Correct supplementation
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Correct supplementation
So, I was discussing supplementation with a pet store assistant and we ended up in a disagreement. Please could I have the final word on the correct supplementation of leopard geckos. Would this schedule be correct? Babies and juveniles - feed every day, dust all feeders with calcium + D3, dust feeders with multivitamin once a week; Sub-adults - feed every second day, dust all feeders with calcium + D3, dust feeders with multivitamin once a week; Adults - feed every second or third day, dust feeders with calcium + D3 every other feeding, dust feeders once a week with multivitamin. Basically what I want to ascertain is whether you should halve the calcium powder dusting once they have reached adulthood since they have stopped growing (well their bones have anyway) and there is a risk of hypervitaminosis. Also, the worms we feed them (superworms and silkworms) have a high content of calcium and then we are dusting them with calcium as well - is this not overkill?
joneill- Loyal Member
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Re: Correct supplementation
Calcium + D3 should actually be given less, once or twice a week tops. D3 toxicity is debated but generally you want to lower their D3 intake no matter how young or old the gecko is.
As for multivitamin it depends on what kind you are using. If you are using the type with protein and D3, then again it should be limited to just once or twice a week tops. In fact if you are using an all in one multivitamin supplement with D3 & protein, like Repashy Calcium Plus, you really should only use it once or twice a week. You won't need to supplement with additional calcium + D3 as the all in one supplement will take care of it.
If you are using multivitamin without D3, it can be given more often for a growing gecko, gravid females, or geckos that are rehabilitating. I do it every other day for geckos that are still growing or gravid females during breeding season.
Adults really don't need a lot of supplement since they stopped growing. Dusting once or twice a week should be fine unless you have a gravid female. Most feeders actually have very poor calcium to phosphorous ratio, so supplement & feeder variety is still required.
As for multivitamin it depends on what kind you are using. If you are using the type with protein and D3, then again it should be limited to just once or twice a week tops. In fact if you are using an all in one multivitamin supplement with D3 & protein, like Repashy Calcium Plus, you really should only use it once or twice a week. You won't need to supplement with additional calcium + D3 as the all in one supplement will take care of it.
If you are using multivitamin without D3, it can be given more often for a growing gecko, gravid females, or geckos that are rehabilitating. I do it every other day for geckos that are still growing or gravid females during breeding season.
Adults really don't need a lot of supplement since they stopped growing. Dusting once or twice a week should be fine unless you have a gravid female. Most feeders actually have very poor calcium to phosphorous ratio, so supplement & feeder variety is still required.
Re: Correct supplementation
I understand about vit D3 toxicity but calcium cannot be absorbed without vit D3 and leos don't have any UVB lighting, so surely we have to dust feeders with calcium + D3?
joneill- Loyal Member
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Re: Correct supplementation
You do have to supplement D3 that's why you should only do it once or twice a week tops. If you use a multivitamin supplement that contains D3, then that's the D3 supplement you need. You don't need to combine multivitamin that contains D3 with additional calcium + D3.
Re: Correct supplementation
I use the Repashy Calcium Plus with every feeding as instructed.
Paradon- Member
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