leopard gecko will only eat waxworms

[zacho-and-izzy-666]

help! my gecko will only eat waxworms ive tryed her with mealworms, crickets and hoppers still no luck but i have been away for 2 weeks and she now waits at the bowl does that mean she is happy to have waxworms? or should i put some mealworms in to make her think there waxworms? help!
thanks

 

[Yoshi'smom]

I would definitely try to get your leo to eat something else. Waxworms are a horrible diet. They're really not good for your leo! Try to tempt her with the mealworms.

 

[zacho-and-izzy-666]

tried them and hoppers and crickiets still no luck

 

[Riverside Reptiles]

You need to get her off of waxworms. This is one of the biggest reasons that people should not use waxworms even as a "treat". Once used to them, many leos don't want to switch. Try tropical roach or other insects that you might be able to find at local pet shops. Try giving her nothing for a few days and then giving her something like a cricket or roach or mealworm. Mealworms are not a good diet either, but they're better than waxworms.

 

[Mardy]

Sometimes the only way to make them eat something else is to keep a dish of mealworms/superworms in there, and just stop feeding them waxworms for a few days or more. When they get hungry, they will devour the mealworms/superworms, and hopefully will start eating fine again.

It may seem cruel to starve them, but they can live a long time off their stored fat, and you are doing them a favor by getting them off the waxworm addiction.

 

[zacho-and-izzy-666]

thanks will try the info

 

[Gecko Ranch]

The only reason they get hooked on a high fat food is because you let them. Now you have to do "tough love"- best to only present food for a short time, let's say an hour or so. If they do not eat it, take it away completely. Put a few days in between feedings, let them get hungry. In the wild they do not have a waiter following them around with a plate of food all the time.

 

[Riverside Reptiles]

It may seem cruel to starve them, but they can live a long time off their stored fat, and you are doing them a favor by getting them off the waxworm addiction.

It's definitely not cruel, and it's not really "starving" them. In the wild, these animals do not eat on a daily basis. Going a few days without being fed is no issue at all for them.

 

[LightShow]

If your are really concerned about not wanting to starve her then you can feed her slushy if she refuses to eat then get her to try something else.

Here is slushy mix

(provided byMarcia of GoldenGateGeckos)

"In a blender, combine:
1 small can Hill's A/D pet food (available at most vets)
1/4-1/3 cup Ensure (not chocolate)
1 jar baby food squash
1/4-1/3 cup Pedialite
2 tablets or contents of 2 capsules milk thistle (herbal supplement, liver purifier, found at most drug stores.)
1/2 tsp. each calcium powder and herp vitamin powder
1 large handful of mealworms, added slowly while mixture is blending

Puree all ingredients until completely smooth, and pour into ice cube tray(s) and freeze. Store cubes in zip-lock bag in the freezer until ready to use, then thaw out 1 cube at a time and store in fridge for 2-3 days. I use the empty baby food jar for this purpose, washing it thoroughly after each batch.

This is much healthier then waxworms anyway and will help her get a different taste in her mouth

 

[zacho-and-izzy-666]

good news! she has started to ignore wax worms and she is going for crickets and mealworms thank you to all

 

[Riverside Reptiles]

Great! Now keep her off of waxworms!!! They're not good for her in any way shape or form. All they will do is cause future issues!

 

[Yoshi'smom]

This is good news! I would never let her see another waxworm in her life! She may be tempted to relapse!

 

[zacho-and-izzy-666]

i suppose it was my fault really she was always getting one evertime i won a kart race which was like ever sunday!