Crested Gecko Diet Guide: Best Food & Feeding Schedule [2026]

Commercial Crested Gecko Diet (CGD)

Commercial crested gecko diet — commonly called CGD — is the foundation of a healthy crested gecko's nutrition. CGD is a powdered meal replacement that you mix with water to form a smooth paste. It provides a complete nutritional profile including protein, calcium, vitamins, and fruit.

Best CGD Brands

Rotating between two or three flavors prevents food boredom and ensures your gecko does not become a picky eater.

How to Prepare CGD

1. Mix CGD powder with water at a 1:2 ratio (one part powder, two parts water) until smooth
2. Adjust consistency — it should be similar to ketchup, not watery or overly thick
3. Place the mixed CGD in a small elevated feeding dish or magnetic ledge
4. Remove and replace uneaten CGD after 24 hours to prevent mold and bacteria
5. Always mix fresh food — do not reuse leftover CGD

Insect Supplementation

While CGD alone can sustain a crested gecko, offering live insects provides enrichment and additional protein.

Best Feeder Insects

• Crickets — The most commonly used feeder. Choose crickets no larger than the space between the gecko's eyes.
• Dubia roaches — High protein, low fat, and less likely to escape than crickets. Excellent staple feeder.
• Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) — Naturally high in calcium. Can be offered without additional dusting.
• Waxworms — High in fat. Use sparingly as an occasional treat, not a staple.

Always gut-load feeder insects 24 hours before offering them by feeding the insects nutritious greens, carrots, or commercial gut-load products. Dust insects lightly with calcium powder (without D3 if using UVB lighting, with D3 if not).

Feeding Schedule by Age

Remove uneaten CGD each morning. Insects should be offered in the evening when the gecko is most active.

Calcium and Vitamin Supplementation

CGD already contains calcium and vitamins, so additional supplementation is mainly needed for insects:

• Calcium with D3 — Dust insects at every feeding if no UVB lighting is provided
• Calcium without D3 — Use when UVB lighting is present in the enclosure
• Multivitamin — Dust insects once every two weeks to cover any micronutrient gaps

Over-supplementation can be as harmful as deficiency. Stick to the recommended dusting schedule and rely on quality CGD for baseline nutrition.

Fruit Treats

Crested geckos enjoy occasional fruit as a treat. Suitable options include:

• Mashed banana
• Mashed mango
• Pureed papaya
• Mashed figs

Offer fruit treats no more than once per week in small amounts. Fruit is high in sugar and low in protein, so it should never replace CGD.

Foods to Avoid

When in doubt, stick to commercial CGD and the approved insect and fruit lists above.

Hydration and Misting

Crested geckos primarily drink water droplets from enclosure walls and leaves after misting. Proper hydration practices include:

• Mist the enclosure twice daily — once in the evening and once in the morning
• Allow the enclosure to dry out between mistings to prevent mold
• Provide a small water dish at the bottom of the enclosure as a backup water source
• Use dechlorinated or reverse-osmosis water for misting

Signs of dehydration include sunken eyes, wrinkled skin, and difficulty shedding. If you notice these symptoms, increase misting frequency and consult a veterinarian if the condition persists.

Common Feeding Mistakes

• Not rotating CGD flavors — Geckos can become picky if offered only one flavor for months
• Leaving CGD out too long — Replace every 24 hours to prevent bacterial growth
• Overfeeding insects — Too many insects can cause obesity and reduce CGD intake
• Skipping gut-loading — Unloaded insects are nutritionally empty calories
• Feeding insects that are too large — Can cause choking or impaction