I'm scared to force feed my pac man frog

[Capojames]

Has it ever ate? Try to get the heat up to 85

[Sublime]

To add to dsm's post: Dust the food with calcium with d3 and a multivitamin (1:1 ratio). Start from the bottom to the top to see where the problem is. Disinfect tank, change out substrate, and add plants or other hides back into the enclosure. Don't use moss anymore - coconut fiber already holds in moisture really well.

The earthworms (Night crawlers or red wigglers) can be found at: Sporting goods section of Walmart or other Sports Department stores, petco/petsmart, and reptile shops. Just make sure if you buy from Walmart or another non-related pet store, that the worms don't have additives on them.

Glass, plexiglass, or a damp towel works well. Try covering more of an area on your screen lid and leaving 1/4 of it open for airflow where the light fixture is. Dropping to 70 at night isn't horrible, but that is on the low side and need to bring his appetite back up with the heat.

Just let him soak in a shallow-warm tote box or other tank while you're cleaning his main one out for like 20-30 minutes.

[GrifTheGreat]

You are getting good advice here. It is always hard to diagnose over the internet though. Golf-ball size is definitely small for a one year old pacman. They can grow at very different rates, but that is way behind normal growth. Lack of calcium/vitamin supplements, too much stress, not eating enough, and not having a varied diet can all contribute to that. We are not trying to point fingers by asking all these questions. We need as much info on your frog's situation as possible so we can help.

First, are you using dechlorinated water? Are there any other physical symptoms or strange behavior? If he has been eating in with the moss, then impaction is a definite possibility. Most people who use moss feed their frogs in a separate container. When was the last time he had a bowel movement? How frequent are his bowel movements and do you notice anything unusual in them (ie, moss, too much substrate, undigested food)?

Pacmans also get stressed out easily and when they do they often stop eating. You need to cause as little stress as possible. Is the room he is in too noisy? Are there any drafts from windows or air vents? Try to give him as much warmth and quiet as possible. Definitely keep the temps at 80-85 during the day. If you haven't already, you can cover 3 sides of the tank with some sort of background to minimize visual distraction/stress. Try offering worms; they are easier to digest. I know this is stressful, but you need to remain calm. Your frog will pick up on your stress. It's hard to say if it is time to force feed since you don't know exactly how long it has been since he ate. But it may be. Offer food first to see if he takes it. If you force feed, take him out of the inclosure (if you do this in the enclosure he will most likely try to burrow. Also, it is very awkward to try to reach in with your arms). Place him on some damp paper towels (sprayed with decholinated water). Keep the lights dim; bright light or too much noise will stress them out more. It is easiest if you have two people (one to hold the frog steady and the other to feed). Have one person cup the frog; he will try to back away and swat at the card most likely. The other person will gently insert a credit card or shopper card into the corner of the frog's mouth and push down a little. If he does not open his mouth, gradually increase the pressure. In your other hand have the food item ready and pressed against the frog's mouth. When he does open, it will only be for a second; you have to be quick. I've been though this; trust me it takes a few tries and it is stressful for frog and owner but it is better than watching your frog starve to death. Keep us updated.

[GrifTheGreat]

Oh, you don't need to get the entire food item in his mouth. He may try to spit it out, but generally once you get it at least partially in their mouth they will swallow it. Good luck!

[IvoryReptiles]

Just going to add this note folks :

Spot cleaning is good for the month, month 1/2.....but after that the substrate needs to be replaced. You are only picking up feces when spot cleaning, NOT the urine. They urinate alot!! If the urine build up in the substrate, the frog will tox-out and become ill & could expire. Are you using de-chlorinated water on the frog & in the enclosure?

[LIZZIE82]

Yes, he has declorinated water. The more I look at him and the other pacman frogs on here - the more I realize mine doesn't look right. Never has. I think there is a genetic abnormality in him. My sister says that he has never thrived. Has been offered a lot of different types of food and was always content until he came to live with me. I do think he is stressed and I have tried to keep him in a quieter and darker area. The Vet told me to force feed and see if that helps. I didn't completely remove all substrate before to avoid stressing him more.

[GrifTheGreat]

Yes, he has declorinated water. The more I look at him and the other pacman frogs on here - the more I realize mine doesn't look right. Never has. I think there is a genetic abnormality in him. My sister says that he has never thrived. Has been offered a lot of different types of food and was always content until he came to live with me. I do think he is stressed and I have tried to keep him in a quieter and darker area. The Vet told me to force feed and see if that helps. I didn't completely remove all substrate before to avoid stressing him more.

Fresh substrate/a soak/and force feeding him is the right track to be on now. You don't know how long its been since he has eaten so you should try and get som vitamin and calcium with D3 dusted food in him right away. Also feel his belly and right side gently. If its hard he may be impacted. Check to be sure he isn't.

[GrifTheGreat]

What Ivory said above is absolutely right. They will tox out because of the amonia within their urin. It will settle in the bottom of the substrate and within it. Making the substrate poison earth. You should change the substrate no less than once a month. Any longer is putting your frog at risk. Also after you change it you should toss it once or twice a week and what I mean by toss is take the frog out and soak him for a bit while you reach in with clean washed hands and mix the substrate up. You can mist it while you toss it as well to add some fresh moisture to it and help with humidity for a while. Definetly no more moss and change the substrate no less than once a month. Ivory is a breeder so she can really give you insight on how to keep your frog as can most of us.