Calcium with D3

[maskaturtle]

Hello, My name is Anthony. I am fairly new to keeping Chameleons. I have kept many others reptiles, but Panther Chameleons have stolen my heart. It is to the point that I have sold off most of my reptile collection in order to focus more time caring for my 4 chameleons. Django, 8 month old pure Ambilobe, was my first chameleon purchase. He has grown at an unbelievable rate and will eat over 30 bugs a day if allowed. After spending some time on this site, I now realize that I have potentially been giving too much calcium with d3. How serious is over exposure to d3? also, how long does it take to have a negative or irreversible effect. Django seems to be very healthy and happy, I just want to make sure that I am providing him with everything for an optimal captive life.

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Thank You-
Also, with my 2.5 month old panthers, should they get calcium with d3 more or less frequently that the older cham?

 

[Kate]

Panthers and veileds need plain calcium daily, calcium with d3 twice a month and a multivitamin twice a month. All ages. However as they get older they will slow down their eating, often to every second day. This schedule can change depending on whether they get outside time and how well you gutload your feeders. Giving too much d3 can cause lots of problems but some chams are more sensitive than others. Cut back on the d3 and if you feel there are changes in their health a vets visit may be in order.

 

[Zephalia]

There is great advice on the care resources that I suggest you have a read over. Also browse the forums on supplementation to hear the full scope of the discussion.

I use calcium with no D3 at every feeding. I use calcium w/D3 and multivitamin twice a month. If your chams get a lot of natural sunlight they don't require as much supplementation. If they are kept indoors, like mine are, this is a pretty widely used schedule.

Over supplementation can have a lot of serious side effects that can be fatal to your chams. There is a lot of material on this site about that and as I'm not an expert, I won't get into it.

Hope that gives you something to work with.

 

[maskaturtle]

thank you both very much. I tend to overthink things with my animals. I want them to be as happy as possible, as they make me very happy. I am going to take the advice and start using the calcium with d3 every other Sunday.
-thank you