Crested geckos are tropical lizards that consume fruits and vegetables in their natural environment, while some owners try to replicate this diet in their homes by creating fruit smoothies for their pets – this should never happen!
Your crested gecko should receive a diet high in calcium and low in phosphorus; avoid fruits containing oxalic acid as these may prove hazardous for their health.
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Peaches
Crested geckos should eat up to 70% of their diet from fruits. Many owners offer fruits chopped finely or blended into smoothies as part of the daily feeding ritual. Repashy has various fruit formulas available as meal or treat options that may also work.
Crestied geckos often enjoy mangos (remove the seeds to reduce impaction risk), strawberries (great source of Vitamin C and antioxidants) and kiwis (peel the hairy husk to avoid impaction risk). All these fruits offer low calories yet rich nutrition.
Watermelon
Your crested gecko may enjoy watermelons as treats, but beware: dole out only occasionally as too much may lead to an increase in caloric intake and lead to obesity in your pet.
Foods containing high concentrations of phosphorous may lead to Metabolic Bone Disease; excess amounts can force your body to draw on calcium stores for use, leaving bones weak and fragile.
Peaches offer an excellent alternative to watermelons as they contain fewer calories and less phosphorous, yet are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C – perfect for offering in slices or as pureed. Just avoid feeding peach skins – they may prove difficult for your pet to digest!
Papaya
Captive geckos need a varied diet of fruits and insects for proper growth. Additionally, calcium supplements should be given regularly in order to prevent metabolic bone disease. An ideal diet includes commercial diets, fresh fruit from local farms, live insects such as dubia roaches as well as multivitamin and mineral supplements for optimal results.
Mangoes, papayas, cactus fruit and strawberries are some of the best fruits for crested geckos, although you should steer clear of avocados due to persin being toxic for reptiles. When offering fruits to crested geckos it’s wise to dole out small portions so as to prevent your crested gecko from becoming addicted and refusing other forms of nutrition altogether – it is also wise to mix these fruits to provide your gecko with a variety of vitamins and nutrients!
Kiwi
Crested geckos must consume fruits that contain plenty of calcium to avoid Metabolic Bone Disease – the condition wherein too much phosphorus in their diet causes their bones to absorb calcium from food sources and draw it out to use for themselves, leading to their calcium being depleted from their own body instead.
Fruits such as strawberries and bananas are great options for Cresties to consume as they contain high concentrations of calcium and offer soft textures which make eating them simple.
Blueberries make an excellent treat for Cresties as they boast a favorable calcium to phosphorous ratio and contain plenty of antioxidants, making them suitable to offer once or twice per week mashed or chopped into small pieces as an appetizer or side.
Strawberries
Strawberry fruit can provide crested geckos with a great source of calcium, but should only be given in moderation. To ensure an appropriate balance in their diet, strawberries should be combined with other sources that provide more calcium while having lower phosphorus concentrations.
Mangoes make another great option as they provide ample nutrients while being soft enough for crested geckos to easily consume. In addition, their high antioxidant levels and versatility makes mango an attractive food option that can either be eaten alone or added into other dishes.
Kiwis are another delicious, fiber-packed fruit full of vitamin C; however, due to a higher calcium-to-phosphorus ratio they should only be eaten occasionally.
Bananas
Crested geckos enjoy a wide range of fruits and vegetables. However, vegetables like broccoli contain goitrogenic compounds which could interfere with their thyroid.
Other popular foods for Cresties include strawberries and mangoes. You can give these whole or mashed, just be sure to offer a variety of fruits so your Crestie doesn’t develop an exclusive preference for one fruit over others. They also enjoy eating small portions of cooked spinach, broccoli and carrots – be sure to remove any inedible or toxic parts such as seeds, cores, peels or pits prior to feeding it to them!
