Feeding your crested gecko isn’t just about tossing in a few bugs—it’s about creating a balanced diet that keeps them healthy, happy, and active. If you're a proud gecko parent wondering what crested geckos eat, you’ve come to the right place!

1. The Foundation of a Gecko’s Diet: Commercial Diets

Crested geckos thrive on commercially prepared powdered diets specifically designed for them. These diets are nutrient-rich and easy to prepare—just mix with water to form a smooth paste.

Pro Tip: Use the Geckopia Bowls to serve food in a one neat spot. Its plant-based design keeps the tank eco-friendly!

2. Live Insects for Extra Protein

Insects like crickets, dubia roaches, and mealworms provide essential protein and enrichment. Offer these bugs 2-3 times a week.

Feeding Tip: Dust live insects with a calcium and vitamin D3 supplement before serving. This prevents metabolic bone disease (MBD).

3. Fruits and Treats (Occasionally)

While crested geckos love fruits like mangoes, papayas, and bananas, these should be occasional treats due to their sugar content. Avoid citrus fruits as they can upset your gecko’s stomach.

Fun Idea: Add small fruit portions in the Geckopia Bowl for a fun, mess-free feeding session!

4. Water: The Often-Overlooked Essential

Hydration is critical for crested geckos. Offer fresh, clean water daily and mist their tank regularly to maintain humidity.

How Often Should You Feed a Crested Gecko?

• Young Geckos: Daily feeding of powdered diets and live insects.
• Adult Geckos: 3-4 times per week, alternating between commercial diets and live bugs.

Avoid These Feeding Mistakes!

• Skipping calcium supplements
• Feeding only live insects (imbalanced diet)
• Offering sugary fruits too often
• Ignoring water needs

How Long Can Crested Geckos Go Without Eating?

As much as we love feeding our crested geckos, it’s natural to wonder how long they can go without food, especially if you're out of town or dealing with an unexpected situation.

Short-Term Fasts
Crested geckos can typically go without food for a few days without serious consequences. In fact, they can survive up to 7-10 days without food, as they are capable of storing energy in their tail and body. However, it’s important to note that prolonged fasting can lead to stress, dehydration, or malnutrition.

Factors That Affect Fasting

• Age: Baby geckos and juveniles need to be fed more regularly to ensure they grow healthy. Adult crested geckos can generally handle short fasting periods better.
• Health: A healthy, well-fed gecko will be able to handle fasting better than one with existing health concerns.
• Temperature and Environment: If the gecko’s environment is too cold, they may go into a semi-dormant state, further reducing their appetite. Proper humidity and warmth help maintain their metabolism and feeding behavior.

What Happens If They Don't Eat?
If your gecko refuses food for more than a few days, it may be a sign of stress, illness, or environmental issues. In these cases, it’s important to monitor your gecko closely and ensure everything from temperature to diet is in check.

Pro Tip: If your gecko is fasting, make sure they always have access to fresh water. Dehydration is much more dangerous than a missed meal!

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