Welcome to the ultimate guide on what to feed your crested gecko! Providing the right diet is crucial for the health and well-being of your pet. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the dietary needs of crested geckos, including the best foods to offer, how to create a balanced diet, and important feeding tips. Whether you're a new crested gecko owner or looking to enhance your current feeding routine, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and tools to ensure your gecko thrives. Get ready to dive into the world of crested gecko nutrition and discover everything you need to know to keep your pet happy and healthy.
Nutritional Requirements for Crested Geckos
Pet crested geckos primarily eat a complete gecko diet (or CGD), a nutritionally-complete mix designed for them. Many keepers supplement that with weekly live insects (like Dubia roaches or crickets) and fresh fruit once a month. Some fruits can be served with their skin, while others can’t. The same is true about seeds. You can learn how to prepare each kind of fruit in our articles on each fruit.
There are several categories of crested gecko food and different approaches to feeding. Generally, a fruit becomes sweeter and softer as it ripens, which is how cresties like it. Once the fruit is fully ripe or even overripe, it is ready. Remove any uneaten leftovers. Since fruit is a special treat, they will likely eat until they are full! We recommend new or less experienced crested gecko owners feed their pets a diet of mostly meal powder. CGD is easy to prepare. Most come in a powdered form which you mix with water until it reaches a pasty consistency. Some mixes are thicker or thinner, so follow the instructions. After that, notice how much they eat. Adjust up or down as needed. Bugs, fruit, and vegetables should get eaten in 15 minutes. CGD should last 24 hours.
When looking at fruits, we consider the calcium-to-phosphorous ratio. Calcium is vital for bone health and is often deficient in the captive diet. Phosphorous can interfere with that absorption, making matters worse. The other notable compound is oxalic acid, which also harms bones. Vegetables follow a similar approach to fruit. One warning- not all brands are safe. If a meal powder doesn’t have everything a crested gecko needs, it will eventually get sick from a nutrient deficiency.
Crested gecko nutrition has come a long way in the last decade. When crested geckos were first available as pets, it was commonplace to offer them a diet of baby food and yogurt along with some sort of protein-based baby food (usually chicken). We now know that these foods are not the best choice for our reptiles. Thankfully, with several complete meal replacement diets available on the market, we no longer have to guess and hope we are meeting our animal’s nutritional requirements. The mix should be put in a container or bottle and be left for a few minutes. The mix will become a thicker paste. If you’ve got too much paste to feed in one serving you can refrigerate it and use it later. Most MRP can last seven days when refrigerated.
The following insects can be given: Your crested gecko might not eat all of the MRP. Leftovers should be removed as soon as possible and within 24 hours. This will prevent nasty smells and bacteria. There are a few worms like waxworms and mealworms that are sometimes fed to crested geckos. Is this a wise idea and how do you feed them? A good schedule will consist of feeding: Most fruits don’t have a high content of calcium but do contain a lot of phosphorus. Some fruits that you can give are papaya, figs, raspberries, prickly pears, berries, grapes, apples, pears, melons, watermelons, cherries, bananas, peaches, and cantaloupes. So, although baby food was used often in the past as an integral part of a crested gecko diet, nowadays I wouldn’t recommend feeding it to your crested gecko. There are a lot of better alternatives available that were developed just for crested geckos. If you stick to their natural diet you can try and give a diet of gut-loaded en dusted insects and fruit. This will require a bit more planning and work from you. A healthy diet is essential for the wellbeing and lifespan of your crested gecko. For the diet of your crested gecko, you can go two ways: My advice is to stick with meal replacement powders or pellet food that contains all nutrients your crested gecko needs and is developed for them. Don’t give baby food or only as a treat. Wax worms are feeder insects with a soft exoskeleton and a high content of fat. Learn if crested geckos can safely eat them. Mix one part powder and two to three parts water. The mix can look watery at this point but this is entirely normal. The most common treats for crested geckos include mashed soft fruits like I already mentioned and worms because they’re high in fat content. Too much fat and phosphorus in the diet of your crested gecko will eventually lead to health issues. This is why you should limit giving these kinds of treats to once or twice a month.
Popular brands: Repashy: an established brand that offers a wide variety of MRP and supplements. It’s the first manufacturer of a complete meal replacement powder for crested geckos. T-Rex: a seller that has a range of reptile products and also has its own MRP. They don’t have a lot of different MRP and might not be found in your local pet store. Fluker’s Farms: a seller of a (tiny ball) granule diet that can be fed each day. The granules should be given in addition to insects to have a balanced diet. They also have an MRP product available. Pangea: another well-known brand of MRP with a variety of tastes. Together with Repashy, this is the most known brand of crested gecko food. Well, such a diet requires you to measure and balance the different nutritional values (for example, the calcium/phosphorus ratio). The “natural” diet is not that suitable for new crested gecko owners. Developing a trustworthy prepared diet requires generational testing, precise nutrient ratios, high quality ingredients, palatable flavor, and popularity among experts. So far only the above brands have passed the test. Diets offered by other brands like National Geographic, Exo Terra, etc. Should be left on the shelf. Our favorite calcium supplements for crested geckos are: No. Baby food typically contains preservatives, and artificial colors/flavors. Additionally, since it’s formulated for humans, the nutrient ratios are off, and your gecko can get sick. Check the ingredients list! Look for a balanced blend of vitamins, minerals, and proteins. The powder should contain three main food groups: plant-based protein, calcium from animal sources, and carbohydrates from fruit or vegetables. You can also look for added supplements such as pre/probiotics to give your crested gecko even more nutrition. We’ll talk about offering insects and commercial diets separately. Once mixed, you can simply place a bit of the food in a shallow dish and add it to your gecko’s enclosure. Different commercial foods are designed to last different lengths of time before they should be removed and discarded. Most, however, remain safe and nutritious for about 24 hours.
