Leopard geckos are among the most active lizards and require a high-quality diet to thrive. Their diet consists mostly of live prey, so it is important to provide them with the right vitamins and minerals.

In the outdoors, geckos consume a greater variety of insects and other arthropods that provide rich minerals and vitamins. Additionally, wild geckos may also locate and lick mineral deposits on rocks and soils.

Vitamin Supplements For Leopard Geckos

General mineral and multivitamin supplements are crucial for geckos. These supplements include important minerals like calcium needed for strong bones and teeth and vitamins like D that helps your gecko’s body absorb calcium from food. Without vitamin D3, all the calcium you feed your gecko may be wasted. Vitamin D3 is also necessary for optimal immune function.

Vitamin A is another supplement to look for because it maintains healthy eyes and keeps the gecko’s skin tougher. Some of the best supplements for geckos include beta-carotene needed to generate more vitamin A. That means if you’re supplementing the leopard gecko with beta carotene, you don’t need a separate a Vitamin A supplement.

Water-soluble vitamins are also important for your gecko because they cannot be stored in their body. Vitamin C is an example of a water-soluble vitamin that helps promote healing in the skin, muscles, and bones. Additionally, it helps keep the immune system functioning properly by promoting cell regeneration.

Vitamin E is also needed for leopard geckos, so you need to add crickets to their diet. However, over-dependence on a cricket diet can lead to selenium toxicity. You can limit crickets and use Vitamin E oil drops. Feed one drop of the oil directly into its mouth once per week.

Fat-soluble vitamins such as A and D help support many aspects of your gecko’s health, including vision, immune system, and bone development.

Methods of Feeding Supplements to Your Leopard Gecko

Leopard geckos, like other reptiles, need minerals and vitamins. That said, you must administer supplements to maintain their health and steer growth.

You need not worry about how to measure exact amounts of everything, as most reptile-specific supplements have a multivitamin combination. However, vitamin D3 and calcium are usually administered on their own.

These two can be administered in the following ways:

Dusting

This method involves covering the insects with supplements that are in powder form.

You should do this right before you feed your leopard gecko the insects. You can even find supplements designed for dusting and readily stick to insects.

Dusting your insects is easy and fast; just follow these steps:

• Use a plastic box, but glass could work as well.
• Put some of the supplement powder in the box.
• Add the insects.
• Close the lid and then shake well (up-down and left-right).
• Then just put the insects in your leopard gecko’s feeding area.

Gut Loading

The other method is gut loading, where you feed the insects the supplements or nutrients before you feed those insects to your leopard gecko.

The food rich in the necessary nutrients should be fed to the insects one or two days before you give the to your gecko. Remember that not all insects are suitable for gut loading. Superworms, locusts, roaches, mealworms, and crickets are suitable. However, avoid gut-loading wax worms, hornworms and silkworms.

You can feed them supplements, carrots, dehydrated dog food, apples, and greens cabbage. There are pre-made formulas in the market, you have to measure the right mix of multivitamins.

How To Choose The Best Leopard Gecko Supplements

Supplements usually contain more than just one vitamin. They may also contain other vitamins, minerals, carotenoids and micronutrients needed by a leopard gecko. Remember that the supplement you choose will depend on the nutrients you need, your lizard’s life stage, and your species.

You should note that the supplement you choose should have lower vitamin D3 to allow you to dust your feeder insects without overdosing on vitamin D3. Too much vitamin D3 is linked to reduced joint, muscle and bone mobility.

To make it easy for you, we have listed a few of the most popular supplements for leopard geckos. Check out!

Zilla Reptile Health Supplies Vitamin Supplement Spray

Zilla Reptile Health Supplies is a top-notch supplement maker for leopard gecko owners. For better results, the multivitamin spray is packed with folic acid, niacin, and vitamin A from beta carotene. In addition, it contains calcium, vitamin D, and vitamins B1, B2, B6 and B12 to support the immune system and other body processes. For example, vitamin D supports calcium metabolism and is crucial for healthy bones. Vitamin A is essential for vision, skin and reproductive health.

The food spray is a direct substitute for gut loading when providing essential vitamins for your gecko. Simply spray it on the food until it’s white and wait for it to dry for minutes before feeding. When food has powder on it, some geckos won’t touch it.

