Signs of a Healthy Frog

Some frog illnesses' symptoms are easy to see; others are very difficult. You should probably check your frog everyday to make sure all is well.

Signs of a healthy frog:

• Eats like a little piggy. Frog should be very enthusiastic about "feeding time", and should eat as much as he can in 3-5 minutes. Some resources suggest feeding your frog as much as he can eat in fifteen minutes. I don't recommend this. Your frog can eat much more than what's good for him in 15 minutes.
• Frog's skin should be clean and bright, without scratches, lumps, irritations, or dryness. If your frog's skin is dry, you probably need to mist him with lukewarm water.
• The skin on your frog's belly and thighs should not be bright red and/or irritated. This is most definitely a symptom of Red Leg, a common disease found in many frogs. However, do not confuse Red Leg symptoms with the natural colors of some frogs!
• Frog's eyes should be clear, not hazy or cloudy. Hazy and cloudy eyes can indicate an illness.
• Frog's waste shouldn't be runny or have red streaks.
• Frog should be active. Nocturnal frogs (such as the Blue Bumpy Frog) are mostly active during the night.
• Frog should shed at least once a week. Some frogs are known to shed every day.

Signs of an unhealthy frog:

• Frog is lethargic, bloated, uncomfortable or lazy. Lethargy and bloating are symptoms of Dropsy, a frog disease. If you notice that your frog is uncomfortable, he is probably shedding, which is natural. But if your frog is overly uncomfrotable, something might be wrong. And, if your frog is just plain lazy, he could be stressed, depressed, full of food or tired, especially if he is a nocturnal frog.
• Lack of appetite. Cut back on the feedings. If your frog is new, he is probably stressed from being transported and having new surroundings. You might want to try a variety in his diet. He may be tired of eating the same old thing.
• Frog has hazy eyes. This is usually a sign of infection.
• Frog's skin is lumpy, dried, irritated, etc. Frog is probably thirsty. Squirt him down with lukewarm water. However, if your frog's skin is irritated, he is probably indicating an illness.