🦎 Introduction
Is your leopard gecko or crested gecko refusing food? Don’t panic—appetite loss is common, especially if you’ve recently changed their environment, food, or setup.
In this guide, we’ll break down the 9 most common reasons geckos stop eating, and give you practical, beginner-friendly tips to help them start eating again.
⚠️ 1. Shedding Phase
During shedding, geckos often lose appetite for a few days. They may:
- Hide more
- Turn pale or dull
- Rub against décor
✅ Fix: Wait 2–3 days post-shed. Offer soft insects like silkworms. Mist the enclosure lightly to help the process.
🌡️ 2. Incorrect Temperature
Cold tanks = poor digestion = no appetite. Your gecko needs a warm hide between 88–92°F (31–33°C) for proper digestion.
✅ Fix:
- Use a digital thermostat with a heat mat
- Check temps with an infrared gun
- Don’t rely on stick-on thermometers
🧼 3. Stress From New Environment
Just got your gecko? New environments often cause temporary appetite loss.
✅ Fix:
- Reduce handling for the first week
- Avoid tank rearrangements
- Keep lighting dim and consistent
🐛 4. Bored of Insects / Poor Insect Quality
Some geckos get picky or refuse poorly gut-loaded bugs.
✅ Fix:
- Switch up feeders (try silkworms, BSFL, or roaches)
- Gut-load 24h before feeding
- Dust properly with calcium and vitamins
🛏️ 5. Impaction
If your gecko ate loose substrate or bugs too big for it, impaction could be the cause. Symptoms:
- No poop for days
- Swollen belly
- Dragging hind legs (severe cases)
✅ Fix:
- Soak in warm shallow water for 10–15 mins
- Gently massage belly
- See an exotic vet if no poop in 4+ days
🧠 6. Brumation (in adults only)
In winter, some adult geckos enter a light dormancy. Appetite drops, activity slows.
✅ Fix:
- Keep temperatures consistent
- Offer food weekly
- Monitor weight but don’t force feed
🦷 7. Mouth Injury or Illness
Check for:
- Swollen jaw
- Discolored gums
- Refusal to open mouth
✅ Fix: Vet check is necessary. Could be mouth rot, abscess, or broken jaw.
👁️ 8. Parasites or Illness
If your gecko is:
- Rapidly losing weight
- Pooping watery or smelly droppings
- Lethargic
✅ Fix: Bring fresh poop to a reptile vet for parasite testing.
🥄 9. Wrong Feeding Method
Young or shy geckos may not eat from bowls or your fingers.
✅ Fix:
- Use feeding tongs
- Try dropping insects in front of them
- Feed during dusk (they’re nocturnal!)
🐾 Conclusion
A gecko skipping one meal isn’t always a cause for concern. But if your gecko hasn’t eaten in 5–7 days, it’s time to investigate.
Start by checking temperature, stress, and food variety. If you’ve ruled out basic causes and the issue persists, consult a reptile vet.