Feeding a crested gecko: CGD powder, fruit and occasional insects
Published by Planète Pets · managing editor: Clément Lacaille · how our guides are written
The crested gecko is one of the few terrarium reptiles for which a complete powdered diet (known as CGD, "crested gecko diet") works as a full base rather than a mere supplement, mixed with water into a paste offered on a dish or smeared on a wall. A study by Brundage and colleagues, published in 2024 in the International Journal of Veterinary Sciences Research, compared juveniles fed exclusively on commercial powder over five weeks with others fed calcium-dusted dubia roaches and fresh papaya: the second group gained nearly twice as much weight. All our food guides are gathered in the reptile food section.
Contents · 5 sections
Why does CGD powder remain the safest base?
A quality complete powder covers vitamin, mineral and protein needs without requiring the owner to calculate a calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, a decisive advantage for a beginner. The slightly better growth seen with an insect-and-fresh-fruit diet in Brundage's study doesn't undercut this nutritional safety net: it mainly shows that well-managed variety can add a bonus, not that powder alone falls short.
Should you add insects?
- Dubia roaches or crickets: offered once or twice a week for adults, dusted with calcium without D3 at each feeding, as a complement to the powder rather than a replacement.
- Right-sized prey: an insect no wider than the space between the gecko's eyes, to limit any risk of digestive blockage.
- Gut-loading: feeding the insects a few days before offering them improves their nutritional value, as covered in our guide on gut-loading mealworms and superworms, a method that carries over to dubias.
How often should you feed by age?
A growing juvenile gets CGD powder every day or every other day, while an adult usually does fine with three servings a week, with any leftover food removed after one night to prevent mould growth.
What if the gecko refuses food?
A brief refusal lasting a few days is common and not a concern in a healthy adult, particularly around shedding or a change in ambient temperature. A prolonged refusal paired with visible weight loss or lethargy, on the other hand, warrants a visit to an exotics vet rather than simply waiting it out.
Frequently asked questions
Can a crested gecko be fed fresh fruit alone?
No, a fruit-only diet lacks properly dosed protein and calcium; CGD powder or a well-thought-out combination with insects remains essential.
Should you rotate powder brands regularly?
Alternating between two recognized complete formulas can add a bit of taste variety, though it isn't a nutritional necessity as long as the powder used stays complete and well tolerated.
Does a crested gecko drink from a bowl?
Yes, unlike the chameleon, it happily drinks from a clean water dish, alongside the droplets left by evening misting. Browse all our guides on the reptile hub.
See it in the Planète Pets shop: Ventilated clear box for feeder insects, transport and quarantine, 19 cm (€17.90) · the whole shop
This guide is part of Planète Pets’s Reptiles universe. Our advice is general in nature: for any health concern, your veterinarian remains the only reference.