crested geko being violent

Question
hello, i have a crested gecko about 3 years old and he was the nicest lizzard
up until the last few months. he now snaps at me when i open the cage or
even go by it, he dropped his tail a few months back but that was also right
after i moved him to go on vaca. i thought it was maybe loud music so i
moved all of my equiptment to another room. i do have cats that like to jump
up on the cage and taunt him but ive kept them away for the most part. i
feed him crested geko diet mixed with reptile life crested geko powder. are
one of these possibly the problem? what should i do to calm him down? i try
to pick him up and sometimes hes fine but other times he tweaks out n keeps
biting me! help!
                                                -Dane

Answer
Hi Dane, I can't imagine that his diet has anything to do with it and tail loss is extremely common with cresteds, even wild ones. I really think that it is the presence of the predators (your cats) that has him completely stressed out. It sounds like he is so freaked out that he is reacting defensively to absolutely anything that comes near his enclosure, even you!
I know how hard it is to keep cats away from something they find intriguing but I really think that complete segregation of the cats and gecko is the only way that your crested is going to calm down in time. The cats may not be able to get him but he doesn't know that and the poor thing's life must be flashing before his eyes everytime they come near him. That would make anyone a bit bonkers!
Make sure his enclosure has a lot of foliage (plastic plants from Walmart are great for this) which will help him feel less exposed and more secure and safe in his cage.