Can I Feed My Snake When..........?

Question

I am going on vactaion tomorrow for almost two weeks, and my snake has not eaten in the past three. So, I went in there to feed him, and he was in the process of shedding (still blueish colored). Is it ok to feed him when he is like this, or should I feed him when I get back?

Let me know ASAP if you know what to do! THANKS!

Answer 1

dude he is shedding you NEED to feed it

Answer 2

If he is an older snake don’t worry too much about it not eating for the last 3 weeks...snakes go on hunger stirkes all the time. I had a ball python that didn’t eat for almost a year...I have another one that just got off of a 6 month hunger stirke. I had a blood python that went on a hunger strike for 5 or 6 months. My adult kingsnake went on a hunger strike for about 4 months. Snakes just do that. Unless your snake is losing muscle mass I wouldn’t worry about it too much. Don’t offer it food too often you will stress it out...just offer it food as normal...every 10 days or so.

if you have a friend that you trust to offer the snake food a few days after shedding that would be great if not i wouldnt worry about it too much.  i'm sure you have already thought about it but just in case dont forget a light timer while you are gone.

Good luck!

Answer 3

snakes dont eat when in the process of shedding. this way they lose weight and the skin comes of easy. after it has completed the process wait another week then try to feed him.

Answer 4

Wait until you get back... or if there is a friend that you can trust to check in and feed once it's done shedding?

You don't want to feed while they are in shed because that skin is dry and tight... it doesn't stretch like it does normally. So if you feed while in a shed, then you risk a regurge and I seriously don't think that is a smell you want to come home to!

Is there a reason it hasn't eaten in the last 3 weeks? Mine were always fed one appropriately size food item once a week

Answer 5

wait untill you get home to feed him he will be fine a couple of weeks wont hurt him i had a snake go 8 months without eating because he was in his breeding season and refused to eat so it wont hurt him to wait a little while longer

Answer 6

Are you guys stupid snakes dont eat when they shed!!!. Feed it when you come back for vacation they can live for 24 months without food.

Answer 7

I will assume you are a responsible pet owner and you know what you are doing. I think all these answers are good but they vary from snake to snake. I have a ball that eats more when he is shedding (I find this helps him to shed). I also have a Nic that will not eat when eyes are blue but as soon as they start clearing she will ( then she sheds with ease). I Have a Kingsnake that will eat anytime you put food in front of him.

I personally would offer food just because I would not want my snake going five weeks without food because of me. If your snake refuses it, well then you won't feel guilty about it being hungry.

Answer 8

You never feed while they are shedding. Wait till you get home to feed, it should be ok. Or have someone feed it for you once it is done shedding.