Can you feed strawberries to your crested gecko? As with most things, the answer is yes and no.
There are some caveats, but generally speaking, it is safe to feed your gecko strawberries?
Here’s what you need to know about serving strawberries to your crested gecko.
Can Geckos Eat Strawberries?
Yes, geckos eat strawberries. But, not as often as you think. Insects are the main part of a gecko’s diet.
Is It a Good Idea To Feed Your Crested Gecko Strawberries?
Strawberries are a great source of vitamin C, which is essential for strong and healthy teeth and gums.
Vitamin C also helps your crested gecko maintain a strong immune system and keep its skin translucent, allowing it to stay cool under normal conditions.
Strawberries are also rich in vitamin E, making them a great addition to any diet.
Vitamin E is an essential nutrient that aids in the absorption of essential fatty acids found in the diet, making it more nutritious.
It also aids in digestion, helping bacteria break down food.
How To You Feed Your Crestie Strawberries?
It’s recommended to offer your gecko strawberries that have been mashed into a paste/puree.
There is also the option of cutting it into small pieces of strawberries.
How Many Times Should You Feed It Strawberries?
Strawberries can be fed to your crested gecko once or twice a week.
Too many strawberries can cause obesity or health problems. Strawberries should be exclusively served as a treat.
How Many Strawberries Can Crested Geckos Eat?
Half a strawberry or less, sliced or mashed should be fed to your gecko. Crested geckos aren’t able to eat a single strawberry.
What Is The Ratio Of Calcium To Phosphorus Among Strawberries?
The ratio of calcium to phosphorus in strawberries is 1:1.5. Which indicates that there is twice as much phosphorus as calcium in the strawberry.
Crested geckos should eat a diet that has a Ca:P ratio of 2:1, 1:1, or 1:0.5. The ratio you decide to feed your gecko can affect their growth, metabolism, and health.
If the gecko consumes calcium above what it needs, it is excreted in its urine.
If they consume too much phosphorus, they store it in their bones and teeth, which can lead to problems like kidney stones and metabolic bone disease.
Nutritional Value of Strawberries
How To Calculate Ca:P Ratio
You can figure this out by calculating the Ca:P ratio using the formula given below.
According to the nutritional content, the Ca:P ratio is 24.3mg:36.5mg. Dividing through by 24.3 (calcium). The ratio becomes 1:1.5.
Oxalic Acid in Strawberries
Strawberries have low levels of oxalic acid. This can be fed to your crested gecko as a common treat. It has to be overripe or on the verge of rotting.
How Oxalic Acid Affects Your Crested Gecko
Oxalic acid is not a nutrient or essential dietary component and it is not required for normal growth or health.
When oxalic acid is consumed, it binds to the calcium and magnesium in the body and prevents them from being absorbed.
This can lead to calcium deficiency which can be harmful to your pet. Crested geckos are strict insectivores and may not benefit from the oxalic acid in the food and may not be able to digest it.
Summary
In conclusion, you can feed your crested gecko strawberries. But make sure that you do it in moderation.
The amount of sugar in strawberries can cause obesity, obesity-related illnesses, and diabetes in humans and animals.
Strawberries are a great source of vitamins and minerals, but it is important to remember that fruit, be it tropical or temperate, is extremely high in sugar.
