Feeding a crested gecko: CGD powder, fruit and occasional insects
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 (study on Google Scholar). All our food guides are gathered in the reptile food section.
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.
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.