Leopard geckos need a reptile multivitamin dusted onto their insects about once a week, on top of their calcium powder, because feeder insects are low in vitamin A and other vitamins. Choose one with preformed vitamin A (retinol or retinyl acetate), not only beta carotene, since leopard geckos may not convert beta carotene well. Repashy Calcium Plus covers calcium, D3 and vitamins in one tub, or pair plain calcium with a multivitamin such as Repashy SuperVite or Zoo Med Reptivite. Too little vitamin A causes eye and skin problems; too much, from dusting a multivitamin at every adult feeding, can be just as harmful.
Below are our multivitamin picks, a supplement schedule by age, what each vitamin does, the signs of vitamin A deficiency and overdose, and how vitamins fit with calcium and UVB.
Do leopard geckos need vitamins?
Yes. A wild leopard gecko eats a wide range of insects, many of which have eaten plants, and gets its vitamins from them. Captive feeders such as crickets, dubia roaches and mealworms are raised on simple diets and are short of several vitamins, vitamin A above all. Gut loading helps, but it does not reliably supply vitamin A, so a multivitamin powder fills the gap.
Leopard gecko vitamin picks
| Pick | Why we like it | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|
| Best all-in-one: Repashy Calcium Plus | Calcium, D3 and a full set of vitamins, including preformed vitamin A, in one powder. Use it in place of separate calcium and vitamins | Check price on Amazon |
| Best multivitamin: Repashy SuperVite | A multivitamin with preformed vitamin A and D3, used once a week alongside plain calcium | Check price on Amazon |
| Easiest to find: Zoo Med Reptivite | A widely sold reptile multivitamin with vitamin A, available with or without D3 | Check price on Amazon |
| For UVB setups: Arcadia EarthPro-A | Vitamins with preformed vitamin A and no D3, for tanks where a UVB light supplies the D3 | Check price on Amazon |
Rep-Cal Herptivite is a popular multivitamin too, but its vitamin A comes as beta carotene. Many keepers use it without trouble; if you do, use an all-in-one with preformed vitamin A some weeks as well. Check the label of any powder for "vitamin A acetate", "retinyl" or "retinol".
Leopard gecko supplement schedule
| Gecko | Calcium with D3 | Calcium without D3 | Multivitamin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby or juvenile (under 12 months), no UVB | Every feeding | Not needed | Once a week, instead of the calcium at that feeding |
| Baby or juvenile, with UVB | Once or twice a week | All other feedings | Once a week |
| Adult, no UVB | Twice a week | All other feedings | Every one to two weeks |
| Adult, with UVB | Once a week | All other feedings | Every one to two weeks |
| Breeding female | Two or three times a week | Every other feeding, plus a dish in the tank | Once a week |
If you use an all-in-one powder such as Repashy Calcium Plus, use it in place of the "calcium with D3" column and skip the separate multivitamin. With a UVB light, a multivitamin without D3 such as EarthPro-A is a good fit. Our calcium powder guide covers the calcium side in more detail.
What each vitamin does
| Vitamin | What it does | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin A | Healthy eyes, skin, sheds and the lining of the mouth and airways | Multivitamin with preformed vitamin A; insects are low in it |
| Vitamin D3 | Lets the body absorb calcium for bones | Calcium with D3, a multivitamin with D3, or a UVB light |
| Vitamin E | Protects cells and supports muscles and breeding | Multivitamin; well-fed insects |
| B vitamins | Appetite, energy and nerves | Multivitamin; gut-loaded insects |
Signs of vitamin A deficiency
Vitamin A deficiency (hypovitaminosis A) is one of the most common nutrition problems in leopard geckos. It builds up over months, so it often shows in geckos that were never given a multivitamin, or only one with beta carotene. Signs include:
- Swollen, crusty or closed eyes, often with a build-up under the eyelids
- Repeated stuck shed, especially around the eyes and toes
- Bubbles from the nose, wheezing or open-mouth breathing
- Mouth infections or sores
- In males, swollen hemipenes or waxy plugs at the vent
- Poor appetite, weight loss and lethargy
See a reptile vet if you notice these. A vet can give vitamin A safely and treat any eye or mouth infection. Do not try to fix it by dusting a multivitamin at every meal, since that risks an overdose.
Can a leopard gecko get too many vitamins?
Yes. Vitamins A and D3 build up in the body, so too much over months is harmful. Signs of too much vitamin A include swelling under the throat or along the body, skin that peels away in sheets, and lethargy. Too much D3 can harden soft tissues. Both are avoided by following a schedule: a multivitamin once a week for young geckos and every one to two weeks for adults is plenty. Never put a multivitamin or calcium with D3 in a dish left in the tank.
Vitamins, calcium and UVB
Leopard geckos are active at dawn and dusk, so they get some vitamin D3 from low levels of sunlight in the wild. In a tank without UVB, all their D3 must come from powders. A low-strength UVB tube is a good addition (see our lighting guide), and lets you use powders without D3 for most feedings. Whatever you choose, keep the warm spot at 90 to 95°F (see our temperature guide), because a cold gecko cannot digest its food or use the vitamins in it.
How to give your leopard gecko vitamins
- Gut load the insects for 24 hours before feeding with greens, carrot or a commercial gut load. See our food guide.
- Put a pinch of powder in a bag or cup with the insects and shake gently until they look lightly dusted, not white.
- Feed straight away, before the insects clean the powder off.
- Write down the day you used the multivitamin, so you do not double up.
- Replace tubs about every six months once opened, since vitamins break down with air and damp.
Leopard gecko vitamins FAQ
Do leopard geckos need vitamins?
Yes. Feeder insects are short of vitamin A and other vitamins, so dust them with a reptile multivitamin about once a week, as well as calcium.
What is the best multivitamin for leopard geckos?
One with preformed vitamin A, such as Repashy SuperVite or Zoo Med Reptivite. Repashy Calcium Plus combines calcium, D3 and vitamins in one powder if you prefer to use only one tub.
How often should I give my leopard gecko vitamins?
Once a week for babies, juveniles and breeding females, and once every one to two weeks for adults. With an all-in-one powder, follow its calcium schedule instead.
Can I use calcium and multivitamin together?
Yes. Most keepers use calcium at most feedings and swap in the multivitamin once a week. Do not use the multivitamin at every feeding.
What are the signs of vitamin A deficiency in leopard geckos?
Swollen or closed eyes, repeated stuck shed, bubbles from the nose, mouth infections and weight loss. See a reptile vet, who can give vitamin A safely.
Can leopard geckos overdose on vitamins?
Yes. Too much vitamin A or D3 over months causes swelling, peeling skin and other problems. Follow a schedule and never leave a multivitamin in a dish in the tank.
Is beta carotene enough for leopard geckos?
Probably not on its own. Leopard geckos may not convert beta carotene to vitamin A well, so choose a multivitamin with preformed vitamin A, or use one some of the time.