Crested Gecko not eating CGD

[Quantum Constrictors]

Hey all,

My new crested gecko (roughly 2 or 3 months old I believe) will not eat her Repashy Crested Gecko Diet. I put new stuff in and take out the same amount 1 or 2 days later.

Because she has not been eating it I have been giving her 5 calcium dusted crickets every other day.

Her food dish is on the ground of her tank. Do you think that is the issue? Is something like this in order http://www.northerngecko.net/food-di...ecko-dish.html so that she doesnt have to go to the ground for her food?

Any help is appreciated! Thanks all!

[Daybreaker]

Sometimes people can't tell when their little ones are eating because they don't make noticable markings in the CGD. I would actually put two little dishes in with her, something higher up and something on the ground. How big is her tub/enclosure that you're keeping her in? You may need to downsize so she can find her food easier (like a small tub)

[Quantum Constrictors]

Hey daybreaker,

That is true I will try putting an even smaller amount in to see if there is a difference and I will also try putting one up higher as well. She is in a exoterra 12x12x18 so its small but not really compared to her size I guess it could be considered large she is only the length of my finger including her tail.

[mlededee]

She is full from all of the crickets. Stop giving her crickets until you can see that she is eating the CGD. Some geckos will even hold out for crickets if they know they are going to get them and not eat their CGD. 5 crickets every other day is a lot. Cresteds her age don't eat much, so just put in a small amount of the CGD as suggested and you should be able to tell if she is eating it.

[sleepygeckos]

Pretty much the only real way you're going to see if the CGD is being eaten is the old, "What goes in, must come out." As others have said, it is really, really, really, hard to tell if a young crestie is eating from what is left in the food bowl. I'd cut back the crickets to once a week (still a more than enough to promote fast growth and even then maybe more like 3 crickets not 5) and see what "comes out." Droppings from CGD will be less in volume because more of it is digested and absorbed by her, so you can start to get a feel for what is from the crickets and from the diet that way too.

PS If you are concerned that she's becoming a cricket addict, there is the old trick of dusting the crickets with dry CGD to get her to connect the two and then see CGD as food. Good luck!