Are you worried that your leopard gecko is fat? Sometimes owners can overfeed their geckos unknowingly, giving them all kinds of insects. Unlike mammals, reptiles have a slow metabolism and tend to digest food more slowly. Do leopard geckos get fat? If so, what are the signs?
Well, leopard geckos can become fat if you overfeed them and provide too many fatty foods like super worms or waxworms. Overfed geckos have 4 signs: thicker tails than the head, armpit bubbles, food regurgitation after eating and decreased movement.
An obese leopard gecko is susceptible to illnesses and may have a short lifespan. So, think again the next time you overfeed your leopard gecko to look chubby and cute. Read this guide to learn more about obesity and overfeeding in leopard geckos.
Can You Overfeed A Leopard Gecko?
Yes, leopard gecko can be overfeed by owners. Overfeeding a leopard gecko can be detrimental to its health, as it can cause them to become overweight and develop health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, and even death.
Although overfeeding is rarely done on purpose, it can be very prevalent among new gecko owners who are overly eager to ensure their new pet is content.
If you’re considering giving your leopard gecko a food diet, always be sure to talk to your veterinarian first to get advice on the correct amount of food for your gecko.
How to Tell If Your Leopard Gecko Is Overfed?
If you have overfed your leopard gecko, some of the immediate signs to look for may include the following:
1. Regurgitation and Vomiting
Leopard geckos are avid feeders and will often regurgitate their food. If your leopard gecko is overfed, he may regurgitate more food than usual or vomit in response to being fed.
2. Lethargy
If you have a leopard gecko that is hogging the basking spot and refusing to move, it might be due to being overfed.
Leopard geckos need time to rest and digest their food, so if they’re not getting that opportunity, they may not be getting the nutrition they need.
3. Upset Stomach
One of the most common problems with leos is overfeeding which may lead to stomach upset. Overfeeding can result in constipation or diarrhea.
In the case of both make sure to give your leopard gecko more water and humidity so as to ease constipation and ensure they aren’t dehydrated if diarrhea is the issue.
You may also want to try feeding smaller portions of your diet to see if that solves the problem.
4. Impaction
Impaction refers to when a bolus of food is trapped inside the gut of a leopard gecko, preventing food and stool passage.
The first sign to check when impaction occurs is constipation, loss of appetite and lethargy. A belly massage and feeding a few drops of olive oil can relieve impaction.
If these don’t work, you may need to talk to a vet for more intervention.
What Happens If a Leopard Gecko Is Overfed For a Long Time?
We have just covered the immediate signs of overfeeding a leopard gecko. What if this carries on and on? Overfeeding a leopard gecko for a long time can lead to fatty liver disease. A poor diet and an obese leopard gecko cause this condition.
Your gecko will have an enlarged, discolored liver as a result. Leopard geckos may exhibit signs of fatty liver disease, such as a pinkish tint to their skin, lethargy, abrupt weight loss, an inability to eat, abdominal enlargement, and bloating.
Take your leopard gecko to the vet if you see any of these symptoms so that they can be properly treated, and consult about changing your pet’s food.
Signs of Overweight Leopard Gecko:
1. Thick tail
Leopard geckos are famous for their thick plumb tails due to the large quantities of energy they can store in them.
Adult leopard geckos with thick tails can use this energy to sustain themselves for long periods and even crawl up vertical surfaces!
Although this extra weight may not seem like a big deal, it can be unhealthy for your leopard gecko if it isn’t managed correctly.
2. Armpit bubbles
Armpit bubbles are one typical and obvious sign of a plump leopard gecko. These tiny bubbles typically appear behind the legs; they can be very alarming if you don’t know what they are.
Armpit bubbles may contain calcium, other minerals, protein, fat, or vitamins. Some pet owners believe that these bubbles are a sign of excellent health.
However, many owners do observe that they go away as the gecko loses weight. To be sure, it is best to look for additional indicators of a weight issue in your gecko.
