Ran out of the correct food size: to feed larger or smaller prey?

[artgecko]

Hi guys,
Apparently, I screwed up on my last f/t order and forgot to order more weaned rats. I still have smalls and rat pups, but not the size in between. Elaine, my pastave, has been feeding on weaned rats for about 3 months and I don't think she's ready to move up to smalls yet... That said, when I noticed I was out last week, I went ahead and gave her one of the smaller "smalls" and she has seemed too "stuffed" since... Not as active and hugging her hot spot more than normal. She's going into shed, so I have a week or so to figure out what to do next feeding.

All that said, the next feeding, should I feed 2 rat pups, or try to find another smaller "small" rat? I'm not sure which is the better option.. If I should feed the slightly too large size, should I give her more time between meals to digest (she's been on a weekly feeding schedule)?

I will be ordering f/t again, but want to wait until I run out of another size so I'll probably have to make do for at least 4 more feedings.

Any advice you guys have in this area would be great. She's my first BP, so I don't want to do anything that would cause her distress.

Thanks for your input!

[Darkbird]

Well, you could go either way. Next feeding I would try giving her 2 pups, if she'll take multiples. If not, I doubt a few smaller feeding will hold her back much. Or you can just keep picking out smaller "smalls", she just might take a little longer to digest.

[200xth]

When in doubt, go smaller. There's zero downside to feeding smaller. Feeding too big has more potential problems associated with it.

If necessary, you can feed two smaller items.

[Marissa@MKmorphs]

I agree, try offering two pups. Much better to err on the side of too small rather than too large.

[artgecko]

Thanks guys for your advice, it is much appreciated. If she is out of shed next week, I'll offer her 2 pups and see how it goes. She was on two pups before I switched her to weaned rats, so she should be ok eating two items.

[Saber402]

Get a small digital scale from Walmart for under $20.00 and see what your snake weighs as well as the small rats. If the rats weigh between 10 & 15% of your snakes weight then they are fine.