Reptile & Amphibian Forums

ok that is the last draw he will NOT eat...... i need to force feed , i didnt want it to come to this... how is it done????

Its done by taking him to the vets and finding out why he/she is not eating.

If a leopard gecko is healthy and happy they will eat. There is either something wrong with your setup or something wrong with the Leo. These are the only reasons they wouldn't eat.

Take it to the vet get it checked and if needed HE will show you how to force feed your gecko. But from what I have read its a last resort.

You can break your geckos jaw by force feeding, should only ever be done under the advice and supervision of your vet, and they usually won't recommend it.

However, you CAN assist feed, and this is how it's done. You make a mixture of turkey baby food and a little ensure or fruit juice, add a little calcium powder and vitamin mix, and a couple drops of flax seed oil if you can find. gently dab the mixture on the end of the gecko's nose and wait patiently for it to begin licking it off. If the animal lecks a lot , and oral syringe of eye dropper can help you offer more food at a steady rate while the gecko is still licking.

You can also take a mealworm, pinch off the head, and squeeze the guts out like toothpaste and dab on end of animals' nose for gecko to lick off. I find they like the taste better and are more receptive if you remove the black string of guts.