#pickyeaters

I just wanted to share some tips and tricks I have used to get picky snakes to eat. This is not exact science this is just information if you feel like you have tried everything or its starting to be a long time since they ate.

Scenting: This is when you maybe are needing to switch from mouse to rat in snakes because they need bigger meal. This trick is literally rubbing the food you want them to eat with the prey item they are used to eating or eat well.

Time of day: Think about what time of the day or night the species your working with eats in the wild and mimic that.

Time of year: You should research how the eating habits change in the wild depending on what time of year it is or breeding season.

Where to feed: People all have their own opinions for feeding in the enclosure vs. moving to a separate enclosure. There are pros and cons to each. I would say if you are having a hard time feeding in the enclosure try out a separate bin or tote, and if you cant get them to eat in a separate bin then try in the enclosure.  

Size: Make sure that the food you are offering is an appropriate size.

Does anyone else feel like they have ARFID...but are also picky eaters.

“Picky eating” denotes a choice. When given the opportunity, you make the decision not to eat a certain food. For example, I don’t really like bananas, however, I could eat one if I had to. Do I ever reach for a banana? No. If someone offers me a banana do I accept? No. If I were out somewhere and that was the only thing to eat, would I eat it? Yes. I am able to make all of those choices.

ARFID, however, makes those decisions for me. There are many foods that I literally cannot touch. Avocados don’t register as food in my brain. When I see an avocado it seems dangerous to me, toxic, inedible. Logically, I know they are good for me and that most people love them, but ARFID won’t let me see the avocado like that.

You make it okay for them not to try things

And I’m talking about children but it also applies to other adults

You step in when other people pressure them and stop it

You genuinely take the time to think about whether they may like something or not before offering so that they know your “I think you might like it” is genuine

And if they actually don’t like it you say “that’s okay! Thank you for trying it!” With kids give even MORE praise. Tell them they are brave and that you’re proud of them for trying it

And then don’t ask again

At least not for a long time with kids. Kids need to try things like 20 times before liking it. But there is a difference in encouraging them to try something they were ambivalent about and something they flat out hated

“I don’t want to try it” should always be met with “you don’t have to”

And what happens when you make it okay for picky eaters to say no?

Is they start asking you if they can try something. I often have pasta and pesto because it’s easy and I don’t like plain pasta and my kid who is a very picky eater asked if they could try it. They had a bite and said “I could eat it but I’m not a big fan”

And that’s a big deal.

Just now I had an orange and they asked if they could try a bit. They didn’t like it but I told them I was proud of them for trying it and my husband added a “well done!” to that

Trying to pressure a child who is a picky eater to eat more foods will only give them anxiety about food

Putting pressure on an adult or making fun of their eating habits is just a jerk move. And potentially very damaging.

Let them feel safe at home and with you and have the ability to say no without danger

Sincerely