When Is The Best Time to Feed My Leopard Gecko?

One of the most important aspects of keeping a leopard gecko healthy and happy is feeding it the right food at the right time.

Leopard geckos are insectivores, which means they only eat live insects, such as crickets, mealworms, waxworms, and roaches.

In this article, we will discuss some of the factors that affect feeding time, and provide some general guidelines for feeding your leopard gecko.

Let’s dive in…

General guidelines for feeding time

Here is a general rule of thumb when you should feed your leopard gecko:

1) Feed juveniles daily and adults every other day:

Just like I said before, young geckos need more food and should be fed more often compared to older geckos.

For your young gecko, it’s good to feed them once a day, preferably in the evening or at night when they’re most active.

Offer as many insects as they can eat in 15 to 20 minutes, and take away any leftover food after that.

For your grown-up gecko, you can feed them every second day using the same method.

To avoid feeding them too much and making them overweight, you can also skip feeding once or twice a week.

2) Feed in the evening or at night when they are most active

Leopard geckos are night creatures or active during dawn and dusk. That’s when they usually search for food in their natural habitat.

So, it’s a good idea to offer them food in the evening or at night. That’s when they’re likely to be hungry and eager to eat.

Feeding them during the day might mess up their usual routine and lead to stress and health issues.

3) Feed in a separate container or in a designated area of the enclosure

It keeps your gecko from eating the bedding, which could block its digestion.

It stops bugs from getting away or hiding in the gecko’s living space, where they might bother or bite the gecko.

This method also lets you keep track of what and how much your gecko is eating, preventing overfeeding and unnecessary waste.

You can use a plastic or glass container, or a shallow dish, to feed your gecko. Place it inside the gecko’s home or take the gecko out and put it in the container or dish.

You can even teach your gecko to connect a specific sound or signal with mealtime, like tapping on the enclosure or using tongs or tweezers to offer food.

4) Offer a variety of insects and supplement with calcium and vitamins

Leopard geckos need a varied and balanced diet to stay healthy and happy.

Offer different bugs like crickets, mealworms, waxworms, roaches, and superworms. Avoid giving them toxic, hard-shelled, or too big insects, like fireflies, beetles, or centipedes.

Before feeding the bugs to your gecko, make sure they’ve eaten nutritious food for at least 24 hours. You can feed them fruits, vegetables, or special gut-load products.

This boosts the nutritional value of the bugs, providing your gecko with more vitamins and minerals.

Sprinkle calcium and vitamin supplements, especially vitamin D3, on the bugs before serving them. This helps prevent common and serious issues like calcium deficiency and metabolic bone disease in leopard geckos.

You can apply the supplement powder using a plastic bag or container, or just sprinkle it over the bugs in the feeding dish. Remember to give calcium with every feeding and vitamin D3 once or twice a week.

5) Remove any uneaten food after 15 to 20 minutes

Don’t keep any uneaten food in the tank, as it might attract bugs, germs, and mold, leading to health issues for your gecko.

Remove any uneaten food within 15 to 20 minutes and tidy up the feeding dish. Also, check for any insects that might have escaped or are hiding in the enclosure, and get rid of them.

Avoid overfeeding your gecko to prevent problems like obesity, fatty liver disease, and other health issues.

Feed your gecko only what it can finish in 15 to 20 minutes. Adjust the amount and how often you feed based on your gecko’s age, size, activity level, and metabolism.

Factors that affect feeding time

Some factors that affect leopard gecko’s feeding time is:

• Age and size of the gecko
• Activity and metabolism of the gecko:
• Season and temperature of the environment
• Health and appetite of the gecko

Conclusion

In conclusion, feeding your leopard gecko is a crucial and delightful part of caring for it as a pet.

While it can be both challenging and fulfilling, it demands thoughtful planning, readiness, and attention.

By adhering to the factors and advice covered in this article, you can guarantee that your leopard gecko receives appropriate food at the correct times, promoting a healthy and contented life.

Moreover, this process provides an opportunity to build a bond with your gecko and gain insights into its behavior and personality.