Crested Gecko Nutrition Guide: Optimal Diet and Feeding Schedule

Everything you need to know about feeding your Crested Gecko, from dietary requirements and portion sizes to supplements and foods to avoid.

BLUF: The easiest, safest way to meet a crested gecko’s nutritional needs is a quality commercial powdered Crested Gecko Diet (CGD) as the staple, offered at age-appropriate frequencies and portion sizes, with occasional gut‑loaded insects and fresh fruit treats. Monitor weight and body condition, provide calcium supplementation and low‑level UVB as indicated, and consult your veterinarian for individualized guidance or if weight loss/illness occurs.

Nutritional requirements by life stage

Crested geckos (Correlophus ciliatus) are omnivorous/frugivorous reptiles that do best on a complete powdered CGD fortified for their needs. Nutrient needs change with age:

• Hatchlings (0–6 months): rapid growth phase; higher protein and more frequent feeding. Aim for diets providing approximately 18–22% crude protein (dry matter), 5–8% fat, and high moisture. Calcium intake and a Ca:P ratio of at least 1.5:1–2:1 are critical to prevent metabolic bone disease (MBD).
• Juveniles/subadults (6–12 months): growth slows but remains significant. Target 16–20% protein, moderate fat (5–8%), and maintain calcium supplementation routines until fully mature.
• Adults (>12 months): lower protein needs, 14–18% protein is usually adequate. Manage calories to avoid obesity; adults need fewer feedings and more body‑condition monitoring.

• Calcium: Aim for 1.0% or higher in the overall diet, and maintain Ca:P ≥1.5:1 (2:1 is a safe target for growing animals).
• Vitamin D3: Required for calcium metabolism. Many CGDs include D3; if you provide UVB lighting, reduce separate D3 supplementation. Overdose of D3 causes toxicity — consult your veterinarian when adjusting D3.
• Water: Crested geckos drink water droplets and benefit from a humidity cycle (50–70% at night and daytime 40–60%). Commercial diets are moisture‑rich; still provide fresh water and misting.
• Fiber and moisture: CGDs are designed to mimic fruit pulp — moderate fiber (3–6%) and high moisture (often >60% prepared).

• Weigh gecko weekly in the first 3 months, then monthly. Hatchlings often double weight in the first month; a healthy adult female commonly weighs 45–70 g and males 30–50 g (wide variability by individual).
• Adjust feeding frequency/portion if weight is increasing too rapidly (obesity) or dropping (underfeeding/illness). Always consult your veterinarian if weight trends are concerning.

What to feed: staple diets, insects, fruits, and foods to avoid

Crested geckos thrive when a complete, commercial CGD is the staple. CGDs are formulated to provide balanced macro- and micronutrients and are backed by nutritional analysis; common brands include Pangea, Repashy, and Zoo Med. Use whole/live foods to supplement variety, enrichment, and protein, but not as an unbalanced staple.

Comparison: Staple vs. supplemental foods

• Ripe banana, mango, papaya, peach — small amounts as treats or mixed with CGD.
• Gut‑loaded dubia roaches, small crickets, and baby roaches (appropriate size: no larger than the width between the gecko’s eyes).
• Commercial CGD as primary diet.

• Avocado (persin toxin), fireflies/lightning bugs (highly toxic), wild‑caught insects (pesticide/parasite risk), citrus fruits (acidity can irritate), chocolate, dairy, and onion/garlic. Avoid feeding very large or hard-bodied insects that can cause impaction (e.g., adult mealworms as a staple).

• Gut‑load insects 24–48 hours with calcium‑rich foods before offering.
• Avoid pesticide exposure: buy from reputable feeders or culture your own.
• For insects, dust with calcium powder (no D3) unless the CGD you use is already sufficiently fortified — see the supplements section and consult your veterinarian.

Portion sizes and feeding schedule (with tables)

Portion sizing depends on age, activity, and body condition. The following are general starting points — always adjust by observing body condition and weight.

Practical prepared CGD portion guidelines (prepared into pudding consistency per product instructions):

• Hatchlings (0–3 months): 0.5–1 tsp (2–5 mL) per feeding; daily.
• Juveniles (3–6 months): 1–2 tsp (5–10 mL); daily.
• Subadults (6–12 months): 1 tbsp (15 mL); every 24–48 hours.
• Adults (>12 months): 1–1.5 tbsp (15–22 mL); every 48–72 hours depending on condition.

