Leopard geckos are beloved pets across the USA, known for their docile nature and striking appearance.
Your leopard gecko may not be eating due to stress, improper temperature, illness, shedding, or breeding. Check enclosure conditions, try new food, and consult a vet if it persists.
This article explores the nine most common reasons behind this behavior, offering insights and actionable advice to help your pet thrive.
1. Sickness
One of the primary reasons your leopard gecko may stop eating is illness. Common health issues include parasitic infections, respiratory infections, or metabolic bone disease (MBD). Parasites like cryptosporidium can cause weight loss and appetite suppression, while MBD, often due to calcium deficiency, may make eating painful.
What to do: Look for symptoms like lethargy, weight loss, or abnormal stool. If you suspect sickness, consult a reptile-experienced veterinarian promptly. A fecal test can detect parasites, and bloodwork may identify other issues. Ensure your gecko’s diet includes calcium and vitamin D3 supplements to prevent MBD.
2. Cold
Leopard geckos are cold-blooded reptiles that rely on external heat to regulate their body temperature. If their enclosure is too cold, their metabolism slows, leading to reduced appetite. The ideal temperature gradient for a leopard gecko enclosure is 88-92°F on the warm side and 75-80°F on the cool side.
What to do: Check your enclosure’s temperatures using a digital thermometer with a probe. Ensure the heat source (like an under-tank heater or ceramic heat emitter) is functioning. Avoid placing the tank near drafty windows, especially during colder months in the USA. A thermostat can help maintain consistent temperatures.
3. Rehoming
Moving to a new home can be stressful for leopard geckos, causing them to stop eating temporarily. Rehoming disrupts their familiar environment, and it may take time for them to adjust to new sights, sounds, and smells.
What to do: Give your gecko time to acclimate—usually a week or two. Minimize handling during this period and maintain a stable enclosure setup. Offer food every few days, but don’t force-feed. A hide and familiar substrate (like paper towels or tile) can help them feel secure.
4. Impacted Feces
Impaction occurs when a leopard gecko’s digestive tract becomes blocked, often due to ingesting substrate (like sand or loose bedding) or eating oversized prey. This can cause discomfort, leading to a refusal to eat.
What to do: Check for signs like a swollen belly, lack of bowel movements, or straining. Switch to a safe substrate like paper towels or reptile carpet. Offer appropriately sized prey (no larger than the width of your gecko’s head). A warm soak in shallow water may help relieve minor impaction, but severe cases require veterinary attention.
5. Injury
Injuries, such as burns from a malfunctioning heat mat, tail damage, or wounds from tank mates, can cause pain and stress, reducing appetite. Even minor injuries, like a stuck shed, can make your gecko uncomfortable.
What to do: Inspect your gecko for visible injuries or stuck shed, especially around toes and tail. Ensure the enclosure is free of sharp objects and house geckos separately to prevent fights. For stuck shed, provide a moist hide or gentle soak. If you notice burns or open wounds, seek veterinary care immediately.
6. Vision Problems
Leopard geckos rely on their vision to hunt, and issues like conjunctivitis, corneal damage, or retained eyelid skin can impair their ability to see food. Vision problems may also cause them to miss their prey or avoid eating altogether.
What to do: Look for cloudy eyes, squinting, or excessive rubbing. Ensure proper humidity (30-40%) to prevent shedding issues that can affect the eyes. If vision problems persist, a vet may prescribe eye drops or recommend cleaning the eyes with a saline solution. Avoid bright lights in the enclosure, as geckos are nocturnal.
7. Overfeeding
Surprisingly, overfeeding can lead to a leopard gecko refusing food. Offering too much food or feeding too frequently can overwhelm their digestive system, causing them to lose interest in eating. Adult geckos typically eat every 2-3 days, while juveniles eat daily.
What to do: Follow a feeding schedule based on your gecko’s age and size. For adults, offer 4-6 appropriately sized insects (like crickets or mealworms) every few days. Ensure prey is gut-loaded with nutritious food and dusted with calcium powder. Monitor your gecko’s weight to avoid obesity, which can also reduce appetite.
8. Stress
Stress is a significant factor in appetite loss for leopard geckos. Common stressors include loud noises, frequent handling, an overly bright enclosure, or the presence of other pets. A lack of hiding spots can also make them feel exposed.
What to do: Create a calm environment by placing the enclosure in a quiet area of your home. Provide at least two hides—one on the warm side and one on the cool side. Dim the lights, as leopard geckos prefer low-light conditions. Limit handling to 5-10 minutes a day, and avoid sudden movements when interacting with your pet.
9. Breeding Season
During the breeding season (typically spring to early summer), leopard geckos may lose their appetite. Males may focus on mating behaviors, while females may stop eating if they’re gravid (carrying eggs). This is normal but should be monitored.
What to do: If your gecko is healthy and active, a temporary reduction in appetite during breeding season is usually fine. Ensure females have a lay box (a moist hide with substrate like vermiculite) to deposit eggs. Monitor their weight and behavior, and consult a vet if they don’t resume eating after a few weeks.
