How Long Can Leopard Geckos Go without Food?

Comments

Reptile Supply - January 25, 2021

Hi Katie — It sounds like you have an adult leopard gecko, which means that it’s normal for them not to eat every day. While juveniles should be fed daily because they’re still growing, adults will get fat on that routine. Reduce feedings to every other day or every three days, and you should see improvement. If not, take your gecko to an experienced reptile vet for a checkup to make sure he’s not ill.

Reptile Supply - January 25, 2021

Hi Ella — If your leopard gecko has a regular diet of waxworms and mealworms, it’s possible that they may be overweight. In that case, it may actually a good thing for her to fast for a bit and lose some weight. However, make sure to check your basking and air temps to make sure that your gecko is warm enough — cool temps is one of the biggest reasons why reptile stop eating. We also recommend taking your gecko to an experienced reptile vet for a general checkup, as lack of appetite is a symptom of many reptile illnesses.

Mrs Katie lupton - January 25, 2021

Hi
My sons leo hasn’t eaten now for 3 nights we aren’t sure how old it is as pets at home.had no idea when we bought him we have had him about 5 months. He is just over 8 inches long and weighs 51 grams, he is stil having a poo everyday and is acting same when being handled although staying in his hide more when in his tank. Heat mat temp seems fine and cool end is within the range. Should I just continue offering food each night and how long should I leave him.for.
Thanks

Ella - January 25, 2021

I recently got my gecko and she’s 13 months. She hasn’t eaten in two weeks and she’s starting to loose weight, we have tried waxworms and mealworms which she used to eat all the time.

Reptile Supply - January 15, 2021

Hi Kenna — All things considered, it’s likely that your geckos may be entering a winter “fast”, which is fairly normal for adult leos, as they normally brumate in the wild. Keep an eye on their weight (a kitchen scale is useful), and if they lose more than 10% of their body weight, then take them to an experienced reptile vet for examination.

Kenna - January 15, 2021

Hi! I have two female leos (they’ll be a year old in March) and it’s been about fourteen days since either of them have eaten. The temperature in their tank ranges from 90° on the “hot” side and 70° on the cool side. They have a heat mat on the hot side as well. Both are perky and act normally when I interact with them, they’re drinking water and their tails are still nice and fat, but I’m concerned because it doesn’t seem like they’re eating at all. One of them passed stool last night but it was small. Is it possibly because of the temperature outside or the winter season? Please help. :(

Reptile Supply - January 4, 2021

Hi Jamie, if your geckos aren’t eating and even going so far as to regurgitate what they do it, then it’s likely that they are sick. Low basking temps due to insufficient heat and/or improper heat measurement methods is most likely, but there are also other potential causes. Unfortunately, YouTube is not a very good source for reptile information, because few “pet tubers” actually have the credentials to be considered trustworthy sources of information on reptile husbandry. Please read our leopard gecko care sheet at https://reptilesupply.com/blogs/care-sheets/how-to-care-for-your-leopard-gecko, and we also recommend visiting ReptiFiles’ comprehensive care guide at https://reptifiles.com/leopard-gecko-care to reassess and fix your husbandry where needed. Meanwhile, we recommend taking your geckos to an experienced reptile veterinarian for a general check-up.

Reptile Supply - January 4, 2021

Hi Sophie, a 9-month-old leopard gecko is still a growing juvenile, and juveniles are less tolerant of long periods without food than adults. In an emergency your gecko can probably tolerate up to a week without food, as long as water is available. However, this is a special case — not advised as routine practice. You should continue to feed your gecko daily. Offer 2 appropriately-sized bugs per 1 inch of your leopard gecko’s length, or however much they can eat in 15 minutes.

Jamie - January 4, 2021

Purchased two 6 month old leopard geckos, each has their own habitat. I have watched every video on YouTube and am confident the heat and habitats are fine, but, they have not eaten in 12 days now. I change the millworms for fresher ones and introduced 1 to 2 locusts. At one stage one of the locust was eaten but was regurgitated an hour later.
Shall i continue to wait? Or is there something i can do ?

Sophie Rider - January 4, 2021

Hi I have a 9 month old leopard gecko and I wanted to know how long the gecko can go without food