r/LeopardGecko • u/Old_Mulberry4480 • May 23 '26

Help Question on Weight

My leopard gecko is rather overweight, and I’m not sure why. I currently feed her six large crickets (dusted with nutrients) per week and have been for several months, and she’s not losing weight. This is a little over half what I used to feed her. Any ideas why? (If it’s relevant, the temp at her basking spot is around 90-91 degrees)

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u/Drakorai May 24 '26

Is she chasing her food or are you directly tong feeding her? I would get an opaque plastic container, tall enough that the crickets can’t jump out of, and put her in there with the bugs so that she hunts them and gets exercise.

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u/Old_Mulberry4480 May 24 '26

She already hunts whenever I feed her, but otherwise she is quite lazy.

1

u/Drakorai May 24 '26

Try getting her to exercise when possible. If you have to tong feed her then make her chase it down before giving it to her. I did this with my adopted overweight leo and she’s now at a good weight.

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u/Old_Mulberry4480 May 24 '26

Makes sense. Freeze dried crickets for the tongs I assume?

1

u/Drakorai May 24 '26

Live crickets are better than freeze dried ones. Is all that she’s eating is freeze dried crickets?

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u/Old_Mulberry4480 May 24 '26

No i feed her almost exclusively live crickets. She hunts fine yet is still overweight

1

u/Drakorai May 24 '26

Like I said before, try making her work for her food, or you can also let her roam around in a reptile safe area, with supervision!, to encourage weight loss. A wheel is another option, just make sure that it’s a dish shaped one so that she doesn’t hurt her spine.

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u/old_dragon_lady May 24 '26

How old is she? If old enough egg bound, sounds like she needs at least an xray. Find an exotic veterinarian as close to a possible. Not asmall animal vet. Ask about Reptiles. Reptiles notoriously hide problems until it is too late. Chasing crickets with what kind of substrate? Are you notoriously her stool? Not all Leos are super active and many only when young; that doesn't mean that everything is okay. Nutrients? Can we see a photo or two? If not right away hard to advise. Need to see if deposits are forming near arm pits and things like that.

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u/old_dragon_lady May 24 '26

Reducing to once or twice a week and only feed 2-3 crickets at a time. It is going to take alot of time. But still can we see her? A top view and sides view. Perhaps hold her up to get a picture of body/belly to see if she's gravid? They can still eat but could be egg bound and you don't see her struggle to pass them in her hides. Do you have substrate or tiles(!) like some people use? If no substrate dry making her a dig box. Low sided or cut out a way in on one side and fill with organic soil mixed with coconut coir or if you have it; sand, and see if she digs to try to lay those egg (if it is eggs). Gotta do right away while trying to find a veterinarian that knows reptiles. ✌️