Additional Tips for Encouraging Eating
If your leopard gecko isn’t eating, try these general tips while addressing the root cause:
- Vary the diet: Offer different insects like dubia roaches, crickets, or waxworms (in moderation) to stimulate interest.
- Check enclosure hygiene: Clean the tank regularly to prevent bacterial buildup that could cause illness.
- Monitor humidity: Keep humidity at 30-40% to support shedding and overall health.
- Be patient: Some geckos go through natural fasting periods, especially in winter, but prolonged refusal to eat warrants investigation.
How Long Can My Leopard Gecko Go Without Eating?
Leopard geckos can survive up to a month without eating, thanks to fat stored in their tails. However, prolonged fasting can lead to weight loss and health issues. Monitor their behavior and weight. If they don’t eat for over two weeks, consult a reptile vet to rule out illness.
Leopard Gecko Not Eating for Months
If your leopard gecko hasn’t eaten for months, it’s a red flag. Possible causes include illness, stress, or improper temperatures. Check enclosure heat (88-92°F warm side) and humidity (30-40%). Look for symptoms like lethargy or weight loss. A vet visit is crucial to diagnose parasites or other health issues.
Leopard Gecko Not Eating but Very Active
An active leopard gecko not eating might be stressed or in breeding season. Ensure the enclosure isn’t too bright or noisy. Offer varied insects like crickets or dubia roaches. If they’re healthy but picky, try live prey. Persistent refusal over two weeks warrants a vet checkup.
Leopard Gecko Not Eating and Sleeping All the Time
Excessive sleeping and not eating could signal illness, low temperatures, or stress. Verify the enclosure’s warm side is 88-92°F. Look for signs like sunken eyes or weight loss. Parasites or respiratory issues might be culprits. Schedule a vet visit if lethargy persists beyond a few days.
My Leopard Gecko Won’t Eat and Is Losing Weight
Weight loss and not eating often indicate illness, impaction, or parasites. Check for a swollen belly or irregular stool. Ensure proper heat and a safe substrate like paper towels. Offer small, gut-loaded insects. If weight loss continues for over a week, see a reptile vet immediately.
Why My Leopard Gecko Is Not Eating and Sleeping
Not eating and excessive sleeping may point to cold enclosure temperatures, sickness, or stress. Ensure the warm side is 88-92°F and provide hides for security. Watch for symptoms like labored breathing. If they don’t perk up in a few days, a vet can diagnose underlying health issues.
Why Is My Leopard Gecko Not Eating but Drinking Water
Drinking water but not eating could mean stress, vision issues, or mild illness. Check for cloudy eyes or stuck shed affecting sight. Ensure proper lighting and a calm environment. Try different prey like waxworms. If they refuse food for over two weeks, consult a vet.
Leopard Gecko Not Eating, Tail Shrinking
A shrinking tail signals your gecko is using fat reserves, likely due to not eating. Causes include illness, stress, or improper heat. Maintain 88-92°F on the warm side and offer varied insects. Rapid tail loss requires a vet visit to check for parasites or metabolic bone disease.
Why Is My Leopard Gecko Not Eating Mealworms?
If your gecko won’t eat mealworms, they might be bored, stressed, or have vision issues. Try live crickets or dubia roaches to spark interest. Ensure mealworms are appropriately sized and gut-loaded. Check enclosure conditions and consult a vet if they refuse all food for weeks.
When to See a Vet
If your leopard gecko hasn’t eaten for more than two weeks, shows significant weight loss, or displays other concerning symptoms (e.g., lethargy, abnormal stool, or swelling), it’s time to consult a reptile vet. In the USA, organizations like the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV) can help you find a qualified professional in your area.
Conclusion
A leopard gecko not eating can be distressing, but understanding the reasons behind it empowers you to take action. From addressing environmental issues like cold or stress to seeking veterinary care for sickness or injury, you can help your pet regain its appetite. By maintaining a proper enclosure, monitoring their health, and responding to their needs, you’ll ensure your leopard gecko remains a happy, healthy companion for years to come.
FAQs
What to Do If My Leopard Gecko Is Not Eating?
Check enclosure heat (88-92°F), offer varied insects, reduce stress. If no eating for two weeks, consult a reptile vet.
How Long Can a Leopard Gecko Go Without Eating?
Leopard geckos can go a month without eating, using tail fat. Over two weeks, see a vet for health checks.
How to Stimulate a Leopard Gecko to Eat?
Offer live crickets or waxworms, ensure proper heat (88-92°F), dim lights, reduce handling. Try different prey to spark interest.
What Does Calcium Deficiency Look Like in Leopard Geckos?
Calcium deficiency causes soft bones, tremors, or deformed limbs. Dust insects with calcium powder; ensure UVB or D3 supplements.
How Often Should a Leopard Gecko Eat?
Juveniles eat daily; adults every 2-3 days. Offer 4-6 small insects per feeding, gut-loaded and dusted with calcium.
