My leopard gecko has stuck shed after its first time. What to do?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
I’ve had my leopard gecko for 3 weeks now and he shedded for the first time. I’ve noticed his skin is pretty dry but he’s eating and pooping fine. He’s not used to me yet and is just getting used to crawling over my hand, so I can’t get it off myself yet. I don’t know what to do.
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on May 7th, 2020
You can soak him in a warm bath for 15-30 minutes to aid in shedding. Also, provide a moist hide on each side of the tank during sheds. This is done by adding moistened moss to the hide. The increased humidity aids in shedding. Do not pull any loose shed off by hand. That may cause injury.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on December 12th, 2017
Hi, This is usually the results of abnormal shedding. Please make sure that you are providing Gecky with the correct conditions (care sheets are available online e.g. on the Petco website). As to removing these pieces of skin, you can wet them down 2-3 times/ day and rub them very very gently with a wet gauze. It may take several days before they come off. Be patient.
7Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Training & Behavior
Hello, my leopard gecko shed a few days ago and all the sudden today I noticed this in her eye. It doesn’t move, it doesn’t seem to bug her too much. She occasionally licks at it but keeps her eye open. What could this be and what should I do?
This could be a bit of shed skin or the eyelid shed that has gotten stuck on the eye. Leopard geckos shed the skin on the eyelids but not over the eyes (eye caps). Occasionally, some shed can stick. Try soaking him in some warm water or placing him in a warm, humid hide ( make sure there is air flow) for 15-20 minutes. Afterwards, use a moistened cotton swab to gently dislodge it. Do not pull or force it in any way. If it won't come off, have him seen by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My leo gecko is looking extremely dry but i can’t see that his skin is shedding or starting to peel anywhere. Is it a good idea to put him in a bath? Could his discoloration be related to sickness?
You can soak him for 15-20 minutes in a warm bath to provide hydration as well as to aid in shedding. Do this 2 or three times weekly during a shed. Without an image or physical exam, it is difficult to determine if his coloration is due to illness or injury.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Our leopard gecko has dried skin stuck in his eyes, and he cannot open them, and on top of his head. How can we help him?
Hi, This is usually the results of abnormal shedding. Please make sure that you are providing Gecky with the correct conditions (care sheets are available online e.g. on the Petco website). As to removing these pieces of skin, you can wet them down 2-3 times/ day and rub them very very gently with a wet gauze. It may take several days before they come off. Be patient.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My leopard gecko cannot shed his skin on his toes. I am spraying his tank with water to keep it moist and I have made a "shed box" with wet moss but he still cannot shed. He has lost his tail before because the dry skin cut off circulation on it, and
Try the following: Give your leopard gecko a bath. Make sure the water is lukewarm and not too deep. Geckos can swim, however you need to be present so he does not drown. or make a moisture chamber: use a tupperware, spray bottle, and a paper towel. Spray or wet the paper towel. Put the paper towel inside the tupperware. Put your leopard gecko inside the tupperware for 30 minutes. You can repeat this as often as you need. Take a wet q-tip and gently rub the skin off after moisturizing. you may also need to use tweezers to gently pick off the shed. Your gecko may not like it, and may get stressed, but this is not as bad as losing toes.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I got my leopard gecko from petco and they didn't take care of her toes when she shed so the shedded skin tightened and now she seems to be losing part of her toes. What do I do?
You may need to have April examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles. If the blood supply has been compromised by stuck shed, the toes will indeed die. This could be painful and may lead to infection. Soak her in warm water for 15-20 minutes daily to help with any shedding. She may need minor surgery to remove dead or dying tissue.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
We have a 6-9 month old leopard gecko. He is currently shedding at his head and tail and acting very lethargic. This is a rapid change from a few days ago. He seems lighter too. Any thoughts or insights would be most appreciated.
Thanks for your question about Leo lela, and I am sorry that this is happening to you both! Typically leopard geckos should shed all of their skin in a short period of time, and they often eat it so owners may not realize they have shed at all. When we see shed sticking around, like in Leo lela's case, we begin to worry about dysecdysis (retained shed). This is common when there are imperfections in the husbandry that is provided. Most frequently, there is not enough humidity present. For leopard geckos, we recommend having a humid hide available for them that is lined with moist sphagnum moss. It is recommended to have a humid hide on the warm end of the enclosure as well as the cool end to provide your gecko with options regarding humidity. As far as him being lighter - I am not sure if you mean lighter in color, which may be associated with the shedding, or lighter in weight. If you mean lighter in weight, then I would be concerned that he has an underlying issue occurring. To hel
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
my Savannah monitor lizards front hands seem to bug him there is also some stuck shed, what should i do?
GIve him a good long soak, at least 30 minutes, in a warm bath. During the bath, use cotton swabs or a washcloth to gently rub his toes. This should remove any stuck shed. If not, have him seen by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles. Do not pull at any stuck skin.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi, my leopard gecko has not been opening his eye for almost a month now, I assume he has some remaining eye caps in his eyes, he will open his eyes when I pick him up and it's all white. But since yesterday, I bought the zoomed repti shedding aid fo
Place him in a warm, moist hide or container for about 30 minutes. Make sure there is adequate ventilation and that he doesn't get too cold. This should help remove the eye caps. Geckos usually have problems with the eyelid liner, not caps like snakes. If this is the case or if the cloudiness persists, have him examined by your vet or an experienced herp vet.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hello, I have a 3/4 year old leopard gecko. He hasn’t been eating too much recently and looks like he is getting underweight. He hasn’t opened his one eye in two days despite me gently rubbing it with a damp Q-tip. I have tried to give him a couple d
He may have a retained eye cap which could be the cause of those symptoms. Check temps in the cage. Low temps may affect appetite and activity in reptiles. Soak him in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte for 15-20 minutes. This will provide warmth and may treat or prevent minor dehydration. It may also help is he has any residual shed. You can also massage his abdomen, front to back, during the soak to stimulate defecation. I see you use sand as a substrate, so an impaction is always a concern. Pick up some Fluker's Repta Boost or Oxbow Carnivore Care from the local pet store. This is a better option than baby food. If he doesn't start eating in the next few days or if the eye does not improve, have him seen by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I tried to soak my Leopard Gecko's foot in lukewarm water for about 20-30 seconds to get some stuck shed off his toes, I got the shed off but now he isn't as active and isn't moving around as much as he normally does. He was running around because he
It is likely he was stressed. Give him some time to settle down and he should be fine. Keep an eye on his feet and toes. If there is any discoloration, have him examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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