How much food is enough??

[Pigginfriendly]

So I've my little guy now, a veiled and he's about 4 months I think and I got him home on Sunday. The guy at the pet store said he was eating about 6 crickets a day, that's what I've been giving him so far and he is eating them all, there are none left in his home when I check at night. I haven't seen him drinking yet, how do you know if they are?? Also how do I know when to increase his food? Had to work today and been so worried about leaving him all day, even with others to check on him . I'm going to supplement with some veggies tomorrow I think. He seems really settled and comes right up as soon as I open the door and like to be handled - so far…… any advice??

 

[carol5208]

what kind of cham?? a 4 month old veild or panther(which is I am guessing you have got one or the other) should be eating about 15-20 crickets a day. They should be small crickets like 1/4 inch or a little larger. 6 is really underfeeding. And as they get older you decrease the amount, not increase. You start feeding larger feeders, so you feed less.alotof times you will not see them drink. how are your providing water??? if you are not home all day you need either a dripper or a misting system. to ensure they are hydrated you can check their poop. There should be a brown part and white part(the urate which is the pee) should be white in color. If it is orange then you need to provide more water options.

 

[brandon1]

So I've my little guy now, a veiled and he's about 4 months I think and I got him home on Sunday. The guy at the pet store said he was eating about 6 crickets a day, that's what I've been giving him so far and he is eating them all, there are none left in his home when I check at night. Let him eat as many as he wants, if he's eating pinheads he could probably eat 15-30, for crix 1/4-1/2" maybe 12-25.

I haven't seen him drinking yet, how do you know if they are??
Check is urates that are attached to his poo. If they are pure white he is well hydrated. If it is a little orange he should be hydrated a little more, but no need to panic. If his urates are pure orange, find a different method to get him water as what you are doing is not working and he is really dehdrated. You can also check his eyes for dehydration...the order goes normal/bulged, slightly sunken in, really sunken in, and his hydrations levels are in the same order for this as with what I mentioned above with the urates.

Also how do I know when to increase his food?
Like I said, let him eat as much as he wants. While he is younger he should be allowed to eat as much as he can so he can grow quickly. Once they start getting closer to a year, they're growth rate drastically decreases and that's when you start giving him a set amount of feeders every day, or every other day.

Had to work today and been so worried about leaving him all day, even with others to check on him . I'm going to supplement with some veggies tomorrow I think.
Supplements...buy Repashy Calcium Plus as it replaces the need for having the three other supplements, calcium with d3, calcium without d3, and multivitamin, which you should be administering to him until you get the repashy. If you don't know how to use the three supplements until you get Repashy, just ask I'll give you a schedule.

He seems really settled and comes right up as soon as I open the door and like to be handled - so far…… any advice??

Post pics!!! lol

 

[Pigginfriendly]

He is a four month old veiled, he has just shed too. I have checked and his irate is white, so he must be drinking in the sly!! I will def give him more crickets tomorrow, should I put them all in at once?? Usually he will eat about four or so and then go and sit and wait for them to walk up to him and than pick them up. I have been putting them in loose because he seems to like to chase them . I must him before I leave and then have a drip system set up so that there is moisture available to him while I'm at work. Thx for the advice.

 

[carol5208]

you could put them in all at once if you want or feed in the morning and afternoon, but if you are not home then it might get kinda late if you feed him after you get home. as a rule they should have time to bask after they eat so if you feed late at night and then turn out the lights, they will not have a chance to bask. your cham does look a little thin but you can fatten him up in no time.

 

[Pigginfriendly]

Thank you all, it worries me that I was able to buy this little guy from the pet store and they gave me such wrong information for looking after him well. I thought i had done a good thing going back and fore and asking lots of questions etc, I had been reading stuff too but am sooo glad to have found this forum so I can get advice from people who actually have first hand experience!!

 

[carol5208]

yes, unfortunately we see it far too often how the pet stores give the wrong info! Glad you found us and we are glad to have you on board. Please don't be shy about asking questions, that is what we are here for.

 

[Summers82]

I'm leaving in the north where there are cold winters and want to buy chameleon. How can he come through the winter? How many times a day I should feed him?

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[Pigginfriendly]

My little guy thought it was Christmas this morning when I put all his crickets in!! I put them in a small glass container though a few got out but he got them!! Thanks so much again for the advice he's a happy chappy this morning!!