to ask is whether the gecko is going through or recently shed. They normally will not eat 2 or 3 days before and after a shed. This is due them eating their shed (I know ewwww!). They hide before the shed and sometime afterward but skip meals for anywhere from 2-6 days.
They Still Will not Eat – Give Them a Treat
If you are not feeding the Crested Gecko Diet, you really should.
If your crested gecko doesn’t seem to eat the diet right away (and this is rarer that you would think), here is a TIP ALERT- try a bit of honey in the mix. Not much, as you are diluting the nutritional balance of the food. Just a touch, not even a drop, will draw the crested to the food by the aroma. Once they start eating, ween them off the honey as soon as possible.
They Still Will Not Eat - Hand Feeding The Easy Way
Finally, if nothing else works, you will need to hand feed your crested gecko.
Hand feeding is NOT the same as force feeding. Never force your gecko’s mouth open to get them to eat. If the animal will not take to hand feeding, get the gecko to a Vet!
To hand feed, prepare the Crested Gecko Diet (a bit thicker for this), hold your gecko firmly and with a small spoon or a type of flattened coffee stir stick, apply some diet to the crested's nose. The gecko may not accept the food at first but will eventually start licking the diet off its nose. Be patient. You can continue applying the food until the gecko stops eating.
You can repeat this for 3 or 4 feedings (one time every other day) or until you feel the gecko is eating on its own.
It is hard to know when your gecko should be eating and when it is ok that they are not eating. If you feel your gecko is not eating and should be, the tips above will get your gecko eating again on their own.
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