Gut-loaded, calcium-dusted feeder insects remain the gold standard for most insectivorous reptiles, supplemented with fresh greens for omnivorous species.

Food Best For
Dubia Roaches Insectivores — high nutrition, easy to gut-load
Crickets Most insectivores, widely available
Calcium + D3 Powder Dusting insects/greens for all species needing supplementation
Leafy Greens Mix Herbivorous/omnivorous species
Dubia roaches feeder insects

Best Feeder Insect

Dubia Roaches

Higher nutritional value and easier to gut-load than crickets, with less odor and noise.

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Calcium and D3 reptile supplement powder

Essential Supplement

Calcium + D3 Dust

A staple for preventing metabolic bone disease in insectivorous and herbivorous reptiles.

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FAQ

Do I need to gut-load feeder insects?+

Yes — feeding nutritious food to crickets or roaches 24-48 hours before offering them to your reptile significantly improves their nutritional value.

Emma Collins
Emma Collins
Founder & Lead Writer, PetsFather

Emma has shared her home with dogs, cats, and a small aquarium for over 15 years. She started PetsFather to cut through the noise — no fluff, no guesswork, just practical care advice and honest product recommendations from someone who's actually tested what works.

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