Why is frozen/thawed better for my pet than live prey?

Feeding frozen/thawed rodents to your pets is better that live for many reasons. Frozen rodents can be stored much more easily and for longer periods of time without needing care or growing too large, and are much safer for your herps. Live rodents left in your pets cages can injure or even kill the animals that were meant to eat them.

How do I prepare the frozen prey so that I can feed it to my pet?

Frozen prey items must be competely thawed. Never feed your pet prey that it is still frozen! The fastest way to safely defrost frozen prey is to soak it in a container of cold water until completely thawed. Another method is to simply leave the items in the refrigerator to thaw, but this takes more time. Once defrosted, using warm water to slightly warm the prey may help with acceptance. Using a microwave is not suggested for defrosting or warming because it can leave some parts of the prey frozen and create hot spots in other areas.

How do I get my pet to eat the thawed prey?

Most reptiles and amphibians (herps) will easily switch to eating frozen/thawed prey with little to no help on your part. Make sure that the prey is slightly warm and offer it with tongs. Sometimes, wiggling the food or dragging it across the substrate may be necessary to get your pet accustomed to eating dead prey. Often this is not a permanent necessity and your herps will soon learn that the dead prey is food and will accept it willingly when it is placed in their cage.

What if my pet won't eat the frozen/thawed prey?

If your pet is reluctant to accept frozen/thawed foods, have patience. It will not harm healthy herps to miss a meal or two. Try leaving the dead prey in the cage longer, even as long as overnight. If your pet still won't accept the frozen/thawed prey, try offering a small live rodent first, then follow it immediately with a frozen/thawed item. With a little time and persistance, most herps will accept frozen/thawed food eventually.