Feeding problem?

[Alpen]

Hi, I’ve been having problems feeding my ball python, Pepper, lately. Last time she ate was about 2 weeks ago, which might not seem too bad but she typically eats readily (once a week). I’ve been trying to feed her every day since friday (I was supposed to feed her on Wednesday but decided to wait a couple days because it fit better with my schedule), but with no luck. The first few times she peeled up and seemed interested in the rat when I was heating it up (she’s always been fed frozen and thawed), but today and yesterday she didn’t even come out of her ball. I’m wondering if I should be worried at all, because I’ve also noticed she’s been wheezing a bit when I held her last (Friday). I’m worried she could be sick, but then again she shed not that long ago so it could be just a piece of old skin stuck in her nose.

Anyways, I’ve read conflicting articles, some saying that ball pythons over a year old (she’s a year and a half) should eat every two weeks, while some say to stick to once a week. Could she just not be hungry?
Also— I read somewhere that ball pythons can refuse food if it looks different than normal. I usually feed her white rats (sometimes they have black or grey spots), but the one I’ve been trying to feed her is entirely grey. Is this true?

I guess I’m just wondering if I should be worried or not. I don’t really have the money right now to take her to the vet, but if I should get her checked out I definitely will. I just don’t want to go and find out nothing’s wrong with her. Does anyone have any tips to get her to eat? Should I try a white rat instead of grey?
Thanks so much in advance!

[Phillydubs]

Weight ...?

[Hannahshissyfix]

2 weeks is nothing to worry about. The issue now is that youve been bugging her with food every day. After a refused meal, wait a solid week before offering again unless itsvery young. Sticking food in its face every day will start to have the opposite effect and stress her into continuing to refuse. They mainly use scent to hunt so I dont really buy into the "prey wrong color" thing. Id say just triple check your husbandry to make sure everything is on point to make her happy, then leave her alone for the week before offering again. No handling, just lef t alone. Is she getting ready to shed? Could be a simple reason for the skipped meal.

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[Alpen]

Unfortunately I don’t know her weight... my scale’s been broken for a while. I’ve been meaning to replace it, but from what I can tell she looks pretty healthy.

[Alpen]

Ah, alright thanks. I’ll leave her alone for a bit then. I don’t think she’s about to shed soon, since she did just a couple weeks ago. I’m probably just annoying her, hah. Thanks again!