My little Ayva is into her 2nd week of refusing to eat (she had previously taken f/t wonderfully). She's my first BP and typically I tend to get paranoid that something might be wrong (even though she's probably fine). I just have a few questions to help ease my beginner worry.

Does shedding often affect feeding habits? She just finished shedding today, so I'm wondering that's her reasoning for skipping two meals.

When feeding a BP a F/T mouse, is there any particular way of holding the mouse with the tongs that people have found more successful? By the tail? The scruff? Holding it to the ground or above their heads?

At what point should I give up and take the mouse away? She's always taken some time to be interested in it, but these past two weeks she's simply 'sniffed' it up and down, but hasn't had any interest in striking it. Just watched me wiggle it around for 15min or so.

After she refused to eat, should I wait a full 7 days to offer again, or can I try again in say, 3-4 days?


I appreciate your advice and help! I just want to be able to take care of her to the best of my ability. <3