Most geckos sold as “golden geckos” are insect eaters, so a diet of small, gut-loaded crickets, dubia roach nymphs, and other feeder insects, dusted with calcium, is the safest foundation. Because the name “golden gecko” is used for more than one species and color morph, check your animal’s exact species before adding fruit or any specialty food.
Check the species
“Golden” can describe a color morph of a common pet gecko, or a separate species that is golden in color. Ask the seller for the scientific name and look up that species. The feeding rules in this guide apply to typical insect-eating geckos. If your species is a day gecko type that licks fruit, you will need a fruit-based gecko diet in addition to insects.
Core foods
- Crickets: the usual staple. Choose a size smaller than the gecko’s head width.
- Dubia roaches: high in protein and easy to keep.
- Silkworms and hornworms: soft, moisture-rich variety foods.
- Mealworms: a smaller part of the menu because of their hard shells.
- Waxworms: occasional treat only, as they are high in fat.
Gut-loading and dusting
Feed the insects a quality diet of oats, greens, and carrot or a commercial gut-load for a day before feeding. Dust with calcium powder at most feedings and use a reptile multivitamin once a week or as the label advises. Do not exceed the recommended amount of supplements.
Schedule
Babies and juveniles eat daily. Adults do well with feeding every other day or two to three times a week. Remove leftover insects after about 15 minutes. Keep a shallow dish of fresh water and mist lightly if the species needs humidity.
Watching for problems
A healthy gecko has bright eyes, a plump tail base, and a strong hunting response. Call a reptile vet if you see tremors, soft or bowed legs, a swollen belly, or a gecko that refuses food for more than a couple of weeks.
More reading
Our spotted gecko food guide and house gecko diet cover similar insect-based feeding plans.
Bottom Line
Identify your golden gecko’s species, then build the diet on varied, gut-loaded, calcium-dusted insects. Add fruit diet only if the species is known to eat it.
This article is general information, not veterinary advice.
