Food refusal with no interest

[teebyrd393]

I have a feb 08 male BP at 815g

His happy home is a 20 g long with the following:
2 hides
uth controlled by thermostat
large water dish
newspaper substrate
cool side 82- warm side 91
humidity 52

He eats live rats every 5-7 days. Has always fed succesfully on a mixture of asf or white rat (just depends on what the store has).

It has been 8 weeks since he has accepted food. He usually resides in the warm hide, coming out to explore at night time. For the past month and a 1/2 he has been staying in the cool hide exclusively and not coming out at night....except maybe a peeking head.

He does not have any physicaly abnormalities, clear eyes, nostrils and mouth, normal body (no buldges) and clear breathing. He does not have any signs of being close to a shed (it's the ONLY other time I've noticed him to solely prefer the cool side).

So...cool preference + no eating + no exploration at night = ???

Please help Thanks

[Danounet]

I have a male 09 500g in the same conditions. I've tried everything to get him back to eat regularly but nothing. I was successful in getting him to eat a mouse now and then (He always ate rats). He ignores his usual rat, and not interested in the ASFs.

Some people have say is just the breeding seasson probably and he will eventualy start eating again. I have my fingers crossed... is my first winter with BPs .

If you are worried about him eating. Try feeding him a live mice and if he eats it, try a second. Is what Im doing now. Most of the times he refuses, But sometimes he will eat one, and when realy lucky he will take 2. At least I know he wont starve.

[Kaorte]

Could be looking for some lady lovin'

As long as he isn't loosing tons and tons of weight, he will be fine. I would keep offering food, who knows he might take it.

[blackcrystal22]

Try putting him in a smaller enclosure or tub.

[rjks325]

I have a feb 08 male BP at 815g

His happy home is a 20 g long with the following:
2 hides
uth controlled by thermostat
large water dish
newspaper substrate
cool side 82- warm side 91
humidity 52

He eats live rats every 5-7 days. Has always fed succesfully on a mixture of asf or white rat (just depends on what the store has).

It has been 8 weeks since he has accepted food. He usually resides in the warm hide, coming out to explore at night time. For the past month and a 1/2 he has been staying in the cool hide exclusively and not coming out at night....except maybe a peeking head.

He does not have any physicaly abnormalities, clear eyes, nostrils and mouth, normal body (no buldges) and clear breathing. He does not have any signs of being close to a shed (it's the ONLY other time I've noticed him to solely prefer the cool side).

So...cool preference + no eating + no exploration at night = ???

Please help Thanks

Hi Tee,

Your housing seems on point and it doesn't seem like he has any health issues. From my experience, my boy starts fasting between Oct - Dec time frame and starts feeding again around April. I watch his shed cycles and offer food (I feed f/t) right after a shed during the winter and he usually refuses until the spring. Go figure. However, if you are truly worried, I would take him to a vet for a check-up.

Good luck,

Rachel

[teebyrd393]

Thanks guys! I guess I'm going to go along the lines of he's trying to get him some action...poor guy it's not going to happen ;-)

I buy live and I'm getting somewhat attached to the rat (I've been trying to feed him on a weekly basis). If he ate ft it wouldn't be a huge deal but I feel like I'm taking on another pet I've been taking care of this female oreo rat for about a month now...I even named her ...I know it's sick

[teebyrd393]

Try putting him in a smaller enclosure or tub.

I really don't think it's the enclosure...I wouldn't want to stress him by changing his surroundings and putting him back in his sterilite...I'm going with the winter fast theory

Unless....it's suggested during a fast???

[rjks325]

I really don't think it's the enclosure...I wouldn't want to stress him by changing his surroundings and putting him back in his sterilite...I'm going with the winter fast theory

Unless....it's suggested during a fast???

Nope, IMO, I would keep him in his current enclosure and not move him around.

And seriously....Oreo....LOL Are you going to end up keeping the rat as a pet?

[snakesRkewl]

If he ate ft it wouldn't be a huge deal but I feel like I'm taking on another pet I've been taking care of this female oreo rat for about a month now...I even named her ...I know it's sick

Rats make awesome pets, unless they get ate
Nothing wrong with pet rats, I breed rats for food and pets, I love my ratties