How Long Can Crested Geckos Go Without Food or Water?
Crested geckos stop eating and drinking on different occasions. So, for how long can crested geckos go without food or water? Many new pet owners get scared when this occurs. This article will guide you on why this behavior occurs and what you can do about it.
Crested geckos can go without eating anything for up to 3 weeks. You should consult a vet if your pet gecko has stopped eating and try to solve the problem. Crested geckos can go without water for up to 3 days. Crested geckos may stop eating or drinking due to many reasons, but the most common problem causing this is stress.
Your pet can get dehydrated very easily, and even if it is not eating, you should provide it access to clean drinking water. Baby and juvenile crested geckos can not survive long without food. Baby crested geckos can last as long as five days without eating anything, while juveniles can last for about one week. You should also give baby and juvenile geckos water every day.
How Long Can Crested Geckos Survive Without Food?
Crested geckos take occasional breaks from eating and should be fed every other day. The best time to offer your pet gecko food is in the evening time. You should also be aware of when you should visit a vet and how long can they survive without food.
| Age | Times per week | How long can they go without eating? |
|---|---|---|
| Hatchlings (0-2 months) | 6-7 times a week | 2-3 days |
| Baby (2-6 months) | 5-6 times a week | 5 days. Consult a vet after 3 days. |
| Juvenile (6-12 months) | 4-5 times a week | 1 week. You should consult a vet after 5 days. |
| Adults (18+ months) | 2-3 times a week | 3 weeks. Consult a vet after 2 weeks have passed. |
How Long Can Adult Crested Geckos Survive Without Eating?
Crested geckos not eating for a small period is not a cause of concern. However, if an adult crested gecko stops eating for about two weeks, you should take them to a vet immediately. There are several reasons why this reduction in appetite occurs.
Crested geckos will resume eating before three weeks have passed. Your pet can get easily stressed due to changes in the environment which can result in a loss of appetite. Crested geckos take a few weeks to get used to the new habitat and will resume eating.
Editor’s Note
You can help your crested gecko by providing it with the right environment and a well-balanced diet. Also, keep a check on the humidity levels and the temperature inside the enclosure, as they could be causing stress and discomfort to your pet.
How Long Can Baby and Juvenile Crested Geckos Survive Without Eating?
Baby and juvenile crested geckos need constant food more than adults. Young geckos need a well-balanced diet and essential nutrients to grow their body and build good immunity. You should offer your pet gecko food in the evening as they are more likely to eat at that time of the day. Make sure you are not feeding them in the daytime, as they are less active during that time.
Young crested geckos can go for about five to seven days without eating, although you should consult a vet on the third day. As your pet ages with time, they will start to eat every other day as their bodies have fully grown and do not require much food. Newly-born crested geckos do not start eating immediately, they will only start eating after their first shed.
What & How Often Should You Feed a Crested Gecko?
You should offer your pet gecko a well-balanced diet containing fruits, vegetables, and insects. Proper nutrition is essential during the growing phase and will help keep your crested gecko healthy. Here is what and how often you should feed your pet gecko.
What to Feed a Crested Gecko
Crested geckos are omnivorous and eat insects, fruits, and vegetables. A well-balanced diet for a crested gecko should mimic its natural diet as close as possible. Commercial diets are also available in the market and come in powder form. These diets can be mixed with water to be fed to your pet gecko on an everyday basis.
You should also offer your crested geckos some live insects such as crickets, mealworms, dubia roaches, and other feeder insects. Crested geckos can also have fruits such as papaya, mango, dates, etc. These fruits can be offered as an occasional treat which will provide them with all the essential vitamins and nutrients.
How Often to Feed a Crested Gecko
Crested geckos are nocturnal, this is the reason that your pet should be fed in the evening or nighttime. Your pet is the most active during the evening and nighttime and will have a good appetite throughout the period. You should feed young crested geckos daily, while the adults should only be fed every other day. Offer your crested gecko as much food as it can eat in 10-15 minutes. Remove any uneaten food left inside the tank after the feeding session is over.
Leaving uneaten food in the tank might cause health problems for your pet. You should also provide crested geckos access to clean water all the time. Change the water daily after feeding sessions to prevent the growth of any harmful bacteria. Also, keep a check on the humidity levels and temperature regulation as it can cause stress to your crested gecko resulting in a loss of appetite.
Why Is My Crested Gecko Not Eating?
Crested geckos can face a loss in appetite due to many reasons. The most common reasons behind a crested gecko not eating are stress, health issues, and shedding season.
Stress
One of the most common reasons why your crested gecko is not eating is stress. Your pet can get stressed if there is a sudden change in the environment. If you have moved your crested gecko into a new enclosure it might take a few weeks to calm themselves down.
Loud noises and overhandling can also cause crested geckos to stress out. You should always gently handle your crested gecko to avoid them from feeling threatened or discomfort. You should respect your crested gecko’s space and boundaries and avoid handling them if they are getting stressed out.
Illnesses
Crested geckos might also experience a loss in appetite if they have an illness. Various illnesses such as infections, parasites, and metabolic disorders can cause a lack of appetite in your pet. If your pet is showing any signs of illness, difficulty in breathing, or feeling lethargic you should take them to a vet immediately. A vet will be able to perform a test and deduce the underlying issue.
Shedding Period
Crested geckos also experience a loss in appetite when they go through the shedding period. The shedding period is not painful for your pet and lasts for a few days to a week. Crested geckos can get easily stressed out during the shedding period and do not like to be handled. Give your crested gecko some space and provide them with adequate water. Doing so will help your crested gecko feel better and build a strong bond with your pet.
How Long Can A Crested Gecko Survive Without Water?
Crested geckos can survive without water for up to three days. As a pet owner, you should always give them access to clean drinking water to avoid any health-related issues. If your crested gecko goes on without drinking water, you should consider consulting a vet immediately.
Wild crested geckos get their water from rainfall, moisture in leaves, and the fruits they consume. When you keep a crested gecko in an enclosure, you should provide them access to clean drinking water to avoid dehydration.
You should also keep check of the humidity levels and the temperature regulation inside the tank. If there is an imbalance with the basking temperature inside the tank, it might lead to a dry-out. Drying out can easily cause dehydration in your pet. The humidity range should be between 60-80% and should be higher for hatchlings and lower for adult geckos.
If you have to leave your crested gecko alone in the tank for a few days make sure they have access to clean drinking water. Also, provide them with a safe and healthy environment so it does not cause any health issues for your pet. You can also ask a friend to take care of your pet in your absence. Misting the tank during the shedding season will also help your crested gecko feel more hydrated and help them throughout the process.
FAQs
Can you leave a crested gecko alone for five days?
Adult crested geckos can go on without food for up to three weeks. Young crested geckos can only last without food for a week. You should always arrange a caregiver before leaving your pet alone.
How often does a crested gecko need water?
Clean drinking water should be made available to your pet on an everyday basis. You should also clean the container and replace the water after every feeding session. A crested gecko can only go up to 3 days without drinking water and can cause severe dehydration.
Final Thoughts
Adult crested geckos can survive without food for up to three weeks. The duration of this period varies depending on the age, size, and health of your pet. Young geckos can only last for about a week without eating.
You should always identify what is causing a loss in appetite and solve the underlying issue. A visit to the vet is also necessary if the loss of appetite is caused by a health issue. Make sure you provide your pet with the right environment and a clean source of water to avoid any health issues from occurring.