🦴 Calcium & Vitamin Supplements: What Do You Need?

✅ Why Supplements Matter

Reptiles and amphibians in captivity often miss out on the full spectrum of nutrients they’d get in the wild. Supplements help bridge that gap—especially calcium and vitamins crucial for bone strength, nerve function, and growth. Without them, pets are at risk of serious issues like metabolic bone disease.

🧂 Types of Calcium Supplements

Not all calcium powders are the same. Here’s what you need to know:

• Calcium with D3

  • Use: For species without regular access to strong UVB lighting.

  • Why: D3 helps the body absorb calcium properly.

  • Warning: Too much D3 can be harmful if used alongside strong UVB.

• Calcium without D3

  • Use: For species kept under quality UVB lighting.

  • Why: These pets can synthesize their own D3 with enough UVB exposure.

• Calcium with added phosphorus

  • Avoid for reptiles. Most feeder insects are already high in phosphorus—too much can disrupt calcium absorption.

🍊 Multivitamins

Multivitamins provide a mix of essential vitamins (like A, E, and K) that aren’t covered by calcium alone.

• Use: Once a week or as directed for your species.

• Too much: Can lead to vitamin toxicity, especially with fat-soluble vitamins like A.

• Too little: May cause poor appetite, lethargy, or slow growth.

💡 Do You Need D3 or Just UVB?

A quick rule of thumb:

• UVB light provided daily? → Use calcium without D3 most of the time.

• No or limited UVB? → Use calcium with D3 occasionally.

Some keepers rotate:

• 5x/week: Calcium without D3

• 1x/week: Calcium with D3

• 1x/week: Multivitamin

🦎 Species-Specific Notes

Different animals have different needs:

• Bearded Dragons: Daily calcium, multivitamin weekly.

• Leopard Geckos: Calcium every feeding, multivitamin weekly.

• Crested Geckos: If fed a complete diet only occasional supplements needed.

• Chameleons: Calcium without D3 most feedings, D3 and multivitamin once a week each.

• Tortoises: Calcium without D3 each feed, especially with good UVB and outdoor access, multivitamin weekly.

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using D3 too often with strong UVB setups.

• Not supplementing at all with insect-only diets.

• Ignoring UVB altogether when it’s essential for the species.

• Using expired or poorly stored supplements—check dates and keep containers sealed.