gut loading/proper nutrition

[luvinmycham]

we just purchased a female veiled chameleon. she's almost 5mo. can she get proper vitamins from me feeding the crickets veggies and fruits? or should a multi-vitamin still be added? we dust her crickets with calciumw/d3. i have seen so many threads with so many different schedules! sp confused and want her to be healthy!

 

[Justin18]

we just purchased a female veiled chameleon. she's almost 5mo. can she get proper vitamins from me feeding the crickets veggies and fruits? or should a multi-vitamin still be added? we dust her crickets with calciumw/d3. i have seen so many threads with so many different schedules! sp confused and want her to be healthy!

I dusting schedule is plain calcium without d3 every feeding, calcium with d3 ONLY twice a month and multivitamins ONLY twice a month

As for gut loading, start here

https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/75-feeder-nutrition-gutloading.html

Consider this your bible for gut loading.

You should be gut loading your feeders and dusting your feeders every feeding

 

[Justin18]

Also in case you haven't seen this yet here is a good care sheet for veiled chameleons

https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/veiled/

 

[armando]

Caclium with d3 is toxic if you offer everyday...
IT should be used just like Justin18 says...multivitamins and calcium with d3 twice a month..
I use them on sundays... and I alternate them... one sunday d3... next one vitamns.. next one d3... and it goes and goes...
Plain calcium is used everyday!
Justin18 also gave you a wonderful link about gutloading... I always use sandrachameleons advice on wet and dry gutloading... it has worked great for me and my chameleon loves it!!!

You can also find more information in here:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/food/

theres really good a complete caresheets in there!

 

[kinyonga]

I don't think giving a chameleon vitamins twice a month by lightly dusting the insects before feeding them to the chameleon does any harm as long as the vitamins in the supplement are not fat soluble(such as prEformed vitamin A and D3 ). I'm not a vet...this is just my opinion based on 25+ years of keeping chameleons and many other reptiles. You need to be careful of fat soluble vitamins because they can build up in the system when give through supplements.

 

[sandrachameleon]

we just purchased a female veiled chameleon. she's almost 5mo. can she get proper vitamins from me feeding the crickets veggies and fruits? or should a multi-vitamin still be added? we dust her crickets with calciumw/d3. i have seen so many threads with so many different schedules! sp confused and want her to be healthy!

A really good gutload for a variety of feeder prey types greatly reduces the need for a vitamin supplement. But using a supplement a couple times a month wont hurt.
Which brand of Calcium with D3 are you using? Many brands have too much D3 for frequent use.

more info:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/65-supplements.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/174-whats-supplements-brand.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/75-feeder-nutrition-gutloading.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/697-dry-gutload-mix-august-2012.html

 

[stephencartolano]

I don't think giving a chameleon vitamins twice a month by lightly dusting the insects before feeding them to the chameleon does any harm as long as the vitamins in the supplement are not fat soluble(such as prEformed vitamin A and D3 ). I'm not a vet...this is just my opinion based on 25+ years of keeping chameleons and many other reptiles. You need to be careful of fat soluble vitamins because they can build up in the system when give through supplements.

Awesome info, Can you help me out with the names of a few products you know of that don't contain fat soluble vitamins? how about the repashy products?

 

[sandrachameleon]

Awesome info, Can you help me out with the names of a few products you know of that don't contain fat soluble vitamins? how about the repashy products?

Rep-cal Herptivite has only beta carotene, not pre-formed vitamin A, and No D3 either. But you don't have to avoid the products with those in them, just don't over-use is all.
Check the "whats in supplements by brand" link above for details on what is in most of the commonly used brands