As a crested gecko owner, it is completely natural for you to be worried if your crested gecko seems to be underweight and unable to gain a healthy weight even after eating enough food.
There are many reasons why your crested gecko may not be gaining weight. And while it is normal for you to be concerned, there is absolutely no reason for you to panic.
The problem of your crested gecko being underweight is completely manageable with some insight, guidance, and lifestyle and dietary changes.
Crested geckos are one of the most popular pet lizards thanks to their unique appearance, easygoing personality and simple care requirements. However, even hardy geckos like cresties can become underweight due to illness, stress, or inadequate husbandry.
An underweight crested gecko may exhibit the following signs:
Physical Indicators of Underweight Crested Geckos
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Visible spine and hip bones – In a healthy gecko, these bones should have a layer of fat covering them If they become prominent and protruding, it’s a red flag
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Lack of fat pads – Look for sunken areas around the neck and base of the tail rather than plump fat reserves.
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Overall slim physique – Ribs and limbs will appear very slender and thin rather than having a rounded, robust appearance.
Behavioral Signals of Underweight Crested Geckos
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Loss of appetite – A gecko that suddenly loses interest in food that it previously relished is likely unwell.
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Lethargy – Healthy geckos are quite active at night. Lying still for long periods may indicate illness or weakness.
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Hiding more than usual – Geckos feeling vulnerable often hide excessively.
What Causes Crested Geckos to Become Underweight?
There are several potential reasons for geckos to lose weight, including:
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Illness or parasites – Infections sap nutrition and energy. Pinworms are a common parasite.
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Incorrect temperatures – If the tank is too cold, geckos won’t digest food properly.
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Stress – New environments or handling can stress geckos. Stress reduces appetite.
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Poor diet – Not getting proper nutrition leads to gradual weight loss.
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Dehydration – Geckos need proper humidity. Dehydration causes weight loss.
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Impaction – Swallowing substrate can block the digestive system.
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Breeding – Female geckos often fast while gravid with eggs.
Helping an Underweight Crested Gecko Gain Healthy Weight
Luckily, with some adjustments, a gecko can usually gain back lost weight. Here’s how:
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Increase feeding frequency – Offer food daily rather than every 2-3 days.
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Provide high-calcium insects – Well-dusted crickets or roaches are excellent.
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Add nutritious fruit purees – Banana, mango or papaya baby food works well.
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Correct temperatures – Ideal is 70-76°F on the cool and warm end.
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Boost humidity – Proper shedding requires 50-60% humidity.
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Reduce stressors – Limit handling and provide ample hides.
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Weigh regularly – Use a gram scale to monitor weight weekly.
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See a reptile vet – They can diagnose underlying issues.
When to Seek Veterinary Help for an Underweight Crested Gecko
It’s crucial to have your gecko examined if:
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Weight loss persists despite diet changes
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Appetite remains poor
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Activity levels continue declining
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Discharge develops around eyes/mouth
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Stool appears runny or bloody
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You notice vomiting, wheezing, or swelling
A vet can run tests, diagnose parasites/illness, and prescribe medications as needed. They can also instruct you on safe ways to assist-feed underweight geckos.
Maintaining a Healthy Crested Gecko
Preventing weight issues is easier than correcting them. Stick to these husbandry tips:
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Feed a balanced, varied diet
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Provide a temperature gradient
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Mist regularly to maintain humidity
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Give access to natural light cycles
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Ensure ample space and climbing opportunities
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Limit handling to reduce stress
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Quarantine new geckos before introducing them
Noticing weight changes in your crested gecko early and taking action is key. With attentive care and husbandry adjustments, most underweight geckos can regain health and vitality. But if issues persist, veterinary guidance can be invaluable. With your TLC and their resilient spirit, your crested gecko can thrive for years to come!
Imbalanced Diet with Lack of Important Nutrients
One of the major issues behind a crested gecko being underweight is the lack of a properly balanced diet with all important nutrients.
To be precise, a crested gecko needs a Ca:P ratio of approximately 2:1 or better from its foods. Moreover, the content of oxalic acid should also be low in its diet.
If especially, the Calcium to Phosphorus ratio is not maintained, it can cause health problems. Lack of
Calcium can cause your crested gecko to develop metabolic bone disorder – which leads to a drastic and unhealthy reduction in weight due to a lowering of bone density.
While it is rarer for a crested gecko to throw tantrums in eating, when compared to other pets like cats and dogs, it is not impossible.
Sometimes, a crested gecko may inherently be a fussy eater and refuse to eat foods of certain consistency or texture.
In that case, the chances of lacking nutrients in the body rise and your crested gecko is then at the risk of unhealthy weight reduction.
6 Reasons Why Your Crested Gecko Is Underweight
A crested gecko may become underweight either if it is not eating enough, it has completely stopped eating, or if the food that it is eating is lacking in some essential nutrients.
Here are some reasons why your crested gecko may be experiencing an unhealthy reduction in weight:Crested Gecko Isn’t Gaining Weight
If you have brought home a new crested gecko, give it some time to settle in. The new environment of your crested gecko’s enclosure must be stressing it out, causing it to lose appetite.
This could be the reason behind your pet weighing a little lower than the healthy range for its age.
Another major reason why crested gecko owners, especially the ones handling reptiles for the first time, may find their pet to be underweight is that the settings of the crested gecko’s enclosure may be incorrect.
The temperature and humidity of the enclosure play a major role in helping your crested gecko maintain a healthy appetite, and thus, a healthy weight.
If the enclosure is too cold, too warm, too humid, or too dry, it will have a direct impact on your crested gecko’s appetite.
This happens because a change in environmental factors causes the crested gecko to stress out, thereby impacting its appetite.
The proper range of temperature for your crested gecko’s enclosure is between 72 degrees Fahrenheit and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
The enclosure must have a heat gradient along with a cool spot to allow the crested gecko to regulate its body temperature.
Similarly for humidity, the enclosure should have a range of 70 to 80 percent.
You should also allow the humidity to drop to 50 percent for some time every day to prevent bacterial or fungal growth inside the enclosure.
SOLVED: Help! My gecko isn’t gaining any weight?!?
FAQ
What to do if my crested gecko is underweight?
Try having multiple food bowls dotted around the tank so he can find food easier. Make sure he has access daily for now, and look into trying a growth and breeding repashy formula. Something that really helped my crestie when he wouldn’t eat and was losing weight was small crickets, 2-3 every few days.
Why is my crested gecko losing weight?
I would personally suspect either alot of stress, or a type of illness possibly parasites which are known to cause weight loss. Usually 10-15% weight loss is a vet trip this is double so I would contact any vets you can and ask if anyone can help as soon as possible.
Is my crestie too skinny?
A skinny looking gecko may also reflect dehydration. Humidity and proper hydration is so important to a crested gecko. In addition,a healthy crested gecko looks alert and active. Cresties are nocturnal so during the day, they sleep.