Why is my chameleon not eating or drinking water?
A chameleon not eating for a day or two, or even up to a week, is still considered to have a normal appetite. Chameleons do not need to eat every day to be healthy; they only need to drink water daily. If you notice your chameleon does not eat for a couple of days, there is no reason to be alarmed.
What happens when a chameleon won’t eat anything?
A chameleon can easily handle two or three days of not eating anything without harmful effects. Just be sure that it does drink. When your chameleon refuses to eat for longer periods of time there could be a more serious underlying problem.
What kind of water does a chameleon drink?
I’ve written a more detailed article about chameleon drinking water but in summary, chameleons don’t drink water like most animals do. Instead of drinking water from a standing source, like a river or from a bowl in captivity, chameleons drink by licking droplets that form on or drip from leaves.
What should I do if my chameleon is dehydrated?
If your chameleon is mildly dehydrated then there are things you can do yourself that usually solve the problem. A long misting session – This should be your first option and it’s one that usually does the trick. You need to absolutely drench the plants and enclosure. Around 20 minutes or so should be good.
What kind of food can a chameleon eat?
Most chameleons love to eat caterpillars, wax moths and butterflies. When it eats that, but no other things, you know it is just being a bit fuzzy and you should not worry about it. An adult chameleon can live for a couple of weeks without food as long as it still drinks.
A chameleon can easily handle two or three days of not eating anything without harmful effects. Just be sure that it does drink. When your chameleon refuses to eat for longer periods of time there could be a more serious underlying problem.
When to take a chameleon to the vet?
A good rule of thumb is if you suspect a minor issue as to why your chameleon hasn’t eaten and it’s been 7 to 10 days since they last ate then you need to take them to the vet. Chameleons can go without food this long OK but any longer than that, regardless of the suspected cause, I recommend a vet visit.
Most chameleons love to eat caterpillars, wax moths and butterflies. When it eats that, but no other things, you know it is just being a bit fuzzy and you should not worry about it. An adult chameleon can live for a couple of weeks without food as long as it still drinks.
What to do if a chameleon opens its mouth?
Mouth – When a chameleon opens their mouth check for any signs of yellow pus, increased saliva or any possible wounds on the mouth or tongue swelling. If you see any of these I recommend a vet visit.
