Best Food for Leopard Geckos: Keeping Your Pet Healthy and Happy

Leopard geckos are one of the most popular reptile pets, known for their friendly nature, beautiful patterns, and relatively low-maintenance care. However, one of the most critical aspects of their care is providing a balanced and nutritious diet. The right food will keep your leopard gecko healthy, active, and free from common health issues such as metabolic bone disease or vitamin deficiencies. In this guide, we will explore the best foods for leopard geckos, including live insects, supplements, and occasional treats that ensure a well-rounded diet.

Staple Insects: Crickets

Crickets are one of the most popular and widely available staple foods for leopard geckos. They are high in protein, relatively inexpensive, and easy to find at most pet stores. Crickets are also easy to gut-load, meaning you can feed them nutritious foods before offering them to your gecko. This process enriches the crickets with vitamins and minerals, which are then passed on to your pet.

When feeding crickets to your leopard gecko, it’s important to choose appropriately sized insects. The crickets should be no larger than the space between your gecko’s eyes to prevent choking or digestive problems. Dusting crickets with a calcium and vitamin D3 supplement is crucial, as this helps prevent metabolic bone disease, a common issue in captive reptiles. Feed your gecko crickets 2-3 times a week, adjusting the quantity based on their age and size.

Best Nutrient-Rich Option: Dubia Roaches

Dubia roaches are another excellent staple food for leopard geckos. They are highly nutritious, with a good balance of protein, fat, and essential vitamins and minerals. Unlike crickets, dubia roaches are low in chitin, making them easier for geckos to digest. They are also less likely to escape and do not produce the same odor or noise as crickets, making them a more convenient option for many pet owners.

Dubia roaches are ideal for gut-loading, allowing you to enhance their nutritional content before feeding them to your gecko. They also live longer than crickets, which means you can buy them in bulk without worrying about them dying quickly. Be sure to offer roaches that are appropriately sized for your gecko, and dust them with a calcium supplement to maintain strong bones and healthy development. Dubia roaches can be fed as a primary food source, offering them 2-3 times a week.

Best for Hydration: Mealworms

Mealworms are a popular choice among leopard gecko owners because they are easy to store, affordable, and readily available. While they do not provide as much hydration as live insects like crickets or dubia roaches, mealworms can still be a part of your gecko’s diet. However, they should not be the sole food source, as they are higher in fat and chitin, which can be harder to digest and may lead to obesity if fed excessively.

To ensure mealworms are as nutritious as possible, gut-load them with vegetables or high-quality commercial gut-load food before feeding them to your gecko. Dust mealworms with a calcium supplement to enhance their nutritional value. Mealworms can be offered once or twice a week as a supplemental food, along with other live insects to ensure a balanced diet.

Best Calcium-Rich Option: Phoenix Worms (Black Soldier Fly Larvae)

Phoenix worms, or black soldier fly larvae, are an excellent source of calcium, which is essential for leopard geckos to maintain healthy bones and prevent metabolic bone disease. These worms have a naturally high calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, which means they do not need to be dusted with a calcium supplement as frequently as other insects.

Phoenix worms are small, easy to digest, and have a soft texture, making them suitable for geckos of all ages, including juveniles. They are also relatively low in fat, making them a healthier choice compared to mealworms or waxworms. While they can be offered as a primary food source, it’s still a good idea to provide variety by rotating them with other insects such as crickets or dubia roaches.

Occasional Treat: Waxworms

Waxworms are considered a treat food for leopard geckos due to their high fat content. While they are tasty and most geckos find them irresistible, feeding them too often can lead to obesity and other health problems. Waxworms should be offered sparingly, no more than once a week, and in small quantities.

These worms can be a good way to encourage a picky eater or to add variety to your gecko’s diet. When offering waxworms, make sure they are fresh and free from mold, as this can be harmful to your pet. Waxworms do not require gut-loading, but it’s always a good practice to dust them with a calcium supplement to balance their nutritional profile.

Occasional Treat: Hornworms

Hornworms, also known as Goliath worms, are another great treat for leopard geckos. These brightly colored worms are high in moisture, making them an excellent source of hydration, especially during warmer months. Hornworms are also rich in protein and calcium, providing a nutritious supplement to your gecko’s regular diet.

However, like waxworms, hornworms should only be fed occasionally due to their high moisture content, which can lead to diarrhea if overfed. These worms can grow quite large, so it is important to select appropriately sized hornworms for your gecko. Feeding hornworms once or twice a month is sufficient to provide variety without overloading your gecko’s diet.

Best Supplement: Calcium and Vitamin D3 Powder

In addition to live insects, supplements play a vital role in a leopard gecko’s diet. Calcium and vitamin D3 are crucial for maintaining strong bones and preventing metabolic bone disease. Leopard geckos do not naturally produce vitamin D3, so it must be provided through diet or supplementation to ensure they can properly absorb calcium.

A high-quality calcium powder with added vitamin D3 should be dusted on your gecko’s food 2-3 times per week, especially if you are using insects like crickets, mealworms, or dubia roaches. Additionally, a multivitamin supplement should be provided once a week to ensure your gecko receives all the essential vitamins and minerals needed for a healthy life.

Avoid: Wild-Caught Insects

It might be tempting to feed your leopard gecko wild-caught insects such as flies, grasshoppers, or ants, but this practice is not recommended. Wild-caught insects can carry parasites, pesticides, or harmful bacteria that can seriously harm your gecko. Always opt for commercially raised insects specifically bred for feeding reptiles, as these are safe and free from contaminants.

Feeding Tips for Leopard Geckos

To ensure your leopard gecko thrives, follow these feeding tips:

Feed at Night: Leopard geckos are nocturnal, so it’s best to feed them in the evening when they are most active.
Remove Uneaten Food: Always remove uneaten insects from the tank to prevent them from harassing or injuring your gecko.
Monitor Weight: Regularly weigh your gecko to ensure they are maintaining a healthy weight. Adjust feeding amounts accordingly.
Provide Fresh Water: Always have fresh water available in a shallow dish to keep your gecko hydrated.
Create a Feeding Schedule: Establish a feeding schedule that aligns with your gecko’s age. Juveniles require more frequent feeding (daily), while adults can be fed 2-3 times a week.