• If your CGD brand lists it as “complete,” you may not need daily dusting with calcium — instead dust live insects offered as treats. However, for growing geckos, additional calcium is prudent; confirm with product labels and your veterinarian.
• Serve food in a shallow dish placed on floor or low branch. Remove old food after 24 hours to avoid spoilage and bacteria.
• For picky eaters or breeders, offer small, fresh dishes daily and adjust timing.

• If your gecko becomes overweight (rounded body, fat deposits at base of tail), reduce feeding frequency/portion and increase enclosure enrichment (climbing).
• If losing weight or showing decreased appetite, consult your veterinarian promptly. Do not increase vitamin D3/calcium without guidance, as excess D3 causes health issues.

Supplements, UVB, common pitfalls and health concerns

Supplements and UVB choices interact with diet; improper use leads to deficiencies or toxicities.

Calcium and vitamin D3:

• Calcium: Use a calcium carbonate powder (no D3) to dust live insects offered to the gecko. Target dusting frequency per schedule above; juvenile geckos need more frequent dusting.
• Vitamin D3: Many CGDs include D3. If using a CGD with D3 and you provide a UVB source, reduce or avoid extra D3 supplementation unless directed by your veterinarian. Vitamin D3 toxicity is real — signs include lethargy, anorexia, soft tissue mineralization, and kidney disease.

• Crested geckos are nocturnal but benefit from low‑level UVB for natural behavior and vitamin D3 synthesis. Use a low‑output UVB bulb (2.0–5.0, often 2.0 recommended) on a 10–12 hour light cycle, positioned per manufacturer distance guidelines.
• Provide shaded areas and hiding spots so the gecko can avoid UV if desired.
• Replace fluorescent/compact UVB bulbs per manufacturer timeline (typically every 6–12 months). LED “UVB” claims require scrutiny; choose reptile-specific bulbs and follow setup guides.

• Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD): Caused by calcium deficiency, improper Ca:P ratio, lack of D3/UVB, or inadequate protein during growth. Signs: soft jaw, bowed limbs, trembling, lethargy. Prevention is by ensuring balanced diet, correct supplementation, and appropriate UVB. If suspected, see your veterinarian immediately.
• Impaction: Caused by ingesting substrate, large insects, or hard insect exoskeletons. Avoid loose particulate substrate like sand and ensure insect size is appropriate (no wider than head).
• Obesity and dental/skin problems: Caused by overfeeding calorie-dense treats and poor hygiene. Limit sugary fruit treats and remove uneaten food.

• Unintended weight loss or gain, lethargy, neurologic signs (tremors), changes in stool, abnormal shedding, or visible deformities. For any supplementation or diet shifts, consult your veterinarian, ideally one with reptile experience, who can advise on diet testing, blood work, and tailored nutritional plans.

• Rotate CGD brands occasionally if concerned about single‑source reliance, but transition gradually over 7–10 days.
• Use feeding as enrichment: place food on branches, use multiple dishes to encourage movement.
• Maintain clean feeding dishes and fresh water; change water daily.

• Use a commercial Crested Gecko Diet (CGD) as the staple and tailor portion/frequency to life stage: daily for hatchlings, every 24–48 hours for subadults, and every 48–72 hours for most adults; adjust by body condition and weight.
• Supplement gut‑loaded insects appropriately (size < head width), dust insects with calcium (especially for juveniles), and use a multivitamin weekly — but avoid routine high D3 supplementation without veterinary guidance.
• Provide low‑level UVB (10–12 hour cycle) and aim for a dietary Ca:P ratio ≥1.5:1–2:1 to prevent metabolic bone disease; always consult your veterinarian for suspected illness or to create a tailored nutrition plan.
• Avoid toxic foods (avocado, fireflies, chocolate, wild‑caught pesticide‑exposed insects, onion/garlic, rhubarb) and do not rely exclusively on fruit or single home‑made recipes.
• Monitor weight regularly (weekly for hatchlings, monthly for adults), adjust feeding as needed, and seek veterinary care for any concerning trends or clinical signs.

Frequently Asked Questions