Customers appreciate how simple this spray is to use and how it doesn’t alter the flavor of their gecko’s diet. Your lizard will eat without realizing it because this is a mist, and some owners say their pet actually likes the flavor. The cost of this supplement is also very reasonable.

Pros

• It’s easy to spray and use
• Contains folic acid, vitamin A, niacin and beta carotene
• Works as an alternative to gut loading
• Affordable price

Cons

• The bottle lacks a cap

Exo Terra Multi Vitamin Powder Supplement

Exo Terra Multivitamin Powder Supplement is a high-quality multivitamin for reptiles that provides the essential vitamins and minerals your gecko needs to be healthy and thrive. It has vitamin A from beta carotene, which is fantastic for the immune system of your gecko. Additionally, vitamins are necessary for healthy bones, eyesight and skin.

Calcium in Exo Terra Multivitamins are also important for your gecko’s bone health. Additionally, vitamin D aids in the metabolism of calcium required for absorption. Vitamin E is also included in this multi to help your reptile develop into a healthy adult. It also acts as an antioxidant, aiding in developing a robust immune system and fighting infections.

This multivitamin also contains crucial minerals, including iodine and biotin, which are important for your gecko’s diet as well as overall health and well-being. To serve, mix it with veggies or insects before feeding. It also mixes easily with water for easier consumption. The package includes a small spoon to minimize the mess when dusting insects.

Pros

• Most leopard geckos love this powder
• It provides essential vitamins and minerals
• Easy to use and mix with food
• Comes at a reasonable price

Cons

• A user complained of receiving the package late

Fluker’s Repta Vitamin Supplement

Are you looking for a premium supplement with high-quality ingredients? You can never go wrong with Fluker’s Repta Vitamin supplement with vitamin A acetate and beta carotene. Vitamin A is essential for eyesight, boosts the immune system, and helps to maintain healthy bones.

Fluker’s also included vitamin B12, which helps with DNA, healthy nerve cells and enhances blood. Fluker’s multivitamin also comes with calcium, that’s good for the bones. The supplement also contains vitamin D3, which helps to metabolize calcium.

The Fluker’s Repta also packs niacin, which is awesome for the digestive and nervous systems. The supplement is also necessary for healthy skin and eyes. To serve, just sprinkle the powder on the insects and present it to your Leo. Verified buyers say it’s easy to use, and leopard geckos like it. It’s a great vitamin supplement for keeping your leopard gecko healthy.

Pros

• Ideal for picky leopard geckos
• It contains high-profile nutrients
• Made of safe ingredients
• Easy to use

Cons

• A bit pricey, but the quality of the ingredients is worth it

Zoo Med Reptivite

Zoo Med Reptivite With D is a multivitamin specifically formulated for those who already have a UVB light or are adding vitamin D to their gecko’s diet. The ultra-fine and super stick formulas have a perfect 2:1 calcium-to-phosphorous ratio for ideal results.

However, this multivitamin also has other crucial ingredients, such as vitamin A, which is fantastic for your gecko’s vision. Vitamin C, which is excellent for tissue growth and repairs, is also present. Your gecko’s skin will remain healthy thanks to vitamin E as well as A. Vitamins B1, B2, B5, B6, and B12 are also present in this multivitamin powder.

Thanks to vitamin B, your gecko’s cells can adequately transform food into energy to keep the lizard active. In addition to these essential nutrients and minerals, Zoo Med Reptivite with D also contains important antioxidants like carotenoids and polyphenols. It also contains calcium needed for healthy bones.

Pros

• It contains a wide range of important vitamins
• Does not include Vitamin D3, so that you won’t overdose
• Easy to use in powder form

Cons

• You need to have a UVB light providing vitamin D3

Repashy Calcium Plus

The Repashy Calcium Plus is more calcium-rich for breeding or young mothers, which is needed at this life stage. It stands out for packing more calcium and vitamin A. However, it has less vitamin E.

The powder is made to stick well on feeders even when they’re wet. In other words, the powder will not slide off, meaning your leopard gecko will be getting enough dosage. Owners say the powder sticks like glue on the feeders, and there won’t be trace amounts of the powder.

