Is It Safe to Feed Your Crested Geckos Pineapple?
Last Updated: January 25, 2023
Taking great care of your pet requires feeding them a nutritious diet, which may include fresh fruit. There are a lot of different fruits crested geckos can eat, but some are dangerous. What about pineapple? Can crested geckos eat pineapple safely? Isn’t it a citrus fruit, which is bad?
Yes, crested geckos can eat pineapple occasionally. Pineapples are nutritious, but too much can cause health issues. This tropical fruit can be a safe part of a balanced diet.
You likely have other questions. Do I need to do anything special to it? Can I mix it with something else? Do I need to cut it for my pet the same way I would for me?
Keep reading to learn everything you need to know to become an even better pet lizard person!
Do Crested Geckos Eat Pineapple in The Wild?
We want to know what an animal eats in the wild so we can give them a healthy, proper diet in captivity.
Pineapples are from South America, where they have been grown and enjoyed for over 3,000 years.
Christopher Columbus brought these fruits back with him, and Europeans loved them. But pineapple wasn’t easy to grow in Europe, so only the rich could enjoy them. Their unique shape and sweet taste made them the symbol of wealth.
The first big pineapple farms began in Hawaii in the early 1900s. Even though it is not grown there in large amounts today, there is still a strong association between the fruit and the islands.
Most of the pineapples sold in the US today come from Cosa Rica. The two main varieties are the Del Monte Gold and the Tropical Gold. Both are sweet, yellow, and rich in flavor.
But what about cresties?
Crested geckos live in New Caledonia, located 750 miles (or 1,200 kilometers) from Australia. Pineapples are one of the fruits found here. But, while there are many native fruits on these islands, the pineapples grown on commercial farms are not among them.
Even though it is unlikely that a wild crested gecko has ever tasted pineapple like ours, it doesn’t necessarily mean they are not safe for your pet.
Let’s look at the pros and cons of pineapples to learn more.
Nutritional Value
Pineapples aren’t just tasty! They have many nutrients that may benefit health.
The nutrients in raw pineapple, calculated by a standard serving of 3.5 ounces (or 100 grams), are:
- Calories: 50
- Water: 86%
- Protein: 0.54 g
- Carbohydrates: 13.1 g
- Sugar: 9.85 g
- Fat: 0.12 g
- Calcium (Ca): 13 mg
- Phosphorous (P): 8 mg
- Iron (Fe): 0.29 mg
- Magnesium (Mg): 12 mg
- Potassium (K): 109 mg
- Sodium (Na): 1 mg
- Zinc (Zn): 0.12 mg
- Copper (Cu): 0.11 mg
- Vitamin C (total ascorbic acid): 47.8 mg
Pineapple is rich in vitamin C and manganese. They are also known for their bioactive compounds, which may protect from many illnesses.
Pineapple may aid digestion. It is high in fiber and has an enzyme that breaks down meat.
Research into the health benefits of eating pineapple shows even more promise. Whether it’s a lower risk of cancer or fewer chronic conditions, this fruit has potential. Studies are ongoing but full of hope.
In moderation, pineapples are a healthy addition to a diet.
Are Pineapples Good or Bad for Crested Geckos?
Unfortunately, there aren’t lots of studies on the health impact of feeding pineapple to crested geckos.
So how do we answer the question? First, let’s clear this up.
Is Pineapple A Citrus Fruit?
Citrus fruits are off-limits for pet lizards. Why? And what makes something “citrus?”
Citrus fruits are all part of the same genus of plants, meaning they are related. Oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit are the most well-known types. Each has a thick rind and a pulpy center divided into segmented pieces. The part we eat is juicy and very acidic.
They also are full of calcium and high in oxalates. Oxalic acid is dangerous for geckos. It blocks the absorption of calcium. To the body, it is like the calcium isn’t even in the fruit.
Since all the fruits in this family share this trait, it is easy to make the blanket statement, ‘don’t feed your pet lizard citrus fruits.’
So, is pineapple a citrus fruit? Surprisingly, no.
They do have some similarities. They all like the tropics, are high in Vitamin C, and are juicy. But they are different. Oranges, lemons, and the like all grow on trees. Pineapple comes from a bush. Also, think about seeds. There are tiny seeds in the center of limes and grapefruit but no seeds in a pineapple.
Most important to us, pineapple is not as high in oxalic acid as oranges, lemons, limes, or grapefruit.
So, to recap: pineapple is not a citrus fruit and is not high in oxalic acid. Since we haven’t found a reason to say ‘no’ to the juice in a pina colada, let’s keep looking!
What about calcium and phosphorous?
What Is the Calcium-Phosphorous Ratio?
All reptiles, including crested geckos, need calcium (Ca).
Calcium is critical for healthy bones and helps the heart, nerves, and blood function.
A body gets calcium either from its food or by removing it from its bones. In this way, bones serve as a “savings account.” Frequent withdrawals will leave the body without enough calcium to function.
Many pet reptiles do not get enough calcium from their diet, which can cause Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD).
Another factor for MBD is phosphorous. Phosphorous (P) stops the body from absorbing calcium. When the body can’t get all the calcium in the food, it only has one other source.
Unfortunately, both Ca and P are present in many fruits and vegetables. Getting the right amounts of each isn’t easy.
The ideal calcium-to-phosphorous ratio for reptiles is 2:1. This means there should be twice as much Ca as P in every bite.
