When Geckos Shed, Does It Affect Their Appetite?

Your pet gecko cannot speak to you and tell you if he is not feeling well or if there is a problem in his environment. Anytime your gecko stops eating or seems reluctant to eat, you must examine his behavior closely to determine if the loss of appetite is part of a normal process.

  1. Gecko Shedding

    • Healthy geckos have moist, colorful skin. It is completely normal for a gecko to shed his skin periodically as he outgrows it or it dries out. As a gecko owner, you should expect your gecko to shed multiple times throughout its lifetime.

    Identifying a Shedding Gecko

    • Geckos who are about to shed will fade in color until they are nearly white. As the dry, old skin begins to shed, your gecko may pull the old skin off actively. You may or may not see signs of flaking skin in the living enclosure of a shedding pet gecko, because geckos will eat their shed skin to recover some of the nutrients from it.

    Gecko Appetite

    • It is completely normal for your gecko to stop eating or decrease the daily amount of food he consumes when he is shedding. A shedding gecko who is not eating the food you give him is no cause for concern, as long as he begins eating again once the shedding process is complete. Remember, your gecko will eat the shed skin so he may be eating even if he is not actively eating the food you have provided him.

    A Sick Gecko

    • A loss of appetite can mean that your gecko is sick. Once he has stopped shedding, your gecko should resume eating normally. A gecko that does not resume eating within a few days or shows other signs of illness, such as lethargy or trouble breathing, must be taken to the veterinarian for a complete check-up. Geckos can become sick due to illness, age, poor diet or toxins in their environment. Always consult an experienced veterinarian regarding the health and treatment of your pet.