Low Fat Gecko Diet
Wild crested geckos stay lean because finding food takes work. In an enclosure that changes, and weight gain becomes a real risk.
Every Blue River Diet is built to keep fat in check, so geckos get the energy and nutrients they need without the surplus that settles as body fat.
Fat and protein at a glance
4.1–4.8%
Crude fat across our crested gecko flavours
5.5%
Crude fat in Phelsuma Passion, for day geckos
1st
Real fruit is the first ingredient in every flavour
18.9–26.2%
Crude protein across the range
Figures from current packaging. Each pouch shows the analysis for its flavour.
On this page
Why Captive Geckos Gain Weight
A wild crested gecko’s food changes with New Caledonia’s seasons, and every meal has to be found. A captive gecko is fed on a schedule in a much smaller space, so it uses far less energy for the same amount of food.
In the wild
- A mix of fruit, nectar and insects that changes with the seasons
- Nightly foraging and climbing through the forest
- A lean body condition
In captivity
- Regular meals with little effort needed to find them
- Less space to climb and explore
- Spare energy stored as body fat
Want to see the wild habitat for yourself? Read what we found on our 2024 wet season expedition.
The Risks of Obesity
Extra weight builds up slowly, so it is easy to miss. Over time it can lead to serious health problems.
Fatty Liver Disease
Fat can build up around the liver and other organs. Fatty liver disease (hepatic lipidosis) can lead to organ failure.
Reduced Mobility
Extra weight makes climbing harder, so geckos become less active and gain weight even more easily.
Egg Binding
In females, excess fat can contribute to egg binding, where eggs cannot be laid normally. Without treatment it can be fatal.
Breeding Problems
Overweight geckos can be less active and less successful at breeding.
Shortened Lifespan
Over time, these problems add up and can shorten a gecko’s life.
Keeper note
You may see obesity linked to metabolic bone disease (MBD). MBD is caused by too little calcium or vitamin D3, often alongside poor UVB lighting, not by excess fat. Every Blue River recipe includes calcium carbonate and vitamin D3.
How Our Recipes Keep Fat in Check
Low fat does not mean low energy. Each ingredient is chosen to fuel an active gecko without leaving a surplus.
Real Fruit
Energy from natural sugars
Real fruit leads every recipe, providing natural sugars for energy along with fibre, vitamins and antioxidants.
Soya Protein Isolate
Lean plant protein
Easily digested and low in fat, supporting muscle growth and repair without adding a surplus.
Coconut
Energy from MCTs
Coconut fibre and milk powder supply medium-chain triglycerides, which are absorbed and used for energy more readily than many other fats.
Postbiotics
Gut health
Dried Lactobacillus helveticus is included as a postbiotic to support a balanced gut and healthy digestion.
Calcium, Vitamins and Minerals
Bones · vision · metabolism
Every recipe adds calcium carbonate and a vitamin and mineral premix, including vitamins A and D3 and choline.
Fat and Protein by Flavour
Every crested gecko flavour sits between 4.1% and 4.8% crude fat. Phelsuma Passion, made for day geckos, is slightly higher at 5.5%.
| Flavour | Fat | Protein |
|---|---|---|
| Peach Paradise | 4.1% | 19.1% |
| Strawberry Swirl | 4.1% | 19.4% |
| Watermelon Burst | 4.2% | 19.5% |
| Mango Madness | 4.2% | 18.9% |
| Pineapple Crush | 4.4% | 19.3% |
| Fruit & Bug | 4.8% | 22.5% |
| Phelsuma Passion (day geckos) | 5.5% | 20.2% |
| Melon Quest (limited edition) | 4.2% | 25.1% |
| Lychee On Earth (limited edition) | 4.2% | 25.1% |
| Blueberry Planet (limited edition) | 4.6% | 26.2% |
Keeper note
Remove any uneaten food after 24 hours, as the pack directs, and offer a fresh mix. Keeping an eye on how much is eaten each time helps you spot changes in appetite early.
Gecko Diet guide · Part 2 of 8