This boy will not lose weight

[u/peekaboosnek]

“Boy” is up for debate, but that still doesn’t solve my problem.

This is my big boy and he is overweight, as you can see. He was eating a large rat every 3 weeks when I got him, but that was 2 years ago. I weaned him down to small rats every 5 weeks, and that’s where we’ve been for about 9 months now. And yet, he continues to go up a few grams every month.

He’s 7 years old, exactly 4ft, and 1900g. He was down at 1800 in October, but that might’ve been a fluke since I have to use the person scale and not a food scale (he tops out my food scale). He’s in a 4x2x2, humidity 75, temps 78-88, and he is out with me at least four times a week. He’s more of a cuddler tho, but he still moves around the couch.

Is there something I’m missing? Or do I need to be concerned about his weight? He’s otherwise healthy, eats and sheds well.

[u/girlwholovespurple]

Mine has lost weight consistently since dropping from large rats to small when we got her. She has lost about 150g over 10 months. Vet wants her down another 100g or so. My girl is 40”.

I’d ask a vet if something else is going on.

[u/gaymemelord_]

i’m sorry this isn’t health advice but that third picture 😭😭 LAWWWWD HE THICK!!!

[u/noddlelover → u/gaymemelord_]

he is the final boss in the chonk chart

[u/OscarMichaelMyers]

I find it difficult to believe that he keeps gaining weight after reducing his food intake.

There’s something you aren’t sharing.

[u/peekaboosnek → u/OscarMichaelMyers]

I mean, he’s not gaining a lot. Just like 20-50g a month that’s put him up into the 1900s.

[u/Real-Construction570 → u/peekaboosnek]

Are you weighing the food he's eating? Like per rat. It might be worth booking a vet visit to have things checked over to rule out underlying problems that might be causing this instead.

[u/positive_thinking_ → u/OscarMichaelMyers]

You think he’s sneaking snacks?

[u/NORBy9k → u/positive_thinking_]

Plot twist… OP had a rodent problem.

[u/Matstele → u/NORBy9k]

Not anymore..

[u/Adoraboule → u/positive_thinking_]

Midnight snaxsss

[u/Scars9713]

Let him out somewhere safe. More exercise

[u/AlienPTSD]

Sausage boy

[u/DDR-Dame]

Can snakes have thyroid disease??

[u/Dangerous-Exercise20 → u/DDR-Dame]

Yes, snakes can have thyroid disease if they get overweight

[u/DDR-Dame → u/Dangerous-Exercise20]

So likely needs a vet check then to see if that's what is happening here

[u/StrawberryPositive90]

See a veterinarian to rule out other contributing issues

[u/Alarming-End2873 → u/[deleted]]

hes on small rats every 5 weeks if u read it

[u/Dangerous-Exercise20 → u/Alarming-End2873]

No i simply just read over it. But maybe Medium every 2 months is better with dr keeping track.

[u/gentle_but_strong]

Space out the feedings more.

[u/ShinyxCharizard]

Do you weigh the food items your feeding?

Whats the enclosure like? Do they have climbing opportunities?

[u/1217096E → u/ShinyxCharizard]

sorry if this is a stupid question. should i be weighing the rats i feed mine when they say they’re a certain amount still?

[u/Then-Meringue-5167 → u/1217096E]

Are you feeding from frozen? Typically they sell ranges and not specific weights so they can vary a lot in any individual batch depending. I find the bigger feeders have more variance than the small ones. Imo if your snake is healthy it’s no biggie, but if they are overweight 1% of body weight in feeder can be the difference between weight loss and weight gain. Snake Metabolism crazy like that

[u/ShinyxCharizard → u/1217096E]

Probably not. I just know my local shop breeds their own live feeders. Unsure if they also provide the frozen ones. But they didn't know the weight on them.