3. Chunky legs
Overeating of either superworms or waxworms can cause your leopard gecko to gain weight in the legs.
These insects are high in fat and calories, so you want to make sure they’re only fed in moderation if you want your pet to stay healthy and thin.
If the legs feel soft when you touch them, there’s likely obesity around. If the gecko lies on its back a lot or seems sluggish, it may be because it’s eating too many fatty insects.
4. Slower movement
Slower movement is sometimes a sign of obesity in leopard geckos. Your leopard gecko may begin displaying unusual habits such as slower walking, frequent lying down, and a general lack of interest in any kind of physical activity.
When you give your Leo live insects, see if they attack faster. Your reptile’s movement is probably hindered since it is overweight if it goes slowly instead of pouncing on the prey immediately.
5. A Spine That’s Hard To See
A gecko with a healthy weight has a spine that is readily seen. If your pet is overly obese, its backbone may be hidden by a layer of extra fat so that it’s not visible.
6. Fat Rolls around the Belly
Overweight leopard geckos typically have rolls of fat around their bellies. This is a sign that the lizard is not getting enough exercise and may also be a symptom of poor nutrition or illness.
Causes of Obesity in Leopard Geckos
· Overfeeding Fatty Feeder Insects
One of the most common mistakes made by leopard gecko owners is overfeeding their pets. Adult leopards only need to be fed once or twice a week, and babies can be given 5 mealworms or crickets per day.
Up until they are fully grown adults, babies can be fed 2 tiny insects. When they are about months old or older, you can begin feeding them huge insects twice a week.
Give them a total of six to eight insects. Feeding your lizard once or twice per week is sufficient, especially if it needs to start a diet. Leopard geckos should be fed a diet that is composed primarily of mealworms and crickets, with a small amount of calcium sprinkled on top.
Check out this table containing the most common feeder insects and the fat content in each to stay informed:
| Insect | Fat Content |
| Mealworm | 12.72% |
| Dubia Roach | 7.2% |
| Superworm | 17.89% |
| Phoenix worm | 9.4% |
| Cricket | 6.01% |
| Silkworm | 1.1% |
| Waxworm | 22.19% |
| Hornworm | 2.4% |
· Excess treats
If you’re feeding your leopard gecko treats regularly, it’s important to keep them in moderation and only give them on special occasions. Doing so will help prevent your gecko from becoming overweight and unhealthy.
Treats should be restricted to one or two pieces per week and should not be the mainstay of their diet. In order to ensure proper growth, leopard geckos should not be given any high-fat worms or proteins on a regular basis. Stick to their nutritious feeding crickets and mealworms while applying a calcium brush.
· Lack of Movement
Insects are a staple diet for leopard geckos, so if your gecko isn’t moving around much, it may be because it’s eating too many freeze-dried insects.
This type of food is high in calories and can cause your gecko to become overweight. If your leopard gecko is not moving as much or seems sluggish, try switching its diet to something with more variety.
How to Prevent Obesity in Leopard Geckos?
· Limit high-Fat Insects
In order for leopard geckos to be successful in shedding weight, they should be offered a variety of different insects to eat.
However, some insects contain more fat than others, so you’ll need to choose wisely. Dubia roaches and crickets are two of the most popular options because they are both leaner options.
You can also provide your leopard gecko with other low-fat foods like worms if you’d like, but dubia roaches and crickets are generally the easiest for humans to purchase and feed to reptiles.
If you’re unsure what else to give your leopard gecko, ask a pet store employee or read up on different types of insects before providing them as a diet staple.
· Keep Your Gecko Active
Exercise is beneficial for pets and humans, one great way to help your leopard gecko stay slim is by providing them with an available space to roam.
By creating a place your gecko can’t escape from and adding in variable tasks for them to do (such as a maze), you’ll encourage physical activity.
Joining up with your gecko when they’re exercising will also help keep them motivated. Pets can also get their daily exercise by chasing live bugs while they are being fed or playing with toys that move.
