Vet Guide 2025: Reptile Diet & Nutrition Essentials by Dr Duncan Houston 🦎🩺

Hello! I’m Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc and founder of Ask A Vet. Proper nutrition is fundamental to reptile health, growth, reproduction, and longevity. In this comprehensive 2025 guide, we explain live prey, pellets, fruits and veggies, supplements, hydration, and species-specific feeding tips—backed by veterinary expertise and designed to help you confidently nourish your reptile companions.

1. Core Components of Reptile Diets

Most captive reptiles thrive on a balanced mix of:

• Live food: insects (crickets, mealworms, waxworms), worms, or thawed rodents. Offers protein and exercise benefits :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.
• Pellets: formulated for bearded dragons, tortoises, and others—pack key vitamins/minerals.
• Fruits & veggies: essential for herbivorous and omnivorous species—offered 1–3 times weekly :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.

2. Live Food Details & Best Practices

• Staples: crickets, mealworms, red wigglers; treats: waxworms. Include thawed rodents for snakes :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
• Always gut-load prey and dust with calcium supplements before feeding to boost nutrition :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
• Use tools for feeding—never gloved hands—to avoid accidental bites :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.

3. Pellets, Fruits & Veggies

• High-quality pellets provide complete nutrient profiles for many species.
• Fruits & veggies add hydration, fiber, and micronutrients—especially vital for tortoises and some lizards :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
• Use leafy greens (75%) with veggies (25%) in salads; fruit as occasional treat :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.

4. Vitamins & Mineral Supplements

Supplements prevent deficiencies and support bone, metabolic, and reproductive health:

• Calcium & D₃: Dust prey weekly—essential to prevent metabolic bone disease :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.
• Balanced multivitamins: Provide vitamin A, trace minerals—choose reptile-specific formulas :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.
• Adjust frequency by species, age, and diet composition.

5. Hydration & Water Needs

• Provide fresh, clean water daily in easy-access bowls :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.
• Semi-aquatic or moist-habitat species need soak opportunities or misting to aid shedding :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.
• Ensure non-drowning setup—shallow dishes or escape ramps help reptiles exit easily.

6. Species-Specific Feeding Guidelines

6.1 Snakes

• Fed frozen-thawed rodents sized at or just above belly width; frequency: juveniles 1–2× weekly, adults monthly :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.
• Thaw fully; warm to room temp; use feeding tubs and tongs :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}.
• Rotate prey type (mice, rats, chicks) for nutritional variability.

6.2 Insectivorous Lizards

• Offer variety: crickets, roaches, worms—avoid feeding only one insect type :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}.
• Track supplementation to support growth and prevent MBD.

6.3 Omnivorous Lizards & Turtles

• Provide a daily balance of insects, veggies, and fruits (70:30 ratio)—with occasional pellets :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}.
• Fruits limited to 10–15% of diet to avoid excess sugars :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}.

6.4 Herbivorous Reptiles (Tortoises, Iguanas)

• Compose a salad of dark greens (50–60%), vegetables (30–40%), and fruits (10%) :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}.
• Avoid high-oxalate foods like spinach, kale, parsley :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}.
• Supplement with calcium + D₃ twice weekly.

7. Monitoring & Adjustments

• Track weight, appetites, shedding habits, stool quality.
• Watch for signs of MBD: soft limbs, lethargy, poor shedding :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}.
• Adjust diet, environments, or supplements based on evidence and vet evaluation.
• Annual vet exams help refine nutrition plans and prevent issues early.

8. Ask A Vet Support

Need help balancing diets, selecting supplements, or tackling feeding issues? The Ask A Vet app connects you to reptile veterinary specialists. Send photos, diet logs, or feeding videos for personalized advice anytime. Visit AskAVet.com 🦎📱

9. Summary & Final Thoughts

Reptile dietary health depends on variety, supplementation, hydration, and species-appropriate feeding schedules. From live prey to colorful salads, from calcium dust to clean water, marrying natural feeding strategies with veterinary precision is the key to longevity. With Ask A Vet's ongoing support, you can ensure your reptile enjoys optimal nutrition and vibrant wellbeing in 2025 and beyond! 🩺🌿

— Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc