Best Gecko Foods UK: Crested Gecko Powders and Insects

Picks were chosen by product type, covering complete powders, fruit blends, insect foods, mealworms and crickets. We compared the formats stated in each listing, with no stock, review or testing claims.

Which Gecko Food Suits Leopard and Crested Geckos?

Leopard geckos and crested geckos need very different gecko food, so the species comes first when choosing. Leopard geckos are insectivores and need live insects such as crickets, locusts, dubia roaches and mealworms, dusted with calcium. They do not eat fruit, vegetables or powder diets. Crested geckos, gargoyle geckos and day geckos eat fruit and insects in the wild, and in captivity a complete powdered diet mixed with water covers most of their needs, with live insects offered once or twice a week. Read each pack to check which species it is made for, as fruit powders are unsuitable for leopard geckos. A good comparison is to list the species you keep, then check the first line of each product listing, which usually names the target gecko. If two products suit your gecko, compare whether each is a complete diet or a treat.

How Do These Gecko Foods Compare?

The table shows who each gecko food suits and the type stated in its listing. Check your gecko species first, then whether it is a complete diet.

How Do You Prepare a Powdered Gecko Diet?

Mix powdered gecko diet with water to a smooth, ketchup like texture, usually around one part powder to two parts water, and serve it in a small shallow dish or on a feeding ledge. Check the ratio on the pack, as brands vary. Make a fresh portion every one to two days, because mixed food spoils quickly in a warm vivarium and can grow mould. Remove leftovers and wash the dish each time. Most crested geckos eat at night, so put food in during the evening. Offer an amount roughly the size of the gecko’s head at first and adjust after watching how much is eaten. Store unopened powder in a cool, dry cupboard and keep opened packs sealed. To compare value, check how many grams of powder a pack holds and how long it lasts for one gecko.

Do Gecko Insects Need Calcium Dusting?

Yes, insects fed to geckos usually need dusting with calcium, and often a multivitamin a few times a week, because insects alone are low in calcium. Without enough calcium and vitamin D3, geckos can develop metabolic bone disease. Leopard geckos are often given a small dish of plain calcium in the vivarium as well as dusted insects. Young, growing geckos and egg laying females need dusting more often than adults. Gut load insects for 24 hours before feeding with fresh vegetables or a commercial gut load. Put a pinch of powder in a tub, add insects, shake gently and feed straight away. Compare supplements by checking whether they contain D3, since geckos kept without UVB lighting rely more on dietary D3. A reptile vet can advise on a dusting schedule for your gecko.

How Do You Tell If a Gecko Is Eating Enough?

A gecko is eating enough when it keeps a steady weight, has a plump tail in species that store fat there, and stays alert and active at its usual times. Leopard geckos store fat in the tail, so a thick tail roughly as wide as the neck is a good sign, while a thin tail can show weight loss. Weigh your gecko monthly on digital kitchen scales and record the result in grams. A slow fall in weight, especially with less interest in food, needs a vet check. Geckos often eat less in cooler months or before shedding, which is normal for a short time. Check the vivarium temperature, as geckos kept too cool may stop eating. Watch the feeding dish and count insects eaten for a week to build a picture. Crested geckos lick food, so check the powder dish for licked patches each morning. Any refusal lasting more than a couple of weeks deserves advice from a reptile vet.

You may also find our guide to pet food storage containers and the fish foods guide useful.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last reviewed: 23 October 2026.