For those who want to make sure their leopard gecko stays healthy overall, providing them with a larger enclosure is necessary – but remember to include lots of hiding places and interesting objects for them to explore, too!
More Frequently Asked Questions
How Frequently Can I Feed My Leopard Gecko?
Leopard geckos can be fed a range of times each week, depending on their age and size. Hatchlings should be fed every day from the moment they hatch until they are about 4 months old.
Adult geckos should be fed 2-3 times per week, while juvenile geckos (up to the age of about 12 months) should be fed every other day.
As they grow, their feeding frequency decreases, but they still need to be given proper nutrition in order to thrive. Leopard geckos require a high-protein diet with plenty of insects to help them grow and develop properly.
What’s the Right Feeding Schedule for a Leopard Gecko?
Take a look at the chat we have provided below on the feeding amount and the right feeding schedule. Remember to measure the weight and length of your leopard gecko from time to time to monitor its weight.
| Age in months | Approx. Weight | Feeding schedule | Amount of food |
| 0 – 6 | 15 to 30 grams | Every day | Maximum food for 15 minutes |
| 6-12 | 30 to 60 grams | Every other day | Maximum food for 15 minutes |
| 12+ months | 40 to 110 grams | Every two days | Two insects/inch of the body length |
Why Is My Leopard Gecko Eating So Much?
One common reason leopard geckos eat too much is that they have developed a routine of expecting food to be in their tank regularly.
This is similar to how people can develop an appetite if something is regularly provided to them. As time goes on, even if their calorie intake is limited, they may become more determined to eat and may overeat.
The nutritional value of their diet also plays a role in overeating. Some foods, such as waxworms, are high in fat, so the gecko will not be satisfied with just one bite.
It’s essential to provide them with nutritious food, so they don’t develop an unhealthy relationship with food and ultimately become overweight or obese.
Additionally, leopard geckos reach adulthood at around two years old, which often coincides with when they start developing strong habits and routines.
At this point, it’s natural for them to become quite ravenous and want anything in sight. If you can stick to a regular feeding schedule while your gecko is still growing, you shouldn’t have any problems meeting its needs without overfeeding them.
Is My Leopard Gecko Fat or Pregnant?
If you’ve been keeping an eye on your leopard gecko and she’s started to gain weight, chances are she’s pregnant. Leopard geckos become pregnant at various times of the year, depending on the region they live in.
In general, females lay eggs in the late winter or early spring in temperate regions and during the summer or fall in tropical areas.
If your leopard gecko is gravid (pregnant), you’ll see her body get a little rounder—her skin will start to feel firm to the touch, and her belly will swell.
She may also start laying eggs more frequently and eat more than usual. Of course, confirming that your leopard gecko is pregnant isn’t as simple as looking at her – there are other factors you’ll want to consider, like her age and behavior.
In general, leopard geckos get larger as they approach adulthood, so it can be tough to tell if a juvenile or an adult is gravid without further examination.
Additionally, suppose your female leopard gecko has been spayed or neutered before becoming gravid. In that case, the odds are she won’t be able to produce eggs – making it even harder to determine whether she’s carrying eggs or not!
If you’re unsure whether your leopard gecko is pregnant, it’s always best to have her checked by a qualified professional.
Conclusion
Leopard geckos are often considered one of the most exciting pet options because they are so colorful and flashy.
However, the popularity of leopard geckos can also be attributed to the fact that many people do not know about their weight problem potential.
Leopard geckos can be susceptible to obesity, which can lead to health problems such as diabetes or heart disease in later life.
Prevention is critical when it comes to obesity in leopard gecko pets. Make sure your leopard gecko has a balanced diet of proteins, fruits, vegetables and insects.
Additionally, keep an eye on your leopard gecko’s activity level and prevent them from being sedentary for too long. Exercise is vital for maintaining a healthy weight and keeping your leopard gecko happy!