bp still not eating.

[SatanicIntention]

Anorexia is usually a symptom of a deeper problem, such as improper housing, internal parasites, stress, etc.

I would get him into a smaller enclosure such as a 15qt tub. Get your temps up on the warm side to 94-95, cool side 83-85. Put down newspaper, a small water bowl and a small hide. Leave him COMPLETELY alone for 1-1.5 weeks, and then offer a live medium adult mouse or a rat pup. If he doesn't take it within 5 minutes or so, take it out and repeat the next week.

450g at 1.5 years old is pretty small. I would get his next bowel movement to the vet to have it checked for parasites just in case. If he's clear of those and healthy, then I would honestly just switch him to a plastic tub and put him in a dark, quiet place. He may not be feeling secure enough in the tank.

There's no need to resort to gerbils/asf rats/etc until you fix the husbandry problem and possible health problem(ie internal parasites if he has them).

[OhBalls]

I have several that 'fast' during winter months and others that eat all year round....

for the ones that don't eat, if they start to lose weight and show no interest...i raise their temp a couple of degrees and that usually takes care of the problem....i think it tricks them into thinking the weather is changing and prompts them to eat....return temps to normal after 2nd feeding

if they STILL don't eat, I return their temps to normal, and try offering each week....normally, they eventually eat

only once did I try a gerbil....and she ate it, but now she won't eat anything but gerbils or ASF rats...

[ChrisBowsman]

only once did I try a gerbil....and she ate it, but now she won't eat anything but gerbils or ASF rats...

Man, you'd almost have to start breeding gerbils. You'd go broke buying the damn things otherwise.

It's a shame they're so pricey, coz I've disliked gerbils my whole life (don't know why) and would really enjoy watching some get eaten

[OhBalls]

Man, you'd almost have to start breeding gerbils. You'd go broke buying the damn things otherwise.

It's a shame they're so pricey, coz I've disliked gerbils my whole life (don't know why) and would really enjoy watching some get eaten

I breed ASF rats....no stink to the little stinkers

[ChrisBowsman]

I breed ASF rats....no stink to the little stinkers

Are they expensive to buy like gerbils or hamsters? I'd never heard of them until I got on here.

[FatBoy]

I agree with the above post by Satan...It sounds more like security issues to me. When you switch to a smaller enclosure try putting a lot of crummpled up newspaper in with him. I mean fill the enclosure up with paper. This will give him an overwhelming sence of security. This has worked with dozens of my balls that were not good eaters. I have been able to wean almost all of them off the newspaper but it took time. Bottom line, with the extra security, they ate.

[Malaika]

Anorexia is usually a symptom of a deeper problem, such as improper housing, internal parasites, stress, etc.

I would get him into a smaller enclosure such as a 15qt tub. Get your temps up on the warm side to 94-95, cool side 83-85. Put down newspaper, a small water bowl and a small hide. Leave him COMPLETELY alone for 1-1.5 weeks, and then offer a live medium adult mouse or a rat pup. If he doesn't take it within 5 minutes or so, take it out and repeat the next week.

450g at 1.5 years old is pretty small. I would get his next bowel movement to the vet to have it checked for parasites just in case. If he's clear of those and healthy, then I would honestly just switch him to a plastic tub and put him in a dark, quiet place. He may not be feeling secure enough in the tank.

There's no need to resort to gerbils/asf rats/etc until you fix the husbandry problem and possible health problem(ie internal parasites if he has them).

Okay, as soon as I can, I will try to move him into a tub, I'll stop at walmart tomorrow or monday.

Thanks.

[Ophiuchus]

I've had balls fast for months as well without losing much weight. One thing I do not suggest doing is trying hamsters. After 8 months, mine took a hamster without any hesitation, and he refused all else for the following 6 years. I just recently got him to take rats again.

[Skullkid]

my BP wasn't eating for 4 months either. i was confused as to why she wasn't, because everything in her enclosure was perfect, at least during the day. i soon realized that during the night it dropped down to around 65, which is obviously too low. i moved her too a warmer room that also had a space heater, and after a couple of weeks she shed and just took a mouse 4 days ago. so berfore you move it around and possibly stressing it out and trying gerbils (if permitted) look at the temperature first thing in the morning and if its low thats more than likely your problem. if not then good luck and just keep watching its weight

[ChrisBowsman]

I chose a thermometer/hygrometer that displays the current temp & humidity, plus the high and low of each specifically for the reason listed above. I think it was $3 more than the other one, and makes monitoring way easier.