Baby Diet Feeding As you can see, feeding crested geckos is pretty easy – especially when compared to some other commonly kept species. In fact, this is a big part of the lizard’s popularity. Just be sure that you embrace the tips and techniques mentioned above to ensure your pet enjoys a nutritious and healthy diet. Not Eating They also do have a few ‘fruit only’ based mixes, of which the Watermelon, and the Papaya are favorites. For a crestie under 6 months old, I have always offered fresh premix food every other day, leaving it in the enclosure between the change to a fresh batch the following night. They are unlikely to eat any during the day but leaving it gives them the option to eat if they feel the need to. I’ll offer live food on a weekend day and leave the other weekend day free of any food. The other feeding ledge I use for any premix powder as already discussed here. Crested Geckos need both premix powder food and live food And at last, don’t forget that premix powder foods are mixed with water too, which offers additional hydration.
Choosing the Right Diet
When it comes to feeding your pet crested gecko, selecting the right diet is crucial for their health and well-being. There are various options available, each with its own benefits and considerations. Let's explore some key information from reputable sources to help you make an informed decision.
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Terrarium Quest : Learn about the specific dietary requirements for baby crested geckos. Understanding their needs at different life stages is essential for their growth and development.
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Pet Lizard People : Emphasize the importance of a complete gecko diet (CGD) supplemented with live insects and fresh fruit. They also highlight the challenges in determining the right amount of food due to individual variations.
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ReptiFiles : Stress the significance of choosing a trustworthy prepared diet for your crested gecko. They caution against certain brands and recommend sticking to tested and approved options.
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My Crested Gecko : Provides insights into creating and using a meal replacement powder diet. They discuss the benefits of a natural diet consisting of gut-loaded insects and fruit, albeit requiring more effort.
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Zen Habitats : Reflects on the evolution of crested gecko nutrition, emphasizing the shift from inadequate food choices to complete meal replacement diets. This advancement ensures that your pet receives the necessary nutrients.
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Exotic Direct : Reminds us of the hydration benefits of premix powder foods, highlighting the importance of water in your crested gecko's diet.
By considering the information from these sources, you can make an educated decision when choosing the right diet for your crested gecko.
Feeding Guidelines
Most keepers feed their crested gecko a combination of live insects and commercially prepared crested gecko food. They may, for example, provide commercial crested gecko paste to their pet three nights per week and offer their pet insects on the other nights. Adult crested geckos don’t need to eat every day and can go for a short period without food. A good feeding schedule will consist of feeding your crested gecko 3 times a week. Personally, some gecko owners use a double feeding ledge, in which they have two feeding cups. One always has water in it and is changed every two to three days unless it’s dirty. Remember, there are several categories of crested gecko food and different approaches to feeding. How often crested geckos need to eat depends on age: young and growing crested geckos can be fed as much as they will eat since they tend to use every calorie for growth. Adult female geckos that are actively breeding have relatively high caloric requirements as well and also need a constant source of calcium for egg production.
Health Monitoring and Care
When it comes to feeding crested geckos, it's important to avoid overfeeding as it can lead to health issues like fatty liver disease. Ideal body weight for a gecko is where it looks healthy without excess fat. Offering a complete gecko diet supplemented with live insects and fruits is recommended. Stress, temperature fluctuations, and illnesses can affect a gecko's eating habits. Providing a suitable habitat with hiding spaces and proper temperatures is crucial. If a gecko stops eating for an extended period, consulting a vet is advisable. Maintaining hydration and humidity levels in the enclosure is essential. Ensuring a diverse diet and proper hygiene practices can help prevent nutritional deficiencies and bacterial infections. Monitoring the gecko's weight and adjusting its diet accordingly is key to its overall health and well-being.
Conclusion:
Ensuring a well-rounded diet for your crested gecko is essential for their health and well-being. By following the comprehensive diet guide provided in this blog, you can provide your pet with the necessary nutrients for optimal growth and vitality. Remember, a balanced diet consisting of live insects, fruits, and specialized crested gecko food is key to keeping your gecko healthy and happy. For more information on high-quality pet food options, including Earthborn Holistic Grain-Free Large Breed Adult Dog Food, visit. relevant_url . Your crested gecko will thank you for it!.
