Every week i feed my BP a small rat ( live ) and he's always been a great eater, never any problems.

So this last thursday when i feed him, i noticed he was getting ready to shed, and in the past i have still fed him, and he takes it. This week he wasn't intersted, and i knew he was going into shed so i thought, alright maybe that was it, but still kind of weirded out about it. Next day i try feeding him and he seems interested and kind of follows the rat around with his head just watching it, kind of in strike position like he's going to get it, still nothing. Then again the next day i try and feed him, and he does the exact same thing, just watches it, and even kind of snaps at me when i'm putting the rat into the tank.

Now, i know it's a horrible thing to do, but i don't have the supplies to keep a rat for more than a couple of days and i noticed it starting to kind of just lay on it's side and what not, so i gave it some food i had and sent it on it's way outside because i just didn't know what else to do with it. I feel terrible and probably the wrong move, but such is life, i've never had to keep a rat alive after buying it because my BP eats right away.

So tonight, late morning i lift up one of his hides and see that he has shedded in full, and left a very large dropping ( normal ) also.

So my question is, do you think he just didn't eat and wasn't THAT intersted in it because he was going through a shed and trying to go to the bathroom at the same time?

I want to say he's 3 ft, but i could be wrong, i need to measure him, he could be a little less. Should i feed him every 2 weeks? Whenever i feed him once a week he always is interested and hungry and i'm thinking just could of been bad timing this time around?

Does of of this sound like that could be the problem or anything else i should do?

I do realize they go without eating sometimes, but mine has always done great, everything is fine in his tank etc.

Thought i'd ask, it's been awhile since i've needed some help!

Thanks!1