Crested geckos are a popular pet among reptile enthusiasts, and for good reason! These adorable lizards can live up to 20 years with proper care, so it’s important that you provide them with the right nutrition. Did you know that providing a balanced diet is one of the most important steps in keeping your crested gecko healthy? Knowing what to feed your pet gecko can seem overwhelming at first, but don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll cover all the essential dietary requirements of crested geckos and discuss which foods should be included in their diet. We’ll also provide information on commercial diets and supplements that can help fulfill these needs. So buckle up – let’s get started learning about how to keep your crested gecko happy and healthy!
Key Takeaways
- Crested geckos can eat a variety of foods including insects, fruits, vegetables, commercially-made crested gecko diet, and baby food without preservatives or additives.
- Protein sources for crested geckos include insects, commercially-made protein powders, eggs, fish flakes or pellets, and chicken or turkey baby food.
- Calcium sources for crested geckos include calcium powder with vitamin D3, calcium-rich fruits, calcium-fortified insects, crushed eggshells, and cuttlebone or calcium blocks.
- Vitamin sources for crested geckos include vitamin supplements with vitamin A and D3, vitamin-rich fruits, vitamin-fortified insects, commercially-made vitamin powders, and baby food with added vitamins.
Dietary Requirements
When it comes to their diet, crested geckos have some pretty specific requirements. In order to maintain a healthy living environment, these reptiles need a balanced nutritional plan that meets their hydration needs and provides them with the vitamins and minerals they need for growth. It is important to understand what crested geckos can eat so you can ensure your pet gets enough of the right nutrients.
Crested geckos are omnivorous reptiles so they eat both plant-based food as well as small insects. They prefer food with a higher fat content such as cooked chicken or eggs, but must also be given fruits and vegetables for necessary vitamins and minerals. A good rule of thumb is to feed your gecko twice per week, providing only enough food that they will consume in 3 minutes or less each time.
Insects such as crickets, mealworms, waxworms, roaches or even silk worms can make up the bulk of their diet since they provide protein and other essential nutrients needed for growth. Insects should be gut-loaded with calcium-rich foods like kale or spinach before feeding them to your pet in order to increase the calcium content of the insects themselves. Be sure not to overfeed insect prey because too many nutrients at once can lead to health issues down the road.
It’s also important to supplement your crested gecko’s diet occasionally with minerals such as calcium powder or Vitamin D3 which are especially beneficial during breeding season and molting periods when additional nutrition is necessary for proper development. Without these supplements, deficiencies may arise over time leading to a variety of health problems from shell rot to metabolic bone disease – all avoidable if nutrition is managed correctly from the start!
Now that you know what dietary requirements crested geckos need in order stay healthy and active, you’ll want to learn more about how best serve those needs through suitable insect prey choices…
Insects
You may consider feeding your crested gecko crickets, mealworms, and waxworms to provide a balanced diet. Crickets are an excellent source of calcium and protein, while mealworms contain more fat than crickets. Waxworms should be used as an occasional treat due to their high fat content. All three insects should be fed in moderation to help keep your crested gecko healthy.
Crickets
Crickets are a crested gecko’s best friend – they’ll eat an endless amount! Feeding your crested gecko crickets is a great way to help them stay healthy, as these nocturnal insects provide essential proteins, fats, and calcium. To ensure proper calcium intake for your pet, be sure to dust their crickets with a calcium supplement at least twice per week. You can also add multivitamins to the diet 1-2 times per month. Crickets should always be offered in moderation because too many can lead to digestive problems or obesity. Be sure to monitor your geckos’ eating habits and adjust accordingly if needed. As you work towards providing the best nutrition for your beloved pet, switching up their diet with mealworms will bring variety and excitement into meal time!
Mealworms
Mealworms are a great way to give your crested gecko some variety in their diet! These small, soft-bodied insects are packed with essential nutrients and minerals. They should be gut loaded before feeding them to your gecko, which is done by providing them with a nutritious diet for 12-24 hours prior to offering them as food. Adding insect variety like mealworms to your crested gecko’s diet helps ensure it is getting all the nutrients it needs. Waxworms are another great source of nutrition for crested geckos, so let’s explore these next!
Waxworms
Waxworms are a popular treat among many reptiles, and they’re packed with essential nutrients that can make them an ideal addition to your pet’s diet. When feeding waxworms to crested geckos, it is important to manage portions in order to prevent overeating. Waxworms should be offered as an occasional treat rather than a regular meal component. Variety is key when offering meals for crested geckos, so by including waxworms periodically you can help ensure your pet gets all the necessary nutrients for good health. It is recommended that waxworms be used no more than two or three times a week in combination with other feeders like crickets and mealworms. This will provide a balanced diet and help keep your pet happy and healthy. As an added bonus, variety also helps maintain interest in food which encourages eating! Moving on from waxworms, fruits and vegetables should be included as part of the crested gecko’s diet for optimal nutrition.
