There are no commercial diets that are complete and balanced for reptiles.  Each species of reptile has very specific nutritional needs.  It is VERY important to research your reptile species carefully and provide as much variety in the diet as possible.  A multi-vitamin and calcium supplements are also recommended for most reptiles.  Below you will find a brief discussion on the 3 major nutritional groups that reptiles fall into.  Please note that these are very much generalizations.  Dietary needs vary greatly by species and by age. 

            All reptiles (especially tropical species) require a warm environment for proper food digestion and ultraviolet (UV) light for calcium metabolism.  It is very important that you provide your reptile with the proper temperature gradient and lighting in order for him or her to use the nutrients in the food you provide. 

About 90% of our new reptile patients are on an improper diet and/or do not provide their reptiles with the proper heat and lighting.  Furthermore, most of the medical problems we see in our reptile patients are due in full or in part to poor nutrition and husbandry.  If you have not spoken with a veterinarian about the nutritional needs of your reptile pet, please schedule a consultation appointment with one of the doctors at Clermont Animal Hospital so that we can help you formulate a diet that will address your pet’s unique nutritional needs and council you on proper temperature and lighting.

Carnivores (pythons, constrictors, monitor lizards, bearded dragons, water turtles, etc.)

            Carnivorous reptiles should be on a diet that is at least 90% whole-animal prey.  Feeding a meat-only diet without the bones and internal organs is very deficient in most vitamins and minerals (especially calcium).  The size of the prey animals fed will depend on the species, the age, and the size of the animal.  The smallest carnivores can be fed day-old pinkie mice.  The largest snakes can be fed rats, chicks, and rabbits.  Aquatic species should be fed fish whenever possible.  Adding variety to the diet by feeding multiple prey species helps provide balanced nutrition.  All prey (except fish) should be fed dead or stunned to prevent injury to your pet.  Hardboiled eggs (whole or diced) including the shell can be fed weekly to enhance the diet.

Insectivores (chameleons, geckos, skinks, etc.)

            Insectivores should be fed as large a variety of insects and worms as possible.  Crickets and mealworms have poor nutritional quality unless they are “gut-loaded.” This means that crickets must be fed a diet rich in vitamins and minerals for at least 48-72 hours before they are fed to your reptile.  Cricket nutritional value can also be improved by shaking them in a multi-vitamin or calcium powder (use on alternate days).  Regardless, crickets should not comprise more than 50% of your pet’s diet.  The other half of the diet should consist of a variety of other insects and worms (mealworms, wax worms, earthworms, super worms, and silk worms). 

Silk worms are perhaps the single best source of nutrition as they are high in protein, low in fat, and provide a variety of vitamins and minerals.  They can, however, be difficult to find at local pet stores.  Here are a few on-line links to suppliers: http://www.thatpetplace.com, http://www.wormman.com, and http://www.americancricketranch.com.

            There is a debate among experts as to whether or not wild-caught insects are a good food source for reptile pets.  Wild insects are more likely to carry disease and may have exposure to pesticides and/or other toxins that may be harmful to your pet.  However, wild-caught insects are, in general, much more healthy, less stressed, and better in nutritional value than insects available commercially.  For this reason, our doctors recommend using wild-caught insects to supplement your pets diet.  Be sure that these insects are taken from areas where pesticides and other potentially harmful chemical treatments are not used.

Herbivores (iguanas, land tortoises, etc.)

            Herbivores need a variety of vegetables grains and fruits.  Each feeding should consist of items from the six categories below.  Failure to provide your herbivorous reptile with a balanced diet can result is severe metabolic deficiencies, disease, and death.

1. Calcium-Rich Vegetables—30-40% of diet: turnip greens, mustard greens, beet greens, kale, collard greens, bok choy, Swiss chard, dandelions, parsley, romaine lettuce, spinach and alfalfa pellets.


2. Other Vegetables—30-40% of diet:  frozen mixed vegetables, squash, zucchini, sweet potato, bell pepper (all colors), broccoli, peas, beans, okra, grated carrots, sprouts.


3. Grain/Fiber—up to 20% of diet: whole grain breads, whole grain pastas, whole grain cereals.  (This category is not needed with every meal but should be provided at least weekly).


4. Fruits—up to 15% of diet: figs, papaya, melon, apple, peaches, plums, strawberries, banana (including peel), seedless grapes, kiwi, oranges (including peel).


5. Vitamin and mineral supplementation—calcium supplementation is VERY important.  This should be combined with a multivitamin supplement designed for reptiles.


6. Protein—up to 5% of the diet:  insects and worms (see Insectivore section) or small (pea to marble sized) balls of canned dog/puppy food.  (This category is optional and should only be fed once every 1-2 weeks).