How to Transition Your Picky Crested Gecko to Blue River Diets
Picky Gecko? You’re not alone! It’s perfectly natural for geckos to show hesitation at trying new flavors, formulas, and live insects.
At Blue River Diets, we believe in feeding a complete and balanced diet in order to ensure optimal health, such as our nutritiously balanced formulas, and regular offerings of gut-loaded, calcium dusted live insects, such as crickets, dubia cockroaches, and occasional treats like wax worms.
Crested geckos (Correlophus ciliatus) are notorious for being selective eaters, but with patience and consistency, you’ll be surprised just how much they do enjoy a varied diet; many will even have preferences on the flavors and textures or consistencies they enjoy.
Blue River Diets for Hatchlings and Juveniles
Younger crested geckos can be shy, as they’re highly vulnerable to predation at their smallest size. When offering Blue River Diets, try placing multiple small, shallow feeding dishes (like bottle caps) around your enclosure at different heights including the ground, and near to where you know your gecko feels safest, like their favorite hide. We recommend mixing our diets in a 1:2 ratio (1 part diet to 2 parts water) and stirring until thoroughly mixed. Aim for a consistency of smooth puree and adjust according to your geckos preferences.
While hatchling and juvenile crested geckos benefit from the nutrients and superfoods in our formulas, they can be highly focused on hunting insects during their first critical 12 months of growth. Try offering Blue River Diets in its powdered form in a dish to your feeder insects in addition to their gut-load formula! We recommend gut loading insects 24 hours prior to feeding to your reptiles for greatest benefit.
Hint: Crested geckos have surprisingly small stomachs. You may think that they haven’t eaten any food, because they may only eat a few licks at a time; try only putting a small amount in each dish to make any signs of eating easier to spot. Check for signs of successful feeding by examining feeding cups in the morning for indents in the food, and for signs of waste in the enclosure. If your gecko is producing normal waste and urates, you can be sure that your gecko is eating. Tracking the weight of your gecko bi-weekly by using a gram scale can also be helpful. Most geckos take a fair few months to reach 5g in weight, and most will hit a growth spurt between 7g-15g.
Blue River Diets for Healthy Adult Geckos
Adult crested geckos tend to be more confident eaters, making it easier to offer Blue River Diets as a staple part of their nutrition. However, they may still show reluctance when trying any new formulas, flavors, or insects.
For adult geckos, prepare your Blue River Diets diet using 1:2 ratio (1 part diet to 2 parts water) and mix thoroughly to a smooth, puree-like consistency. Adult geckos may show preferences for thicker or thinner mixtures, so adjust as needed based on their behavior at feeding time. Place feeding cups in accessible areas of the enclosure where they are typically most likely to feed. For some geckos, this may be in the upper 2/3rds of the enclosure, and others may be on the ground.
While insects can should still be offered occasionally for nutrients and enrichment, adult geckos can be slightly lazy and less tempted to chase live insects, and therefore rely more heavily on prepared diets to meet their nutritional needs. Offering a variety of flavors from the Blue River Diets line can help maintain their interest in feeding, and ensure a well-rounded diet. Replace any uneaten food every 24-48 hours to maintain freshness and prevent spoilage.
If you’re unsure about your gecko’s eating habits, look for the same clues as with juveniles: food indentations in the feeding cups, waste production, and consistent weight. Adult geckos tend to maintain a steadier weight, but regular monthly weigh-ins can help you monitor overall health. A healthy adult crested gecko typically weighs between 35-55 grams, depending on their genetics and body structure. Adjust feeding frequency and portion size based on their appetite and activity levels, and enjoy watching your gecko thrive!
Other useful tips
Slow Introduction
For come highly picky geckos, you can try a slower approach.. Start by mixing the Blue River Diet with their current food:
- Week 1: Use 75% of their current diet and 25% Blue River Diets formula.
- Week 2: Transition to a 50/50 mix.
- Week 3: Gradually increase to 75% Blue River Diets formula and 25% old diet.
- Week 4: Offer only Blue River Diets.
Adjust Texture
Crested geckos can be picky about the consistency of their food. Experiment with the water-to-powder ratio until you find the texture your gecko prefers. A smoother texture often appeals to geckos used to slurping fruit-based diets.
A thicker consistency is easier for us humans to notice if our geckos have eaten any of their food.
Strategic Timing
Offer the new food when your gecko is hungriest, usually in the evening at dusk when they’re most active. A slightly warmer mixture can also boost appeal.
Be Patient
Transitioning can take time. If your gecko refuses the new diet, don’t give up. Keep offering small amounts consistently and avoid giving excessive treats during this period, as it may discourage them from trying new foods. Geckos tend to hold out on eating when they know it is likely that their favorite foods will be coming soon.
When to Reach Out for Help
If your gecko continues to reject the food after several weeks, feel free to contact our support team. We’re here to offer personalized advice tailored to your gecko’s needs.
Transitioning your picky eater to a new diet or flavor is a journey, but the reward of being able to offer a nutritious, varied diet is worth it!. Remember, every gecko is unique, and patience is key. Let us know how your journey goes—our team is here to support you and your scaly friend every step of the way!