Another great thing is you’ll no longer have to supplement for Vitamin D3 because the powder offers this. Owners who bought this supplement say it lasts for a long time, offering better value for money.

Pros

• It’s calcium-rich for stronger bones
• It sticks on feeders like glue minimizing the mess
• It’s long-lasting and offers better value for money
• Contains more vitamins and nutrients

Cons

• It may produce a foul smell some leopard geckos dislike

How To Choose The Best Vitamin Supplement For Your Gecko

If you’re planning to buy a supplement for your gecko, there are a few factors you need to consider, including:

Age

When considering what supplemental feedings and vitamins your leopard gecko needs, it’s important to remember their age. Baby leopard geckos (less than a year old) need only a small amount of vitamin A, while older ones (2-5 years old) may require different levels of specific vitamins or minerals.

Breeding females will likely need additional calcium and other nutrients during the egg-laying phase. Refer to your pet’s food label for more information on specific requirements for different life stages

Species Needs

Some common species of leopard geckos include the African fat-tailed gecko, crested gecko, tokay gecko, and leopard gecko. Beta carotene cannot provide vitamin A to leopard geckos, so you’ll need to select a supplement specifically designed for leopard geckos. Additionally, many supplements feature other vitamins and minerals beneficial to these lizards, so it’s important to read the label carefully before purchasing.

Remember that different species of leopard geckos require different levels of nutrients to thrive. Therefore, it is important to consult with a veterinarian or pet retailer about what specific supplements your lizard will need.

Whether It Has Vitamin D

When choosing a supplement for your leopard gecko, it is important to take into account their habitat and what type of UVB light they receive. Leopard geckos get most of their vitamin D from sunlight, but some people choose to give them a supplemental supply.

UVB light is important because it helps the gecko produce its own vitamin D3. If you have a leopard gecko that does not have access to sunlight or does not receive enough UVB light, then you should go for a supplement with vitamin D.

Price

Vitamin supplements are a necessary part of your captive gecko’s diet. But let’s be honest: the budget will play a bigger part in determining the product you get. Truth is that while the best supplements for leopard geckos are pricey, it does not mean that affordable supplements don’t work. Our list, for example, provides a couple of pocket-friendly supplements. The key is to check the label for the ingredients that will keep your leopard gecko in perfect health.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Often Should You Give A Leopard Gecko Vitamin Supplements?

The frequency will depend on the quantity of the vitamins in the supplements. Those with lower quantities of vitamins can be offered regularly. Most of the time, they can be given every second or third feeding.

How Often Should You Supplement Feed A Baby Leopard Gecko?

A baby leopard gecko should feed on D3 and calcium supplements thrice a week. That’s the ideal, but once a week can suffice.

How Often Should You Supplement A Juvenile Leopard Gecko?

For geckos that are neither babies nor mature, pure calcium once a week is necessary. Additionally, you can offer a combination of calcium and D3 twice every week. Gut load your insects and feed them to your gecko at least once a week. Also, dust the feeder with multivitamins once a week before feeding your gecko.

How Often Should You Supplement Feed A Mature Leopard Gecko?

A mature leopard gecko feeds on alternate days. Ensure you gut-load and dust the insects in one of those feedings. You can alternate pure calcium and calcium/D3 combination. Ensure to offer a multivitamin once every month.

How Often Can You Supplement Feed A Mature Breeding Female Leopard Gecko?

Breeding female geckos need a lot of calcium for egg production. Make sure you dust every feeding and consider supplementing high-quality supplements.

Can Leopard Gecko Overdose On Calcium?

While anecdotal evidence suggests this may be a possibility, there is no scientific evidence to answer this definitively. Overdosing on calcium may calcify your dragon’s bones and harm its internal organs. It’s harmful. Leopard geckos, like all reptiles, are very susceptible to developing calcium-related illnesses and fatalities if they consume too much mineral in their diet.

To stay safe, check the dosage provided on a supplement to get an idea of how much will be too much. Make sure to maintain a 5:1 calcium-to-phosphorous ratio. Otherwise, leopard geckos that overdose on calcium may end up suffering from hypercalcemia, where bones and muscles lose mobility.