Leopard geckos are insectivores and obtain most of their nutrition through feeder insects. If their feeders are not adequately fed or supplemented, nutritional deficiencies could develop which could compromise their health and lead to illnesses like pneumonia.
Gut loading refers to feeding a highly nutritious and premium diet for 24 to 48 hours before giving them to your gecko. You can do this using various fruits and vegetables that your gecko enjoys eating, such as fruit salad.
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Crickets
Crickets are an ideal food source for reptile owners and for good reason: low in fat, packed full of protein and calcium, and offering a host of nutritional value. When feeding leopard geckos insects ensure that the size fits properly; no larger than the space between their eyes to prevent choking.
Reptile owners are familiar with dusting feeder insects with supplements, but far fewer understand the practice of gut loading, which entails feeding highly nutritious foods to feeder insects before their feed, in order to ensure they’re packed with vitamins and minerals that will then pass onto reptiles when feeding time comes around.
Feed your crickets a variety of leafy greens, fruits and vegetables – as well as some additional nutritional sources like oatmeal or wheat bran – for maximum weight gain. Chop any veggies that might present a risk into small pieces so as to not cause choke hazards for leopard geckos.
Mealworms
Mealworms are larval stages of darkling beetles belonging to the Cloeopidae family. Mealworms are ideal for general feeding as their digestive systems can process almost all food except lettuce; furthermore, any fruit or vegetables would likely lead to mold growth which will harm their development.
Carrots, apples, and squash make excellent options for gut loading mealworms as they contain many vital vitamins. A food processor or blender can be used to grind or puree these ingredients before combining with just enough water to create a moist mix.
Prior to feeding feeder insects to your leopard gecko, it is imperative that they be gut-loaded as poorly fed animals may develop Metabolic Bone Disease or fertility issues, or fail to grow normally. Gut loading mealworms makes them more nutritious for your pet while making digestion simpler; you should still supplement their diet with powdered calcium and vitamin supplements; frequency may depend on his/her appetite.
Dubia Roaches
Dubia roaches make an excellent option for gut loading leopard geckos as they’re more sustainable feeder insects that won’t lead to issues like crickets and mealworms do. Furthermore, their high nutritional content helps prevent MBD in leopard geckos.
However, they lack many of the essential nutrients reptiles require such as calcium. Supplementing their diet with powdered supplements helps ensure they get all of their needs fulfilled.
General gut loading involves providing roaches with foods considered healthy for them to eat. This may include providing fruits and vegetables that provide a wide array of micronutrients.
Powdered kale, spinach or lettuce is an easy and natural way to provide Dubia roaches with extra minerals they need for good health for their leopard gecko companions. Keep them in a 10 gallon glass tank, rubber storage tub with ventilation holes or bucket with ventilated lid; offering hiding spots, climbing areas that fit their size as well as food, water and warmth as needed.
Vegetables
As previously discussed, Leopard geckos require a diverse diet in order to get all of the essential vitamins and minerals they require for good health. Doing this helps avoid overeating, obesity and health complications in later years. Most owners still offer waxworms as treats (if available cheaply), since these offer protein, fats, calcium and vitamin D benefits all-in-one package!
Gut loading is the ideal way for geckos to obtain necessary nutrients, providing your lizard with vegetables and fruits soaked in juice or puree will allow it to absorb these essential vitamins. Not only will this boost their nutritional intake, but a gut loaded insect will be better equipped at digesting its food more efficiently which may decrease digestive issues in your pet. It can be applied similarly to crickets, roaches, dubia cockroaches and mealworms too!
