The leopard gecko feeding schedule provides age-specific feeding frequency, prey size, and calcium supplement timing for hatchling, juvenile, and adult leopard geckos. Select your gecko's age to get a personalized care plan.
Select Your Gecko's Age
Prey Options
Supplement Schedule
How to Use the Leopard Gecko Feeding Schedule
Leopard geckos are one of the most popular pet reptiles, known for their docile temperament and relatively straightforward care. Getting the feeding frequency and supplement schedule right protects against the two most common preventable health problems: metabolic bone disease and obesity.
Step 1: Determine Your Gecko's Age
Hatchlings (0–4 months) are tiny and growing very fast — they need daily feeding with small prey. Juveniles (4–12 months) are still growing and need daily or every-other-day feeding. Adults (12+ months) have reached their full size of 8–11 inches and 50–100 grams — they need feeding every 2–3 days only. Overfeeding adults is extremely common and leads to fatty deposits and health issues.
Step 2: Size Your Prey Items Correctly
The space between the eyes is your size guide — no feeder insect should be wider than this. Undersized prey is safe; oversized prey can cause impaction (intestinal blockage) as undigested parts compact in the gut. For adults, this typically means large crickets or medium dubia roaches. Avoid mealworm beetles (the adult form) — their chitin is hard to digest.
Step 3: Follow the Calcium Schedule Strictly
Metabolic bone disease causes soft, rubbery bones, tremors, and paralysis in geckos. It is caused by calcium deficiency or vitamin D3 imbalance. Keep a small bottle cap of plain calcium (no D3) in the enclosure permanently — geckos will self-supplement. Dust prey with calcium + D3 supplement 2–3 times per week. If you use UVB lighting (not required for leopard geckos but beneficial), use calcium without D3 exclusively.
FAQ
How often should I feed my leopard gecko?
Hatchlings and juveniles under 12 months should be fed daily — they grow rapidly and need consistent nutrition. Adults (12+ months) are fed every other day or every 2–3 days. Overfeeding adults leads to obesity and fatty liver disease, which is common in captive leopard geckos.
What size prey should I feed my leopard gecko?
Prey should never be larger than the space between your gecko's eyes. Offering oversized feeders can cause impaction, regurgitation, or paralysis. For hatchlings, use small crickets or small mealworms. Adults can handle large crickets, medium dubia roaches, or large mealworms.
How much calcium do leopard geckos need?
Juvenile geckos need calcium dusted on every feeding. Adults need calcium dusted 2–3 times per week. Always keep a small calcium dish (plain calcium powder without D3) inside the enclosure so your gecko can self-supplement. Geckos without access to UVB light need supplemental D3.
Can I feed my leopard gecko only mealworms?
Mealworms can be a significant part of the diet but should not be the only prey. They are high in fat and low in calcium. A varied diet of crickets, dubia roaches, waxworms (occasional treats), and mealworms provides better nutrition. Variety also prevents food boredom and keeps geckos more receptive to eating.
Why is my leopard gecko not eating?
Common causes of feeding strikes in leopard geckos: stress from recent handling or enclosure changes, incorrect temperatures (hot side should be 88–92°F), upcoming shed, breeding behavior in adults, and food boredom from single prey source. A healthy gecko can safely fast for 1–2 weeks. Juveniles should see a vet if not eating after 5–7 days.
Can leopard geckos eat fruits or vegetables?
No — leopard geckos are insectivores and cannot digest plant matter. Unlike bearded dragons, they should never be offered fruit, vegetables, or any plant-based food. Their digestive system is not equipped to process carbohydrates from plant sources.