A Quick Guide to Feeding Your Pet Lizard
Did you know that lizards are the largest group within the reptile family? Garter snakes, corn snakes, iguanas, and geckos are some of the most common lizard species kept as a pet.
Owning a pet lizard is rewarding, but it also comes with a few challenges. Lizards are long-lived, requiring special reptile care throughout their life.
In this guide, we’ll cover the necessities of feeding your pet lizard.
Read on to learn more.
Choose the Right Food for Your Reptile
When choosing the right food for your reptile, consider what type of lizard you own. Lizards that are herbivores, like the green iguana, leaf-tailed gecko, and legless lizard, need a diet of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Those that are omnivores, like anoles, skinks, and bearded dragons, will need a diet of fruits, vegetables, and insects and should be offered both live and frozen food.
Carnivorous lizards, such as the blue-tongued skink and savannah, should eat insects, mice, and other small animals. You may want to check mealworms for sale for your pet.
Variety is key when it comes to feeding your pet lizard, so they receive an adequate amount of nutrition and vitamins.
Meter Out Portions for Optimal Health
Metering out portions is key to the optimal health of your pet lizard. Feeding your pet lizard should be done no more than once a day and only five times a week.
Be very aware of the size of portions, as overfeeding will lead to obesity. Start by offering small amounts of food and adjust the size of portions as needed.
Each lizard’s food requirements differ, so it might take a few tries to get the size right. To get an exact measurement, weigh food on a kitchen scale.
Include Supplements to Balance Nutrition
Dietary diversity provides a variety of vitamins and minerals. Some essential nutrients may be lacking depending on what you feed them. Supplementation helps to fill in any nutritional gaps and create a reptile diet.
Calcium and vitamin D3 are important for strong bones and a strong immune system. Vitamin E and B complex can help support a healthy microbiome.
Vitamin A helps to maintain healthy skin and eyesight. Omega-3 fatty acids play an important role in a lizard’s growth and development, as well as in combatting inflammation.
It is also important to research and follow the recommended dosage on the supplement label. Too many supplements can put your pet’s health at risk.
Hydration for Reptiles: Avoiding Dehydration
Reptiles rely on the water they get in their food to remain hydrated. It’s important to regulate the water supply for your pet lizard to prevent dehydration.
Spraying the enclosure with water and providing a shallow water bowl or container is the best way to provide hydration for your pet lizard. Be sure to place the water bowl on the coolest side of the enclosure.
Hot temperatures may cause the water to evaporate. Also, make sure your pet lizard can access the water on their own.
Taking Care of Your Pet Lizard
Feeding your pet lizard is an easy and rewarding task. Make sure you create the right balance of the right food items.
Give them the supplements they need, and pay attention to the signs when their diet isn’t correct. Keep in mind that an unhealthy diet can make your pet more susceptible to illness.
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