Why won't my lizard eat and is losing weight? What can I do?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Hi i can't get my lizard to eat,she's very thin,more like skin and bones,have tried force feeding her life food,but she's being stubborn and getting weaker an weaker everyday. Kind Regards Trish
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on August 30th, 2017
Have her examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles to diagnose illness or injury. Submit a stool sample to diagnose intestinal parasites or bacterial overgrowth. Confirm proper environmental parameters. Low temps can affect appetite and digestion in reptiles. Be sure to feed appropriately sized prey, nothing bigger than the space between her eyes.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on August 13th, 2017
Check the temperature an dlighting. Low temps can affect appetite and digestion in reptiles. Offer a biologically appropriate diet. This can include a commercial pelleted or stick diet, and being omnivorous, should also include insects, fresh fruit and vegetables. See your veterianrian or vet experienced in treating reptiles if she does not regain her appetite.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
I have a lizard that got out of his cage and was missing ... we found him about a week ago. He is very skinny and won't open his eyes. He's not eating or drinking. I just got home tonight and his laying in the water bowl and has lost his tail. I don'
Have him examined by your veterinarian or an experienced herp vet to diagnose and treat any infection related to the loss of the tail. In the meantime, increase tank temps by about 5-10 degrees F, soak daily in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte for 20 minutes. Once he warms up and rehydrates, offer appropriately sized prey. Gutload prey for 24 hours prior to offering to maximize nutritional value. Supplement with a product such as Fluker's Repti-Boost to get weight back on him. You can clean the stump with diluted betadine or chlorhexidine. Use paper towels for substrate until the stump is healed.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My lowered geck has a very thin tail. I give him crickets, mealworms and wax worms but in 4 months ago he stopped hunting in general. He won’t go for any cricket... I have to force feed him. He had a heat pad a lights warm, cold and moist hide
Make sure any prey is appropriately sized, no bigger than the space between his eyes. They should be gut loaded for at least 24 hours prior to offering to maximize nutritional value. Consider adding LaFeber’s Emeraid for Carnivores, Oxbow’s Carnivore Critical Care or Fluker's Repti-Boost to get weight on him. Submit a stool sample to your herp veterinarian to diagnose intestinal parasites. If there are cryptosporidium in his stool, they may be responsible for his condition.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Training & Behavior
My frilled lizard isn't eating and I'm worried
The easiest thing to do is to check tank temperature. Low temps can affect appetite in reptiles. Next, look in and around the mouth for signs of infection or injury. This may include redness, swelling, bruising, bleeding or discharge. If you see anything suspicious, you'll need to have your lizard physically examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles. For now, soak in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte for 15-20 minutes daily. This will provide warmth and hydration. Be sure to feed appropriately sized prey, no bigger than the space between the eyes.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
She is currently neglecting food and treats. Is this a problem?
Check the temperature an dlighting. Low temps can affect appetite and digestion in reptiles. Offer a biologically appropriate diet. This can include a commercial pelleted or stick diet, and being omnivorous, should also include insects, fresh fruit and vegetables. See your veterianrian or vet experienced in treating reptiles if she does not regain her appetite.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My Pet is a mid size lizard. Tegu began to tremble upper and lower toes. I could see his muscles spaz. He really cares for no food such as crickets and worms. He had a mouse 5 days ago. There was some soured watermelon in his cage I removed. I rea
Check the temperature in his enclosure. Low temps can affect appetite in reptiles. If he isn't eating or not exposed to high quality UVB lighting, he can become calcium deficient which could account for the tremors. If he is less than 30 inches long, confirm a basking temp of around 115 F. If he is bigger, bump basking temp to between 125 F and 135 F. Multiple lower wattage lights over a larger area are recommended over one high intensity light source. Try to get him to eat and offer a calcium supplement. If you can get a liquid supplement, that would be best right now. Zoo Med and Fluker's offer such a supplement.Soak him in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte to treat or prevent minor dehydration. if he doesn't eat or if the tremors worsen, have him examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles as soon as possible.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My adult female gecko Mochi Pancake hasn't been eating in the last 4 or 5 days. I usually feed her 2-3 superworms every 3 days. I wave worms in front of her but she just turns away.
Check the temps in the enclosure. Low temps can affect appetite in reptiles. Make sure the worms are appropriately sized, no bigger than the space between her eyes. Soak her in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte. this will provide warmth and hydration. If she hasn't defecated, a gentle abdominal massage, front to back, during the soak may cause her to poop. Offer other prey such as dubia roaches or crickets. Be sure to gut load them for 24 hours prior to offering to maximize nutritional value.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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You I have an african fat-tailed gecko. Recently hes lost a lot of weight, his spine is showing, his tail is very thin and he is very wobbly when walking around. He is only around 8 years old. How can I help.him??
Submit a stool sample to your veterinarian to diagnose intestinal parasites or bacterial overgrowth. Confirm proper environmental parameters, especially temperature. Low temps can affect appetite, digestion and activity in reptiles. Be sure to supplement adequately with calcium as well as other minerals and a multivitamin powder. If symptoms persist, considering an exam with your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
New Pet
Help my bearded dragon is looking too slim and not eating much. His skin is lose and wrinkly. I got him as a rescue he seems to have been malnourished and neglected. All he wants to do is be in a blanket burrito and be on me. He is so sweet, help m
First, have him physically examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles to diagnose and treat any underlying medical causes. Submit a stool sample to diagnose intestinal parasites. Confirm proper environmental parameters, especially temperature. Low temps can affect appetite and digestion in reptiles. You can review dragon care at the link below. http://www.anapsid.org/bearded.html Offer a variety of prey including, crickets, dubia roaches, mealworms and phoenix worms. Butterworms can be used as treats to get some weight on him. Gut load all prey for 24 hours prior to offering to maximize nutritional value. This can be done by feeding a high protein baby cereal, tropical fish and fresh fruits and greens.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My Water Dragon is lethargic, Loose/Snotty stools all over the enclosure, sleeping a lot and not eating and losing weight.
Submit a stool sample to your veterinarian or an experienced herp vet to diagnose intestinal parasites or bacterial overgrowth. Confirm proper environmental parameters. Low temperatures can affect activity, appetite and digestion in reptiles. Soak him in a warm 50 /50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte for 20 minutes. This can warm him up and may treat or prevent minor dehydration. Offer appropriately sized crickets and mealworms as well as fresh, chopped greens and fruits. Follow the link below for more information regarding care. http://www.anapsid.org/waterdragons.html
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I have an African Fat Tail Gecko that is 14 years old. I don't know his sex, but he's adorable. He is eating, shedding and appearing normal, Except he is all of a sudden extremely thin. Almost skeletal in his head area and his body is smaller, althou
Have him examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles to diagnose illness or injury. Submit a stool sample to diagnose intestinal parasites. Confirm proper environmental parameters which may be affecting his appetite and digestion. If he will eat more, offer more prey. Gut load them for 24 hours to maximize nutritional value. Dust several times weekly with appropriate calcium and vitamin supplements. . Soak in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte. Do this daily for 10-15 minutes to prevent or treat mild dehydration. Do not hesitate to post additional questions or request a consultation for more detailed information.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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