So how long can leopard geckos go without food? If you’ve recently decided to take on keeping leopard geckos, then you should be well aware of how long leopard geckos can go without food. This and other dietary needs are some of the information you should know offhand.
Usually, leopard geckos can stay without eating for up to 1-2 weeks. At this point, the geckos survive on the fat stored in their thick tail. It’s normal for leopard geckos to go for periods without food; this is one adaptation method that helps them during the cold season. Plus, they don’t necessarily need food to generate body heat, unlike mammals.
You do not need so much knowledge as to keeping a leopard gecko as they are low to maintain and easy to care for.
However, you should know about their feeding, factors affecting their eating habits, and other helpful information. Keep reading to get all the necessary information you need.
How Long Can Leopard Geckos Go Without Food?
Leopard geckos can go without food for as long as 10 to 14 days. It’ll use fat stored in its tail to survive during this period. If you own a leopard gecko, you must always provide it with clean water when it stops eating.
Although the leopard gecko can go an extended period without food, it can get dehydrated quickly after 3 days.
Leopard geckos can restrain from eating for a number of normal reasons, while others might need to check in with a reptile vet.
As a pet owner, you should see to it that your gecko is free from any sort of injury when they stop feeding.
Factors That Affect How Long Leopard Geckos Can Go Without Food
There are times when your leopard gecko may go without eating, some of which are normal, while others could be signs of an illness in your pet.
Whatever reason it may be, you’d want to know why. Below are some of the reasons that could impact how long leopard geckos go without food.
Your Leopard Gecko Might Be Stressed.
Stress is a major factor when it comes to how long leopard geckos can go without food. When stressed, leopard geckos tend to refuse to eat.
There are a number of things that can stress out your leopard gecko, including illness and sudden changes in the environment. Others include housing them with another gecko and unideal temperature within the cage.
Tail wagging, hiding(for a long period), and display of dull colors are some of the common signs of stress in leopard geckos. If you notice any of these signs, it’s important you take your pet to the vet.
Unstable Temperature
For a leopard gecko to digest food, it needs a temperature of around 88 degrees Fahrenheit and above. When there’s a drop in temperature, and the gecko becomes cold, it’ll be difficult to digest food, and this discomfort will cause the gecko to stop eating.
If the floor of your leopard gecko tank doesn’t have the right degree, be sure to measure the temperature and make some adjustments.
Your Gecko is Injured or in Pain.
Injuries and pain can also contribute to how long leopard geckos can go without eating. Eye injury, tail injury, toe injury, and abscesses are common injuries that can stop your gecko from eating.
Eye injuries can result in vision problems making it difficult for your pet to see its food. Consult your vet if you notice any sign of pain or injuries in your pet.
Your Gecko is Going Through The Brumation Process
Brumation is similar to hibernation, and it affects how long leopard geckos can go without eating. Leopard geckos usually brumate during the cold seasons.
It’s normal for your leopard gecko to go without food during brumation if you provide the right temperature for a brumation phase(between 50 °F and 59 °F).
At this time, you must provide them with clean water and closely watch them, so they don’t lose too much weight. Weight loss could indicate sickness, so if noticed, consult the vet.
Your Gecko Has Contracted a Disease
Respiratory infection and some other diseases like metabolic bone disease (MBD) can stop your gecko from eating.
Ensure that your gecko doesn’t come down with a respiratory infection and that its tank humidity is at the right levels, usually 30-40%. You should consult your vet if you notice any respiratory infection in your leopard gecko.
Breeding Season
It’s usual for leopard geckos to go without food during the breeding season. Both male and female geckos stop eating for days or even several weeks.
When this happens, rather than make them eat forcefully, it’s advisable to keep an eye on them. This is so that they don’t lose much weight, which could be a sign of a more difficult issue.
Your Gecko Might Be Experiencing Impaction
When it comes to how long leopard geckos can go without food, Impaction or gut blockage is another factor. This can cause your gecko to stop eating.
To avoid that, visit your vet. Symptoms of impaction include vent prolapse, reduced activity, loss of appetite, and abdomen swelling.
Conclusion
When it comes to how long can leopard geckos can go without food, it depends on their age range. Matured leopard geckos can stay without food for two weeks, while young ones only go up to 10 days without eating.
You should check to see that improper care or illness isn’t the reason your gecko is refusing to eat. Call your vet if you notice any unusual signs with your reptile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The rule is to provide them with as much food as they can eat within a period of 15 minutes. At the end of the time, you’d have to catch and take out the insects remaining from the tank. Knowing the amount of food to feed your gecko isn’t that difficult; all you should know is the length of your leopard gecko.
As opposed to how long leopard geckos can go without eating, it takes about 1-3 days for them to survive without water. They can get easily dehydrated if they go longer, and this can possibly lead to death. To make sure your leopard gecko is in good health, you should change its drinking water every day.
If there’s a case of your gecko refusing to eat, you should check the gecko to know what could possibly cause it not to eat and make some adjustments where necessary. It could be that the gecko isn’t familiar with the new environment, and this can affect how long leopard geckos can go without eating.
To properly feed your gecko, you need a steady supply of worms and insects. Insects and worms commonly fed to leopard geckos are crickets, mealworms, Dubia roaches, and wax worms. You want to ensure your gecko gets the right diet, and fortunately, they can be found easily online, in your local pet store, or bait shop.
