What Fruits Can Crested Geckos Eat – A Delicious Guide!
Do you need a healthy and well-balanced diet to keep your crested gecko happy and comfortable? Many pet owners are left confused if their pet gecko can consume fruits. In this article, we will discuss what fruits you can feed your crested gecko and how many to feed them.
Yes, crested geckos can consume fruits. Your pet gecko is accustomed to consuming fruits in the wild. You should feed your crested geckos fruits that are high in calcium ratio and low in phosphorus. Fruits can be offered as a treat on an occasional basis to build a strong and loving relationship with your pet.
You should also know what fruits you feed your crested geckos and how to prevent them. Crested geckos should never be fed citrus fruits, and all the seeds should be removed from the fruit before feeding it to your pet. Doing so will reduce the risk of impaction and other health issues.
Make sure that you feed fruits on an occasional basis as they are rich in oxalic acid and sugar. Oxalic acid can bind to calcium and cause serious health problems such as MBD. Metabolic bone disease also known as MBD can make your pet’s bones weak and limp. If you notice any signs of this illness, you should consult a vet immediately.
Fruits containing high sugar levels can cause obesity in your pet, which can later lead to many more fatal health issues. You can feed your crested geckos fruits like grapes, bananas, mango, watermelon, dates, and many more. Just make sure you avoid citrus fruit, as it can be harmful to your pet’s gut.
How to Decide Which Fruits to Feed Your Crested Gecko?
Fruits can serve as a perfect treat for your crested geckos. Although, there are several factors to consider before choosing the perfect fruit for your pet. You should also consider the amount of oxalic acid and calcium to phosphorus ratio in fruits to avoid health concerns for your crested gecko.
The Calcium-to-Phosphorus Ratio (Ca:P Ratio)
Calcium and phosphorus are essential nutrients for your pet’s overall growth and health. An imbalance in the calcium to phosphorus ratio (Ca:P) can cause an imbalance for your crested gecko. This imbalance can result in various health issues, such as MBD, and prove to be fatal for your pet. A Ca:P of 2:1 or higher than that is considered to be safe for your pet.
Fruits To Avoid
Bananas have a low calcium-to-phosphorus ratio of 1:5. This makes them unsuitable for your crested gecko. You can not include this fruit in the daily diet of a crested gecko as it will lead to various health issues. Bananas are also high in sugar and can cause obesity in your pet.
Mango and pineapple also have an imbalance in the Ca:P ratio. Although. Mangoes are a great source of vitamins and nutrients, they have a ratio of 1:6 which is not ideal for your crested gecko. Pineapples have a ratio of 1:1 which means it has equal amounts of calcium and phosphorus. In any suitable food, the calcium ratio should be higher than phosphorus for safe consumption.
Levels of Oxalic Acid
Oxalic acid is a common compound found in many fruits and vegetables. It can bind itself with calcium and does not let crested geckos absorb it. As a result, the body starts to absorb calcium from the bone to sustain itself such fruits can cause health issues like MBD and calcium deficiency in your pet.
Fruits To Avoid
Kiwis have high oxalic acid levels, which can interfere with calcium absorption in your pet’s body. They also have a calcium-to-phosphorus ratio of 1:1 which is again bad, as the calcium amount should be always higher than phosphorus.
Another fruit that has a high oxalic acid is grapes. We all know that crested geckos enjoy grapes, but you should only offer them as treats.
List of Fruits a Crested Gecko Can Eat Safely
If you want to incorporate fruits as an occasional treat, you should know which of them are safe for your pet’s consumption. Here is a list of fruits with their Ca:P ratio and if they are safe to feed.
| Fruits | Ca:P Ratio | Oxylic Acid | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mango | 1:6 | Low | Safe |
| Papaya | 0.17:1 | Low | Safe |
| Banana | 1:5 | Low | Safe |
| Fig | 0.33:1 | Low | Safe |
| Papaya (unripe) | 2:1 | Low | Safe |
| Grapes | 0.95:1 | Low | Safe |
| Citrus fruits | 0.15:1 | High | Not recommended |
| Grapes (raisins) | 0.5:1 | High | Not recommended |
| Avocado | 0.1:1 | High | Toxic |
| Rhubarb | 0.02:1 | High | Toxic |
Top 7 Fruits Which Are Safe for Your Crested Geckos
Here is a list of the top seven safe fruits that you can feed your crested geckos.
1. Papaya
Papayas are considered a safe fruit for crested geckos as they have a high calcium ratio and low oxalic acid content. They have a Ca:P ratio of 2:1 which is considered safe for your pet. Papayas are also rich in Vitamin A, which makes them a perfect treat for your pet.
Vitamin A is essential for your gecko’s health. Papaya also contains enzymes that help in digestion
Editor’s Note
You should offer fruits only as treats as they contain a lot of sugar. Which can lead to obesity and fruit addiction in crested geckos.
2. Mango
Mangoes contain a rich amount of nutrients such as vitamins A and C. These vitamins can also aid in your crested gecko’s digestion. Although, they do have an imbalanced Ca:P ratio of 1:6. You should dice your mangoes into smaller cubes and feed them to your crested geckos.
