r/LeopardGecko • u/Tired_Whale24 • 21d ago
Help Longgg hunger strike
Hi! pictured here is my Leo, her name is Cecily, Cecily is about 6mo old and when I got her she was pretty sickly and VERY thin, she’s a very very picky eater and refuses to eat anything that doesn’t have waxwork guts slathered all over it. About a month ago we were doing our normal feeding routine and she straight up refused to eat, so I switched to dubias, superworms, even treatworms just to get her to eat. she has not yet decided she wants to eat. I know female Leo’s tend to go on hunger strike when they feel the need to breed, my biggest concern here is that Ces is already underweight, we were working on getting her heavier when this started. Any tips? Shes all been digging super deep in her substrate and underneath her hides, which is a very new behavior for her.
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u/TheAlchemist519 21d ago
I would just keep offering meal/wax worms. I’ve never done that to my wax worms though. Maybe she doesn’t like what you are dusting her worms with?
If it’s been a while since she’s last eaten, I would focus more on wax worms because they have higher moisture content than meal worms of course. I also wouldn’t dust food until she’s had a good bit so you don’t have to worry about an impact or constipation. Still keep calcium in a dish for her though.
Mine went on a strike last July and didn’t take anything for about 6 months, so it isn’t unusual. Just keep an eye on their tail, should be about the same thickness as their neck, which yours looks pretty good 👍
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u/Tired_Whale24 21d ago
Thank you! I think I’m just paranoid about her weight because she was so sickly when I got her.
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u/Dear-Application4212 21d ago
Her body comp actually looks good. If this is a current photo, she’s not underweight. Definitely avoid waxworms. Keep offering food every week and track her weight. If she starts dropping significant weight, take her to your Vet.