What Should I Feed My Salamander?

Salamanders come in a variety of breeds that differ in shape, size, color, and natural habitat. As with humans, proper nutrition and a balanced diet are key to your pet’s health and well-being. And like most reptiles, salamanders are carnivores. Knowing what your salamander should eat and not eat will help your little friend live a healthier and longer life. 

In this post, a veterinarian talks about what you should and shouldn’t feed your little buddy.

Your Salamander’s Dietary Needs

As with most reptiles, salamanders should be fed a carnivorous diet consisting of foods they eat in their natural habitat, including both terrestrial and aquatic environments. If your pet lives on land, insects, mealworms, crickets, tubefex worms, and worms should make up the majority of their diet. Aquatic creatures should be fed with bloodworms, nightcrawlers, brine shrimp, and other aquatic creatures.

When a salamander doesn’t eat a healthy diet, it can lead to various health problems and even death. Salamanders are carnivorous and require a diet that is high in protein. If they do not receive enough protein, they may become weak and lethargic. In addition, a lack of proper nutrition can lead to stunted growth, deformities, and a weakened immune system.

Feeding Schedule

A common misconception about feeding salamanders and amphibians is that they should be fed daily. In fact, an adult salamander only needs feeding two to three times a week at nighttime. Rather, it is juvenile or young salamanders that need to be fed daily. And always have clean, fresh, chlorine-free water for your little friend.

Commercial Foods

Commercially available foods and pellets contain bugs and bug products, so these are also possibilities. However, processed pellets should not be the main component of a salamander’s diet. Reptiles are hunters by nature and must hunt for food. Also, some breeds refuse to eat pellets for this very reason. Another option to consider is feeding your salamander freeze-dried insects instead of live insects.

Fruit and Vegetables

A salamander’s digestive tract can’t really process anything other than meat, so don’t give it fruits or vegetables. Pets still need fruit- and vegetable-based nutrients, so you need to make sure the insects you feed are rich in these types of foods. 

Supplements

Unlike humans, most reptiles do not require vitamins or supplements in their diet. But your little salamander friend does need calcium powder for bone health. Also, make sure the calcium powder you use does not contain vitamin D3, as it can be toxic to reptiles.

If you have any further questions or would like to schedule your little buddy for a checkup, please don’t hesitate to call us, your local veterinarian today.