How to Treat Ill Appetite in Pet Snakes

It is common for pet snakes to not eat when they feel stressed. A change in environment is one of the biggest causes of stress in snakes. Therefore, if you just brought a new pet snake home, and he isn't eating, this is probably why. Follow these steps to treat ill appetite in your pet snake.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Appetite stimulant
• Chicken or beef human baby food
• Eyedropper or medicine dropper

1. Make sure that your snake has plenty of clean water so that she doesn't get dehydrated. The water dish should be large enough for you snake to get into, but shallow enough so that it can't drown. Change the water regularly. The water should always be as fresh as possible.
2. Confirm that you are offering your snake food similar to what he would eat in the wild, or what he ate in the pet store from which you got him. If you are offering your snake something completely different from what he is accustomed, he will probably reject it.
3. Allow your snake to go without food for a little while. The length of time you allow him not to eat depends on its age. A young snake can only go without food for 3 or 4 weeks, whereas a very large adult snake can go 1 to 2 months.
4. Get an appetite stimulator if your snake still won't eat when you present it with food. Usually a drop or two either on the food or in the mouth will entice the snake to eat.
5. Force-feed your snake if he still won't eat the day after you perform Step 2. Get some pureed chicken or beef made for babies from a grocery store. You can mix this with some snake vitamins if you like. Put the mixture in an eyedropper or pediatric medicine dropper. Gently insert the dropper into the snake's mouth so that the tip is just near the back of the throat, but don't actually put the dropper down the throat. Squeeze some of the meat puree into the snake's throat and let it swallow. Give more food if your snake didn't vomit the first dose.
6. Wait the requisite length of time to allow your snake to digest this food. Again, this will depend on the age of your snake. When you feel it is time for your snake to feed again, offer it normal food. If she still won't eat, you can try force feeding your snake a dead rodent if you are comfortable with it. To do this, simply open your snake's mouth and gently insert the rodent into the mouth so that the head goes into the throat just a bit. You snake will likely succumb to natural instinct and swallow the food. If it doesn't swallow the rodent, don't force it, or you might gag your pet.
7. Take your snake to the veterinarian if he still rejects food after you completed Step 6, or didn't wish to try it. Your snake may need to be given liquids and food via a stomach tube. In addition, your snake may have an illness causing it not to eat.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider having your veterinarian check your snake for possible illnesses or infections that are causing your snake not to eat before attempting force-feeding.