Diet and Supplements

Many pet reptiles have a diet that consists primarily of feeder insects like crickets. It is a good idea to gut load the insects for 24-48 hours prior to offering them to the pet. (Gut loading means feeding the insects a nutritious blend of plant matter or commercially prepared gut loading formulas from PSP.)

In many cases, it‘s beneficial to offer reptiles a variety of feeder insects. Many reptiles can also be offered vegetables and fruits. (Consult individual care sheets for types of food that should be offered.) Always rinse and dry vegetables and fruits before offering. Uneaten insects and plant matter should be removed from the enclosure within a few hours. Hatchlings and juveniles tend to need more frequent feedings than adults. 

A reptile’s food must also be dusted with a calcium supplement and a vitamin supplement. There are a variety of different products available, including calcium/multi-vitamin combinations. The schedule for giving supplements will vary depending on the product used and food offered to a pet.  As a rule a growing juvenile's food should be dusted more often than an adult's. Consult product label and outside literature for specific instructions on supplementing.  Care should be taken to avoid over-supplementing food.