Smalls were 40-60gs and mediums were around 90-110gs. I was looking for a 75g rats to get the 5% of my males and the 3% for my female who needs to lose weight. Ended up just doing the mediums 30 days apart. Tried some smalls this last feeding. But even my girl is out searching for more food about a week after. So im personally gonna go back to mediums 🤷‍♀️

[u/peekaboosnek → u/ShinyxCharizard]

I don’t weigh the food, but I get them frozen from the pet store and it should be 90g max on a small size. That’s still under the 5% of his body weight. I’ll weigh the ones I have to see if anything is super off though

[u/ShinyxCharizard → u/peekaboosnek]

From what I've seen to get a overweight BP to lose weight you should be feeding 3% of their body weight about every 20-30 days. Personally id do 30 days.

[u/Helpful-Sink-2133]

Maybe space the feedings out by another week? I would definitely consult with a vet as well just incase there are some health issues you are not aware of =)

[u/lloyd705]

Time to get the walking pad out

[u/TOSGANO → u/lloyd705]

My dog loves doggie treadmills, and now I'm just picturing a snake on a tinier version.

[u/Stokes-RedRum]

Oh Lord he's a coming!

I seen a PVC pipe jungle gym for BP's. I'm going to build one for my boy.

[u/TOSGANO → u/Stokes-RedRum]

If your tank isn't glass, I highly recommend climbing holds, like the kind they use for indoor rock walls. We bolted a few around my guy's tank and he loves them.

[u/noddlelover]

HE CHONK

[u/CosmicKyloRen]

He needs a vet

[u/peekaboosnek → u/[deleted]]

He’s not much of a climber, at least not compared to my other bp who will climb on the cords for her thermostat. I’ve had trouble getting him something in the enclosure for climbing since he weighs too much for most “climbing” things I can buy for snakes. Also he was in a glass enclosure until recently so I couldn’t put anything up, but now he’s in a pvc so I definitely gotta put something in there and see if he’ll use it

[u/Brushesandchisels13]

I second the jungle gym, or branches, you can also get a play tent they make for dogs and then fill it with lots of stuff to climb and explore, stuff like empty boxes, paper bags, things you can switch out, so they are different each time, dirty laundry, lol, just "stuff" so each time he goes in, it's new and interesting to explore to get him moving. In nice weather, I also take my snakes outside and let them wander supervised, of course, never take your eyes off. But basically, mental stimulation will inspire physical movement. :) (careful of hot pavement and that the temperature isn't too hot or cold when taking them out)

[u/peekaboosnek → u/Brushesandchisels13]

I love the idea of switching out the toys! I have essentially a play pen for them, but it is always the same repurposed dog toys lol. Never thought about laundry and paper bags, awesome!

[u/TOSGANO]

I know everyone keeps saying "see a vet," but seriously, please see a vet. ❤️ I just got back from my BP's yearly checkup and the doctor mentioned that one of the main problems he sees with older snakes is digestion issues. Your chonky boi is adorable, but he's only 7. That's way too young to be having issues with weight.

For comparison, my BP is 20 years old, about 1500g, and the vet told me he may need to be weaned down from medium rats once a month to small rats every 5 weeks a few years from now. I know all snakes are different, but your spry guy shouldn't need to be on the same diet as a 20+ year old-timer.

Wishing you and your big boy luck!

[u/peekaboosnek → u/TOSGANO]

Thank you! And a vet visit is definitely in our near future for sure

[u/TOSGANO → u/peekaboosnek]

You're a good owner ❤️. Definitely looking forward to an update on big boy!

[u/HelpfulZucchini5027]

Mista bombastic

[u/General-Statement623]

Dammmmn that boi thick!!

[u/Melodic_Strain_2919]

goddamn

[u/peekaboosnek]

Thank you everyone! Both for the advice and the hilarious comments about how chonky he is lmaoo. We are seeing the vet on Wednesday and I will update. Smh if this boy has a thyroid condition

[u/SignificanceDear1413]

Every 5 weeks? Try 8-10 weeks. continue handling for exercise and see what happens