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!