I treat all my animals the same regardless of shed cycle, and have never had any problems. I don't handle mine often though so that's not a big deal. I wouldn't recommend having a ball python in blue out for a couple hours, but to handle for cleaning cages or something is no big deal. As far as feeding goes, the only way a digesting rodent would restrict shedding would be if it were a huge meal, and right before they shed. I never offer huge meals like that to animals in shed, and many will refuse until after they've shed anyway.