Cricket Gut-Load Recipe

Feeder insects are only as nutritious as what they ate. Gut-loading means feeding them nutritious food for a day before offering them to your reptile.

This mix uses greens, squash and oats that crickets, roaches and mealworms all eat.

Why your reptile will love this

• More nutrition from every insect
• Uses kitchen scraps
• Works for crickets, roaches and worms

Ingredient notes

• Collard greens, chopped Safe

  A staple green for bearded dragons.

• Butternut squash, grated Safe

  Raw, grated.

See every ingredient in the safety guide

How to make Cricket Gut-Load

Cricket Gut-Load takes about 10 minutes from start to finish and makes 4 feedings. It is an easy recipe. You will need an insect keeper bin. Read through every step once before you start, and set out all the ingredients so nothing is missed.

Ingredients and why they are here

You need 3 ingredients. Each one is checked against the ingredient safety guide for reptiles.

• 1 cup collard greens, chopped: A staple green for bearded dragons.
• 1/2 cup butternut squash, grated: Raw, grated.
• 2 tbsp rolled oats, ground

Step-by-step instructions

1. Chop the greens and grate the squash.
2. Mix with the ground oats.
3. Place in the insect bin in a shallow dish.
4. Wait 24 hours before feeding insects to your reptile.
5. Dust the insects with calcium right before serving.

Tips for success

• Replace the mix daily so it does not mold.
• The squash provides moisture, so you may not need water crystals.
• Feed insects no larger than the space between your reptile’s eyes.

How to store it

Let everything cool completely before you pack it away, since trapped steam causes sogginess and mold. Keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days. If anything smells off or shows mold, throw it out.

How much to serve

Feed to insects for 24 to 48 hours before offering them.

Swaps and variations

No butternut squash? Use sweet potato. Change one ingredient at a time so you can tell how each swap affects the texture.

Why reptiles love it

More nutrition from every insect. Uses kitchen scraps. Works for crickets, roaches and worms.

Feeding tips for reptiles

Reptiles need the right temperatures to digest their food, so feed during the day when the basking area is warm. Dust food with calcium as your vet recommends, and remove uneaten fresh food before it spoils. Babies and adults eat very differently, so adjust the balance of insects and greens for your animal’s age and species.

Make it ahead

To save time, measure and prep the ingredients the day before and keep them covered in the fridge. Label containers with the recipe name and date so you always know what to use first. Most of the work in this recipe is hands-off, so it fits easily around a busy week.

What to watch for

A reptile that stops eating, loses weight, or has a soft or swollen jaw needs a reptile vet. Soft jaws and shaky limbs can be signs of metabolic bone disease from too little calcium or UVB light. Check your basking temperatures and UVB bulb regularly.

Shopping list

Before you start, check that you have collard greens, butternut squash and rolled oats. Most of it is at the grocery store; hay, pellets, feed and supplements are at pet or feed stores. Buy fresh produce close to the day you cook.

Safety notes

Never add onion, garlic, chocolate, grapes, raisins, xylitol or salt, and check the safety guide before trying a new ingredient with your reptile. This recipe is general information, not veterinary advice.

Frequently asked questions

What does gut-loading mean?

Feeding insects nutritious food so your reptile gets those nutrients.

How long should I gut-load?

24 to 48 hours.