F/T to live...Is there a sign ???

[stuka1166]

Hello -

My 3.5 yr old female has been an intermittent eater...She has fasted 3 times since I've owned her. She has fasted from 5-7mos. then goes back on a weekly schedule.

She has been eating weekly for the past 4 mos or so, and now she's being stubborn again.

She has been on F/T since owning her...She loved her weekly mouse, then I went to rats. She seems a little apprehensive about the rats, but took them periodically (every 2 weeks)

Now she's disinterested in the rats altogether.

She's been playing this game for about a month now...I am perplexed...Does she NOT like the rats ?? ...OR... Is this a sign to try live, which I really want to avoid if all possible ??

Thanks !!!

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Keep in mind that if you switch to live you must be willing to do that from now on as she might not switch back to F/T so if you don't want to feed live do not offer live.

When they eat a certain prey type for a long time switching is not always easy and even if they seem they have it might not be their favorite, I am a firm believer in feeding what works in the proper amount.

[Willowy]

I'd try f/t mice before trying live.

[redshepherd]

I'd actually get a bag of dirty mouse substrate from the pet store straight from the mice enclosure, so it's heavy with mice scent, and roll around your thawed rat in that bag until it's coated in mice scent, offer it again.

I'd try this mice scenting first before jumping to live, because it may be even harder switching back to F/T, if you ever need to!