Yogurt

[CarpetShark]

So, I had a long converstaion with someone today who would rather remain nameless (not because of anything said but rather because this person values privacy), and this person told me something interesting. The geckos in person's care (not just cresties) are kept on yogurt exclusively. Well, except for crickets. But in any case, this person has kept geckos on yogurt for a very long time. Person has never had any problems with MBD, deficiencies, or other health (or personality, for that matter) problems. I have never fed yogurt except as an occassional treat as I was told that it was bad for cresties. Just to clarify, person feeds fruit-flavored yogurt.

So... My question is: Is yogurt really bad for cresties (or other fruitivores)? Is there any reason geckos cannot live happily on it and crickets? If so, can you offer any research/data/etc that proves this point?

Any information anyone can give me on this would be greatly appreciated.

 

[cliff_f]

I do know a few people that feed thier geckos yogurt and they do just fine on it and have no MBD. I cant really give you scientific data but I can say I do know other people that use it as part of the primairy diet along with crickets.

 

[jabberwock486]

my only concern would be sugar content and the fact it is a mammal product. however at that point the bacteria have taken care of that.

i have seen and heard of people doing this with other species. mainly day geckos.

 

[CarpetShark]

Thank you guys, for the info. I am going to try introducing my geckos to yogurt tonight to see how they like it. Any flavors that would be best?

 

[Hilde]

Before Allen Repashy came along with his Rhac diets, I used a yogurt and fruit smoothy and crickets for my Rhacs. They thrived on it. The lactose isn't a problem because the bacterial culture in the yogurt makes it easier to digest.

Many people say that yogurt is dangerous for reptiles. Some even go so far as to say milk and other dairy products are toxic to reptiles. I disagree completely -- what about those pinkies we feed our geckos and snakes? All they've eaten in their short lives is milk, and there's a really good chance that their tummies are loaded with fresh milk, not even partially digested, when they're fed off. If milk is so bad, shouldn't the geckos and snakes get sick and/or die?

 

[PassPort]

my Rhacs, Phelsuma, and Eurydactylodes are all fed at least once a week with a fresh fruit blend that includes plain unsweetened yogurt as a primary ingredient. Never had any issues and the animals thrive. I even have some Gekko, Oedura, and Eublepharis that will lick at it.

My friend uses a similar mix and feeds it also to his Gehyra, Bavayia, Tarentola, and Lygodactylus.