Trying to fatten my Jackson up

[Juliaf3]

So to make a long story short. Aunt gave me a cage, Bought a Jackson because my son thought he looked like a dinosaur. Knew nothing about chameleon care. Just winged it. After a couple months, I decided I wanted a panther. Did some research. Discovered I was a piece of crap chameleon owner. Took money I planned on spending on new Cham, put it all into new cage and set up for Jackson. As well as a cage for crickets and mill worms. Started gut loading with organic fruits and veggies. What's the best way to fatten my guy up? He's already a different Cham since he got I to his new set up. Poor guy is lucky to be alive after what I put him through. He is definitely happier now, but he needs to fatten up.

 

[Bush baby]

Glad your trying to rectify a bad situation. Instances likes these are fa to common.

Look on the care resources on the left hand side of the site page for Jacksons.

Off the top of my head, make sure they get a lot of water and you have the right type of lighting/s. Also, is he indeed under weight? I'm just curious why you felt the need to fatten him up...

 

[Psychobunny]

With a jackson's, your biggest concern is hydration.
Getting jax to drink can be a challenge if they want to be stubborn.

Unless you actually see him drinking, or find nice big white urates in his
poop, you never know if he is really getting enough to drink.

I have to sometimes dump a few quarts of water on my jax before he even
starts moving his mouth to drink it!

Worry about hydrating him first.

 

[Juliaf3]

He's definitely drinking. I see him drink every time I most his cage, and his urates look good. Not GREAT, but good. I can see his ribs he's definitely looking better then his first day in new cage, I was just wondering if there was a quicker way to fatten him up.

 

[Juliaf3]

What bothers me is that pets mart said my set up was fine for a Jackson. I'm not saying all pets Marts are ignorant, could have just been the worker. I take most of the blame. Just would have been nice to be given a heads up on his care. Know what I mean?

 

[Juliaf3]

Like, they never even said they don't drink from standing water. In fact, they helped me pick out a drinking bowl!

 

[FlChamMom]

I wouldn't worry so much about fattening him up as making sure you are giving him a wide variety of nutritious feeders. You can add hornworms, silkworms and butterworms to peak his interest as well. With the proper setup he should start eating more and putting on weight.

 

[ChrisZ]

Can you post a picture of the chameleon and his cage?

 

[Juliaf3]

It will not let me because the picture has already been posted in another thread.

 

[Juliaf3]

I wouldn't worry so much about fattening him up as making sure you are giving him a wide variety of nutritious feeders. You can add hornworms, silkworms and butterworms to peak his interest as well. With the proper setup he should start eating more and putting on weight.

Do you have website you use to order those worms?

 

[Bush baby]

It will not let me because the picture has already been posted in another thread.

Looked at the pics. He doesn't look under weight, just stressed.

 

[Juliaf3]

Looked at the pics. He doesn't look under weight, just stressed.

What can I do to help with the stress?

 

[FlChamMom]

Do you have website you use to order those worms?

I usually buy from Coastal Silkworms, Mulberry Farms and Chameleons Northwest.

 

[Bush baby]

What can I do to help with the stress?

Correct lighting, correct temps, lots of water, gut load your feeders correctly…and basically leave him alone until he settles in!

 

[Juliaf3]

I have been doing all those things and he's looking great. Doing much better and looks like he's finally settling in. Thanks for all your help.

 

[Juliaf3]

I usually buy from Coastal Silkworms, Mulberry Farms and Chameleons Northwest.

Thank you very much