Okay I am frantic! My husband told me the petsmart salesperson said to feed my 4 month old male veiled 5 crickets a day. My daughter was also with him and heard the same thing. I'm reading on here 20 a day! Am I starving him? I only had him 1 full day. So sorry for the panicked and thanks for the help. Can I over feed him?
feeding fears
- Thread starter gilbert
- Start date
little leaf
Avid Member
Welcome to the forum 
make s ure you are feeding him the right size, if they told you 5 adult crix, those are to big- but you also need to feed him other things like silk worms, horn worms, roaches are the best - crix and meal worms are not the best feeders, but you need to feed a variety , and gut load it well - I do not keep veiled, but I am sure others who do will help you too he can also eat fr/ veg - here is the care sheet for these little guys if you have not already seen it
https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/veiled/
make s ure you are feeding him the right size, if they told you 5 adult crix, those are to big- but you also need to feed him other things like silk worms, horn worms, roaches are the best - crix and meal worms are not the best feeders, but you need to feed a variety , and gut load it well - I do not keep veiled, but I am sure others who do will help you too
he can also eat fr/ veg - here is the care sheet for these little guys if you have not already seen it https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/veiled/
werecat
Established Member
Yes five is too few for a baby chameleon. I have never raised one from a baby but I know the general consensus is that babies should be provided with as much food as they will eat. You are in the right place to learn the correct information for raising your new pet. Please read over the care sheet that was linked above and feel free to ask more questions.
Unfortunately you may have been misinformed about other care requirements as well so it might be helpful for you to fill out this form. That way experienced members can help you sort out any problems and give you pointers early on. Just copy and paste this form into this thread or a new one and fill out the info.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-ask-help-66/
Chameleons are really awesome pets when cared for properly. You will really enjoy it!
Unfortunately you may have been misinformed about other care requirements as well so it might be helpful for you to fill out this form. That way experienced members can help you sort out any problems and give you pointers early on. Just copy and paste this form into this thread or a new one and fill out the info.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-ask-help-66/
Chameleons are really awesome pets when cared for properly. You will really enjoy it!
SycoSquirl
Member
Its easier to offer food one at a time until it stops eating it but I think with babies you need to do this twice a day, I have a 6 month that I just put about 7 crickets and 5 super worms into his cage daily and he just periodically eats them throughout the day. Really read the care sheet on here for your guy because petco is the worst with their animals. I went up to my petco 2 days ago for crickets and their veiled they had in their cage was looking in really bad shape. Theirs didnt have a water source, (a dripper is a very important part of a cage because chameleons dont recognize sitting water) and the poor guy was sleeping during the day. I of coaurse told the manager, and she didnt seem to care at all that they are raising their little baby all wrong and its probably going to die because no one cares there. They will sell sick, dying animals, without any care for the emotional damage that would cause to the family. Ive very glad you found this forum to help you through this process because petco is just a big money crazed company that doesnt care about the specific needs of their exotic animals...
StarShadow197
New Member
I used to work for both PetSmart and PetCo. I agree that they do not offer the correct training for people working in the pet dept. The 'vet certified' thing they offer on their animals is another sham. It doesnt have any weight to it. Even the one store that I worked at had a Banfield Hospital in it we never took sick pets there to have them checked out. If I were you I would have a professional reptile vet make sure your little one is truely healthy.
When my chameleons were small (I had to have my male put down) they were eating about 20 baby crix every day. That was expensive! I would steer clear of PetSmart for feeders. They are not healthy. Go to a small family owned reptile store or buy feeders online.
I am sure that the cham I had previously gotten from a PetSmart had the Coccidia parasite that nearly claimed the life of my current Chameleon.
When my chameleons were small (I had to have my male put down) they were eating about 20 baby crix every day. That was expensive! I would steer clear of PetSmart for feeders. They are not healthy. Go to a small family owned reptile store or buy feeders online.
I am sure that the cham I had previously gotten from a PetSmart had the Coccidia parasite that nearly claimed the life of my current Chameleon.
chameleons707
Member
Don't listen to PETCO! Last year I was going to purchase a baby bearded dragon and they ended up telling me 5 crickets was enough for the guy! And when i did alittle more extensive research i found out they eat 15-20 crickets daily! Ik this doesnt really have to do with any chameleon stuff. But that's how petco is, they just make it sound so easy to get a few bucks out of you.