Mangoes can be an occasional delicacy for your pet and help them prevent any impactions from occurring. You should only offer mangoes as a treat as they contain high amounts of sugar.
3. Banana
Many crested geckos enjoy eating small sections of bananas. They are also a rich source of potassium which helps regulate their blood pressure. Bananas are also a good source of vitamin C which helps with the overall immunity of your pet. This fruit also has low oxalic acid, which makes it safe for your pet’s consumption.
4. Blueberries
Blueberries are considered a great fruit choice for crested geckos. They contain high levels of antioxidants, which prevent cell damage in your pet. Blueberries are also rich in fiber which can aid in digestive problems.
5. Watermelon
Watermelons are a great source of water for your pet. They prevent dehydration from occurring and help your pet during the shedding process. Hydrating fruits can also help crested dragons to regulate their body temperature and stay stress-free.
Watermelons are also rich in Vitamin A and lycopene, which promotes healthy growth in your crested gecko. Lycopene is also an antioxidant and prevents cell damage.
Editor’s Note
Make sure to remove any kind of seeds as they can cause impactions in your crested gecko. You should also chop the fruits into smaller cubes to make them easier to eat.
6. Apple
Apples are known for their high fiber content and are considered safe for crested geckos. A fiber-rich diet will help your pet with digestive problems. Apples also contain Vitamin C which can boost their immunity to various illnesses.
7. Plum
Plums are a great source of vitamins A, C, and E, giving your crested gecko great skin health and iron for the body. Plums can also be addicting due to their high sugar content. Make sure you mash up the plum and give it occasionally or it might result in some other health issues.
Top 3 Fruits That Are Unsafe for Your Crested Gecko
Here is a list of some fruits that are unsafe for your crested gecko.
1. Citrus Fruits
Citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruits, and lemons can cause serious health concerns for your crested gecko. These fruits contain a high amount of acid content and can cause digestive problems for your pet. Citrus fruits can cause vomiting and diarrhea in crested geckos. The acidic content in the fruit can also hurt the internal lining of your pet’s stomach and cause inflammation.
2. Avocado
Avocados are toxic for your crested geckos and are considered unsafe. These fruits contain a substance called persin, which can cause serious health issues for your pet. Feeding avocados can lead to digestive problems, vomiting, and even death in severe cases. You should avoid feeding your crested gecko any avocados.
3. Grapes and Raisins
Grapes and raisins contain a toxin that can cause kidney failure in crested geckos. Feeding these fruits can also lead to digestive problems, including vomiting and diarrhea. You should avoid feeding grapes and raisins even in small amounts. Consider buying a supplementary vitamin powder and sprinkling that on the feeder insects like mealworms, dubia roaches, etc. You can also gut-load insects to provide your crested geckos with a well-balanced diet.
How to Feed Fruits to Your Crested Gecko?
Crested geckos should be fed a well-balanced diet, which should also contain essential nutrients from fruits. You should offer fruits as an occasional treat as they contain high levels of sugar and can cause MBD. Here is a complete guide on how to feed fruits to a crested gecko.
How to Feed
The best way to feed fruits to your crested gecko is by mashing them or cutting them into finer pieces. You should also remove any seeds from the fruit, as crested geckos are incapable to bite and swallow their food as a whole. Seeds can block the digestive tract and cause impaction for your crested gecko.
You should also keep a check on their Ca:P ratio and the levels of oxalic acid present in the fruit. Some safe fruits that you can offer your pet geckos are papaya, banana, mango, apricot, and figs.
When to Feed
Fruits should only be offered as an occasional treat and not part of the everyday diet. You should only offer fruits once a week and only in small amounts. Crested geckos can also get addicted to fruits as they contain a high level of sugar.
Feeding too many fruits can cause obesity and digestive issues in your crested geckos. You should also make sure that the food you are offering your pet is fresh and has not been sitting out for too long. Fruits that have gone bad can cause health issues in crested geckos and also make them sick.
How Much
You should offer fruits to your crested gecko in small portions. You should only offer two teaspoons of any fruit, not more than once a week. If you notice any signs of behavioral changes or a change in appetite after feeding fruits, consult a vet immediately.
FAQs
How many times can you give fruits to your crested gecko?
Crested geckos should only be offered fruits, not more than once a week. Giving fruits as part of their diet can cause imbalance and create many health-related issues. Crested geckos can also get addicted to fruits and will refuse to eat anything else.
Can you give vegetables to a crested gecko?
Yes, crested geckos can eat vegetables as part of their diet. You can offer your pet small pieces of mushrooms, acorns, and pumpkins. Rubbing fruit juice on the vegetables will help you feed vegetables to your pet gecko.
Final Thoughts
Crested geckos can have fruits but on an occasional basis. You should feed your pet fruits that are safe for them. Make sure to check their calcium-to-phosphorus ratio and the level of oxalic acid before feeding them to your crested gecko.
You should also offer fresh fruits in small pieces to avoid any digestive issues from occurring. Crested geckos enjoy eating fruits, and giving them as an occasional treat can prove to be healthy.