Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

Why is my veiled chameleon not eating, falling, and puffing up?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Hi I have a veiled chameleon. Not eating or drinking... falling allot and will puff up 24/7

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Susan England-Foster

Veterinarian

Published on July 5th, 2017

I would recommend taking him to a vet as soon as possible. Most chameleons will eat every single day. If he has become anorexic I would be concerned about fungal or bacterial disease. They also can get injury to there mouth from eating which is painful and will cause anorexia. I would recommend making sure his environment is proper and he is in a low traffic area to help decrease stress. Try feeding him a special treat he loves. This might motivate him to start eating again

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Published on July 31st, 2018
Check the temps in the enclosure. Low temps can affect appetite and activity in reptiles. Consider bumping it up by about 5 F until he is recovered. You can soak him in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte to treat or prevent minor dehydration. Get some Fluker's Repta-Boost from the local Petco. Use it to supplement the diet and get some quick calories into Floki. Consider an exam with your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles to diagnose illness or injury.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Todd Cecil
Veterinarian
Published on January 28th, 2019
Thanks for reaching out about Melo and including photos. If he is not eating, drinking or moving, a veterinary visit is needed. Husbandry parameters need to be checked and corrected. Trying to hand feed and offer water via a syringe could help but is not a cure. A veterinarian might need to perform diagnostic tests such as blood work, to determine a diagnosis.
Good luck.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Health & Wellness

Why is my veiled chameleon not eating and acting so lethargic?

Check the temperature of the enclosure. Low temps can affect appetite and activity in reptiles. Soak her in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte for 20-30 minutes daily to treat or prevent minor dehydration. Make sure prey is appropriately sized, no bigger than the space between her eyes. If the behavior persists, have her physically examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles to diagnose and treat illness or injury. Review the information at the link below for care of veiled chameleons. http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Care-Sheets/Lizards/Veiled-Chameleon/

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Training & Behavior

Why is my veiled chameleon sleeping on the ground and not eating?

Check the temperature in the enclosure. If it is too warm higher up, he may stay in the ground. He may also be I'll or injured, so if temps check out then an exam with your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles would be recommended to diagnose and treat any illness or injury.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why is my veiled chameleon weak, not eating, and tail not spiraling?

There are several things that could be wrong with her like parasites, incorrect husbandry, respiratory infection or even metabolic bone disease. Since she is acting so sick and weak, i would try to get her to your vet as soon as possible. Your vet will be able to determine what is wrong with her and provide her with th proper medication if needed. He will also be able to provide fluids for her if needed. Finally, you vet should be able to help make sure your environment for her is set up properly and give you advice on what needs to be changed to help her heal quicker. I hope this helps and she starts to feel better soon.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why is my baby veiled chameleon's eye closed, rubbing, and not eating?

My rule of thumb is that a closed eye is a painful eye, and a painful eye needs to be seen. He may have had some trauma or an infection. It may be the cause of his poor appetite as well. Make sure his environment is the accurate temp and humidity too. A great resource is www.anapsid.org I hope he heals soon!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My chameleon is thin, not eating, and has tongue issues. What can I do?

Thanks for reaching out about Rango and including photos. He looks very thin. Kidney disease is very common in middle-aged and older chameleons. Calcium and vitamin A deficiencies are often associated with tongue problems. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Continue to try to provide lots of fluids, orally or misting to stimulate drinking. Good lukc.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Why is my veiled chameleon lethargic, not eating, and full of eggs?

Thanks for reaching out about Emmy and including photos. You might want to syringe water, offer food via hand-feeding. Is she digging a nest site in the dirt? Calcium deficiencies can easily lead to egg stasis and binding. Insects are notoriously poor in calcium (lacking bones). Typically gravid females who are healthy are still active (digging an nest, etc.) but might not eat. If she remains weak, egg laying might need to be induced. Good luck.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

My anole lizard is weak and not eating. What should I try first?

A dehydrated or cold anole will not eat. Make sure ambient and basking temps in the enclosure are species appropriate. Soak him in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte to warm him up and rehydrate him. Offer appropriate sized prey (crickets, mealworms, dubia roaches, silk worms). Nothing bigger than the space between his eyes. Gut load them for 24 hours prior to offering to maximize nutritional value. Have him examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles if he does not regain his appetite. Frequently, these little guys are infected with intestinal parasites. Follow the link below for more information regarding care. http://www.anapsid.org/anole.html

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share