Re: He won't eat. :(

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Iguana & Water Dragon Forum ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by Iguanamomma on October 17, 2000 at 13:58:32:

In Reply to: He won't eat. :( posted by sid6581 on October 17, 2000 at 13:37:57:

If you've given the details on this little one, I can't recall them *sorry* So...I'll start from scratch sorta! Go back over what basking temps and cool side temps should be and make sure using a reptile thermometer that you are hitting those marks. If too cool, they won't eat OR if they do eat, they can't digest it properly. And if too cool, parasites such as worms have a nasty way of finding your reptile ;o)

If you can, find out what he was eating before coming to you. If it was a lousy diet, fine...you use the good diet but you can put a little of something that he would eat on top to spark his interest. Next time mix it up with the food....and gradually wean it completely out of the good diet. (Might want to look at Kaplan's advice under Picky Eaters)

AND.....no, it is not uncommon for them to go off food when first arriving in their new home. So you are not at the point to panic *grin* You might want to try holding out a collard green leaf or mustard green leaf and see if he'll tear off bites from it. Some iguanas can get their interest peaked that way.

It may also be that he doesn't like the way you are preparing his food. No joke!! Some like their squash part grated; some prefer it sliced/diced. Some like their leafy vegetables torn in small pieces; some like them medium size; some like to rip them off the stalk. You may just have to play around with it. You might also try just giving 1-3 foods in the serving to see what goes and what stays and add on from there.

It takes some fine tuning. Then just when you think you have it all figured out.....your iguana will decide he doesn't like (fill in the blank) this month *grin* I've had a female for 6 years who always ate her fresh collard/mustard greens. She stopped....went on a hunger strike so to speak. Finally tried something new....bought FROZEN greens. Thawed them and gave them to her and she ate like she'd not seen something so yummy in her life LOL LOL Now 3 months from now she will probably turn her nose up at this and go back to fresh.

So best advice is to keep working on it ;o)

glenda

Follow Ups:

It worked! sid6581 10/17/00 (0)

Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject:

Comments:
: If you've given the details on this little one, I can't recall them *sorry* So...I'll start from scratch sorta! Go back over what basking temps and cool side temps should be and make sure using a reptile thermometer that you are hitting those marks. If too cool, they won't eat OR if they do eat, they can't digest it properly. And if too cool, parasites such as worms have a nasty way of finding your reptile ;o) : If you can, find out what he was eating before coming to you. If it was a lousy diet, fine...you use the good diet but you can put a little of something that he would eat on top to spark his interest. Next time mix it up with the food....and gradually wean it completely out of the good diet. (Might want to look at Kaplan's advice under Picky Eaters) : AND.....no, it is not uncommon for them to go off food when first arriving in their new home. So you are not at the point to panic *grin* You might want to try holding out a collard green leaf or mustard green leaf and see if he'll tear off bites from it. Some iguanas can get their interest peaked that way. : It may also be that he doesn't like the way you are preparing his food. No joke!! Some like their squash part grated; some prefer it sliced/diced. Some like their leafy vegetables torn in small pieces; some like them medium size; some like to rip them off the stalk. You may just have to play around with it. You might also try just giving 1-3 foods in the serving to see what goes and what stays and add on from there. : It takes some fine tuning. Then just when you think you have it all figured out.....your iguana will decide he doesn't like (fill in the blank) this month *grin* I've had a female for 6 years who always ate her fresh collard/mustard greens. She stopped....went on a hunger strike so to speak. Finally tried something new....bought FROZEN greens. Thawed them and gave them to her and she ate like she'd not seen something so yummy in her life LOL LOL Now 3 months from now she will probably turn her nose up at this and go back to fresh. : So best advice is to keep working on it ;o) : glenda

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Iguana & Water Dragon Forum ] [ FAQ ]