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables provide essential nutrients that help crested geckos stay healthy and happy. Depending on the size of your gecko, you can offer small pieces of organic produce such as apples, bananas, berries, mangos, grapes, melons or pears. You can also offer leafy greens such as dandelion leaves, endive lettuce, mustard greens and kale. Be sure to remove any uneaten food from their enclosure after 24 hours.
| Fruits | Vegetables | |
|---|---|---|
| Apples | Dandelion Leaves | |
| Bananas | Endive Lettuce | |
| Berries | Mustard Greens | |
| Mangoes | Kale | |
| Grapes | – | |
| Melons | — | |
| Pears | — | — |
By providing fresh fruits and vegetables in moderation along with a commercial gecko diet will give your pet the vitamins and minerals they need for a long-lasting life. However, too much of either could lead to obesity so it’s important to monitor their eating habits closely and adjust portions accordingly. With proper care and nutrition crested geckos can live up to 15 years! Moving on to the topic of commercial diets…
Commercial Gecko Diets
Providing a balanced diet with commercial gecko food is essential for maintaining your pet’s health and vitality, as it has been specially formulated to meet their nutritional requirements. These foods are usually available in the form of pellets or powder and they are designed to provide crested geckos with all the nutrients they need. Live foods, such as crickets, mealworms and waxworms can also be offered occasionally as part of a gut-load diet. It is important that you feed your crested gecko according to the directions on the packaging of its food. For example, some products require feeding every other day while others recommend daily feeding. Additionally, you should always keep fresh water available for your pet at all times.
When choosing a commercial food for your crested gecko make sure that it contains high-quality ingredients such as calcium-rich vegetables, fruits, insects and minerals. Also look out for added vitamins which can help ensure that your pet gets all the necessary nutrients from its diet. When providing live foods make sure you give them an adequate gut load prior to serving them to your reptile companion in order to provide additional nutrition and enhance flavor. To conclude, making sure your crested gecko receives a well-rounded diet comprising both commercial foods and occasional live meals will go a long way towards ensuring its good health and wellbeing over time. Moving on then to supplements…
Supplements
In addition to commercial gecko diets, crested geckos can also benefit from supplements. Supplementing a crested gecko’s diet with the right vitamins and minerals is essential for keeping them healthy. Here are three ways you can supplement your crested gecko’s diet:
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Phytosupplements – Phytosupplements are plant-based supplements that provide essential vitamins and minerals for your crested gecko. They come in a variety of forms, including powder, pellet, or liquid form.
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Calcium Supplements – Calcium supplements are important for providing additional calcium to help keep your crestie’s bones strong and healthy. These supplements can be purchased in powdered or liquid form and should be added to their food once every other week.
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Vitamin Supplements – Vitamin supplements provide additional vitamins that may not be present in the food they eat on a regular basis, such as vitamin A and D3. These should be used sparingly as too much of certain vitamins can cause health problems in cresties. It is best to consult with a veterinarian before giving any supplement to make sure it is safe for your pet lizard.
When supplementing your crested gecko’s diet, it is important to remember that these should only be used as an occasional treat or boost of nutrition rather than a replacement for fresh vegetables and fruits they would normally eat on their own accord. If you find yourself needing to give them more than two treats per week, it may be time to switch their diet up so they don’t become reliant on human-made foods for sustenance!
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I feed my crested gecko?
You can keep your crested gecko healthy and happy by providing a variety of alternative diets and food options. Feeding your pet regularly with a diverse menu is key to their well-being. To serve them best, give them nutritious meals every day or two!
Is it safe to feed my crested gecko wild insects?
It is not recommended to feed your crested gecko wild insects. Their dietary requirements are specific and their gut health can be compromised if they are fed the wrong food. Stick to commercially available diets and supplements that have been designed specifically for them.
What are the most nutritious fruits and vegetables for my crested gecko?
When weaning your crested gecko, consider the most nutritious fruits and vegetables. Offer a variety to ensure calcium needs are met. Serve cooked butternut squash, sweet potatoes, or collard greens for their vitamin A content. Bell peppers, carrots, and apples provide vital vitamins and minerals. Feed these in moderation to ensure optimal health.
Does my crested gecko need to be supplemented with vitamins and minerals?
Back in the day, it was thought that supplementing your crested gecko’s diet with vitamins and minerals wasn’t necessary. However, today we know better! A varied feeding schedule and calcium requirements need to be met for optimal health. Make sure to closely monitor your crested gecko’s diet to ensure it is receiving all of the nutrients it needs.
Is it safe to feed my crested gecko human food?
It is generally not recommended to feed your crested gecko human food as alternative diets may be necessary for special needs. Consult a reptile specialist to ensure you are providing adequate nutrition for your pet.
Conclusion
You now know what a crested gecko should eat to stay healthy and happy. Insects are an essential source of protein for these reptiles, and fruits and vegetables provide them with the vitamins and minerals they need. Commercial diets can be a convenient way to ensure your gecko is getting the nutrition it needs. Supplements can also help promote good health, but should only be used in moderation. As you take care of your crested gecko, remember that its diet is key to keeping it vibrant and full of life – so feed it properly!
