🦎 Introduction
One of the most common questions from new gecko owners is: “How often should I feed my gecko?” The answer depends on several factors—species, age, and diet type. Feeding too much or too little can cause health problems. This article breaks down feeding frequency and food types for different gecko species and life stages.
📅 General Gecko Feeding Guidelines
| Age/Stage | Feeding Frequency |
|---|---|
| Hatchlings (0–3 months) | Daily |
| Juveniles (3–6 months) | Every other day or daily |
| Adults (6+ months) | 2–4 times per week |
👉 Note: Some species (e.g., crested geckos) eat different foods (powder diets vs. live insects), which changes the frequency slightly.
🟡 Leopard Gecko Feeding Schedule
Diet: Insects only (crickets, mealworms, dubia roaches)
- Hatchlings: Feed daily, 5–7 small insects
- Juveniles: Feed daily or every other day, 5–8 medium insects
- Adults: Feed 2–3 times/week, 6–10 insects
- Dust with calcium + D3 2x/week
🟢 Crested Gecko Feeding Schedule
Diet: Commercial powder diet (e.g. Pangea, Repashy) + optional insects
- All ages: Feed powdered diet 3–5 times per week
- Optional insects (crickets, roaches): 1x/week for enrichment
- Replace uneaten food every 24 hours
💡 Keep food consistency like ketchup; not too watery.
🔴 Gargoyle Gecko Feeding Schedule
Similar to crested geckos but may have a higher appetite for insects.
- Powdered diet: 3–4x/week
- Insects: 1–2x/week
🔵 Day Gecko Feeding Schedule
Diet: Powder mix + live insects
- Powder diet: 3x/week
- Insects: 2–3x/week
🟠 Tokay Gecko Feeding Schedule
Note: Aggressive and not ideal for beginners
- Insects: Every 2–3 days
- Larger prey occasionally
🧂 Don’t Forget Supplements
✅ Calcium + D3: 1–2x/week
✅ Multivitamins: 1x/week
✅ Gut-load insects 24 hours before feeding
❌ Signs You’re Feeding Too Much
- Obesity or fatty tail (especially in leopard geckos)
- Leftover food not eaten after 12 hours
- Lethargy
❌ Signs You’re Feeding Too Little
- Tail/thigh thinning
- Weight loss
- Hiding and inactivity
- Refusal to eat due to weakness
🧾 Gecko Feeding Frequency Summary Table
| Gecko Species | Baby | Juvenile | Adult |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leopard Gecko | Daily | Daily | 2–3x/week |
| Crested Gecko | 4–5x/week | 3–4x/week | 2–3x/week (diet + insects) |
| Day Gecko | 5x/week | 4x/week | 3–4x/week |
| Gargoyle Gecko | 4–5x/week | 3–4x/week | 3–4x/week |
🐾 Conclusion
Knowing how often to feed your gecko is critical to its health and lifespan. Use this guide as a baseline and adjust based on your gecko’s behavior, growth, and appetite. Always provide fresh water, use supplements, and monitor weight regularly.