How Do I Know If My Crested Gecko Is Eating?

There are a couple of signs that you can look for to determine whether your little guy is eating or not.

One of the most common signs that your crested gecko is eating is when it excretes waste, which is poop.

But, there are also some other ways to ensure this, and you need to know the exact process in detail.

Want to know more in detail?

Let’s move on…

Signs that your Crested Gecko is Eating Properly

Here are the detailed explanations:

1) Check for Poop

When your gecko eats, it eventually needs to go to the bathroom, just like any other animal.

So, the best way to tell if your gecko is eating is to check for poop. If you see poop in the cage, it means your gecko is eating and digesting its food properly.

However, there is an easy way I use to check if my gecko poop correctly or not!

Here’s how:

Place paper towels on the floor of the cage. It will give you a clean and easily visible surface to spot any poop.

If you see poop on the paper towels, your gecko is eating and digesting its food correctly!

Related: Crested Gecko Poop: What Does Healthy Poop Look Like?

2) Look for Lick Marks in the Food Bowl

When a gecko eats, it doesn’t chew like humans or some other animals.

Instead, it licks its food.

This means it will moisten the powdered diet with its tongue and eat it.

As a result, you can sometimes see evidence of this behavior in the food bowl.

• Take a close look at the dish or container where you place your crested gecko’s food.
• Check the sides of the food bowl carefully for any signs that the powdered diet has been licked or moistened.
• If you do find these marks, it’s a good sign!

It indicates that your gecko has been actively eating by using its tongue to lick the food.

Crested geckos have a unique way of eating, and these marks are like little clues that they’ve been enjoying their meals.

Tip: monitor your crested gecko’s weight weekly with digital scales that weigh to the nearest 0.01 grams. If you notice a sudden weight loss, your gecko isn’t eating and digesting food properly.

3) Offer Food Proactively

If you’ve recently brought a new crested gecko home, it might take some time for it to feel comfortable and start eating regularly.

However, if a week goes by, and your gecko still hasn’t eaten, you can take a more hands-on approach to help them.

Here’s what you can do:

1. Get a small container, like a bottle cap.
2. Put a small amount of specially designed crested gecko food, such as Pangea or Repashy, in the container.
3. Gently place this container with the food inside your gecko’s enclosure.

This “hand-feeding” method can do a couple of things!

First. it makes the food more accessible, so your gecko can easily see and smell it.

Sometimes, just seeing the food up close can stimulate their appetite, making them more likely to start eating.

Once your gecko begins eating on its own (you’ll notice them licking or nibbling at the food), you can gradually stop hand-feeding and let them eat independently.

Remember, crested geckos don’t eat much, so it might be challenging to tell if your gecko is eating at all. However, by following the steps outlined above, you will be able to spot this easily.

How To Prevent Eating Problems?

You don’t have to do anything complicated, just a few simple steps will work!

First, make sure your crested gecko lives in a proper enclosure that is the right size and has the right humidity levels.

A comfortable home will help your gecko feel relaxed and more willing to eat.

Next, provide a diverse diet that includes both ready-made crested gecko food and live insects. This ensures your gecko gets all the necessary nutrients.

And most importantly, avoid trying to force-feed your crested gecko, as it can lead to stress and worsen the problem.

Instead, place food in a designated spot in the tank and let your gecko eat when it’s ready.

F.A.Q.s

Q: How often should I expect my crested gecko to eat?

Crested geckos are typically nocturnal feeders, and they should eat every other day.

Juvenile geckos may require more frequent feedings.

Q: What are the signs that my crested gecko is eating enough?

Signs of a well-fed crested gecko include a stable weight, a healthy appearance, and visible food remnants in their feeding dish.

Q: How much should I be feeding my crested gecko in one sitting?

A general guideline is to offer about as much food as the gecko can consume in 15 minutes.

Adjust the portion size based on their appetite and size.