Pineapple has 13 milligrams of calcium and 8 milligrams of phosphorous.
Calcium-to-Phosphorous Ratio
Pineapple has a 1.6:1 Ca:P ratio, which is very good. It is not quite the ideal ratio, but it is very close.
Oxalic Acid Content
Oxalic acid is another compound that also interferes with calcium. Unfortunately, there is no ideal ratio for oxalic acid. We want to keep the oxalic acid content as low as possible.
Good news! Pineapples are low in oxalate, with only 4 milligrams per cup.
So, Are They Good or Bad?
Pineapple is acceptable as an every-once-in-a-while food for cresties.
It has a healthy Ca-to-P ratio and is low in oxalic acid. Unfortunately, it is very acidic. Eating too many acidic foods can upset the digestive system and cause diarrhea.
We can consider fresh pineapple a bi-monthly treat.
Pineapple In Crested Gecko Diet
Pineapple is a primary ingredient in some brands of meal replacement powder, like Repashy’s Pineapple Express Fall Seasonal Blend.
What does that tell us?
First, we can say confidently that crested geckos can safely eat pineapple.
Second, if you want to see if your crested gecko likes the taste of this sweet fruit, start by serving them the premade powder.
Feeding Instructions
What Is the right portion size?
The amount of food to give to a crested gecko is relative to the size of the lizard.
Compare a 1/8 teaspoon, 1/4 teaspoon, and a 1/2 teaspoon to the space between the crested geckos’ eyes. Notice which spoon is similar in size. That teaspoon is the best guide to serving size for that animal.
How often can I serve pineapple?
Pineapple is a treat.
Ideally, your pet should primarily eat powdered gecko food with some live feeder insects and occasional fruit. This mixture will provide them with the vitamins and minerals they need. It also won’t disrupt their calcium levels.
Following this approach, you can feed your crested gecko fresh pineapple once or twice a month.
Remember that pineapple shouldn’t be the only fresh fruit you feed your pet. Variety is essential to supply all the nutrients your crested gecko needs. Fruit is almost always a treat!
How do I prepare and offer pineapple?
Crested geckos don’t use their teeth to bite and chew their food. Their tongues do most of the work!
Any solid food provided to a crestie should be small enough pieces to be easily swallowed and digested.
Softer, overripe – even slightly spoiled – is ok. In the wild, crested geckos eat fruit that has fallen to the ground once it ripened. Even if it isn’t our preference, this is natural for them.
Preparation
Lay the pineapple on its side on a clean cutting board. Use a sharp knife to cut off the top and the bottom. Take about a quarter of an inch off.
Next, stand the fruit upright. Using the same knife, slice downward on one side about a pinky width from the edge. Turn and repeat, following the shape of the fruit. More cuts will allow you to keep more of the fruit.
Once you’ve trimmed the rind, you should have a clean cylinder. If not, use a small knife to remove any dark spots or leftover peel. Discard the top, bottom, rind, and any bad pieces.
Find the core, the darker yellow circle running top to bottom in the center of the fruit. Place your knife on the edge of the center and cut it straight down. Set the piece aside. Turn the fruit slightly and repeat three more times. Toss the dense middle.
After that, you can either dice or blend the edible parts. Both are easy to prepare, but the blended version is better if you want to mix it with something else.
If you prefer to cut it up, slice the fruit into tiny pieces. Each piece should be smaller than the space between the crested gecko’s eyes.
Can I mix the pineapple with something else?
Yes! Pineapples are great for mixing.
If you combine it with meal replacement powder, you are adding nutrients and making the slurry sweeter than usual.
You can also mix it with another, less healthy fruit.
Buying and Storing Pineapples
What is the best month to buy them?
Pineapples grow year-round. Peak pineapple season is from March until July.
How do I pick a good one?
It is a myth that loose leaves on a pineapple are a good indicator that it is ripe.
Instead, look for bright green leaves and a yellow-green color body. It should have a firm shell that feels slightly soft when squeezed. Finally, smell the base of the fruit. It should have a sweet smell.
How long do they keep?
An uncut, ripe pineapple will last for about three days. If refrigerated, it will last up to six days.
Once it’s cut, pineapple only lasts for a couple of hours at room temperature. It will keep for 2-3 days if stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Should I buy organic or conventional pineapple?
The thick skin helps protect the inner fruit from pesticides.
While buying organic produce always reduces the risk to pets, buying fruit grown using chemicals isn’t likely to be as risky in this case as it is in many others.
Do All Crested Geckos Like Fresh Pineapple?
Just like with humans, each crested gecko has preferences. Not every person likes the taste of pineapple, nor does every crestie.
Can you think back to a time you tried a new food? Maybe you took only a little taste and then stopped and tried again later. Just like humans, crested geckos need to warm up to new things.
If you’ve offered peaches to your pet and they didn’t devour every bite the first time, don’t worry. Try offering them a few times, maybe blended with other fruits your pet regularly eats to help them adjust to the taste.
Conclusion
Crested geckos can eat pineapple periodically, up to twice a month.
While they have a healthy Ca-to-P ratio and low oxalic acid, pineapple is high in acid, which can upset stomachs.
Pineapple is a primary ingredient in some complete gecko diet powder.
If it is something your crested gecko enjoys, pineapple can be part of a diet that helps them live a long, healthy life.
What about other fruits? Can Crested Geckos Eat Raspberries?